National Cup: Redden Court 56 Dagenham Park 54

Redden Court’s year eight boys basketball squad produced their best-ever display to beat Dagenham Park in the National Cup.

The home side started off on the back foot, conceding some easy baskets, but hit back in the second quarter with great attacking moves from Isaiah Polius and strong defence from Donovan Wright and AJ Jordan.

Play swung from end to end during an intense second half, with both teams battling it out for supremacy.

Captain Daniel Simmons led by example for Redden Court, scoring 12 points in succession in the final quarter in a 35-point haul, and came up with the most important basket with seconds to go.

Redden Court were trailing by one point when Simmons stopped for a shot from outside the key, with a defender in his face, and made an almost impossible basket to give his side a one-point lead with five seconds left.

Park drove down court to draw a foul, earning two free throws with the time expired, and converted one of them to force overtime.

But Redden Court had the better of the extra two minutes and were able to get their noses in front and secure a memorable victory.

Squad: AJ Jordan, Daniel Simmons, Isac Gee, Liam Palmer-Anscomb, Isaiah Polius, Torez Polius, Lewis Moore, Donovan Wright.

Redden Court’s under-15 girls were edged out of their Essex Cup clash by St Angelas in Forest Gate.

They were made to pay for a slow start as they found themselves 18-0 down, stunned by the fast breaks of the home side.

Redden Court regrouped during a timeout and Amy Pinkney managed to put some baskets on the board, with Emily Roofe also finding her scoring rhythm.

The first quarter ended with Saints 20-6 up, but Redden Court continued their determined fightback, led by Scarlett Jacks and Louise Banham-Scott.

Excellent team defence frustrated the home side and Redden Court showed incredible fight and endeavour to pull the score back to 25-24.

Clinical shooting in the third quarter helped the visitors into a two-point lead and play swung from end to end in a thrilling final sessions.

But Saints dug deep to claim a 41-39 victory, although Redden Court teacher Jenny Canty said: “The students represented the school with class and dignity in an extremely tense environment.

“The effort, attitude and performance of the Redden Court students was fantastic and they did not deserve to be on the losing side.

“It was also pleasing to receive an email the following day from St Angela’s coach, commending the students for their basketball display.”

Squad: Emily Roofe, Scarlett Jacks, Emily Diwell, Louise Banham-Scott, Amy Pinkney, Alanah Jefferies, Grace Deavin, Grace Pickford, Lucy Eost.