SHOEBURYNESS High School’s under 14 boys basketball team are celebrating winning national silver medals.

The team were the first in the school’s history to make a national basketball final.

And head coach Mitchell Gleeson was quick to praise Shoebury’s achievements.

“I am very proud of all of the boys’ efforts,” said Gleeson.

“They have worked hard throughout the season and deserve to pick up a national finalist silver medal.

“We’re really proud of what they achieved.”

Shoebury’s fine form saw them compete in the 2018 England Basketball Dynamik Schools Final Fours.

The team booked their place in the final after a dominant display in the regional knock out rounds.

They managed four back to back wins, including beating three current county champions.

The final was played at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Manchester and used a final fours format, where the top four teams competed for the National Schools title.

The Shoebury ‘Scorpions’ faced a tough Greig City Academy in their first game and an early injury blow for the big centre Alfie Gash made the task of making the final that little bit harder.

However, a brilliant team performance resulted in a 78-59 victory and put the under 14 team one step closer to the national title.

Bristol Metropolitan Academy also secured their place in the final after beating Phillips High School 94-74.

But, in the final game, Bristol Metropolitan Academy were dominant from the start and used their two big men effectively to take an early lead.

By half time the ‘Scorpions’ were trailing 55-23.

However, the Shoeburyness High School team showed great determination and continued to battle all the way until the final buzzer.

But Bristol Metropolitan Academy claimed the Dynamik Schools National title with a 94-50 victory in the end.