Basketball teams from the John Madesjski Academy (JMA) recently celebrated a historic victory.

On January 19, the JMA Rockets Under-18s girls team were crowned national cup champions after defeating the Charnwood College Riders in a thrilling game at Essex University arena.

After a fantastic first half, the JMA Rockets girls managed to build a 20-point lead.

Charnwood rallied hard and pushed to within three points going into the final minute, but ultimately JMA ended up creating a historic moment for the school and club.

Year 12’s Anabel was voted ‘most valuable player of the game.’

Following on from the girls’ game, the junior men then played against the Hawkingey Hawks. The JMA Rockets’ final shot just missed and they finished 2019 as runners up.

Player of the game was awarded to Year 12's Sam.

Reading Rockets’ head coach Blai Benlloch said: “We’re really happy and we trusted ourselves to win.

“We were representing the values of the school in an excellent way, with much effort and stayed together in the difficult moments. Sometimes, things like that are more important that any trophy.”