Ravens flying high again after reclaiming the crown

After losing their title last year to first-time winners Praxis Pumas, the serial champions of previous campaigns ended up trailing Imperium Comets at the crunch point of the 2022-23 season.

But Comets’ loss to Pumas in a late-season thriller gave Ravens a critical advantage that left several squad members celebrating from the viewing area, after which they confirmed their title last week with smoother sailing against underdogs Le Mont Saint Storm.

Ravens captain Emma Hicks has praised the quality of basketball across the board this season.

‘We’ve consistently had some of the best games I’ve known in the local league this year,’ she said.

‘There has been some really good basketball played and every game between the top teams could have gone any way, which also showed in the league coming right down to wire.

‘We are delighted to have kept battling hard and reclaimed our league title this year, but we know there was only ever small margins that won or lost each of those games.’

A delightfully competitive season opener, where they lost in double overtime to Comets, set the tone for what was to come.

All of their matches against the other ‘big three’ teams came down to a single-digit points difference, but notably they edged both Comets and Pumas by one point early in the season.

And though seven players have stood out in the league’s individual scoring statistics, Hicks believes each match has been a team effort.

‘There have been stand-out performances from the likes of our Emma Sykes and Sammie Cox, Gemma [Batiste] and Kerri [Brown] for Pumas and Ieva [Babina], Bonnie [Le Noury] and Emilie [Batiste] for Comets but actually every game has been about good team basketball where everyone has contributed,’ she said.

‘It was a really enjoyable season to be a part of, albeit stressful at times.’

Ravens continue to thrive under the coaching of Tim Halden, who has helped them keep their cool in testing situations.

‘Ravenscroft worked hard for each other throughout and we were really pleased at how we did manage to keep our composure in those tight games – our down-low players and forwards really helped with that,’ Hicks added.

‘Some games highlighted areas we know we need to work on but Tim has been brilliant this season, as always, in keeping the calm, keeping us on track with what we are doing well but reinforcing what we need to step up on.

‘As Island players I think we have benefited massively from such a close and competitive local league that has formed a big part of our preparation towards the Island Games.

‘The hard work continues as we look towards that, and our local knock-out competition where Ravenscroft are now eyeing up that elusive double.’