Alconbury’s Anthony Sheehan dribbles up the court Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in the Dragons’ victory over visiting AFNORTH. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)
ALCONBURY AIR BASE, England – Eight games into the season, the Alconbury Dragons boys basketball team has yet to feel defeat.
That held true Saturday with a 76-36 victory over AFNORTH.
“The guys were ready to play right from the beginning,” coach Ronnie Mackenzie said. “It continued into the second quarter and that’s when the gap began to show.”
An exceptional defense led to 24 steals for the Dragons - many of which led to immediate scores. Leo Politis led the way with seven steals and Aaron Dudley had six.
Alconbury led 34-20 after a high-scoring first quarter and stretched the lead to 47-29 at halftime. The Dragons broke the game open in the third period and officially ended it when the 39-point mercy rule went into effect.
“The steals and blocks really hyped up our momentum,” said Dudley, the team captain. “Those defensive plays led really well into our offense.”
Kai Vickerstaff connected on six out of seven shots, scoring 12 of his 17 points in the first quarter. Alconbury made 52% of its field goal attempts in the contest.
Vincent Sheehan had eight points in the first quarter and brother Anthony Sheehan took over in the second, with nine points. Leo Politis racked up 10 rebounds and seven steals.
AFNORTH’s Stefan Termure led all scorers with 21 points.
Alconbury’s Leo Politis follows through on a shot during the Dragons’ victory over AFNORTH on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)
Alconbury's Kai Vickerstaff moves the ball up the court Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in the Dragons' victory over AFNORTH. Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes (Loretto Morris)
Girls
AFNORTH 38, Alconbury 18: Selah Skariah scored 14 points as the defending champion Lions smothered the Dragons with defensive pressure.
An injury to Dragons point guard Kalila Te’o didn’t help matters, according to Alconbury coach Steve Casner.
“We’re a pretty novice team and we struggled with their pressure,” Casner said. “But our girls fought till the end.”
The Lions improved to 6-1 on the season and are locked in a battle atop the Division III standings with Sigonella (2-0), Spangdahlem (6-1), Hohenfels (5-1) and Ansbach (4-2). The Lions host the Sentinels next weekend, then travel to play the Cougars the following weekend.
AFNORTH’s Selah Skariah scored a game-high 22 points on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in a victory at RAF Alconbury, England. (Loretto Morris/Stars and Stripes)
