THERE was a silver lining for Hounslow's girls' basketball team at the London Youth Games after getting knocked out of the preliminaries this week.
Despite being edged out in all three games they played, a watching coach was so impressed with Hounslow's girls she invited four of them to attend the London U17s trials next week.
It was a decent showing by a young squad, whose players were on average two years younger than their opponents.
Coach Stefan McGarrell, of Hounslow Hawks, said: "I was so proud of all of the girls and everyone who came to support us. This was a massive learning curve for the whole squad, and this experience will be invaluable for next
year's competition.
"Girls' basketball is getting bigger in Hounslow, and we are in the process of getting another three young female coaches qualified to accommodate the extra demand."
The boys' team, coached by Feltham Warriors' Alan Keen and Rudy Harriott, went closer to qualifying for the main event.
After beating Harrow and Enfield in their first two games, Hounslow lost out to the group winners, Newham, in a close-fought final match.
Hounslow's Youth Games preliminaries continue this weekend, with the anglers casting off on Saturday and the boys volleyball team in action on Sunday.
