Published: 12 January, 2012
by STEVE BARNETT

NET-BUSTING youngsters from Gospel Oak Primary School are cock-a-hoop after starting 2012 as the basketball champions of Camden.

Pupils from the school (above, in maroon, with other finalists) in Mansfield Road out-bounced their rivals as they won both the boys’ and girls’ titles in the Camden Schools Sports Association Basketball League.

After five weeks of thrilling action at the Talacre Community Sports Centre in Dalby Street, Kentish Town, the Gospel Oak girls took top spot after finishing ahead of Somers Town-based rivals St Aloysius School.

Not to be outdone, the boys’ team were also crowned champions after narrowly beating Carlton School, which is in Kentish Town, on goal-difference.

The winning didn’t stop there with girls also bidding for glory in the Camden Secondary Schools Federation Basketball League.

Star player Enerald Ekpetita helped guide La Sainte Union to victory over Camden School for Girls in the under-14s championship.

A player-of-the-match performance from No 10 Sapphire Ditende handed Westminster’s St George’s School victory in the under-16s competition, denying LSU their second play-off victory in a thrilling afternoon of action at Acland Burghley School in Tufnell Park.

Medals and trophies were presented by Camden’s Young Ambassadors Ryan Bruce from South Camden Community School, Ellen Osbourne from Parliament Hill School and Darren Fitzpatrick from William Ellis School.