Lions are roaring towards basketball title
INVERNESS City Lions are on the verge of winning the Highland Basketball League for the first time in their history as they remain undefeated and only require one more win to be crowned champions.
The Lions have won all eight of their league matches so far and could seal the title in their next game.
They moved a step closer to winning the championship beating the Highland Bears 38-35 on Friday night in a close contest at the Inverness Leisure Centre.
But as well as having a successful senior team, they are also making huge leaps in finding basketball stars of the future.
The club originally started as a youth club but as they grew more successful they were able to establish a senior team.
Assistant manager Bruce Morrison said as a result of their success, some of their young players have gone on to play at national and international level.
"The club is quite new itself and was previously known as Inverness City before becoming Inverness City Lions.
"Originally we ran for kids aged at under-10, under-12 and under-14 level. But once the under-14s started to get older they needed somewhere to go as well and the senior team was set up where the age range of players is around the mid 20s.
"We have players as young as six years old involved at the club and most of them take part in training two days a week.
"We have had players who have gone on to be involved in the Scotland set up.
"Our under-12s side have qualified for the national championships, the under-14s have qualified for the national championship with under-16s in the mix for the playoffs.
"We have the pathways set up for the boys to play basketball at senior level and now we are looking to establish an under-18s team to help our men's team."
Currently six teams play in the Highland Basketball League which was re-established four years ago.
The teams based in Inverness and Ross-shire include Highland Bears, College Panthers, Pinoyness, Fortrose Fury and Highland Bears under-18s.
Morrison said adding more height to their team this season has led to them being more prolific in front of the hoop.
He said they are looking to continue their fantastic form to win the league and finish the season undefeated in what has been the club's best ever year.
"Our success is down to the tall players we have added to the team this season," he said.
"In previous years we always had skilful players. But the problem is we never had the height.
"But by being able to find three tall players has definitely helped us this season.
"We have a great bunch of players who have helped us win all our games during the first half of the season.
"It is great that we have managed to continue that into the second half of the campaign.
"We are confident we can win the league."