Shanice ecstatic with "phenomenal" season

Shanice Beckford-Norton was bouncing with joy after becoming the first captain in WBBL history to lift all four pieces of silverware.

Lions' 70-45 victory against Sevenoaks Suns completed a perfect season as the London side won all 34 games, and she couldn't hide her delight:

“It’s a phenomenal feeling, and I’m so happy to do it with the people I’ve done it with" she said. "There’s people I’ve played with since I was at school along with role models in Jo [Leedham] and Azania [Stewart], along with Cassie [Breen] and Kennedy [Leonard]. It’s been two years since we got together and the rollercoaster has been amazing. To win it all with a club just around the corner from where I was brought up is a fantastic feeling."  

The Newham-born player came off the bench to lead Lions 15 points and four rebounds, and she revealed that coach Mark Clark received another soaking from his players in the post-game celebrations, but also had a lot of praise for her mentor: "I think he was expecting it, we got him good Germany  when he didn’t expect it but he’s got used to it now and he takes his jacket off!

“After the game I had a few moments, but Mark put his arm around me and had a few words. He’s always believed in me since I was a kid and hearing what he said was a wonderful feeling."

It wasn't all plan sailing for Lions as they completed a historic season, and Beckford-Norton admitted her side struggled in the opening minutes:

“It was a slow start, there was a lot going on with the crowd still coming in and chairs being put out. But once we got going, and with Azania [Stewart] getting three blocks, we started playing well. Chantel [Charles] got some steals and that helped us get going.

“For me, the energy I got from everyone when my shots were dropping helped me keep going, I was told to drive to the basket, and it worked.  “Our energy carried us through, we stuck together – and I love that the most – and the support from the fans was fantastic."