Winchester Wizards Basketball Team
The Wizards are entering their third season in the Solent League after starting out in the WBL. This season the Wizards will be playing in Solent League division 2 after finishing runners up with a 13-3 record in division 3 last season.
Winchester Wizards Squad:
Thomas Attwood – F -‘Louis’ is one of the founding members of our club. The club’s first Treasurer, he put a lot of work into the club, helping make it what it is today. He has a wealth of knowledge about the game, which he has used to help coach the teams within the club over the years. This year Louis has taken over from Guy Wilcox as player coach of the Wizards. As a player, he has improved year-on-year, and added to his impressive array of moves. He has quick feet, fast hands, good vision and is very clever with the basketball, not to mention a great jump shot, that extends beyond the 3-point line when his team needs it. His attitude on the court sets the tone for others to follow as he is always focused and gives his all, which make the players around him better.
Guy Wilcox – F – A founding member of the club, Guy is the former coach of the Wizards, who had 2 seasons in charge. As a player, his nickname is ‘The Power’, for the obvious reason that he plays with a lot of strength. Originally a post playing purist, Guy has elevated his game by working on his shooting, driving and dribbling, adding finesse to his already impressive game. Although, he still plays very tough, and works very hard fighting for rebounds, diving for loose balls, playing hard D on guys much bigger than him, he brings a level of maturity, experience and strength to the Wizards line-up.
Dave Clarke – F/C - ‘Big Dave’ is a veteran of local league basketball, and has played at all levels. Due to his height and big build, gets mistaken as a classic centre, however his game has so much more. As well as the exceptional rebounding skills and blocking shots instinct, Dave is much quicker and graceful than most his size, and can finish from all angles. He also has added a deft, mid range shooting touch, which along with his great personality make him heart and soul of the team.
Adam Gillies – F/C - Adam is reigning captain and MVP of the Wizards squad. Apart from his height and extraordinary jumping ability, which make him the best rebounder in the team, as well as provide quite a few of our highlight reel dunks, he is an all-round offensive weapon many teams struggle to handle. His baseline drive is quick, and unstoppable, but he has added to this, a nice mid range jump shot which will make him even more of a threat, and more enjoyable to watch than ever. A very popular and funny guy, Adam is highly regarded and looked up to by all who get involved with our club, and rightly so.
Craig Sharland – G – A founding member of the club, ‘Cio’ loves everything about the game of basketball, and has years of experience playing and coaching, including running the University of Winchester teams in his time as a student there. The first head coach of the Warriors when the team was created in 2006, leading them to the Div. 3 title and promotion. This year he is focusing on his playing, and the results are showing. Working hard to improve on just being known as a 3-point shooter, Craig has become a very scrappy and quick defender, and added the drive and rebounding to his offensive game, on top of his passing ability. Constantly improving, it is exciting to see just how good he will be by the end of the season.
Andy Guise – G - ‘Brummy’ is your prototypical point guard. Very quick, very good handler of the ball, and a tenacious playmaker. Though, to leave it there would do this man an injustice, and sell him very short. He is a Winchester University Basketball legend, his vision of the game and a play-making passes are unsurpassed, and the way he can completely control a game by being the on-court general. Added to this, his ferocious defence and 3-point touch make him invaluable to the team. Also, big men beware-he may be short, but he never backs down from taking the ball straight to the basket. A very funny and unique character, who is great to play with, and an even better guy to know.
Kev Chase – G - Kev was named last years ‘Rookie of the Year’, and rightly so. With his eclectic wardrobe of colourful vests, ‘The Chaser’ came in and took command of the Wizards offence. Able to play at either guard spots, he can handle the ball and control a game, or take over a game with his dead-eye shooting (highlighted in a season high, 32 point performance last season where he hit seven, 3-point shots). Kev has a highly intelligent basketball brain, and his ability to read a game is shown by his great no-look passes and his leadership, as he is also head coach of the clubs Div. 2 team – The Warriors.
Mike Castle – G - Mikey is a very solid and clever basketball player, who knows his limits and plays very well to his strengths. Mike is a good 3-point shooter who has quietly been working very hard on all aspects of his game in the off-season, and it shows. He’s quicker, stronger, has a better handle of the ball and runs the offence with a lot of patience, as well as becoming a very difficult guy to score on. Also fancies himself as the team photographer, so look for his pictures throughout the site.
Justyn Moore – G - There aren’t many players like ‘Jambo’. A very well liked guy amongst the squad for his quick wit, but most of all for his explosive, natural basketball talent. His jump shot from all ranges is deadly, his speed on the break or around a man make him an offensive weapon, oh, and did I mention, he was also named Wizards Defensive Player of the Year last year. A player you don’t want against you, but love having with you.
Sam James – G/F – Another player to join the team this year, who also has a lot of basketball experience which is showcased in his talent, skills and great attitude. Sam has lot of potential to raise the team to a higher level, and is already a popular player amongst the team.
Adam Jenkins – G – ‘Spike’ is a veteran of University of Winchester basketball, and has been a member of the club since it was created. Hindered through a broken ankle during the first season, we are glad to welcome him and his great ball handling, court awareness and shooting back to the team.
Dean Carey – F – He is amazing..he beat Jordan in a one-on-one! Seeing as I’m writing this about myself, all I’ll say is I have been working on my game hard over the summer and am looking forward to this season with the Wizards, and believe we will reach our potential and make a run for the league title this year.
2008/09 Wizards Team Stats
| Name | Team | Games Played | Points scored | Average | top score |
| Adam Gillies | Wizards | 15 | 334 | 22.3 | 37 |
| Jon Gill | Wizards | 14 | 244 | 17.4 | 35 |
| Dean Carey | Wizards | 15 | 183 | 12.2 | 23 |
| Dave Clarke | Wizards | 15 | 137 | 9.1 | 18 |
| Justyn Moore | Wizards | 7 | 54 | 7.7 | 13 |
| Andy Guise | Wizards | 13 | 54 | 4.2 | 8 |
| Thom Attwood | Wizards | 12 | 47 | 3.9 | 11 |
| Kev Chase | Wizards | 10 | 45 | 4.5 | 7 |
| Sam James | Wizards | 11 | 31 | 2.8 | 8 |
| Adam Simpson | Wizards | 12 | 26 | 2.2 | 4 |
| Andy Rule | Wizards | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 9 |
| Mike Castle | Wizards | 6 | 7 | 1.2 | 4 |
| Spike | Wizards | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 4 |
| Matt Jaquiery | Wizards | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 2 |
| James Taylor | Wizards | 4 | 2 | 0.5 | 2 |
Former Wizards
Adam Simpson – G - ‘Weasel’, as he is known, is quick! Very, very quick! Not just quick on the move but in every sense of the word in basketball terms – he has quick hands and feet that make him a danger on defense, as he steals the ball for fun. Quick decision making when reading the play, quick at pushing the ball on a break, and finishing hard. Quick to fake out a man, leave him standing and drive or pull-up jump shoot over him…he leaves you asking ‘What just happened?’, and that makes him a very exciting player to watch and play with.
James Taylor – F -JT is a rookie to the team this year, and is a great addition to the Wizards. Fairly new to the disciplined side of the game, he has learnt a lot, very fast through showing real commitment and training hard. He is a big, strong prescence in the zone, who won’t let anyone score without a fight. He reads the game very well, setting great picks that stop defenders dead, and has a great finish around the basket. He has unlimited potential, and will develop to a whole new playing level as the season continues.
John Gill – G/F - If you mention his name to any team in the Southern Region, they know who he is. This isn’t because of his misshaped head, it is because his reputation on the court is legendary. John has chosen to join us from the National League this year, and we couldn’t be more excited to have a player of his caliber on our team. You name the skill, he has it. He effortlessly can take over a game, with his graceful drives to the basket, or jump shot at all ranges, finding gaps through defence where there doesn’t appear to be one. His big reach make him a rebounding and shot-blocking machine, not to mention make him able to terrorise ball-handlers. An outstanding talent and a great guy, it is exciting to think what he will add to the already strong Wizards line-up.
Pete Edwards – G/F – ‘Pistol Pete’ is a player with a wide range of high level basketball experience, spanning as far as the USA. He also has been a member of the club since it began, but relocated last year, and was unable to play for us. Luckily for us, he’s back and ready to show people what he can do! Easily recognizable by the Wizards Red hair colour and tattoos, it’s his game that keeps you mesmerized. He moves very smoothly around the court, and to the basket, and is an exceptional 3-point shooter, who has hit as many as 9 in a row before! A great player and great guy, we welcome him back to the Wizards.
Matt Jacuiery – G/F - ‘The Viking’, so named for his whirling dervish haircut, is not to be taken lightly. Having joined the club last year, with no previous experience of disciplined, team basketball, Matt has come a long way. From developing his love for the game whenever and wherever he could he had raw talent, and a passion to learn more. To add to his ‘And 1 Mix tape’ moves, he now has a disciplined and a well rounded game, and has become a fantastic player at all areas of the game, and a favourite amongst his team-mates and coaches alike, due to his great attitude on the court, and being a thoroughly nice bloke off the court.
