Video: The Battle of London 2010

January 2nd 2010, what better way to say goodbye to 2009 and welcome in the New Year than with a basketball tourney?! Time to work off that turkey fat!

The tournament was hosted by the Westminster Warriors and consisted of 3 other teams; Edmonton Storm (D2), Brixton Topcats (D2) and London Mets (D1). London Mets, being D1 were the obvious favourites but weren’t fielding a full team which made things interesting. Dave Ajumobi was coaching as opposed to playing and Courtney Van-Beest was nowhere to be seen amongst others.

The tournament was a straight semi-final set up, so win your first game and you’re through to the final. It was a running clock, except for the last 2 minutes of each 20 minute half (hence the low scores).

The first teams up were Brixton and Edmonton.  I’ve seen Brixton before a couple of times this season so knew to expect a big team with Tom Adorian and Laurie Lewis upfront, then nice guard play from Karolis. This was the first time I’d seen Edmonton, and boy, it was like I’d been taken back to the streetball.co.uk days, with a lineup that consisted of Tayo Odulaja, Leon Bernard and Pierre Henry-Fontaine. The teams seemed to be matched evenly, but Edmonton game out on top to win 56-50to book their place in the final.

The second match-up of the day, bought Westminster and London Mets. With Junior a.k.a The General leading the Warriors (see more about Junior Williams’ antics here) I knew this wasn’t going to be an easy game for the Mets. London Mets came out strong with Mike Odumosu getting about 4 and1’s in the first half, predictably, this game went down to the wire, with some clutch shooting from Luke Baker and then Williams scoring 10 pts (it might have actually been 12) in the last 4 minutes, Westminster came away with a hard fought W, winning 60-54 to put them in the finals against Edmonton. Big shout out to Mike Odumosu who had the backy of 2010 so far being rejected by the rim on a fast break!

Before the finals however, there was a 3rd and 4th place playoff between Brixton and London Met.  I thought this was gonna be a blowout with the Topcats not standing a chance, to my surprise however, they hung with London throughout, only to lose 57-51 in the dying minutes.

So that brings us to the final where Westminster faced Edmonton.  Both teams came out hard, but there was never any doubt who the champions would be with the hosts Westminster Warriors cruising to a 65-50 victory.

Big thanks to the Westminster Warriors for hosting it, I look forward to next year!