SMITHILLS School Under-16s are Bolton schools' basketball champions for 2018/19.

The team won their final game of the season at home against Rivington and Blackrod to confirm them as champions.

It was a hard-fought victory but the quality of Smithills' attacking play resulted in another big win for the team who were cheered along by fellow students and also a number of staff.

PE teacher, Mr Nash, said: "The lads should be really proud of their achievements this season.

"They have worked really hard to become the team they are today, this success hasn’t just happened over night.

"The team made up of students from Years 10 and 11 have developed over time.

"They have improved, not just as individual players but more importantly as a team year on year.

"We have looked at developing the players' skill levels but also increasing their tactical knowledge and use of set-plays.

"I knew the potential this group of players had.

"Even more of a cause for celebration is the fact the team has gone all season undefeated.

"Our closest rivals were Canon Slade and we managed to beat them in a tightly-contested match.

"We knew then the title was ours if we could maintain our form.

"To go a season undefeated is an incredible achievement for any team in any sport.

"I’m so pleased for them, they are a great group of students – I am really proud of them all.

"The basketball club runs every Thursday after school and some of the senior players are now passing on their experience, knowledge and skills helping to develop and coach some of our younger players.

"Fingers crossed they can be as successful or even more successful than our current champions."

As a result of winning this competition, the Smithills students will now go forward to represent Bolton against the other boroughs of Greater Manchester at the Basketball National Performance Centre in Belle Vue, Manchester.