The U16 premier team looked to bounce back from a hefty defeat to Manchester giants before Christmas and start 2025 as they mean to go on. 

Elite got off to a slow start and rotated all players in the 1st quarter meanwhile Leicester had a very strong 1st quarter shooting the ball very well from the perimeter connecting on 5 3’s finishing the 1st with Riders up 27-14. After some adjustments to the defence and tightening of the rotation Elite won the second quarter 24-19 going into halftime down 46-38. 

It was in the 3rd quarter where Sheffield really turned it up a notch and locked in on defence with Leicester going for a long period of the 3rd without getting a shot and struggling to get the ball over half court at times. Towards the end of the quarter Leicester got hot and hit 4 3’s to end the quarter 24-15 to Elite and Leicester clawing back to being up 1 60-61. 

Elite started the 4th the same as the 3rd and caused Leicester problems with the press with Sheffield getting a 12 point lead at one point only for the Riders to almost bring the game back once again with another 2 3’s right in the last minute and a half but after some clutch free throws Sheffield managed to hold on ending the game 82-85 to Elite. 

Under 14 Player Ikenna Alisi was outstanding, applying great pressure on the defensive end and leading the team in scoring with 25 Points.

Ikenna Alisi led with 25 Points, Omar Safi had 20 Points and Robbie Oliver in his first game back after toe surgery finished with 14 points.