John Mason (Abingdon) are celebrating after netting a brace of national basketball titles.

oThe schools teams - known as The Ggiants - triumphed at under 16 and under 19 in the English Schools' Competition at Nottingham.

The under 16s set the ball rolling with a tremendous 63-44 victory over Moorside (Swinton) in the final.

In the semi-finals, they had edged past Wimbledon College 37-34.

John Mason under 19s staged a terrific fightback to pip old rivals Dr Challoner's (Amersham) 34-32 in their final.

Dr Challoners' took a firm grip on the game and with six minutes left, John Mason trailed by 15 points and were staring defeat in the face.

But the Abingdon lads grew in confidence when they were reinforced by the under 16 boys, who had just finished their final.

They battled their way back into the game and snatched victory by one basket in a thrilling finish.

In the semi-finals, they eased past Sir Graham Balfour (Stafford) 35-22.

The national double came after both sides were crowned Oxfordshire champions.

John Mason under 16s defeated Oxford Community School 70-46 in the final at Abingdon Leisure Centre.

They had earlier beaten Cherwell (Oxford) in a nail-biting semi-final after winning all their group games.

Meanwhile, John Mason under 19s claimed the Oxfordshire title with a 59-56 win over Wood Green (Witney) in the final.

They had earlier defeated Cheney (Oxford) in the semi-final after going unbeaten in their group games.