Norlington School and Sixth Form

Norlington Year 10 vs Kelmscott School 

The Year 10 basketball team played their first competitive game this week against Kelmscott, and although the final score was Norlington 13 – 50 Kelmscott, the scoreline does not reflect the effort, attitude, or promise shown by the team.

With very limited training and experience, the boys approached the fixture with enthusiasm and resilience throughout. We created a large number of scoring opportunities, repeatedly getting into strong positions for lay-ups and close-range shots, which on another day would have significantly narrowed the gap.

The highlight of the game came when Owen Haye hit a three-pointer, drawing well-deserved celebrations from teammates and staff alike. There were also excellent individual performances from Mustafa Faisal Abdullah, Rayyan Ibrahim, and Oliver Tyres, who all showed composure, work rate, and determination on both ends of the court.

The most encouraging aspect was a much-improved second half, where the team defended with greater organisation, moved the ball more confidently, and competed strongly right until the final whistle.
This was a hugely positive first step for a brand-new team, and the boys should be proud of how they represented the school. With more training and match experience, there is plenty to be excited about going forward.

Norlington Year 9 vs Kelmscott School

 Norlington faced Kelmscott School in a challenging basketball fixture that provided another valuable learning experience for the team. From the opening whistle, the boys showed positive intent and a willingness to compete, demonstrating clear signs of development in their overall play.

There were several strong passages of play from the Norlington side, particularly in their ability to secure the majority of possession for long periods. The team kept the ball moving well, using short, sharp passes to break pressure and create shooting opportunities. At times, Norlington made excellent use of layups and attacked the basket with confidence, showing good decision-making in transition.

Encouragingly, Norlington registered more shots on target than the opposition, reflecting their ability to work the ball into good positions. However, despite the volume of chances created, the team ultimately fell short of consistently converting these opportunities into points, with the ball just not dropping into the basket when it mattered most.

A notable feature of the performance was the relentless work rate shown by Matthew and Matias, who covered large distances up and down the court throughout the match. Their continuous hard running set the standard for effort and helped maintain the team’s intensity at both ends of the floor.

In the end, Norlington were beaten by a very credible and well-organised Kelmscott School side. While the final score did not reflect the positive aspects of Norlington’s performance, the boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves and embraced the camaraderie and teamwork that comes with competitive basketball. With spirits high and lessons learned, the team now looks forward with enthusiasm to future fixtures

Final Score:

Norlington 11 – 24 Kelmscott School

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.

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 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.

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! 🏀👏