AYR Storm's U16 girls retained their Strathclyde League title in style with a win at Kyle Academy over Glasgow City.

Undefeated in the league this season, the home team knew a win would seal their third successive title at this age group, and a first for head coach Maria Vasilaki, who joined the club at the beginning of the season.

After both teams exchanged early baskets, Ayr took a stranglehold on the game.

Guards Petra Kurcikova and Emily Nolan drove Storm forward at every opportunity, with centre Abbie Middleton proving a handful under the basket for the City defense. The three players were responsible for 22 of the points that saw their side lead 24-10 at the end of the first quarter.

The hosts continued in the same vein in the second quarter, with their full court defense and intense pressure on the ball, exemplified by Belmont Academy's Alex Breslin.

Ayr's U16 debutants this season, Freya MacDonald, Michaela McNeil and Melissa Graham all found baskets in the quarter, which helped Storm to a healthy 51-18 lead at the interval.

Ayr's aggressive defense did come at a cost, as Kurcikova picked up her fifth foul of the game just inside the third quarter, and the early departure from the game seemed to unsettle the home side for a while and Glasgow took full advantage, with their captain Grace Gormley, helping them close the gap by the end of the third to 63-35.

Ayr regained their composure and returned to the smart offensive play that had proved so successful in the first half. Tenacious defence from Niamh Keenan, and strong inside play from Eve Meechan, Middleton and Graham saw Ayr comfortably home by 91-50.

Captain Emily Nolan - with a game high 30 points - was thrilled at the final buzzer and said: "The girls have worked so hard this season, so I'm delighted for each and every one of them. We still have important games to come, and our focus is on continuing the good form we're currently showing."

The girls also won 73-47 in their U16 National League Division 2 Play-Off quarter-final against South Lanarkshire Colliers: Nolan (16pts) Kurcikova (15) Meechan (12) Keenan (11).

Victory sees the team progress to the Final Four weekend in Edinburgh where they take on Perth Phoenix in the semi-final.