Mark Thorne hailed both Warwick Academy boys varsity and junior varsity basketball teams after they won their respective Bermuda School Sports Federation (BSSF) knockout tournaments.The varsity side won the knockout competition for the third successive year, while the junior varsity side won the same competition for their sixth title in a row.Thorne, the head gym teacher at the Warwick-based private school, said good coaching was crucial to the success of the two teams.“We are very excited for how the year went, our varsity boys won the knockout competition for the third year in a row, and being coached by national team player Steven Simons really helped us,” said Thorne.“Cedarbridge has been our main rivals, they have won the league three years in a row so it is becoming an exciting time for the sport in the schools.“Their coach, Chris Crumpler is also a member of the national team and it is great to see these guys helping out with the younger players.“Our middle school boys also won their title, their sixth in a row and went undefeated so that is another amazing feat in itself.”Having Simons coaching the team was vital in how the side went about their business, especially with the national team member knowing a thing or two about pulling the strings from the sideline.Simons’ brother Jason also helped out throughout the year as well as fellow national team player Dean Jones.“Steven’s experience is a huge plus to our programme and for many years we didn’t have the proper facilities, so since we have built the new gym it has helped,” said Thorne.“Having him come back to the school that he attended, considering what he is doing right now in preparing for the Island Games and dealing with a few family things he and his brother Jason have been a tremendous help to us.“Dean Jones has also stepped in to help the guys and with myself being the middle school coach I sometimes turn to him (Steve) for help and so forth in terms of drills so that when you go up a level they are right on cue for what is expected of them.”