All 3 Island teams were victorious at the recent Isle of Wight Festival of Basketball, held on 5th July.
The event is an annual gathering, uniting athletes, fans and families for a celebration of sport, community and Island pride.
Hosted by The Bay School in Sandown, the Isle of Wight Basketball Club played junior games at U16 and U18 level against Whiteley Warriors and an All Stars senior game against the Filipino All Stars.
There was even time in the middle of the day for a wheelchair basketball taster session and some fun shooting competitions.
The Isle of Wight U16s delivered a confident and well-rounded performance to defeat the Whiteley Warriors 46–35 in an exciting and competitive game. From the start, Isle of Wight set the tone with tight team defence and fluid ball movement, taking an early lead which they maintained throughout.
The turning point came in the third quarter, where a 19–7 scoring run gave IOW the breathing room they needed. Ethan Soar led all scorers with 16 points, showing great poise and accuracy under pressure, while Caulie Evans added 11 points, finding space well and hitting key jump shots.
Despite both sides shaking off some rust after a break in competition, the game was a strong display of teamwork and resilience. A big thank you to the Whiteley Warriors for making the journey and contributing to an enjoyable and spirited contest.
Final Score: IOW U16s 46 – Whiteley Warriors U16s 35
The IOW U18s came through in a thrilling 64–56 win over the Whiteley Warriors in a game full of energy and heart. IOW led 15–9 after the first quarter, but Whiteley responded strongly in the second, taking a 21–29 lead into halftime after capitalizing on IOW fouls.
The second half remained close, with IOW trailing by five heading into the fourth. In the final quarter, the home side found another gear, pushing the pace and closing the game with a strong run to seal the victory.
Raymond led the charge offensively with key baskets down the stretch, while David lifted team morale throughout the game. On the sideline, Agris played a vital role in energizing the team with his vocal support and leadership.
Final Score: IOW U18s 64 – Whiteley Warriors U18s 56
In a high-energy, fast-paced clash, the IOWBC Allstars edged out the IOW Filipino Allstars in a well-contested game that highlighted the island’s basketball talent. IOWBC started strong and used their size to control the paint early, but the Filipino squad fought back to tie it up by halftime with aggressive defense and quick breaks.
The second half remained close, with IOWBC pulling away in the fourth thanks to their inside presence and ability to draw fouls.
Cameron Johnson was a dominant force on both ends, finishing with 26 points, while Konrad Kantorski added 16, showing his usual sharp vision and scoring touch. For the Filipino side, Dan Uy stood out with a strong two-way performance and 18 points, supported by Vincent Morada, who hit five threes to end with 15 points.
Final Score: IOWBC Allstars 76 – IOW Filipino Allstars 67
