Teesside Lions’ U12 basketball programme has rapidly become a beacon for young talent in the North East. Teesside boast 50 players in their high performance group at u12 level alone.

With four teams competing in the U12 Durham Regional League, the Lions are making waves, with each team occupying a top-four spot in the ten-team league as the season approaches its midpoint. 

The Lions' commitment to developing high-performance players is evident, as all four teams are thriving in competitive play, highlighting the strength and depth of the club's grassroots programme.

Red Lions: Setting the Standard

Leading the charge for Teesside are the Red Lions, currently unbeaten and sitting comfortably at the top of the league table. The team is packed with skilled players who have been dedicated to the club for several years, refining their skills and game understanding. 

Under the guidance of Coach Josh Thomson, the Red Lions have displayed excellent teamwork, court awareness, and resilience while dominating the results.

The team’s success is driven by standout performances from top scorers Jamie Nicholas and Seth Curry, who are consistently leading the offensive efforts. Young stars Jokubas Kvass and Jaden Johnson have also been impressive, showing their potential as future top-level players. 

Another rising talent, Devon Warriner, has quickly developed into one of the most skilful players in the area, showcasing an all-around game and a keen eye for passing that sets up his teammates effectively.

Lions U12 Girls: Proving Their Strength

Second in the league with only two losses, the Lions U12 Girls team has proven to be a formidable force. Their season began with a statement win over the reigning champions East Durham, defeating them 46-38 in an away game that turned heads across the league. 

The girls team, coached by James Thomson, has built not only skill but also resilience and composure through their tough experience last season as the only girls team in the league. 

Led by standout players Sophie Simms, Verity Cabana-Pearey, and Emily Oates - who has been outstanding this season - the girls have become one of the hardest-working and most cohesive teams in the league. Even in their loss against the Lambton Raptors, they led the majority of the game, showcasing their ability to compete with the best. 

Key contributors Scarlett Horne, Penny Lawson, and Emma Smith, along with a talented roster of 13 girls, are making impressive strides in their development. With continued growth, the group has the potential to become one of best female teams in the country.

Blue and White Lions: Development Teams on the Rise

While the Blue and White Lions teams are primarily focused on development, they have both established themselves as top contenders, joining the Red Lions and U12 Girls in the top four.

This season marks the first experience of league competition for many of the players, and their early successes speak volumes about the club’s training approach.

The White Lions, led by Coaches Liam Shepherd and Quintin Vanes, feature promising players like James Richardson, Max Rogers, and Arlo Smith, all of whom have made significant progress. 

Similarly, the Blue Lions, coached by Matt Curry, boast talented youngsters including Jack Hounslow, Jacob Hudson, and Glenn Hopwood, with Noah Grayson and Ryan Barugh recently emerging as dominant forces.

A Decade of Development Paying Dividends

The success of Teesside’s U12 programme is a reflection of the club’s dedication to youth development. Head Coach and programme director James Thomson, who oversees the U12 and U14 teams coaching, attributes the success to years of hard work: 

“The aim this season was to allow our strongest teams, the Red and Girls, to challenge for the league title while providing two developmental teams with valuable experience. To have all four teams in the top four is something special.”

Thomson’s long-term vision has been foundational to the club’s growth. 

From the grassroots level, the Lions’ 24 team Tribal League CVL accommodates players aged 5-18 and provides structured competition, with stats and results tracked to monitor each player’s progress. 

The best performers are invited into the club’s high-performance pathway, with opportunities to compete in both the Durham League and the prestigious junior National League.

With over 400 players training multiple times a week, the Teesside Lions programme is widely regarded as one of the North’s top development systems. 

This season, 37 Lions players attended the Aspire North East regional trials, while the U14 teams in both the Durham and National Leagues remain unbeaten. 

Thomson remains focused on growth, adding, “We are starting to bear the fruit of a programme I started 10 years ago. We are doing well, but we’re not content. The North West and London are still leading the way in terms of player development, but we’re eager to catch up. 

"We have the infrastructure, fantastic coaches, and strong partnerships with schools, Bede College and Teesside University to become one of the best.”

With a strong foundation, skilled coaches, and a clear vision, Teesside Lions’ U12 programme is building the future of British basketball, one talented young player at a time.

The club are eager to build more schools partnerships across the area and welcome interest. 

If you are interested in trying basketball, the club welcomes players of all ages and abilities. Visit TeessideLions.com for more information.