And so as we head for the depths of winter it is probably time to accept that our awesome summer of 2012 has come to an end. And that realization means we come to the final part (3) of The Summer That Rocked.

Well it is almost impossible to guess when the summer of 2012 started for me but boy what a summer it has been. To be honest I don't think it could have been any better for me personally.

Well the London 2012 Paralympics have finally arrived. I am delighted to say that over the years I have been involved with a number of Paralympic Sports and in this article I will try to convey the love I feel for some unbelievable athletes.

Ian Whittell, who covered London 2012 for the Times Newspapers, gives us his take on Great Britain's exploits in the 2012 Olympic Basketball Tournament.

Welcome to part 2 of the Big Ticket my continuing look back at two of the greatest nights in Basketball in the City of Manchester. The USA Teams both Men and Women are on the way to the 2012 Olympics where they are expected to claim Gold but before that they brought their awesome talents to the Manchester Arena.

Mike Shaft's unofficial photo album...The Men's Game

Some time ago a friend of mine suggested that I write a book about my life and although I loved the idea, I have to admit that I felt I had some more living to do before I got round to doing my life story. Well I have to warn you that this is going to be epic and may one day be the beginning of my life story.

The USA Men's Basketball team are in Manchester for tomorrows' ground breaking game at the Manchester Arena. The team invited the local, national and International press to join them as they went through a few plays in a carefully stage managed event.

In a few days time the London 2012 Olympics will begin and it will be celebrations all round. But for these three people Lauren Thomas-Johnson, Devon van Oostrum and Georgia Jones from the world of basketball, it will, I am sure, be a most difficult time.

Well as you probably know if you are a regular visitor to mikeshaft.com, I have had some exciting times in my life. But I have to say I have just had an amazing few days working with the Presenter group at the Sainsbury's School Games in London. The events took place at the Excel centre and the Main Olympic Stadium.