North of Scotland Basketball Association bring back Claymore Cup tournament hosted by Moray Mavericks and won by Highland Bears
There was a Highland dominance as a popular basketball tournament returned to the sporting calendar.
The Claymore Cup was contested at Moray Sports Centre in Elgin after a hiatus, and showcased the talents of six teams from Moray and the Highlands in a pulsating day of action.
A tournament spokesperson said: “Historically a staple of Scottish basketball, the Claymore Cup has drawn clubs from across the country in years past.
“This year’s edition focused on rekindling the spirit of the event locally, bringing together the Moray Mavericks, Highland Bears, Inverness Falcons, RAF Lossiemouth, Inverness Blizzard, and Caithness Vikings for a one-day tournament packed with drama, athleticism, and regional pride.”
The tournament was structured into two mini-leagues of three teams each. The top two teams from each league progressed to the semi-finals, while the remaining teams battled for fifth and sixth place.
The Highland Bears wrestled their way to top spot in their section, overpowering RAF Lossiemouth 37–18 and dismantling the newly formed Inverness Blizzard 54–8.
On the opposite court, the Moray Mavericks had mixed fortunes, falling to the Inverness Falcons 23–18 in a hard-fought contest before recovering with a 15–6 win over the Caithness Vikings.
In a key group match, the RAF clinched second place in their pool with a decisive 37–18 win over the Blizzard. Meanwhile, the Falcons continued their form with a commanding 46–6 victory over the Vikings, eliminating the possibility of a three-way tie and securing a spot in the semis.
The semi-finals saw the Highland Bears square off against the Mavericks in a bruising encounter. Despite a competitive start, foul trouble plagued the Mavericks, and the Bears capitalized, pulling away to a 24–11 half-time lead.
Their superior conditioning and cohesion proved too much in the second half, as they secured a 44–17 win and a place in the final.
In the second semi-final, the Falcons' experience shone through in a 33–21 victory over RAF Lossiemouth.
Before the grand finale, placement matches saw the Inverness Blizzard edge out the Vikings 22–19 in a close game that saw a second-half comeback after trailing 14–11 at the break.
In the all-Moray, third-place match, the Mavericks stormed to a 23–10 first-half lead, powered by fast breaks from Henry Archibald and Adam Watson, and sharp playmaking by Graham Stewart.
But the RAF clawed their way back, taking advantage of missed opportunities and snatching a dramatic 32–31 win with a late shot.
The final pitted the Highland Bears against the Inverness Falcons, and from the tip-off, the Bears took control. Led by standout performances from Theo Pilkington, son of legendary coach Tim Pilkington, the Bears raced to a 14–4 half time lead and never looked back, cruising to a 33–14 victory and lifting the Claymore Cup for the 2024–25 season.
Event organiser and Mavericks player Graham Stewart praised the tournament’s revival, saying: “It was great to have some new teams, competitive games, and to see how much the local clubs have improved since the Highland League. The Claymore Cup is back, and we’re excited to continue growing the game across the region.”
Plans are already underway to build on the momentum, with hopes high for the full return of the Highland League in 2025–26.
The North of Scotland Basketball Association is seeking sponsorship for their league and also for the Claymore Cup. Contact Graham Stewart on 07972178790 if you are interested in being a sponsor for 2025-2026.
Moray Mavericks coach Jamie Alexander was proud of his players efforts and team work shown on the day especially with a team lacking lots of game experience and hopes to build on this with coaching into next season.
He hopes to recruit more players to the club and anyone interested in giving the sport a try can call Graham Stewart on the number above.
