As the 2019-20 season came to a close, both of our teams looked back on their successful seasons, picking up two league titles and a National title, it was now time to turn our eye to individual awards.

Most Valuable Player

Jonny Bunyan

Jonny was vital to the success of the Men’s programme this year on the court, putting up big numbers on multiple occasions, Bunyan averaged 30.8 points a game as well as a huge 46 points in the Scottish Cup Final. Averaging 9.5 assists a game to boot, Bunyan was a threat scoring and facilitating.

Nicole Davidson

The Women’s captain led the way this season as the team clinched their first ever league title, two years after their inception. Battling with injuries throughout the season, Davidson’s impact during her shortened season provided key moments steering UWS to success. Putting up just over 20 points a game as well as 8 assists, Davidson was a beast on both ends of the floor.

Defensive Player of the Year

Milo Lockhart

This seasons floor Captain led the way defensively for the West, playing almost 38 minutes a game, his contribution of 17.8 points a game as well as his game changing defence was testament to Lockhart as an athlete. Partnering with Bunyan to provide the West with one of the best back court duos in the Nation, Lockhart clamped up many opposing guards to guide the West to Division 1 status next year.

Jonne van Oosterhout

Having only played 5 games for the West this year in the second half of the season, van Oosterhout provided the West with critical defence in the Cup quarter and semi-final to guide the West to their improbable win over St Andrews to reach the National Title game. Gelling with whoever was on the floor provided van Oosterhout to be the defensive leader on the floor at all times.

Coaches Player of the Year

Ulpi Garcia

Kayleigh Sellar

Players Player of the Year

Freddie Osei

Nicola Hart

Most Improved Player of the Year

Ashley Murdoch

Commitment Award

Clarissa Milicevic

#LetsGoWest

West Win Historic Back to Back Scottish Titles

The University of the West of Scotland Basketball club boasted a successful season seeing both their men’s and women’s side pick up BUCS League titles and places in the Scottish Student Sport Cup Finals, under the stewardship of 3^rdyear head coach, Johnathan MacLeod.

3 time BUCS Scottish League champions, UWS, already had one Scottish Cup title under their belt after they lifted the cup last year, dominated by Alistair Fraser who scored 44 personal points to lead the side over Strathclyde University. This year, after a highly impressive 13-2 record on the season, MacLeod’s side were looking to repeat their success from the year before. 

A new look team, featuring only 4 returners from the previous season, UWS got off the ground running welcoming foreign and First year students into the side. A strong side throughout the season, faced major adversity come Cup Finals week as the current Coronavirus pandemic blocked the travel of 2 key players back into the country after a short break back home, key players much needed to continue the success on the year. 

A confident West side travelled up to St Andrews University, the hosting venue of the SSS Finals to face a fast paced, skilled side, Edinburgh Napier. 

The game got off to a good start for the West with Captain Milo Lockhart and Ulpiano Garcia connecting well in the opening quarter to give UWS the early advantage. A tight, fast paced and intense game was to be in store for the full capacity Saints Arena crowd as both teams brought a large travelling support. 

Jonathan Bunyan got hot in the second quarter hitting back to back three pointers to keep the scoreboard ticking over for the West, but it was key defence from big men Jamie Orr and Howard Wu that kept the aggressive Napier forwards at bay. A back and fourth first half was capped off with a huge 3 pointer at the buzzer from Spanish Forward Garcia to extend the West lead. 

A second half surge from the Edinburgh side saw MacLeod take an early timeout to regain composure of his side and try and change the momentum swing back in his sides favour. Strong defence again from Wu was paired with steals from Lockhart and fellow Scot Jack Dewey to set up Bunyan for another huge 3 that set the West bench and the spectators wild as UWS regained control of the tie. 

Holding a 9 point lead going into the final quarter, The West knew there could be no mistake if they wanted to lift the title. Great team offence and a masterclass on defence from 4^thyear guard Frederic Osei kept the strong Napier backcourt under control and halted their hopes of an early fourth quarter come back. However, Napier were given some hope as Dewey fouled out on his 5^thpersonal and they pulled it back to a 3 point game after trading baskets on each end. In team fouls, Napier sent Centre Jamie Orr to the freethrow line, hoping for a pair of misses to give them a chance to tie the game down the other end, but, Orr split the shots and nailed the first to give his side a 4 point lead as Napier raced down the other end hoping for a quick score. A score would not come for the away side as Osei came up with a huge game winning block on the buzzer to seal the 2020 Scottish National Title for UWS, winning 77-73. 

Speaking after the game, Men’s Captain Milo Lockhart Commented,

“It’s been a huge year for us, coming into a new Division this year after loosing so many guys from last year, we weren’t sure what to expect. Our goal was always to win the league again and achieve Division 1 status for next year, but we knew we’d have to work hard. The boys have been great over the season, we’ve played for eachother and for Coach, we’ve become the team to beat and we’ve noticed it as everyone seems more excited to play us, it’s nice to be respected that way. Today though, this one means so much, missing Matteo Diagne and Giorgio Manferdelli were two huge losses and to come away winners shows that we really can all step up when needed.”

UWS Women were also in Cup Final action, the Division 3 side were heavy underdogs as they took on Division 2 side Dundee University, but UWS deserved their spot in the final after upset win over eventual Division 2 winners, St Andrews University. It wasn’t to be the Cinderella ending for UWS as Dundee proved too strong in the end, coming away 56-47 winners.

Women’s Captain Nicole Davidson said,

“I’m hugely proud of what we have achieved this year, it’s great to get that league title under our belts so we can kick on and continue to be successful. The girls played so well in the final and we must keep our heads held high that we were so close, considering the “league gap” between us. We’ll be lifting that trophy next season for sure.”

Commenting on the season, Head Coach Johnathan MacLeod said,

“This year was massive for us in our transition from a high-level club to an elite club in the University and the country. These players come into training every week wanting to work and are committed to the task we set ourselves. Double league titles were my personal goal for the club this year, with the women narrowly missing out last year and the men already winning back to back titles. But, to add a second National title to that as well is huge, especially after it being announced last week that we would be without 2 of my starting 5, that’s tough on any team but its testament to the depth we have and our ability to all play and work together. The cup final atmosphere was great, I must thank all that travelled to support, but a special mention goes to my whole team, each and every one of them played their hearts out to ensure we got the second consecutive National Cup. It’s bittersweet that we couldn’t do the double-double and win the Women’s title too, but I couldn’t be prouder of the ladies and their hard work the whole year, undefeated league status is always a huge achievement. 

We have a big year next year, with the Men going to Division One, this is the last time we can compete for this Cup as we will now be drawn into the BUCS Trophy, covering the whole of Britain. A new league for both teams provides us with a fresh challenge, but I am confident we will do well.”

A cinderella season for UWS Basketball has seen both sides win their respective leagues and on Wednesday, both sides also took to the floor in the Semi-Finals of the Scottish Cup.

The West Men were on the hunt to defend their National Title and welcomed Heriot Watt to the Lagoon in front of a busy crowd. The West were intense out of the gates, and posted an early double digit lead and never looked back. a 30 point game at half time saw 3 players in double digits and the West kicked on to have almost four 20+ point scorers as Ulpi Garcia led the way with 28 points, and big man Matteo Diagne went off for 19 points and 12 rebounds on 9/9 shooting.

Men’s captain Milo Lockhart said’

The boys played brilliant today, we were able to come out of the gates with energy, something I think we’ve not managed to do recently. The hard work early on made it easier for us as we were able to rotate the bench and keep fresh legs on the floor. We all contributed in a big way. The gameplan was perfect and executed well.

Milo Lockhart, UWS Men’s Captain

53% field goal shooting saw the West put up big numbers as they raced out to a 111-50 win.

Ulpi Garcia; 28 points, 7 rebs, 6 stls, 1 blk, 2 ast, 13-22 shooting

Milo Lockhart: 25 points, 6 rebs, 1 stl, 3 ast, 10-23 shooting

Matteo Diagne: 19 points, 12 rebs, 5 stls, 1 ast, 9-9 shooting

Jack Dewey: 9 points, 9 rebs, 2 stl, 4 ast, 4-9 shooting

Up next, the West Women bundled on a bus from the Lagoon to make the journey up to Fife and to the Saints Sports Arena. Coming into the game as heavy underdogs, the West knew they’d have to put in a hard shift to come away with a result.

St Andrews were stunned and frustrated early on with the West’s hard fought defence and struggled to get points on the board, defence was to be the key in a low scoring affair. 23-21 in the homeside’s favour at half time, UWS was quietly confident they could cause an upset. Brilliant press play from Jonne van Oosterhout and Kayleigh Sellar provided the tempo and the West worked hard to stay in the game.

St Andrews showed their class as they went on a 10-0 run and went 8 points up, their class the very same reason they will be a Division One side next season. But, UWS dug deep and pulled the game back to overcome the odds and walk away with a 66-64 win and a place in the Title game.

Women’s Captain and Club President said,

“I’m so proud of the women’s side making the Conference Cup final. Considering we only created a team last season, it’s an incredible achievement and especially having faced two teams in the division above to do so. We had a tough game against St.Andrews this week but the girls really dug deep and earned our place in the final. This will be our toughest challenge yet, and I’m looking forward to see how it plays out.

I’m delighted that both our squads have made the final this year. Everyone has been training hard and it looks like it’s paying off. The men’s side continue to build upon their success from last season, and it’s great to see the women’s side join them. It’s been a good year for Team UWS Basketball so far, and I hope that we can bring home some wins on cup finals day – exciting times for everyone at the club!

Nicole Davidson

Club Head Coach Johnathan MacLeod commented,

Delighted to have two teams in the Finals this year, we must work hard in training to prepare for two tough games. Our season is not over yet, but what a way it would be to end the season with a double double.

Johnathan MacLeod, UWS Head Coach