BAINES School's top basketballers will be vying for the title of Britain's best at Wembley Arena this weekend.

The Poulton school's lower-sixth form basketball team is one of 16 sides to make it through to the Sunny D 3-on-3 Under-19 national basketball finals on Sunday (March 21).

Mark Cowell, Duncan Thomas, Richard Darbourne and Fraser Olufojude, all aged 17, will make up the squad for the 3-a-side tournament, sponsored by Sunny Delight.

Head of Boys' PE Andy Riley is delighted that the team has made the finals.

He said: "I'm over the moon. We're very confident of success."

He also paid tribute to headmistress Muriel Ryding: "The head has been really supportive.

"She has put up money for players' kit and transport.

"We're taking about 50 pupils down to Wembley Arena on Sunday."

Baines were one of 700 schools to enter the national basketball competition.

Having won through their local section, they then saw off teams from Yorkshire and the North West at the regional heats in Sheffield last month (Feb) to reach the grand final.

For one squad member, Sunday's finals will be the start of a busy Easter.

Mark Cowell has been selected to go to Florida as part of the Great Britain Under-19 Olympic basketball training squad and will fly out two days after the finals.

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