BROMSGROVE Bears under-16s powered into the National Basketball League play-offs as they downed Gloucester Jets in Cinderford.

The Bears needed a winning margin of at least 44 points to ensure their place at the end of season promotion party but they hammered the home side 96-36 to extend their season into the knockout phase.

After a nervous start and a tactical switch, Bromsgrove got into their stride in the final two quarters.

The second half opened up with numerous steals from Cat Yang and Amelia Parchment, who scored valuable points down the other end.

Thirteen-year-old Victoria McGachie stepped up to make some incredible steals and drives to the basket and scored each one taken.

England hopeful Becky Taylor top-scored with 28 points, followed by Amelia Parchment (25), Catrina Yang (16) and Victoria McGachie (15).

They now take on Northants Lightning in the play-off quarter-finals on Saturday, April 14.

Meanwhile, chairwoman and head coach Carys Hall was named England under-15s coach of the year at the regional tournament in Nottingham.

Hall coached the West Midlands under-15s team at the tournament, also looks after the under-17s and was chosen to assist coaching the England under-15s Development Squad.

Bromsgrove is also holding a number of coaching sessions from Wednesday April 18 onwards.

The under-5s will run between 5pm and 5.30pm at South Bromsgrove High School.

The under-11s will be on Thursdays between 6pm and 7pm at Parkside Middle School, which will also host the under-15s from 7pm until 8.30pm.

North Bromsgrove High School will contain the under-16s, National League and West Midlands League women on Friday nights between 7pm and 9pm.

Anyone who wants more information can call Carys Hall on 07960 256273 or Dawn Hall on 07906 402636.