2025 marks the end of an era for two of the longest serving juniors at the club. 18 year old pair; Ben Grimes and Harrison McDonnell have completed the full spectrum of junior competition at the club and bear witness to a dramatic rise in a programme that didn't even have National League teams when they began their journey.

Ben is the longest serving junior and joined the club in 2015 when he was just eight years old. Teammate Harrison would join in 2017 and both would play significant and eventually crucial roles within the club. 

Their journey reflects the growth of the club and it is fitting that both align each other. In many ways, part of the Teesside Lions furniture, the pair have grown from being unassuming and in some ways fragile young boys into not only strong, athletic and confident players; but also people.

Ben played his first game for the club in 2015 and not many would believe how dominant a player he would become. The 2022-23 season was a breakthrough year for Ben as he began to dominate the U16 National League. The following year saw him reach new heights as he dominated the college league via Bede College, and also earn a senior call up to the National League mens team, a team that would finish fourth in Division Two.

This season has been yet another leap with Ben adding more feathers to his bow. Not merely just a scorer, he was now creating for others and raising his defensive game. He was voted MVP for the Durham League men's team in 2024 alongside four other major trophies.

Harrison joined 16 months after his best friend and the pair have been inseparable since. The dynamic duo have followed similar paths in both their physical development and confidence. 

Harrison has become one of the most important players in every team he represents, and is a vital 'glue' man, keeping everyone together and positive. He has worked hard to become a very effective and polished player at both ends of the court and seemed to transition to mens basketball with ease as he played for the D2 and D1 mens team this season. Not only did he play a role for the D1 side but shone brightly as one of the most important players on the D2 team, a team he described as one of his most enjoyable.

In 2024 Harrison suited up for the mens national league team in a proud day for player and club.

At the start of the 2025-26 season, it will feel like a big part of the club is missing as Ben heads to the University of Staffordshire to study esports event management, while Harrison will head to the University of Leeds to study data science. 

It would be fair to say basketball has given a lot to these boys, but in return they have given so much back!