BLESSED Edward Oldcorne College boys’ under 14s reached the national basketball last 32.

The Worcester hosts beat Rawlins Academy from Quorn 81-52 in the first regional round as the school reached the furthest stage in their history.

They will visit Moseley Park from Wolverhampton or Lode Heath from Solihull in the second round.

Jacob Solvason was voted most valuable player with 53 points to single-handedly outscore the Leicestershire opponents.

After overturning an early 4-2 deficit, Blesseds maintained a lead for the rest of the game.

Despite Joe Moss sitting out the last four minutes of the first quarter for three quick fouls they led by 10 points.

Moss then stayed out of foul trouble and Blesseds pulled away to lead by 15 at half-time.

Solvason was unstoppable despite tall, well-drilled opponents as he drove to the basket to score lay-ups or shot from the perimeter.

Brandon-Leigh Croft and Will Armstrong worked hard on defence and pulled down vital rebounds to launch fast breaks with Moss and Cieran Anderson adding to the points.

Blesseds extended the lead to 20 by the end of the third quarter and Rawlins’ late three-point rally proved unsuccessful.

Jack Berry, Oliver Carney and Regan Biggerstaff were also among the winning squad.