WEABL Final – City of London Academy (CoLA) v Nottingham Academy Wildcats

Two teams with perfect records enter, but only one can remain as Nottingham Academy take on City of London Academy for this season’s WEABL playoff title.

Both teams have been dominant in their respective divisions, taking on all comers to not only win, but do so by some impressive margins.

Going 12-0 to sweep the Southern Conference, CoLA built their success on the stingiest defence in the WEABL. Allowing an average of just 36.4 points per game, the London programme can be ferocious on D, making life hard for any opponent.

That was also the team’s calling card the last time they won a playoff title in 2016/17, beating Charnwood College Riders in a low-scoring grinder, coming out on top 40-31 to seal their first crown.

The London programme have since added another title, being named co-champions with Copleston High School during the shortened 2019/20 season when the COVID-19 pandemic ruled out the possibility of completing the campaign.

It robbed players and fans alike of what would have been a much-anticipated clash between two well matched sides, though a return to action this year and a chance to get back on court is welcomed by all concerned.

After missing the debut season of the WEABL in 2015/16, Nottingham joined the fold a year later and have been a staple ever since.

Although success proved elusive for the programme’s first three years, a one-win season in 2018/19 was converted to a second-place finish in the Northern conference in 2019/20 and a maiden trip to the playoffs.

Hosting a game at the Elite Eight stage, Nottingham entertained none other than CoLA, with the visitors leaving with a narrow 54-50 victory. Some players remain from that playoff clash for both teams, adding an extra level to today’s contest and raising what are already some pretty high stakes.

As you’d expect from two teams who went unbeaten during the regular season, both these sides were well represented in the WEABL awards process.

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