As the new season fast approaches a bevy of familiar faces prepare for new challenges from the influx of new teams in the CBL Under 12 division.
This season the division moves up to 16 teams, split across the East and West conference, with both teams in both conferences each playing a 7 game regular season, followed on by single-elimination playoffs for both the East and West. The eventual winners of each conference will then progress on to represent either the East or the West in the U12 CBL Championship Final at the end of the season.
In the Western Conference, all eyes will be on current U12 reigning champions, Westside, as they look to repeat their U12 success. The West Londoner’s went unbeaten all season in the last campaign and are coached by Lloyd Clark and Scott Stevens who have done a fantastic job in developing grassroots sessions across the Hammersmith & Fulham area. Westside U12’s will be without U12’s MVP CJ Merino and the influential Towlah brothers, who all graduate up to the U14’s division – but with a steady stream of new players coming through, alongside the well organised, positive and enthusiastic coaching, look out for Westside to be one of the stronger teams in the West.
Access 2 Sports will be a force to be reckoned with in 2016/2017 and are coached by National League Senior Mens scoring sensation Justin Hitchman. Coach Hitchman prepares all of his A2S teams for competition well, passing on his knowledge and proven expertise to the next generation. Hitchman’s U16 team won the CBL under 16 division last season, and the enigmatic coach is keen to extending the club’s winning ways down to their under 12’s: “I felt we had great energy and an opportunity to win last season if only a couple of breaks here and there went our way. But this is a new season and we’ve got a great group of kids who love to play so we’re excited looking forward to the season ahead”.
London Pulse are another positive light back shining on the CBL for the 2016/17 season. A well organised club, deeply committed to grassroots development and providing excellent basketball opportunities across the Ealing and Hanwell area, the Pulse are always competitive and well coached.
K&C Knights return for their 4th consecutive CBL season, led by club president and West London legend, Josh Cole. Coach Cole has been producing talent and providing opportunities for local youth for over 20 years and is still as positive, passionate and energetic heading into the new season as ever: “It’s all about local opportunities and giving our kids a chance to enjoy the game while developing skills along the way that help them on and off the court. We’re looking forward to the new season and will have our young Knights ready to play!”.
The Western Conference also features 4 new teams to the division this season. Torriano Tigers, based in Camden, are a newly formed team who join the league to offer their players a first taste of organised competition. East Herts Royals are another welcome addition to the league, travelling in from the outskirts of London, full of enthusiasm and eager to make their mark in their first season of CBL play. Although the forthcoming season marks the first U12 CBL season for the Camden Knights, the club has been well established for over 10 years and led by the highly respected coach Max Gvozdenovic. Expect the Knights to be well organised and ready to make waves right away. The conference is rounded out by newcomers Chatsworth Chargers, based in Hounslow. The Chargers have been developed from regular basketball sessions at Chatsworth primary school and are welcomed new addition to the league.
To see all of the fixtures and results for the U12 Western Conference please click here
To the U12 Western Conference full season standings, please click here
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