WCBT2023

The Summerfields Leisure Centre played host to some excellent basketball action over the weekend of the 3rd& 4th  September, when the Bexhill Giants Basketball Club hosted their annual World Club Basketball Tournament & welcomed ten teams to the seaside town of Hastings.

This was the sixth annual WCBT to be held in the town and the first since the covid lockdown of 2019,and  was opened the Mayor of Hastings Councilor James Bacon, and the Deputy Mayor, who welcomed the international teams to the town and wished them well during the tournament.

The objective of the tournament was to raise the profile of UK basketball by introducing high calibre teams into a competitive tournament and to promote the sport to new fans.

In addition to raise funds and awareness for the charity partner Kidney Research UK, after the organizer Eric Douglin received a kidney from his wife in 2010, and Colostomy UK, after Douglin had lifesaving surgery after his bowel ruptured in 2021.

The growth of the tournament has seen team from afar as Tobago, Australia, India and New Zealand enquire about competing in the tournament and has attracted media attention globally, including one of the USA’s top media outlets Baller TV.
 

Competing Teams
The 10 competing teams USAF Lakenheath Eagles (USA), New York Court Kings(USA), Oxford Hoops (Eng), Coventry Tornadoes (Eng) & Viesulas (Lithuania) , were joined by) , Argyle Kings (Eng) &  Toben (Canada), Hoop Goon (USA) Ambassy International (Italy) & Whitstable BC (Eng). 

The teams were split into two groups of four with the top two teams in each group progressing to the ‘A’ Semi Finals and positions three and four progressing to the ‘B’ Semi Finals. The Groups were randomly selected as follows.

Group A: USAF Lakenheath, New York Court Kings, Oxford Hoops, Viesulas, & Coventry Tornadoes.

Group B: Argyle Kings, Hoop Goon, Whitstable BC, Ambassy International & Toben 

After an exciting and tense first day of action, the USAF Lakenheath Eagles & Toben    progressed from to the ‘A’ Semi Finals as group winners, both teams with 100% records after 4 matches. They were joined by New York Court Kings & Whitstable in the ‘A’ Semi Finals as runners up in their respective Groups.

The ‘B’ Semi Finals for the 3rd& 4th placed teams in their Groups would be contested by Oxford Hoops, Coventry Tornadoes, Argyle Kings, & Hoop Goon.

The 9th & 10 Playoff match would be competed between Ambassy International & Viesulas, all of the matches were to be played on Day 2 of the tournament.

Before the Day 2 action was underway, the New York Court Kings hosted a youth coaching clinic which was attended by 30 local youngsters, who received the unique experience of being coached by overseas stars.

Then it was onto the action of the ‘B’ Semifinals, which saw an all-England match up with Argyle Kings ‘going on to defeat Coventry Tornadoes, & the second ‘B’ semifinal would see the National League team Oxford Hoops defeat the USA side Hoop Goon, in a close and exciting match up. 

The ‘B’ semi final would see another all-England clash with Argyle Kings taking on the impressive Oxford Hoops.

‘A ‘Semi Finals

With the excitement of the day building and the crowd growing, the ‘A’ semi finals lived up to their billing and produced some excellent high calibre basketball, which saw tournament newcomer’s Toben (Canada) defeat two time finalist New York Court Kings, to reach the final.

In the second semi-final USAF Lakenheath, making their 6th appearance at the WCBT showed their undoubted skill and talent against the experienced Whitstable BC, as the exciting match went to overtime, with Lakenheath getting the win 36-33. 

The ‘A’ Final would see the two teams with unbeaten 100% records Toben & USAF Lakenheath face off against each other. 

‘B’ Final
The Oxford Hoops team, who were using the tournament as preparation for their National League Division 2 campaign and, came into the ‘B’ Final as slight favorites against an Argyle Kings team which were playing to together for the first time. This proved to be the case is an action packed and exciting match, with the Hoops running out comfortable winners 41-24, after a close start, to take the ‘B’ WCBT title. 

‘A’ Final
The last match of the day, the ‘A’ Final saw the two teams which finished top of their group with 100% record Toben of Canada & USAF Lakenheath Eagles.

The first few minutes saw the teams exchange baskets, with both teams looking to claim their first WCBT title. However, it was the impressive offensive from the Toben side which included Canadian international players which Lakenheath could not match over the course of the match, which saw the experienced Canadian team run out run out winners 54-42. 

WCBT Founder Eric Douglin, said “I was overwhelmed at how well the tournament went and the standard of play the teams brought to the event. It was great to be back for the first time since 2019, after the covid restrictions 

All of the teams were of the highest standard and I was privileged to have them take part in the event in the town. Every year the WCBT grows from strength to strength, and we are inundated with teams looking to take part and visit Hastings, bringing tourism and exposure to the town. 

Its also great that we can raise funds and awareness for Colostomy UK & Kidney Research UK through sport.

We’d like to thank all of our sponsors, including “ Heatwave Print, Welland Medical, Team Fire Attire, Salts Medical, Shea Luv, Always Ballin & On Point Canada.