THE brilliant basketball girls of Southend Swifts will have three teams contesting the RAF sponsored final fours at Cosford later this month.

The under-18s had already won through the previous week and, on Saturday at Hockley's Greensward College, the under-14s and 16s joined them by winning quarter-final affairs.

The under-14s triumphed 88-61 over Manchester Mystics.

Swifts looked to make the final step in their unbeaten season by beating opposition that is part of the premier club in England.

Manchester regularly have teams in all six of the end of season showcase event.

An Abbey Keys lay-up settled the home side's nerves and this heralded a magnificent performance from Swifts' captain Christina Gaskin.

The 6ft 1ins-tall youngster, already in the England under-16 squad, scored the next 17 points with a superb array of moves around the basket without missing a shot.

The stunning defence of Kitty Hall and Abbey and Grace Keys denied the influential Manchester guards any opportunity to regain any composure for their team.

And with Maisie Elston clearing the backboards with Gaskin, Southend's lead after eight minutes was 21-7.

The youngsters pressed forward and a Hall three-pointer was part of a 9-0 run that took the home side 30-11 up at the end of the first quarter.

The barrage continued as Swifts scored the first eight points of the second period, Grace Keys with four, before Mystics' change of defensive formation slowed down the scoring rate.

But three-pointers from Katie Holland and Abbey Keys kept the scoreboard moving and at half time the lead was 52-28.

As to be expected, Manchester continued to battle and the first four points of the third quarter gave them some hope.

But the hosts retook the initiative with an 8-2 run, culminating with an Elston three-pointer that extended the lead.

The margin remained above 20 before Swifts scored the last six to go into the final stanza with a 74-45 advantage.

Southend continued their policy of giving their younger players court time in such seemingly pressured surroundings.

And, as always, they took their chance with relish.

Jess Holland, 12, scored at speed despite being fouled, before 11-year-old Amy Rodgers, still at primary school, scored her seemingly regulatory three-point shot that brought the crowd to its feet.

The home side ended the match with four players who still have at least two years eligibility at this age level.

The superb team effort saw Grace Keys on 12 points and Abbey Keys with 10.

But the highlight was the performance of Christina Gaskin who had a career high of 37 points, 19 rebounds and 12 blocked shots.

The under-16s saw off Birmingham Force 81-67, with Rachel Armstrong top-scoring on 22 and Jennie Rodgers, who celebrated her 15th birthday the previous day, on 21.

Captain Rebecca Brough was on 10.

All three teams will now be practising before the big event takes place on May 12 and 13.