Oaklands Basketball step up to 3×3 London Finals

Today Oaklands Wolves Women’s Basketball arrive in the nation’s capital to compete in the first national finals of the Elite Academy Basketball League and the Women’s Elite Academy Basketball League.

Following success in the regional qualifier hosted at St Albans Campus last November, the trio will be one of a dozen finest teams in the UK competing for the win at the inaugural event in the UK. The top two finishers from each region qualified for the Finals in London.

The ‘3X3’ style games sees just three payers per team on just one hoop – a quicker, sharper game style allowing coaches and students to put their skills to test away from the restrictions of the traditional game format.

Joining Oaklands Wolves at the City of London Academy on Southwark for the WEABL National Finals are Barking Abbey, Charnwood, City of London Academy, Copleston and Nottingham. Oaklands kick off the afternoon’s WEABL schedule with a 1pm tipoff against Charnwood College, based in Loughborough, Leicestershire.

Head Coach Michael Ball said: “It has been an excellent step forwards for Basketball England to bring the 3v3 game into the EABL/WEABL family of events. The Regional Tournament we hosted at Oaklands College was great fun and you could see the players improving throughout the day.”

Oaklands’ very own Kyla Nelson is excited for the opportunity to step up to the new competition. She said: “I’m very excited to be representing Oaklands in the first WEABL 3v3 finals. It is a great addition to the league. We are ready for a fast-paced and competitive tournament and can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Follow the team’s progress during the tournament on Twitter at @oaklandsball.