Meridian have the final word

MERIDIAN ended Fearnhill's domination of North Herts Schools' basketball with a 71-58 victory in the championship final on Monday evening, writes DAVE RYAN. The Letchworth school had won the title during the last four years, at under-12 to under-15 age groups. The victories were led by Nathan Wilson, who scored 28 points and managed to limit the damage caused by England and Essex & Herts Leopards team-mate Danzelle St Louis-Hamilton, who matched his haul of points without receiving the support Wilson obtained from his side. Fearnhill had edged the league game between the two 67-66, but Meridian opened strongly, scoring inside three seconds and reaching the first break with a 19-4 lead. The Letchworth side had to improve and Meridian had to lose momentum at some point. This phase was the second period as Fearnhill finally got into some kind of rhythm. St Louis-Hamilton began to find his range as he pulled Fearnhill back into the game to end the half 29-20 to Meridian. Fearnhill continued to narrow the gap after the half-time break without ever gaining the lead as Meridian reached the final period with a 49-44 lead. In a tense final quarter, Fearnhill were in foul trouble and key players had to be very careful. Meridian took advantage once more with point guard Tom Guerero pulling the strings and played some delightful flowing, passing team basketball as they squeezed the game. Fearnhill, to their credit, and like true champions pressed flat out to the end but could not work the miracle their first period display and their inspired opponents had forced on them as they closed out the victory. Meridian: Nathan Wilson 28, Ash Judge 16, T Gueruro 11, Scott Ingrey 10, D Crossman 6, Emma Higton 1, Charlotte Rees, Tim Smith, Sanjay Mahalingham. - Nathan Wilson and Ash Judge will be aiming for their second piece of silverware in the space of a week when they play for Essex & Herts Leopards against Manchester Magic in the National under-16 Cup final on Sunday.