MEMBERS of a basketball team have paid tribute to young mum Hollie Green who was found dead in her Hampshire home.

The 21-year-old was once a key member of Solent Stars and played in their national league team.

Mum-of-one Hollie played with the team, who are now known as Solent Suns, for a number of seasons before she left to continue her other love of amateur dramatics.

Coach Ollie Jerram told how she had been shocked at news of Hollie’s death, describing her as a “popular young lady”.

As reported, Hollie was found dead by police and paramedics who were called to her home in Taranto Road, Lordswood, Southampton, last Sunday. A post mortem found she had suffered injuries to her neck.

Mrs Jerram said: “She was a member of the team that won the national championship in the 2001/2002 season. She was a support player who was improving no end. I was really disappointed when she wanted to continue her other love – acting – and not stay within the team.”

Paying tribute she added: “Hollie was always full of fun and a vibrant young woman, she loved being around the courts with her friends.

“She was always in the middle of any group that was laughing.

“I remember one of our away trips in a minibus when an extra large roar of laughter came from the back, in the middle, as usual, was Hollie. She had commented on the vast number of shooting stars in the sky that night only to admit later that she had confused the car lights of vehicles going over a motorway bridge with this celestial phenomenon.

“She was always able to see the funny side of herself and not be afraid of what people thought. A great character who thought and cared about her team mates.”

The team, now based in Hamble, are now planning to host a cup competition in her memory.

Daniel Gibbons, Hollie’s former boyfriend and father of her daughter Ellie, has now been charged with her murder.

The 21-year-old of Redbridge Hill, Redbridge, will appear before Winchester Crown Court next Tuesday.