Reading League Winners Watch the Lions!

Our Reading League winners travelled up to the Copperbox (at the Olympic Park) on Sunday evening to watch the London Lions basketball team take on the Plymouth Raiders.  Following their outstanding performance this term (loaning books, completing reviews and helping Miss Sparkes) the children had earned their reward.

I had never been to see a basketball match before. I was really excited to see the players slam dunk the ball. They were all so tall!
Eriya Byamugisha

From the tip off the Lions roared and established an early lead. All of the children loved taking part in the chants to spur the team on.... DEFENSE... DEFENSE! In fact their enthusiastic cheering soon drew the attention of the official Lion's mascot who came over to greet the children and sign their merchandise.

The best of the game was the end. It got to 93-90 and we thought that London had won the game. However we missed an easy shot and the Raiders went down to the other end and scored with a 3 point shot to send the game into overtime! It was amazing.
Leo Mbata

Unfortunately the Plymouth Raiders made the most of the extra time and emerged eventual winners. Their star play Josh Wilcher scored seven points in a decisive 11-0 burst. From there the Lions had let it slip and couldn’t claw back a significant victory for the Raiders, 104-114

For the Lions the defeat means that they drop to 6-5 in the league and fifth position despite 33 points from Watt.

I'm definitely going to read even more once we get back. I'd love to come back here and see the Lions play again. 
Ayomide Otegbola

As an added treat our pupils were able to meet Olumide Oyedeji (one of the players) after the game and collect his autograph while the girls were allowed on court to meet with the official London Lionesses Cheerleading squad!

What is the reading league?
Pupils choose to enter the league, and can do so in teams of five or on their own. They earn points by loaning books, completing book reviews, taking on the challenges set by Miss Sparkes and atending library sessions.

At the end of each term, the two top teams in the league and the two highest performing individual pupils win tickets to go and see a sporting event. This may be a West Ham match, the London Lions or a stadium tour.

Since the league was launched three years ago there has been a significant and sustained increase in the number of books loaned. Each season has seen a rise in the number of teams and pupils taking part.