The annual Presentation Evening was another resounding success with players, family and friends attending for an evening of awards, recognition and the all-important opportunity to get together off the court.

The social aspect is a great way for parents to get to know each other, and make new friends, as well as the players getting together and enjoying each other’s company.

The basketball season is a long and often arduous campaign filled with highs and lows.

James Thomson nearly didn’t make the event after a visit to hospital on Thursday morning resulting in a diagnosis of chest & throat infection. On the theme of resilience he opened the evening with a talk on the girls project season, a season that saw the girls lose every game until the last game of the season in which they worked hard to earn that elusive victory. It was the culmination of a year of development for a team that was very young.

The project was understood by the parents and players and the results have paid dividends. The group will enter the U16 National League again next season with the intention of competing.

With such a large club and so many teams, sessions and leagues it can often be difficult to explain in detail some of the decisions, mentalities and ‘projects’ but there is always a method behind the madness.

In the Tribal League we will often instil rules that may limit a player or as we see it; guide them towards another facet of development. Sometimes this is to support game balance, especially if players are missing. Other times this is to aid player development. The results are there to be seen, especially when players ‘buy-in.’

Player development is not a switch, it is a process. Often this is a path of peaks and troughs. Dedication, application and persistence are key elements on this path to success, and for those who didn’t win tonight, don’t be upset, be happy for your team-mates, but more importantly be motivated for next year. This will make you a better player.

Focus on at least one area you could have improved. Start with dedication & application, and you will be half way there.

Next year starts now.

The big winners of the night were Ben Grimes, Lucy Atkinson and Verity Cavana-Pearey, Seth Graham and Antony Cain who each collected more than one major award.

Ben Grimes has enjoyed an outstanding season at U18 level earning the MVP. Grimes also collected MVP for the men’s Durham League team and Bede College Academy. The Most Skilful player for the U18 team rounded off his four major trophy haul.

Hot on his heels was Lucy Atkinson who earned defensive player of the year for U16 national league and ladies Durham League. She also collected ladies ‘players player.’

For Verity Cavana-Pearey, it was a break-out season as she collected Defensive Player of the season and Most Improved in the U12 Girls team.

For the men’s National League Luke Mitchell was the Fans Player of the Season, edging Faaris Mughal by 32 votes. The pair did share the Most Skilful player award while Aaron Maxwell enjoyed a strong season with joint Defensive Player of Season with Emmanuel Kabengele, and also collected Most Improved Player.

American Tom Horvat picked up the Most Valuable Player and the Players Player awards in what was an excellent season.

The final award of the evening and the most important honour is the Lion of the Year which is presented to individuals who go above and beyond in their dedication to the club.

Out of four worthy nominations the winner was the truly deserving Eddy Smith. Not only has he excelled on the court as the U14 captain, he has dedicated time and energy into developing in areas such as refereeing, table officiating, stats and one of our most competent young coaches.

Congratulations to all the participants, nominees and eventual winners.

The full list on nominations and winners for the Game Time Tribal League and Teesside Lions awards can be viewed by clicking the button below.

Game Time Tribal League

https://teessidelions.com/news...

Teesside Lions

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A full photo album of the evening can be viewed at our Facebook page.