HOOP-HAPPY starlets from York Vikings Basketball Club have become the first winners of the new Yorkshire regional division of the England National Under-13s Basketball League - after a nail-biting finale to the season.

The Vikings U13s, who are made up of the best Year 8 and younger basketball players from all over North Yorkshire, took the inaugural title after winning 14 and losing only two of their matches.

They won it in the last game of the season, when they hosted Rotherham Hawks U13s at York College, both teams going into the tie with identical records of won 13, lost two.

The Vikings were missing a few key players, but immediately took control of the game taking a 7-4 lead. Rotherham, though, pulled back to equalise by the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Vikings stepped up a gear and built a nine-point lead with baskets from Oliver Harris, Callum Saxon, Damon Preston and Mike Atkinson, to finish the half 24-15 ahead.

Rotherham came out on fire in the third quarter to reduce York's lead to just three points. But following a timeout the refocused Vikings again stepped up and, with some excellent defence, kept Rotherham at least four points adrift at all times to win the game 37-31.

The Vikings' point-scorers were Mike Atkinson (2), Conor Brannigan, Matt Brenchley, Oliver Harris (10), Josh King (8), Ben Lightwing, Joe Lister, Damon Preston (9), Will Ravenhall (2), Callum Saxon (6), Alex Tuddenham and Connor Whitby.

Vikings U13s coach Mark Gunn said: "All of the York players worked really hard throughout and never gave up when the game was tight. Such determination was reflected in their tough defence and loud vocal support from the team bench.

"To Rotherham's credit, the Hawks played well and coach Ian Greenhough tried hard to counter the Vikings' game tactics, but the Vikings deserved to win and I am proud of all of the players who were part of the successful York Vikings basketball development programme."

In winning the league, York Vikings now go into the national play-offs. They were scheduled to play Everton Tigers, who finished fourth in the North West League, today, with a 3pm tip-off, at York College.

Spectators and any interested Year 8 or younger players are welcome to go and support the Vikings.

For any Year 8 or Year 7 boys interested in playing basketball, the Vikings train on Mondays and Fridays, 7-9pm at Huntington School. For further details, contact coach Mark Gunn on 01904 643166.