National playoff success for ARU’s basketball stars
Anglia Ruskin’s women’s basketball team achieve thrilling victory over London Cavaliers
Anglia Ruskin University’s women’s basketball team lift the playoff trophy. Photo by Luke Simcock
Anglia Ruskin University’s women’s basketball team upset the odds to claim glory in the Women’s National Basketball League Division One playoffs at the weekend, beating regular season champions London Cavaliers 78-56 to win their first playoff title since 2018/19.
Division One is the second tier of basketball in the UK and the playoffs are the end of season finale where the top sides in the standings play against each other to decide the overall winner.
ARU finished third in the standings during the regular season but produced a stellar performance at the finals at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Manchester, restricting the Cavaliers who had averaged 76 points per game prior to the playoffs to just 56 in the final.
Leading 33-28 at half time, ARU began the third quarter with back-to-back three-point shots before going on to take the quarter 31-13 which was too much for the Cavaliers to recover.
ARU captain Ilaria Zaffaroni was given the MVP (Most Valuable Player) award, scoring 25 points including four of the side’s 11 successful three-point shots.
“We have a lovely blend of talented and experienced players but more importantly there is a wonderful atmosphere around our basketball programme, with players supporting each other while striving to grow as players and people. Along the way there is a clear determination to have fun and enjoy the journey.
“I also want to say what a great job coach Tor Freeman has done. He has provided the guidelines, but allowed so much autonomy to the players that was clear to see in the playoff run.”
James Bamfield, Head of Basketball at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)