News From Abroad
17 June 2009
Andrew Lovedale
Andrew is in excellent shape! He has just returned to the USA from Nigeria where he gave out the 10,000 pairs of shoes which were collected by the Davidson community. He has received several awards and commendations for his community work and he has made a tremendous impact off the floor in the States.
He is now trying out for some NBA teams and hopes to gain a contract there. His second option is to go to Europe and play full-time basketball over there. Andrew has not been back to England since he first left these shores for Davidson 4 years ago, but we are expecting him to return this summer to help at our Summer Camp (20 - 24 July).
16 June 2009
Menelik Watson
Menelik is a local boy who attended Burnage High School and had Graham Williams as his first school basketball coach. He has attended the Gran Canaria Academy for the last 2 years and has now accepted a 4-year full scholarship at NCAA Division 1 Marist College in New York. We hope and expect that Menelik will have similar success to the other Burnage product, Nick George, who is now playing professionally in Spain, after a stellar 4-year career at Virginia Commonwealth in the USA. Menelik - well done!
15 June 2009
Ben Daniels
After playing in the Gran Canaria Academy for the last season, Ben finally realised his ambition of gaining a scholarship in the States. He has been offered and accepted a 4-year full scholarship at Division 1 NCAA Houston Baptist in Texas. Ben's family have contributed greatly to our programme in the last few years, and we wish Ben all the best in Texas.
12 June 2009
Kelsey Bardsley
Kelsey has been accepted on a full scholarship at Panola College in Texas. Kelsey has been with our Club for a number of years and has had the expert coaching of father Jimmy to help her along the way. The College play in the NJCAA 1st division, and have a very good record there.
We wish Kelsey all the best in her future career.
27 April 2009
Charlotte Stoddart
Charlotte has been with our Club for many, many years. She is an Under 18 player who will be at the Final Fours at Cosford next Saturday. Also, she has been a regular member of England teams over the past few years and has been a part of the Women's Great Britain squad earlier this year - i.e. she has accomplished many things!
The good news for Charlotte is that she has been offered, and accepted, a full scholarship at Fordham University in New York, starting September 2009. Fordham play in the Atlantic 10 Conference and are rebuilding after a difficult season, so there should be plenty of opportunities for Charlotte to make her mark.
We offer Charlotte our congratulations and best of luck for her future basketball career.
3 March 2009
Andrew Lovedale
Joe and Maggie have just returned from a visit to Davidson College, North Carolina, where they saw Andrew Lovedale play in some of his last home games for the College team – the Davidson Wildcats. He was delighted to have all the news from Manchester and was interested to hear about all the Club activities. He sends his regards to all who knew him when he was playing for Manchester Magic.
Besides studying and playing basketball, Andrew, the Big Cat, has made a big impression at the College. After being concerned at the way shoes and kit were thrown away, he recently set up a Shoe Drive for donations of shoes to go to Nigeria, and one of the games we attended was a ‘white out’ with the 5000 spectators wearing white, Big Cat, T-shirts. 500 pairs of shoes were collected from fans, and a Nigerian ex-student from the charity ‘Samaritan’s Feet’ donated 10,000 pairs as well. Another ex-student donated 10,000 pairs of socks, and balls and jerseys have also been given. They will be shipped out to his home town, Benin City, shortly, and he will go out to distribute them in June.
For more details, and pictures, click on the link http://www.davidsonwildcats.com/news/2009/2/4/MBB_0204094438.aspx?path=mbball
24 October 2008
Magic/Mystics Youngsters Abroad
If any of our supporters wish to follow the progress of our youngsters who are playing in foreign parts, here is the information you need.
| Callum Jones | Pace University | Div 2 NCAA | Junior |
| Jack Minister | Clark University | Div 3 NCAA | Junior |
| Joe Ransom | Suffolk University | Div 3 NCAA | Junior |
| Ben Murray | Mount Aloysius College | Div 3 NCAA | Junior |
| Lauren T-Johnson | Marquette University | Div 1 NCAA | Junior |
| Ben Eaves | Rhode Island University | Div 1 NCAA | Sophomore |
| Andrew Lovedale | Davidson College | Div 1 NCAA | Senior |
| Keith Page | Ursinus College | Div 3 NCAA | Junior |
| Verity Peets | Idaho State University | Div 1 NCAA | Sophomore |
| Stuart Thomson | Catawba College | Div 2 NCAA | Freshman |
| Phill Wait | St John's University | Div 1 NCAA | Freshman |
| Menelik Watson | Gran Canaria Academy | Spain | Second Year |
| Matt Williams | Proctor Academy | USA | Third Year |
| Kate Minister | Clark University | Div 3 NCAA | Freshman |
| Devan Bailey | Brewster Academy | USA | Third Year |
| Donald Okpalugo | Deerfield Academy | USA | Second Year |
| Nic Opacic | Belgrade Ac, Mega Aqua Monta | Serbia | Second Year |
| Richard McNutt | Mount Aloysius College | Div 3 NCAA | Sophomore |
| Georgia Jones | Oral Roberts University | Div 1 NCAA | Freshman |
| Ben Daniels | Gran Canaria Academy | Spain | First Year |
| Ben Ralph | Gran Canaria Academy | Spain | First Year |
| Tom Fox | USA | First Year | |
| Jack McCabe | IMG Academy, Florida | USA | First Year |
Perhaps you would also like to follow the progress of the following ex-Magic/Mystics players:
| Nick George | BCM Graveline Dunkerque | France | |
| James Jones | Everton | BBL | |
| Kristy Lavin | Caja Rural Verona Norte LF2 | Spain | |
| Andy Thomson | Almeria LEB Bronze | Spain | |
| Alan Metcalfe | Guildford Pirates | BBL | |
| Rehana Khalil | Tenerife Aguere LF2 | Tenerife, Spain | |
| Jamie Glen | Newcastle Eagles | BBL | |
| Joanna Clayden | Arxil BC LF2 | Spain |
7 August 2008
Mystics Players Move On
We are currently looking at foreign players to add to our young squad for this coming season. Our youngsters are quality talents with great attitudes, but will need some experienced players around them.
From last season's squad, we lose our top-quality GB point-guard, Georgia Jones, who takes up a 4-year scholarship at Oral Roberts; our best shooting guard and best defensive player, Rehana Khalil, who goes to Teneriffe and our high scoring GB player, Joanna Clayden, who goes to Spain. Megan Osmer does not return after being with us for 2 years.
We wish all these girls all the best in their endeavours and will follow their progress closely as the season progresses.
6 August 2008
Andrew Lovedale News
Andrew is just about to begin his Senior Year at Davidson College in North Carolina. After making a great impact in Davidson's run to the Elite 8 last season, he is expected to be a dominant factor for Davidson this coming season. Allied to the sharp shooting of Stephan Curry, Andrew will expect to lead Davidson to another great year. They have been ranked as high as 17 in pre-season polls, their highest ever ranking.
Bob McKillop, the Davidson Coach, has been very pleased with Andrew's progress this summer, "he is in the best shape I have ever seen him - lean, mean and ready to go".
We will keep you in touch with further progress.
24 March 2008
Lauren Thomas-Johnson Stars
A wonderful Final performance by Lauren in the National Junior Division 2 Championships enabled her College, Kirkwood (Iowa), to triumph for the second year in succession.
In a 78 - 53 victory over Kankakee, Lauren was voted MVP and led her team with 21 points, converting 9 of 11 field goal attempts. "It feels amazing" said Lauren, " Not a lot people can say they have won it in their freshman and sophomore years. I am just trying to take everything in right now".
Lauren has completed her 2 years at Kirkwood and is now able to take up her original College offer at Marquette, NCAA Division 1. The step up in standard will not daunt her "I am really looking forward to Marquette. Kirkwood has been a great experience for me, and I would like to thank everyone here for their friendship and support in the last 2 years".
24 March 2008
Amazing Lovedale
Andrew Lovedale has been instrumental in 2 amazing performances by Davidson College (North Carolina) in the NCAA Tournament. Davidson are now in the Sweet Sixteen, with the ambition and confidence to go much further.
The first round saw them defeat the highly-rated Gonzaga by 82 - 76, with Andrew producing a sterling performance with 12 points and 13 rebounds in 29 minutes of action.
The team remained underdogs in the last 32 as they came up against the second-seeded Georgetown who made the Final Four last year. Despite being 17 points down at one stage, a brilliant come-back enabled them to win by 74 - 70. Andrew's 11 points and rugged rebounding were a major factor in the victory.
Davidson now go to Detroit, knowing that 2 more victories will get them to the Final Four. They meet the Wisconsin Badgers on Friday 28 March.
Andrew is being recognised nationally for his performances so far and for being a tough competitor who backs down from no-one.
We will continue to follow his progress.
12 November 2007
Magic Youngsters Abroad
If any of our supporters wish to follow the progress of our youngsters who are playing in foreign parts, here is the information you need.
| Callum Jones | Pace University | Div 2 NCAA | Sophomore | www.pacesettersathletics.com/sports/mbkb/index |
| Jack Minister | Clark University | Div 3 NCAA | Sophomore | www.clarku.edu/athletics/varsity/mens_basketball/ |
| Joe Ransom | Suffolk University | Div 3 NCAA | Sophomore | www.suffolk.edu/athletics/13614.html |
| Alan Metcalfe | Vanderbilt University | Div 1 NCAA | Senior | http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/vand-m-baskbl-body.html |
| Ben Murray | Mount Aloysius College | Div 3 NCAA | Junior | www.mtaloy.edu/athletics/teams/mens_basketball/index.dot |
| Ricky Crosby | Mount Aloysius College | Div 3 NCAA | Sophomore | www.mtaloy.edu/athletics/teams/mens_basketball/index.dot |
| Lauren T-Johnson | Kirkwood Comm. College | Junior College | Sophomore | www.kirkwood.edu/womensbasketball |
| Ben Eaves | Rhode Island University | Div 1 NCAA | Sitting out 1 year | http://gorhody.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/uri-m-baskbl-body.html |
| Andrew Lovedale | Davidson College | Div 1 NCAA | Junior | www.davidsonwildcats.com/index.asp?path=mbball |
| Keith Page | Ursinus College | Div 3 NCAA | Sophomore | www.ursinus.edu/content.asp |
| Verity Peets | Idaho State University | Div 1 NCAA | Freshman | http://isubengals.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/idsu-w-baskbl-body.html |
| Stuart Thomson | Catawba College | Div 2 NCAA | Freshman | www.goindiansgo.com/topics.php?op=viewtopic&topic=2 |
| Phill Wait | Gran Canaria Academy | Spain | ||
| Menelik Watson | Gran Canaria Academy | Spain | ||
| Matt Williams | Proctor Academy | Second Year | www.proctoracademy.org/pa_today/athletics/ | |
| Kate Minister | Proctor Academy | Second Year | www.proctoracademy.org/pa_today/athletics/ | |
| Devan Bailey | Brewster Academy | Second Year | http://new.brewsteracademy.org/athletics | |
| Donald Okpalugo | Deerfield Academy | First Year | www.deerfield.edu/athletics/index.cfm?page_id=105&sport=16 | |
| Nic Opacic | Belgrade Ac, Mega Aqua Monta | Serbia | First Year | http://sms.ksb.org.yu/rezultati.php?id_takmicenja=90 |
Although these are no longer youngsters, perhaps you would also like to follow the progress of:
| Nick George | Alicante, Spain | www.cblucentum.com/indice.htm | ||
| James Jones | Guildford Heat | BBL | www.guildfordheat.com | |
| Kristy Lavin | Arranz-Jopisa Burgos | |||
| Andy Thomson | Grupo CLN Gijon/Gijon, Spain | www.gijonbaloncesto.com | ||
22 August 2007
Verity Peets
To see ITV Local video about Verity click here
20 August 2007
Andrew Lovedale
Andrew sends his best wishes to all at the Club. He is about to begin his third year (Junior) at Davidson College in North Carolina, with big hopes of making a major contribution to the team.
In recent weeks, Davidson has been ranked as high as 23rd nationally, after their outstanding season in 2006/07. Great hopes are pinned on the leadership and skills of Stephen Curry, the Sophomore guard, who defied Davidson tradition last season by being a starter and leader as a Freshman. He may be good enough for the NBA - follow his progress.
Andrew's academics have also gone well and he is due to graduate in 2009. He has had the good fortune to have Bob McKillop as his Coach, who is establishing himself as one of the top coaches in the nation.
If you wish to follow Andrew's progress this year, the Davidson website is www3.davidson.edu/athletics/x11725.xml
26 June 2007
Verity Idaho Bound
Excellent news for Verity Peets - she has been offered and accepted a full scholarship at Division 1 College, Idaho State. She starts her USA career in August 2007, and we wish her all the best for the future.
Verity has made a great contribution to the Mystics Senior team in the last 2 years and can justly be proud of her achievements and success.
