Six Hounslow schoolboy basketball players helped West London District to their best showing in many years in the London Tournament.

In fact, half of the 12 players selected, who missed out on a place in the final by just two points, came from the borough.

Five are from Feltham Community College - Leon Shafique, Prabesh Katawal, Hamza Mirza, Aseel Abdullah and Michael Fayombo - while Chiswick Community School's Issiah Dixon completed the Hounslow representatives.

Shafique and Katawal dominated as West London beat Central London 19-17 in the first game, and they had an eight-point lead at half-time in the second game against North East London as Mirza and Fayombo shone.

Their lead was cut to two points in the third quarter, and the game went down to the last four seconds in the fourth, where West London snatched defeat from the jaws of victory 42-40.

Needing to win their final game against South East London, the West did so 30-20, but still just missed out on the final.

However, coach Andy Justice said: "The team has only had three days together, yet produced the best result from the West district in recent times.

"Missing out of the final by only two points was difficult, but we were the surprise team of the tournament.

"The players' attitude and effort was fantastic and a real credit to the district."

Shafique impressed enough to be selected for the London district squad to play in the National Tournament in October, as did Katawal, who cannot play due to age restrictions. [25a0] TEN Hounslow girls were also selected to play for the West London District U13 Girls squad.

Asha Msaba, Nevelo Sumtej, Rupasha Sidhu, Chantelle Fernandes, Aisha Ayub, Fatima Ali, Naneesh Bhathal, Ruhi Teji, Yusra Chemmach and Neha Teji were the borough's representatives.

They played with speed, skill and aggression to win two games and finish runners-up, while Heston Community School's Msaba and Teji were selected for the London squad.

Coach Stefan McGarrell said: "I am very proud of the girls. They were all a pleasure to work with and a credit to their schools."