Norlington School and 6th Form

Norlington Year 9 vs George Mitchell School

Norlington Year 9 played their third game of the season at home, taking on George Mitchell School in a fixture that proved to be another strong step forward in their campaign. The game began at a steady pace, but it didn’t take long for Norlington to assert themselves. Leonard opened the scoring with his usual confidence, while Kojo controlled the early possessions superbly, helping the team establish a 10-point lead by the end of the first quarter.

Rotations in the second quarter brought fresh energy, with Ahmed Wasim and Ziya Iqbal immediately making an impact. Their speed in transition created multiple fast break opportunities, each one finished with composed layups that stretched the lead further. By the time the third quarter closed, Norlington were 20 points ahead and firmly in control of the contest.

Defensively, the team were outstanding from start to finish. Owais Ahmed and Simba Gwenzi, in particular, were relentless tracking George Mitchell players closely, cutting off passing lanes, and forcing repeated turnovers. Their discipline ensured that the visitors found very few clear scoring chances throughout the game.

Laith Dustagheer also played a crucial role, contributing 4 points and showing tremendous resilience after having played a gruelling London Cup football match the day before, which went all the way to penalties. His work rate and commitment lifted the team at key moments.

The final scoreline reflected Norlington’s dominance, as they secured a 61–18 victory, an impressive result that places them in a strong position for the playoffs, with two wins from three and a healthy points difference. Leonard Switala once again led the scoring with 26 points, remarkably achieved in just two quarters, while the rest of the team showed excellent composure, ball movement, and confidence throughout.

With three games remaining before the playoffs, this performance provides plenty of encouragement and a clear sign of Norlington’s growing momentum.

Norlington Year 9 vs Lammas School

Norlington Year 9 bounced back in emphatic style in their second game of the season versus The Lammas School, determined to respond to last week’s disappointment against Leytonstone. From the opening tip, the boys looked composed and hungry, immediately taking control of the game. Leonard and Kojo set the tone early, combining sharp decision-making with confident scoring to propel Norlington into a commanding 10-point lead by the end of the first quarter.

The momentum continued to build in the second quarter. What began as a steady advantage quickly turned into a 20-point gap, largely due to a vastly improved defensive display. Laith Dustagheer, Owais Ahmed, Ahmed Wasim and Badisse were outstanding off the ball—closing down space, winning rebounds, and forcing turnovers that led to fast-break opportunities. Their collective intensity gave the team a platform to dominate both ends of the court.

By the final whistle, Norlington secured a comprehensive 53–9 victory, showcasing exactly what they are capable of when playing with discipline and focus. Leonard finished with an impressive 20 points despite playing only 15 minutes, while Kojo delivered another exceptional performance at point guard, contributing 17 points and controlling the pace of the game throughout.

It was the perfect response to the opening-day loss and a result that will hopefully kickstart a strong run of form. The team now turn their attention to their next fixture on Wednesday 10th December, where they will face George Mitchell School.

Norlington Year 8 vs Lammas School

The Norlington Year 8 basketball team showed real growth and determination in their latest fixture, gaining valuable experience in what proved to be an important learning curve for both teams. From the outset, it was clear that the match would challenge the boys both physically and mentally, providing the perfect opportunity to build their game understanding.

Both sides began cautiously, creating chances but struggling to convert them—an early reminder of the importance of taking opportunities when they appear. As the match progressed, the boys quickly learned the value of fighting for every rebound, with improved boxing out and determination helping them win possession in key moments.

Man-to-man marking was another major focus throughout the game. While the team had to work hard to stay tight and track their players, their communication and positioning improved with each quarter. This growing discipline helped limit the opposition and showed how well the group can adapt under pressure.

One of the standout aspects of the performance was how Norlington improved quarter by quarter. With every break, the boys came back more organised, more confident, and more resilient. The fast pace pushed them to the limits of their fitness, but they continued to battle, showing real heart all the way to the final whistle.

A brilliant performance came from Muhammad Adam Uddin, who played a crucial role on both ends of the court. His strong defensive work, relentless effort on rebounds, and composed decision-making stood out throughout. Adam also made a big impact offensively, scoring 7 well-earned points and providing the team with important momentum at key stages of the game.

Although the final result was secondary to the learning gained, the match highlighted the progress and potential within this group. A committed and spirited display from all the boys—well done to the entire team. Plenty to build on and an exciting journey ahead!

Final Score: Norlington 9 – 12 Lammas School

Norlington Year 9 vs Leytonstone School

Norlington Year 9, last season’s semi-finalists, opened their new campaign with a fiercely competitive fixture against a strong Leytonstone side. The boys burst into an early lead thanks to Leonard Switala, who wasted no time getting points on the board. Despite the fast start, Norlington trailed by 2 points at the end of the first quarter.

Leytonstone demonstrated their quality throughout, showcasing excellent technical ability and making full use of their squad of ten by rotating fresh players every five minutes. The second quarter followed a similar pattern—tight, high-energy basketball. Kojo was outstanding during this spell, knocking down shot after shot to keep Norlington within touching distance. However, the quarter closed with Norlington 6 points behind.

The third quarter proved decisive. With Leytonstone continuously rotating players, fatigue began to take its toll on the Norlington team. The opposition capitalised, stretching the lead to 15 points by the end of the quarter.

Despite a determined final effort, Norlington were unable to close the gap, ultimately falling 70–51. However, the scoreline does not reflect the immense effort and resilience shown by the team against a well-drilled and talented Leytonstone squad. There are plenty of positives to build on as the season progresses.

Standout performances included Leonard Switala with 19 points and Kojo with 14 points, both displaying excellent skill and determination throughout the game.

Norlington Year 11 vs Lammas

Norlington hosted Lammas on Tuesday in what proved to be a challenging but valuable learning experience for the Year 11 basketball team.

Lammas started the game with real intensity, scoring early and quickly establishing a comfortable lead. Their organised zonal defence made it difficult for Norlington to find space or create high-percentage shots, and the visitors were able to dictate the early tempo.

Despite the tough start, Norlington showed real fight. Zubayr continued his impressive scoring form with 16 points, while Adam added 13 points in a strong offensive display. Sami and Khizer also contributed well, working hard to keep Norlington competitive.

As the game developed and opened up, Norlington pushed harder to reduce the deficit. In doing so they committed players forward, which left gaps for Lammas to exploit on the break. The visitors capitalised on these moments effectively, and this flattered the final scoreline somewhat, despite Norlington’s determined efforts.

Lammas delivered a well-organised team performance, with two of their players scoring more than 25 points each. Their composure and structure helped them maintain control as the match progressed.

The game finished Lammas 73 – Norlington 35, but the Norlington boys showed great grit and character throughout. Heads never dropped, and the team can take several important lessons forward as they continue to build and improve.

A tough test, but one that will help the squad grow.

Norlington Year 7 vs Chingford

Match Report – Norlington Year 7 vs Chingford

Norlington Year 7 continued their impressive start to the season with a hard-fought 12–4 victory over Chingford. Coming into the game, the team knew they would be facing a much tougher test than in previous fixtures, and Chingford certainly proved to be a step up in quality. The opponents defended strongly and moved the ball well, forcing Norlington to stay focused and disciplined throughout.

Despite the challenge, Norlington rose to the occasion with excellent teamwork and determination. After a tight opening period, the team began to build momentum through strong defensive pressure and quick transitions up the court. The group’s resilience proved decisive as they gradually took control of the match.

Top scorer Ayman Uthman led the offensive effort with an impressive 8 points, showing great composure and accuracy under pressure. Supporting the scoring were Reyaan Rasalingham and Jayden Otchere, who both contributed 2 points each.

The Player of the Match was awarded to Daniel Liverpool, who delivered an outstanding defensive performance. His relentless rebounding and ability to drive the ball up the court played a crucial role in turning defence into attack and keeping Norlington on the front foot.

This 12–4 win was a testament to the team’s work ethic, communication, and improved match play. A brilliant effort from all involved—well done, boys! 🏀💪

Norlington Year 7 vs South Chingford

Match Report – Norlington Year 7 vs South Chingford

Final Score: Norlington 24 – 4 South Chingford

Our Norlington Year 7 basketball team made a brilliant start in their first-ever competitive match, securing a superb 24–4 victory against South Chingford School.

Both teams began cautiously, adjusting to the pace of the game and defending well, which led to a slow and low-scoring opening.

However, once we settled, we quickly found our rhythm and began to take control with excellent passing, strong teamwork, and confident drives to the basket. As the game progressed, we steadily built a strong lead and maintained pressure at both ends of the court.

It was a fantastic team effort from everyone involved, with every player showing great determination, energy, and discipline throughout the match. Daniel Liverpool and Ubayd Abdul-Hakeem both played really well and contributed valuable points, helping us maintain momentum.

The Man of the Match was Ayman Uthman, who produced an outstanding performance, scoring 10 points and demonstrating impressive dribbling skills and composed layups that lifted the team.

Points Scored:

Ayman Uthman – 10
Ubayd Abdul-Hakeem – 6
Daniel Liverpool – 4
Reyaan – 2
Jeyaan – 2

A brilliant first game and a fantastic win—well done to all the boys. A very exciting season ahead for us! 🏀👏

Year 7 Basketball Team v South Chingford