The Solent Rising Stars youth basketball programme celebrated its best ever season with a gathering of over 300 players, parents, friends and supporters at Southampton University.

Special guests were Ken Butcher (President of the English Schools Basketball Association), Mick Byrne (Chairman of the Solent Area Basketball Association) and Jim Rumsey (Director of Solent Stars Basketball Club).

No other basketball club in the country can match the breadth of achievement of the Solent youth programme this season with the under-15, under-18 and under-20 men all having made the national Final Four competitions and the under-16 women going further by becoming national champions in their first year in the national league.

Fittingly, a group of under-13 and under-14 players also played in front of The Queen at a tournament at Bisham Abbey as part of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations.

Prize-winners - Under-13:

Most Valuable Player (MVP): Thomas Hatchett

Most Improved Player (MIP): Sam McGurk

Coach's player: Chris Evans

Under-14 - MVP: Lawrence Young

Coach's player: Alex Pape

Under-15 - MVP: Jon Titcombe

Coach's player: Liam Openshaw

Under-16 - Joint MVPs: Matt Guymon & Paul Loosemore

MIP: Chris Davies

Coach's player: Paul Loosemore

Under-18 - MVP: Matt Rodrigues

Coach's player: James Davies

Under-20 - MVP: John Notley

Coach's player: Anthony Rutter

Under-16 women - MVP: Jodi Jerram

Coach's player: Charlotte Heron

Solent Rising Stars youth basketball trials for the 2002-2003 season take place this weekend at The Romsey School, Greatbridge Road, Romsey:

Saturday, June 8: Under-13 (1.30pm), under-14 (2.30pm), under-15 (3.30pm), under-16 (4.30pm).

Sunday, June 9: Under-16 women (1.30pm), Under-18 (2.30pm), Under-20 (3.30pm)

Further information from Keith Davies 01794 513919.