Former Herts and Essex High School student Caitlin Ryan wins player-of-the-week award for Oaklands Wolves

Bishop’s Stortford basketball player Caitlin Ryan starred for Oaklands Wolves and collected the Women’s Elite Academy Basketball League player-of-the-week award as they defeated Itchen College 78-55 on Wednesday (February 19).

The 17-year-old, from Thorley Park, finished with a stunning efficiency rating of 35 to show for her efforts as her 23 points went with 10 rebounds for the double-double while six assists, three steals and a block showed her talents at both ends of the court.

The victory moved St Albans-based Wolves a step closer to the play-offs at the top level of junior basketball.

Wolves captain Ryan said: “The Itchen game was a must-win for us and it’s really great to come out with a big win. As a team we stepped up and committed to each other as well as executing in our own roles.

“I’m very grateful to get this award and I hope to keep up my performance going into the end of the season.”

Oaklands head coach Shanice Beckford-Norton added: “Caitlin is a leader for this group, with the confidence to speak to and for the team.

“We’ve challenged her to increase her production recently and the game against Itchen was a great example of her showing her capabilities. She played with confidence and showed her quality as a shooter. This honour is well-deserved.”

It is the second player-of-the-week award for the former Herts and Essex High School student having led Wolves to a play-off win at Manchester in last season’s play-offs.

Ryan also currently leads the WEABL in three-point shooting and is joint leader in blocks.