Sheffield Junior Saints U14s start well in the National Basketball playoffs

Sheffield Junior Saints U14s continued their unbeaten season with a 90-69 win over Liverpool at All Saints school today in the first round of playoffs.

An untypical first quarter saw them well down at 10-25 as Liverpool defended well and scored regularly in what looked to be a tough game for the Saints.  After that, Saints found their rythmn, pulled the deficit back to 35-41 at half-time, led 59-56 at the third and then scored 31-13 in the fourth.

Action from the Northern Athletics Senior Indoor Championships

Some photos of the action at the Northern Athletics Senior Indoor Championships held at the EIS, Sheffield 17-18th January 2015.

 Katarina Johnson-Thompson sails through the air on her way to 6.63m and first place in the Senior Women's Long Jump.

 Alexandra Russell (Wigan) 5.97m, Katarina Johnson-Thompson (Liverpool) 6.63m, Micaela Brindle (Wigan) 5.82m - the medal winners in the Senior Women's Long Jump.

 

Kristie Edwards (Sheffield AC, coach Lewis Samuel) easing over the line in her heat of the U20 Women's 200m.

Louise Bloor (Trafford AC) easing over the line in her heat of the Senior Women's 200m.

Richard Yates (City of Sheffield AC)  battling it out with James Williams (Liverpool AC) in their heat of the Senior Men's 200m.

Craig Jones (Liverpool Harriers AC) competing in the Senior Men's Long Jump.

Full results can be found at: http://www.northernathletics.org.uk/download/senior-indoor-championship-full-results-2015/

Coverage in Athletics Weekly at: http://www.athleticsweekly.com/featured/weekly-round-up-jan-19-15842/

Katarina Johnson-Thompson out of Commonwealth Games with foot injury

Katarina Johnson-Thompson (Liverpool, coach:Mike Holmes) has withdrawn from England’s Commonwealth Games team for Glasgow under medical advice with a foot injury.  The 21 year old who has been on world-beating form this year was set to take part in the heptathlon at the Games starting next week, but has been advised against participation by the medical support team.

The world number one said:  “I’m absolutely devastated that I’m not going to be able to compete at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. I was so looking forward to competing in another home games and this time as one of the favourites.

“The Commonwealths was a key target for me this year and I was feeling so good in my preparation up until this week so this is a real blow. My season so far with a World Indoor medal in the long jump, winning at Gotzis and becoming World number one in heptathlon had really given me the confidence going in to the Games that I could post a big score and hopefully come away with that Gold medal – but sadly it’s just not meant to be.

“All the advice is telling me that I risk long term damage if I compete in a heptathlon in just over a week’s time and I have to take that advice for the sake of my career. I really hope to be able to compete in the long jump at the European Championships next month but it doesn’t take away how gutted I am that I won’t be at the Commonwealths – particularly after all the amazing support I have already received and I know the crowds would have been fantastic after the reception I got in Glasgow at the Diamond League last week. Thanks again to everyone for their ongoing support.”

Fantastic Personal Best performances from Katarina Johnson-Thompson at the Northern Athletics Indoor Championships

Katarina Johnson Thompson (Liverpool Harriers & AC) kicked off 2014 in spectacular style with three personal bests at the Northern Athletics Indoor Championships in Sheffield.

Competing at the EIS in the Senior Women categories, she posted scores that will further enhance her potential heptahthlete performances.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson (Liverpool Harriers & AC) on her way to recording a personal best of 12.49m in the Senior Women Shot Putt Final.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson (Liverpool Harriers & AC) winning her heat of the Senior Women 60m in a new personal best of 7.50 seconds.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson (Liverpool Harriers & AC) on her way to winning the Senior Women 60m Hurdles Final in a new personal best of 8.40 seconds.

More photos from the event can be found at: http://www.peverilphoto.com/section665568_606577.html

Results can be found at:  Northern Athletics