Ryan Emery has commended his basketball side after coronavirus awards them an early title.
Worcester Wolves women’s basketball team have been crowned winners of WNBL Division 2 with the campaign cut short due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
The side finished with nine victories and two defeats, recording a win percentage of almost 82% and pipping the Derbyshire Diamonds to the title.
Head coach Ryan Emery voiced his undying praise for his players, saying: “I am super proud of the team. The girls’ ability to perform at a consistent level throughout the season is the reason we are the champions. They really do deserve it.”
Despite the season ending prematurely, Emery was confident of leading the Wolves to a first-place finish. He admitted: “The circumstances are challenging but they don’t take away from the team. We had wrapped the league up before everything stopped.”
The Wolves also put together a solid run in the National Cup, eventually being knocked out by Bristol Flyers, who compete in the league above them, in a tight affair.
Ahead of next season, Emery faces some squad changes with five players graduating from the programme as University of Worcester students. On the changes, he said: “Next season is going to be a challenge to say the least. We have to do some rebounding but the core of the team is staying. We are in a good place.”
The head coach, who is back home during the COVID-19 outbreak, is hopeful of spurring his team on and achieving more success next season. He outlined his targets for the club, saying: “The goal is always to improve year upon year and push the athletes to be the best they can throughout their time at Worcester.”