LIVE STREAM: St Aloysius v MK5D Shenley Brook High School – CBL Final (11:30am)

Watch live from 11:30am as MK5D Shenley Brook End will be looking to make it back-to-back CBL titles, with only #1 seeds St Aloysius standing in their way.

The London programme bring the CBL’s only undefeated record to Manchester after going 12-0 in Group C, tacking on a 78-58 win over Xaverian College to open the playoffs and an 89-69 victory over #4 seeds Carmel College to punch their ticket to NBPC.

Shenley Brook End aren’t far behind, going 11-1 this term as Group B winners. They started their playoffs with a closely fought 63-57 victory over New City College Hackney before seeing off Holy Trinity School 76-58.
Given their impressive regular-season records, it’s no surprise that there will be a large collection of talent on display in Manchester.

St Aloysius’ Devontae Da Costa (29.9PPG, 8.8RPG) picked as Group C’s MVP for the part he played in their perfect record, with William Akuffo doubling up as Coach of the Year.

Da Costa’s teammate Tyreese Poku-Mensah (16.9PPG, 5.6RPG) was also voted into the All-First team as another worthy recipient.

It was a similar story in Group A as Shenley Brook End also cleaned up. The MVP award went to Buai Luak (22.2PPG, 9.3RPG), with William Issekya (21.6PPG, 9.1RPG) earning a spot in the All-First Team for the second year in a row.

Head coach Billy Beddow makes it back-to-back Coach of the Year picks after his side’s strong campaign, also aiding in the development of the likes of Gabriel Formeloza (10.1PPG, 2.9APG), who scoops the best U17 Player accolade.

Both teams have also been able to give their players opportunities in other competitions this season, with key members of the St Aloysius roster also making up the Islington Panthers team that won the Sure Shot U18 Men’s National Cup in January.

NBL National Cup and Division Two South winners Milton Keynes Breakers have also given valuable minutes to some of the Shenley Brook End CBL roster, including Luak, who played a part in both competitions.

St Aloysius head coach Akuffo said:

“I’m happy and proud of the team to have made it to the CBL finals, the boys have worked really hard. The team respects each other and the game and have learnt that hard work is rewarded.”

St Aloysius’ Da Costa said: “We’re all very grateful for this opportunity. The final is a great place to showcase the talent we all have. This is what the whole team has worked towards all year and there is only one stop left.”

MK5D Shenley Brook End head coach Beddow said: “It’s a brilliant feeling to be back here for the second year in a row, it shows the strength of the pathway we’ve been building over the last three years.

“We knew it was going to be difficult to defend our title this season. We lost a lot of key players and felt there would be a target on our backs. We obviously want to come out as winners but we know it’s going to be a tough ask against St Aloysius. They’ve had a brilliant season in both academy and Jnr. NBL, I think it’s going to be a really good, competitive game!”

MK5D Shenley Brook End’s William Issekya said:

“It’s an amazing accomplishment to reach the finals for the second year in a row and it’s a testament to the winning culture we have built here at MK.

“But the job’s not done. I have full confidence in my team to make history and leave Manchester as back-to-back champs!”