Double delight for basketball hot-shots

Ashingdon’s Maisie Elston and Hockley’s Christina Gaskin have been called up into the provisional England under-18 squad for the forthcoming European Championships in Hungary.

And they will soon be heading off to America to begin four-year scholarships.

“It’s a really exciting time for both of us,” said Gaskin, who has played internationally as a forward since the age of 14.

“Playing for England is always a huge highlight so hopefully we can make it in to the final squad and going to America will be brilliant as well.

“I used to live in America when I was a younger but I’m still a bit apprehensive about going back.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity though and I’m glad I’ve been given this chance.”

Gaskin will be studying at the Fordham University in New York while Elston will be attending the Houston Baptist University in Houston, Texas.

She cannot wait to get going and is determined to make the most of the opportunity.

“I’m very excited about being involved with England and going over to America,” said Elston.

“We will have to do a lot of travelling and if I go to Hungary then I get back the day before I go to America. But I really can’t wait because it will be a fantastic experience.”

Both girls currently attend the Barking Abbey Sixth Form, which is also a basketball academy.

Prior to that they studied at Hockley’s Greensward Academy where they secured tremendous success.

“The girls were part of an incredibly success team at the school and they didn’t lose a single game in five years,” said the school’s PE teacher Chris Butterworth.

“They won all kinds of local, county and national titles while they were here and they also played the game in the right spirit.

“They have continued to train hard and we are very proud of the success they have gone on to achieve.”

Both Elston and Gaskin also helped Southend Swifts win the under-16 National Championships.

Gaskin is still affiliated to Swifts, while Elston now plays for the Sevenoaks Suns.