READING ROCKETS ADVANCE TO THE SEMI FINALS AFTER 71-43 WIN OVER LOUGHBOROUGH!

This past weekend saw Loughborough Student Riders 2nd team, take the drive down to Reading for the 2014 Division II Women's Playoff Quarter Finals.

Coach Thorne was really pleased with the initial draw in the playoffs, ''I enjoy the experience of playing a new team from a different league. Some years you play the same team 3 to 4 times and it becomes repetitive. I was excited to see what Loughborough 2nds were like, being the feeder team for a Division 1 program I was expecting some talented girls and plenty of athleticism".

Coming into the playoff match, the Rockets didn't have a full strength team available with Captain Steph Johnson out injured with bruised ligaments in her ankle, but luckily the Rockets had been able to play a double header the previous weekend which gave other players time to adjust to slightly different roles. The Rockets split the double header weekend suffering their only league loss to Birmingham 70-62 after traveling with a young Rockets team consisting of only four senior players, but the ladies bounced back with a tremendous defensive game vs Bromsgrove the next day defeating the Bears 81-21.  The Rockets had some tension to release after their loss and the girls executed fantastically what they set out to do.

They came into the playoffs full of confidence and energy. As a strong defensive team the Rockets looked to make stops defensively to spark their offense and to make a run on the visiting Loughborough Student Riders.  They pushed the ball and played unselfishly finding ways to score both inside and out and they were able to control their creative play as veteran point guard Claire Maytham took the helm and helped to keep the team's composure from the tip.

1st period - 15-9 to Rockets.

Until 45s to go in the period Rockets were up 15-3 and Loughborough looked shaken. But 2 big 3s from missed defensive assignments meant Loughborough went into the quarter break on a high.

2nd period - 37-20 to Rockets

Alex Stollery had an outstanding quarter - dominating the post on defense, running in transition, she set the tone for the group. Coaches Thorne and Buckner wanted 40 minutes of intensity and the strength of the team is its depth. Melissa Espin and Carla De Benavides Gabernet were relentless in their offensive rebounds and picking off reversal passes.

The focus at half time was to win the 2nd half by continuing to push the ball and to walk off the court with no regrets at the final whistle.  Starting the 3rd quarter 0-0 with some highlighted areas to improve the Rockets came out ready to fight.

3rd period - 56-27 to Rockets

As the Rockets extended their lead in the 3rd quarter, U18s Denisa Molnar, Eloise Sneddon and Rhiane Szmidt got an opportunity to play some extended minutes which is going to stand them in great sted going into their playoff quarter finals with Sheffield in April. 

4th period - 71-43 to Rockets

Great fight back from Loughborough winning this period 16-15 as they took advantage of a defensive change from the Rockets. Coach Patel can be very proud of his girls, all being aged 16-19 with a great attitude. You can see why they came 2nd in the North league and will be an even bigger force coming into next season. The Rockets were a more experienced team and it showed as each team member contributed through hard work and determination. Becky Lear and Cat Lutz lead the Rockets' scoring with 13 a piece and Carla De Benavides Gabernet added 12. 

Rockets Division II Women make club history! First league title and now first trip to the playoff Semi Finals!

 

If you can make the trip to the Brixton Rec on Sunday at 2pm that would be fantastic. Brixton made the Trophy Final, finished their league season undefeated and are ranked 2nd in the country. We are really looking forward to the opportunity to play a high ranked team.

Being the highest scoring team in the country from league play at 92.35 and Brixton averaging 72.2 it shows both teams can score. Brixton have a great defensive record forcing teams to 37.36 and Rockets 47.21 that brings the scoring difference a bit close together. But Stats mean nothing come game day. It is going to be a fantastic experience and we look to keep growing as a group and as individuals. 

DIVISION II WOMEN - MIDLANDS SOUTH WEST LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!

Over the weekend the Division II Women traveled to Cardiff, Wales to play against Cardiff City in a deciding game for the first place spot in the Midlands South West league.  The Rockets faced many challenges that day, traveling with a smaller squad due to another fixture for the U18 that same day, the Rockets needed to play smart basketball in order not to deplete their small bench of three players. 

The first quarter set the tone for the game as the Rockets were called for several early fouls which slowed down their momentum and sent Cardiff to the free-throw line where they were able to convert. Cardiff City came out with determination to defeat the number one team in the league as they outscored the Rockets in the first quarter 15-11.

The second quarter belonged to the Rockets though as they came out pushing the ball up the floor and chipped away at Cardiff City's lead converting several fast break buckets.  The Rockets played great team basketball and were able to out-score Cardiff 26-18 and finished the second on top 37-33.   

The third quarter again belonged to the Rockets outscoring Cardiff 25-14 as they continued to battle inside and out, finding open shots and going hard to the basket.  Fouls continued to be a huge factor in the game and eventually caught up with the Rockets in the fourth quarter with both forwards Becky Lear and Carla Gabernet fouling out of the game.  With four minutes left to play Rockets guard Steph Johnson suffered an ankle injury on a rebound that took her out of the game, bringing in their last player on the bench. 

The last four minutes of the game was a battle as Cardiff City continued to fight, connecting 3-4 shots in the last 2 minutes to bring the game within 6 points.  The Rockets showed a lot of composure and worked together to hold the lead for a 80-74 win and securing the league title.  Leading the Rockets in scoring was Cat Lutz with 33, Melissa England Espin with 17 and Carla Gabernet who added 13. 

Next weekend the Rockets finish the regular season with a double header, they travel to Birmingham on the 15th and welcome Bromsgrove at home on the 16th.

Congratulations Ladies!!! 

Natacha Ponsoda Paris

My name is Natacha Ponsoda Paris and I am a 5.8 guard/point guard from Spain. I have always loved basketball! I started because my best friend at school played... So I joined her. That happened more that 20 years ago!!! Omg!!! Since then, I have always tried to keep playing while working, studying and travelling!

No11 Natacha Paris

My first team was my school team, Loreto. I played there since I was 17 and after that I joined Alginet and Claret in National 1.
After those years I moved to Italy for a new experience with Pink Bari where I had a great season with all the crazy Italian team mates. I was studying there as well to finish my degree so when the academic year finished I went back home to play for my ex-coach in Godella, where I met my boyfriend Migue that plays for the Reading men's team! By the end of the season I had already a new trip planned and I was heading to London for the first time!

I played for Nassa with coach Max and learnt a lot from him... Even though I planned to be in UK for good I spent another year in Italy playing for CB Umbertide. It was great to share training sessions and friendly games with the A1 team! There I met Nuria Martinez, the Spanish national team point guard!!!  After this experience I had nearly two years without basketball until back in London I joined Rick and Manu in Westside and Reading!!!

I'm enjoying this season with the girls so much, I bet I couldn't find a better way to be back on the court than with Reading Rockets.  We just need to finish the season doing what we have been doing until now... Playing hard, together and unselfish to win the league!

GO ROCKETS!!!!!

DIVISIOIN II WOMEN CONTINUE TO LEAD

Last weekend the Rockets Division II Women's team travelled to Oxford for a must win game. A win would ensure a playoff place and keep their dream of winning the league alive. Rockets started the game well, playing patient, effective offence giving our shooters Cat Lutz and Melissa England Espin the opportunity to take open shots which they duly converted.


Forward Becky Lear

In first half we were able to convert on the break and from offence but it was our inside play from Becky Lear and Alex Stollery that gave us a commanding lead at the end of the half. We fully expected Oxford to come out strong in the third quarter and they showed us a few glimpses of their potential with Angelique Brown being aggressive inside and on the boards and Alice Walton trying to get her game going on the outside. However the Rockets played an aggressive zone which limited their scoring opportunities and they continued to convert on the offensive end with Becky Lear scoring at will.


Becky Lear ended the game with 27points, Cat Lutz with 14 points, and Melissa England Espin added 13 points.  It was a great team performance that allowed a 30 point win over one of the top 3 teams.

The women have three more games coming up in the regular season, Bromsgrove, Birmingham and Cardiff City, and the Rockets are focused and ready to work hard for those final wins that will propel them into the playoffs with a perfect 14-0 record.

Henley College Girls - South East College Champions!!

Congratulations Ladies!!!

Park House School Academy

Park House School in Newbury is working in collaboration with Reading Rockets to provide 11-18 year olds the chance to play basketball whilst studying in an outstanding educational establishment. 

 

Do you feel you want the educational support and freedom to excel academically and can match that with a passion for basketball? Then Park House School might be the right place for you.

 

Driven to excel in both the classroom and the court we hope to offer you the chance to take your further education world wide.

 

If you want to take a visit or have any further questions please contact Matthew Johnson at matthewjohnson1973@gmail.com.

Reading College Basketball Academy

Do you fancy studying anything you like and
play basketball at the same time?

 

Reading College offers you the chance to take your pick of subjects whether it is vocational or theory based they have you covered.

 

This season the Academy has 13 selected performers and another seven players that are part of a development group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AVERAGE WEEK:

Each student will get approx. 11 hours of basketball each week on top of their chosen full time College study programme.

The week is split into the following:

Monday
8:15-10am - Position Specific training (Guards/Forwards)
 

Tuesday
8:15-10am - Shooting in groups 1, 2 or 3. (Times staggered)
 

Wednesday
1 - 5pm - Games or inter group scrimmage
 

Thursday
8:15 - 10am - Shooting (as Tuesday)
 

Friday
8:30 - 10am - Conditioning day (SAQ training, Heavy ropes etc)

More Information: contact Matt Johnson matt@readingrockets.co.uk

 

John Madejski Academy - NOW RECRUITING!

 

The 2014-15 season is fast approaching and John Madejski Academy is preparing for its upcoming recruitment of student athletes.

This season we are increasing our focus on girls basketball, with an emphasis on Sixth Form athletes looking to take their education and basketball to the next level.

Our partnership with Reading Rockets allows us to offer Elite level programming and athlete development, supported by its National League Senior and Junior programs.

If you are interested in visiting the academy or taking part in one of the sessions, please do not hesitate to contact Head of Development Mathew Johnson.

Email: mathewjohnson1973@gmail.com
Mobile: 07834372952

The Henley College - Reading Rockets - Player Development Partnership

The Henley College Basketball Academy provides a unique opportunity for student athletes to pursue academic excellence, sporting excellence and gain valuable coaching awards.

 

The Academy Head Coach, Mark Halewood, under the direction of Reading Rockets Head of Junior Development and Reading College Basketball Academy Head Coach Matt Johnson, has implemented a development program working in partnership with The Henley College and Reading Rockets Basketball Club.

The program gives students the opportunity to pursue a wide variety of educational courses, as well as pursue their achievement of excellence in basketball.

 

Unlike many other academies, The Henley College Basketball Academy aims to bring together a high achieving academic environment with that of performance sport. Students attending the College can choose from a wide variety of courses such as A Levels, Extended Diplomas and Level 2 Diplomas. The Academy’s first aim is to ensure its student athletes gain a high standard of qualification while they train.

 

Within the Academy itself athletes will develop their skills through a challenging program consisting of 4 main training areas:

•Individual
•Cooperative
•Shooting
•Strength and Conditioning

Athletes competing at a High to Elite Level will be assessed by a Strength and Conditioning coach and given an individual conditioning program to follow. Each player will be fitness tested, as well as undergoing shooting and skills tests. Along with developing the athlete, the Academy combines the delivery of the UKCC Basketball Level I and II qualification with basketball.

 

Overall, the Academy provides an environment of high achievement on and off the court. With the successful partnership between Reading Rockets and The Henley College, players have the opportunity to play at the highest level of club basketball. Whether it is at a Junior level with our premiership, Conference U18 squads or training with Division 1 or 4, the Rockets system allows players a clear pathway of development into the highest level of senior English basketball.

 

2013-14 AASE Students (Left to Right) Eloise Sneddon, Hannah Whiteley, Freya and Rhiane Szmidt, Denisa Molnar and Jasmine Long

2013-2014 AASE Student Freya Szmidt (No 9) representing GB U20s in World 3 v 3

Under 14, 16 and 18 Teams recruiting for 2014-15 Season!

  

 

***Reading Rockets is currently holding selective open practices for prospective players and parents to try out a practice session, meet with current players and coaches and provide an opportunity to get the feel for the basketball club.***

The Women's and Girl's program is headed up by GB Coach Matt Johnson and supported by AASE academy coaches Manuel Pena Garces, Mark Halewood and club coaches Josh Thorne, Rick Buckner, Steph Johnson and Cat Lutz.

The club is in the process of selecting its junior rosters for the coming season, with the focus on Spring and Summer training. The club wants to open its doors to new members and widen the opportunities for the South of England's most eager and talented young women. 

An example of a typical training week for the teams include:

Under 14s - 1 team practice, involving individual and team drills, and 1 CVL (Central Venue League) based session, which is game based. 

Under 16s - 2 team practices: 1 that is individual and team focused and 1 that is mixed with the U18 girls.

Under 18s - 2 - 3 practices per week: 1 individual and team based, 1 mixed with the Senior women and an opportunity to train with the Seniors for the top 5 U18 players.

U18s also have the opportunity to be involved with The Henley Basketball Academy and the John Madejski Basketball Academy, which provides players an extra 10+ hours of individual, strength and conditioning and game based opportunities for those players wishing to take their games to new heights.

If you wish to get involved with a Rockets training session please email steph.johnson6@gmail.com to arrange a visit.