​Basketball players at a Devon club are hoping they have set the first record for the most layups completed in 24 hours. The Tiverton Titans completed 26,274 layups during a round-the-clock challenge designed to encourage more people to get involved, described by the club as a celebration of what grassroots sport can achieve. A layup is the shot most commonly taught to new players and is one of the highest-percentage scoring techniques in basketball, according to the club. Head coach George Sinclair described the wait for Guinness World Records to decide whether the Titans had set a world record and the first of its kind as “nail-biting.” Anna Harries participated in the record-setting attempt with the Tiverton Titans, with team members including Rich Radford hoping to set a world record.
The record-breaking attempt began at 12:00 BST on Saturday at Blundell’s School in Tiverton. Fifteen players rotated to ensure the challenge continued without interruption. Sinclair remarked on the positive impact basketball has on young people, noting how the sport helps build confidence, friendships, structure, and a sense of belonging. He added that the event brought people together through a shared commitment to teamwork, perseverance, and community spirit. Ben Harper joined the record-setting effort for the Tiverton Titans.
Independent witnesses and timekeepers oversaw the attempt, and it was filmed and documented. The club said it would submit evidence, including witness statements, timekeeping records, photographs, and video footage, to Guinness World Records. Hannah Radford, a representative from the club, explained the aim: “Our goal is simple — to set the inaugural Guinness World Record and to establish a total that future teams will find challenging to surpass.” She acknowledged that, of course, they would love the number to be as high as possible.
The club is launching a youth programme in September, and 60 children have already signed up. Earlier this year, Tiverton Titans also started a ladies’ team. For more local news from Devon, follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook, and Instagram. If you have a story idea, email spotlight@bbc.co.uk.