In just their first full season of operation, the rising force in West London basketball, London Elite have been crowned U12 Division 1 Champions for the 2019/2020 season.
The 2019/20 CBL U12 top division has arguably been the most exciting and competitive season in the U12 CBL history, with 2 newcomers setting the league alight with jaw-dropping plays and undeniable talent throughout. London Elite and O.W.E Zoo Crew were both welcomed new additions to the league this season and have quickly established themselves as the new gold standard of the CBL, fighting off worthy challengers such as the Brent Panthers (4-3), Barnet Bulldogs (3-3), perennial contenders Westside (3-3) and the talent-laden Chiswick Gators (2-4).
Ironically, the two top teams in the league faced off against each other in the very first game of the season, which provided an unexpectedly volcanic start to the U12 campaign, which set the tone for the rest of the year. With Elite’s Kaya Birsen shooting hot lava from way beyond the arc and Anton Safin cleaning up everything off the glass, the West Londoner’s were able to hold off the outstanding electric onslaught from O.W.E Zoo Crew, with a final score of 42-35, which didn’t tell the whole story.
O.W.E set it off in the CBL this season, behind 3 of the best players in the division in Ric Trotter, Zaire Colbert and Walter Townsend Jr. Infectious energy, great coaching and as their name represents, these kids ‘Out Work Everyone’ (O.W.E), however London Elite proved to be the most formidably talented team across the division. Chris Sagun, Daniel Olusanya and Justin Balaba joined Birsen and Safin in putting the league on notice…there is a new Champ in town, and they go by the name of London Elite.
Head coach Daniel Szatkowski:
“In just our first season in existence we have achieved our first championship! It means a lot to me, coach Matt and the whole London Elite organisation! We had one of most competitive under 12 teams in the country, which I’m so proud about. The boys compete and work hard in practice and play the right way, so I’m glad all their hard work paid off. There is so much potential in our youngsters. To achieve this so soon on our journey, it shows where our future is heading. We would like say a big THANK YOU to the CBL for putting on such a great and competitive league and we look forward to defending our title next season”.
