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Huish Tigers
Huish Tigers logo
LeagueSomerset Basketball League
Established1992; 33 years ago (1992)
HistoryTaunton Tigers
1992-2012
Huish Tigers
2013-Present
ArenaRichard Huish College
Capacity100
LocationTaunton, Somerset
Team coloursOrange, Black and Orange
   
Head coachGary Carter
WebsiteOfficial Website

The Huish Tigers (sometimes known as Huish Taunton Tigers) are a semi–professional basketball team based in Taunton, Somerset competing in the Somerset Basketball League. The team plays all their home games at the Sycamore Sports Hall at Richard Huish College.[1]

Until the end of 2012, the team was known as the Taunton Tigers and competed in the English Basketball League (EBL) Division Three South League. Formerly a Division One side, the Tigers were forced to drop down the divisions after going into debt. In 2013, they became the Huish Tigers and are now coached by Gary Carter.[1]

History

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Taunton Tigers

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The origins of a basketball team in Taunton stem back to the late 1980s. In 1990, the team were called Taunton Community Basketball Club competing in South West Division Two. Ronnie Heath joined as a player and coach and by 1992 the team had rebranded as Taunton Tigers.[2]

During the 1990s, the team progressed up through the local leagues coached by Ian Hunt before competing in the National Basketball League. Taunton Tigers were founder-members of the new NBL Division 3 in 1997. Finishing in a respectable fifth place they were promoted to Division 2, as the higher divisions were expanding. The move proved fully justified, as they finished runners-up in 1999 and won the playoffs moving the team straight into Division 1.[3]

Regrettably, the conclusion of the 2000-01 season saw a league reorganisation, and despite finishing eighth, they were relegated to NBL Division 2. With Division 1 now divided into the Conference and NBL 1, this effectively became the fourth tier.[3]

Although they finished third in NBL 2 South in 2002, the constant changes in division had stretched their resources, and they chose to withdraw from the league to guarantee their survival for another opportunity to play in the national league.[3]

Rejoining the national league EBL Division 3 West in 2004-05 saw the team perform well, earning them third place overall.[3] Under coach Ronnie Heath, they won back to back promotions in 2005–06 and 2006–07 to propel them from EBL Division Three,[4] to EBL Division One. The club finished eighth in the league in their maiden season, avoiding relegation.[5]

The following season brought disappointment, just two wins were recorded in the league, and they finished bottom, missing out on the post-season.[6] Despite this, they remained in the top division for the following season which was expanded to twelve teams. The team won twelve league matches and seventeen overall, and enjoyed their greatest success in Division One.[7]

At the club's annual general meeting, it was revealed that the club was heavily in debt. The club's committee resigned, and combined with a number of key players announcing their retirement, the club were forced to withdraw from Division One. England Basketball would not let the club drop to Division Two, and instead the club had to move to Division Four.[8]

In 2010-11, the team won their first season in Division Four South West, recording seven wins in the league and thirteen overall,[9] and competed in Division Three South in the 2011–12 season, but came seventh.[10]

From 2010-17, the Taunton Tigers Basketball Charity (1137558) helped fund team activities and associated community projects. When this was disbanded, all funds were transferred to the Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP).[11]

Huish Tigers

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In 2013, the Taunton Tigers became the Huish Tigers being based at the Richard Huish College following a long partnership together.[12]

In 2017-18 and 2018-19, the team were runners up in the English Basketball League Division Four South West. In 2019-20 the team played in the EBL Division Three South West coming fourth overall.[13]

The team currently competes in the Somerset Basketball League (SBL).[14] In 2021-22, Huish Tigers were the SBL league and playoff champions, runners up in the 2022-23 playoffs and third place in the 2023-24 league.[15]

Season-by-season records

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Season Division Tier Pos. Played Won Lost Points Playoffs National Cup National Trophy Patrons Cup National Shield
Taunton Tigers
1997-98 NBL 3 4 5th 26 11 15 22 Semi-Final - - - -
1998-99 NBL 2 3 2nd 26 21 5 42 Winners - 3rd Round - -
1999-2000 NBL 1 2 8th 24 9 15 18 Quarter-Final - 3rd Round - -
2000-01 NBL 2 4 7th 24 12 12 24 Quarter-Final - - - Semi-Final
2001-02 NBL 2 South 4 3rd 16 10 6 20 Quarter-Final - - - Quarter-Final
2002-03 Team withdrew from National Basketball League Competitions[3]
2003-04
2004-05 EBL 3 West 4 3rd 16 11 5 22 Quarter-Final 2nd Round - - Semi-Final
2005-06 EBL 3 SW 4 2nd 16 13 3 26 Semi-Final 3rd Round - 2nd Place Semi-Final
2006-07 EBL 2 3 3rd 22 15 7 30 Finalist 3rd Round - 2nd Place -
2007-08 EBL 1 2 8th 18 5 13 10 Quarter-Final 3rd Round - - -
2008-09 EBL 1 2 10th 20 2 16 4 - 3rd Round - - -
2009-10 EBL 1 2 8th 22 12 10 24 Quarter-Final 3rd Round Quarter-Final - -
2010-11 EBL 4 SW 5 1st 9 7 2 14 Quarter-Final 2nd Round - - -
2011-12 EBL 3 South 4 7th 20 9 11 18 Quarter-Final 1st Round - - -
Huish Tigers
2017-18 EBL 4 SW 5 2nd 20 17 3 34 Quarter-Final 1st Round - - -
2018-19 EBL 4 SW 5 2nd 14 9 5 18 Quarter-Final 1st Round - - -
2019-20 EBL 3 SW 4 4th 17 11 6 23 - 2nd Round - - -
2020-21 EBL 3 SW 4 Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021-22 SBL - 1st 10 9 1 28 Winners - - - -
2022-23 SBL - 4th 13 8 5 29 Finalist - - - -
2023-24 SBL - 3rd 12 9 3 30 - - - - -
2024-25* SBL - 1st* 12 11 1 34 - - - - -

[3][13][14][16][17]

*- Season in progress

Notes:

  • From 2000-2003 the NBL Conference operated as the second tier league, ahead of Division One.
  • In 2003 the NBL was replaced by the EBL, which reinstated Division One as the second tier.

Home venues

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Taunton Tigers played at multiple venues across Taunton mostly due to having multiple teams and not owning their own venue:[18]

Taunton Tigers moved into the newly opened Wellsprings Leisure Centre in 2004[19] and made it their home venue until 2012.[18]

Taunton Tigers utilised Richard Huish College for some matches moving into the college's inflatable sports dome in August 2006.[18] In 2013, they were succeeded by Huish Tigers, who now play in the Sycamore sports hall which opened in January 2017 replacing the sports dome.[20][21]

Honours

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League

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  • WEBBA Division One Winners: 1994/95 & 1995/96
  • NBL Division Two Runners Up: 1998/99
  • EBL Division Three South West Runners Up: 2005/06
  • EBL Division Four South West Winners: 2010/11
  • EBL Division Four South West Runners Up: 2017/18 & 2019/20
  • SBL Champions: 2021/22

Playoffs

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  • NBL Division Two Playoff Winners: 1998/99
  • EBL Division Two Playoff Finalists: 2006/07
  • SBL Playoff Champions: 2021/22
  • SBL Playoff Finalists: 2022/23

Cups

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  • West of England Men's Cup: 1995/96, 1996/97, 1999/2000 & 2000/01
  • Patrons Cup 2nd Place: 2005/06 & 2006/07

References

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  1. ^ a b "Tigers Basketball". Richard Huish College. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  2. ^ Yabsley, Paul; Heath, Ronnie (9 October 2017). "Starting Tigers and the growth of Basketball in Somerset". Somerset Basketball League. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Taunton Tigers". Pawprint Basketball Services. Archived from the original on 26 December 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  4. ^ "Taunton Tigers Mens Team 2005/06". Taunton Tigers. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  5. ^ "Taunton Tigers Mens Team 2007/08". Taunton Tigers. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  6. ^ "Taunton Tigers Mens Team 2008/09". Taunton Tigers. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  7. ^ "Taunton Tigers Mens Team 2009/10". Taunton Tigers. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  8. ^ "A new era dawns for the Taunton Tigers". Taunton Tigers. 30 September 2010. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  9. ^ "Taunton Tigers Mens Team 2010/11". Taunton Tigers. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  10. ^ "Taunton Tigers Mens Team 2011/12". Taunton Tigers. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  11. ^ "Taunton Tigers Basketball Club Charity Number:1137758". Charity Commission for England and Wales. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  12. ^ "Tigers Basketball - Richard Huish College". Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  13. ^ a b "Standings - England Basketball". England Basketball. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
  14. ^ a b "Somerset Basketball Competitions". Somerset Basketball League. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  15. ^ "Huish Tigers Senior Men". Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  16. ^ "Results Archive - Senior Men -League". England Basketball. Archived from the original on 15 August 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  17. ^ "Taunton Tigers Teams". Taunton Tigers. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  18. ^ a b c "Venues - Taunton Tigers Basketball Club". Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  19. ^ "Wellsprings Leisure Centre". Everyone Events. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  20. ^ "Facilities". Richard Huish College. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  21. ^ "New £1.9m sports hall for Taunton's Richard Huish College". Somerset County Gazette. 30 October 2015. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
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