In a thrilling last-32 clash of the National U19s School Cup, New College Basketball Academy (NCS) edged out Millfield Independent School in a dramatic finish, securing a spot in the round of 16 with a last-second three-pointer from captain Ridley Pitts.
It was a slow start for NCS, as Millfield applied early pressure, taking control in the first quarter. However, NCS found their rhythm in the second, delivering a dominant performance to establish a 13-point lead at halftime.
Millfield refused to back down, rallying in the third quarter to erase the deficit and tie the game heading into the final period. The fourth quarter became a tense, back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading leads. With just eight seconds left on the clock, Millfield held a two-point advantage, seemingly on the brink of victory.
But with time winding down, Pitts rose to the occasion, draining a clutch three-pointer to seal the win and send NCS through to the next round and the final 16 in the country. The dramatic victory cements NCS’s reputation as a rising force in basketball within the area and the good work done to qualify initially from the group stage of this competition.
Wednesday 5th Feb, will see both the 1st & 2nd teams return to AoC league action.
For more information on the basketball academy; please contact Head Coach thebe.blakie@newcollege.ac.uk.