CHESHIRE Wire Green under 14s were closer to National Basketball League North West One champions Stockport Falcons than on two previous occasions this season when they met on Saturday.
They restricted Falcons, defeated only twice this term, to a 63-57 loss after having fallen by 14 and 21 points in earlier meetings.
Sixth-placed Wire believed this end-of-season event was a game to be won but from the tip off they were plagued by turnovers, despite producing strong offence.
That allowed Stockport to be ahead by 17 points by the end of the third quarter but they showed spirit.
The final five players dug deep to bring the game to within four points, during which time Fraser Forde confirmed his status as the team's most valuable player.
At the end the six-point defeat left the team reflecting on 'what could have been' had they played the three previous quarters in the same way as the last.
Max Pedder took a double double with 22 points and 10 rebounds.
Next highest scorers were Mike Holce and James Harrop.
Results:
Under 18s: Cheshire Wire I 70 Trafford Magic 68.
Under 16s: Manchester Giants II 40 Cheshire Wire Green 76, Liverpool Basketball Black 53 Cheshire Wire White 47, Mansfield Giants 66 Cheshire Wire Premier 73.
Under 14s: Stockport Falcons II 45 Cheshire Wire White 33, Stockport Falcons 63 Cheshire Wire Green 57, Sheffield Junior Sharks 68 Cheshire Wire Premier 61.
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