UNDERAGE TEAMS SEASON UPDATE!

BC Wolves – A Season to Remember

As we wrap up another incredible season, we take a moment to reflect on the growth, challenges, and achievements of our teams. From the youngest squads making their mark to the older players competing at the highest levels, every athlete has demonstrated resilience, dedication, and a true love for the game. Whether it was clinching playoff spots, making history in national competitions, or overcoming injuries and adversity, our players have shown what it means to be part of BC Wolves.

This season wasn’t just about results—it was about development, teamwork, and pushing each other to new heights. With coaches, parents, and supporters standing behind them, our players have laid a strong foundation for the future.

U-14 Boys – A Season of Determination and Success

Our U-14 boys had a truly remarkable season in Division B, demonstrating their hard work, resilience, and team spirit throughout the year. They finished in an impressive second place in the league standings, securing 10 wins and suffering only 2 losses. Their commitment and effort earned them a spot in the BNI Final, where they faced the formidable Tyrone Towers, the league champions. While the final result did not go in our favor, simply reaching this stage is a testament to the boys' dedication and progress over the season.

Outstanding Individual Achievements

While basketball is a team sport, individual excellence also plays a key role in our success. This season, we are proud to highlight some exceptional personal achievements:

• Titas Genevicius earned All-Star recognition for his age group, a prestigious honor that reflects his outstanding performances and contributions throughout the season. His dedication to the game and consistent hard work have truly paid off.

• Joris Remeika took a significant step forward in his basketball journey by successfully advancing past the first stage of trials for the Team NI U-15 Boys. This is a fantastic achievement, and we are excited to see how he continues to develop at the representative level.

Looking Ahead

This season has been a huge success for our U-14 squad, and we couldn’t be more proud of their growth, both individually and as a team. Their commitment to training, their hunger for improvement, and their never-give-up attitude have set a strong foundation for the future.

As we look forward to the next season, our focus will be on further developing skills, enhancing teamwork, and preparing for even greater challenges. With such a talented and hardworking group, we have no doubt that even more success awaits them.

A special shoutout to Coach Zygimantas Radzevicius, whose dedication and guidance have been instrumental in the team’s progress. For the second consecutive season, he has led the squad to outstanding results, proving once again that hard work and a strong coaching philosophy yield great rewards.

Congratulations to the entire U-14 team on a fantastic season! We can’t wait to see what’s next for these young talents. 💪🏀

U-16 Boys (Division B) – A Season of Growth and Preparation

This season presented unique challenges for our U-16 boys, as we were unable to enter a team into the leagues. However, that did not stop the players from staying committed to their development. Every Saturday, the boys put in the hard work, training consistently to sharpen their skills, improve their physicality, and strengthen team chemistry in preparation for future competitions.

Despite not competing in an official league, the team took part in friendly matches, giving the players valuable game experience and a chance to test their progress in a competitive setting. These games not only provided an opportunity to showcase their abilities but also highlighted areas for improvement as we continue to build towards the next season.

Looking ahead, our primary goal is to ensure that these boys compete in development leagues next season, giving them the platform they need to grow, gain confidence, and take their game to the next level. Their dedication and perseverance this year have laid a strong foundation, and we are excited to see their hard work pay off in future competitions!

U-16 Girls – A Season of Growth and Determination

This season marked an important milestone for our U-16 Girls, as they completed their second year of competitive basketball. After beginning their journey in the U-14 Development League, the girls were faced with a major challenge—moving up to the highly competitive U-16 Girls A Division. Unfortunately, there are no development leagues available for this age group, meaning our team had to make a significant jump in competition level. Despite the challenges, we were determined to keep this team together and give them the opportunity to compete, even though several players were still eligible for U-14 basketball.

Resilience and Individual Growth

Despite the tough competition, the individual progress of our players throughout the season has been remarkable. Each girl has shown tremendous improvement in skills, confidence, and game awareness, proving that they belong at this level. Their ability to adapt to faster, more physical gameplay is a testament to their dedication and commitment to the sport.

While this season was a learning experience, we are confident that the challenges faced will only make the team stronger for the future. With continued training and determination, we believe that next year will bring even better performances and results.

Looking Ahead

Our focus now shifts to further developing the team’s skills, building chemistry, and preparing for another competitive season. We are proud of each and every player for their perseverance, and we encourage them to keep working hard to improve their game.

A huge thank you to Coach Zygimantas Radzevicius, who took on the role of head coach at the start of the season. His guidance and commitment have been instrumental in helping these young athletes navigate their transition into the U-16 division.

For now, we celebrate the progress made, and we look forward to seeing even more growth next season. Congratulations to our U-16 Girls—keep pushing, keep improving, and never stop believing in yourselves! 💪🏀

U-16 Boys – A Season of Challenges, Growth, and Recognition

This season was a historic moment for BC Wolves' U-16 Boys, as they stepped up to compete in the highly competitive A Division for the very first time. Facing off against some of the top teams in the league, our squad entered the season with high expectations. With several players involved in Basketball Ireland’s U-15 Academy and Basketball Northern Ireland’s Team NI squads (U-15 and U-17), we believed we had the potential to be more than just a competitive team—we aimed to make a real impact.

Battling Adversity – Injuries and Limited Squad Depth

No matter how well you prepare, unexpected challenges can arise, and unfortunately, injuries took a heavy toll on our team. Key players such as Ignas Pudenas (Basketball Ireland U-15 Academy & Team NI U-15) and Calum Hughes (Team NI U-15) suffered season-ending injuries, significantly reducing our depth. On top of that, several other players endured short-term injuries, leaving us with a small rotation to compete against bigger and more experienced squads.

Despite these setbacks, our team fought hard in every game, showing resilience, determination, and a never-give-up attitude. In the end, we finished 6th in the division, gaining valuable experience that will undoubtedly help us grow stronger in the future.

Individual Achievements – Recognizing Our Standout Players

Even in a challenging season, our players continued to shine on an individual level, showcasing their talent and earning well-deserved recognition:

• Kacper Orzel – Named as our All-Star of the Season, Kacper also represents Team NI U-17, demonstrating his skill and leadership on the court.

• Ignas Pudenas – Despite his injury, Ignas successfully passed the Basketball Ireland U-15 Academy trials and continues to be part of Team NI U-15, proving his potential at the national level.

• Calum Hughes – Another promising talent, Calum made it through the Team NI U-15 trials, earning his place among the best players in his age group.

• Dominykas Averas – A key contributor to Team NI U-17, continuing to develop as a high-level player.

• Pijus Januskevicius – Also part of the Team NI U-17 squad, Pijus has established himself as the best three-point shooter on the team, adding a crucial offensive threat.

• Raimondas Terleckis – Our dominant presence in the paint, Raimondas has also earned a spot in the Team NI U-17 squad, showcasing his potential as a big man.

Looking Ahead & Gratitude

While this season had its challenges, it also laid the foundation for future success. The experience gained from competing at the A Division level will be invaluable as we continue to develop as a team. Our focus now turns to strengthening our squad, improving team chemistry, and preparing for an even stronger season ahead.

A huge thank you to Coach Rolandas Bartkus, whose dedication and hard work helped guide the team through this demanding season. We also extend our gratitude to all players, parents, and supporters who contributed to this journey.

We are incredibly proud of our U-16 Boys, and we can't wait to see what they achieve next! 💪🏀

U-18 Boys – A Season of Transition, Achievement, and Milestones

This season brought significant changes for our U-18 squad, as several players from last year’s team moved on to further their studies. Despite these challenges, we successfully assembled a competitive team, adapting to a new roster while continuing to perform at a high level. Competing in the A Division, the team finished in 6th place, proving that even with a shorter roster and a lack of height, our determination and teamwork allowed us to hold our own against some of the best teams in the league.

Making History – U-18 National Cup Debut

One of the biggest milestones for our club this season was our participation in the U-18 National Cup. BC Wolves became the first-ever team from Mid Ulster to enter this prestigious competition, marking a historic moment for our club. Competing at the national level was an invaluable experience for our players, exposing them to higher levels of competition and helping them grow as athletes. Regardless of the results, we are incredibly proud of what we achieved and the progress we made as a team.

Special thank you to Coach Linas Lapukas for all the hard Work given to these young men!

Standout Performers & Individual Achievements

Several players stepped up this season, delivering outstanding individual performances while making a significant impact on the team:

• Erik Zadoroznij – Named an All-Star for his contributions to the team, Erik also played at the National League level for Phoenix-Wolves, showcasing his talent on a bigger stage.

• Aidenas Paskauskas – One of the biggest contributors to our team’s success, Aidenas consistently delivered strong performances and, like Erik, represented the club at the National League level with Phoenix-Wolves.

Looking Ahead – Future Leaders On and Off the Court

As we close this chapter, we are thrilled to announce that both Erik Zadoroznij and Aidenas Paskauskas will be joining our coaching staff next season! Their experience, leadership, and knowledge of the game will be invaluable in helping develop the next generation of BC Wolves players.

This season was about more than just results—it was about growth, resilience, and making history. We are incredibly proud of our U-18 squad and grateful to all the players, coaches, and supporters who made this journey possible. The future is bright for BC Wolves, and we can’t wait to see what’s next! 🏀💪

Onward to an Even Brighter Future

While the season has come to an end, the journey continues. We are already looking ahead to the next chapter, with our focus on improving skills, strengthening team chemistry, and aiming for even greater success. With the talent and determination within our club, the future is incredibly promising.

A huge thank you to our coaches, volunteers, parents, and supporters who have been with us every step of the way. Your dedication is what makes BC Wolves a family and a force to be reckoned with.

To all our players—congratulations on an unforgettable season! Keep training, keep believing, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for BC Wolves! 🏀💪🔥