Game Report - 08/02/14
U18 Ladies
Reading Rockets v Hertfordshire Warriors
On Saturday, the U18 Lady Rockets welcomed the league leaders to The Rivermead Centre, with the Rockets team in confident mood, feeling last time these two teams played the game was theirs to win but slipped away from the Rockets in the 4th quarter. The game started well and the Rockets were moving the ball nicely on offence, even though the Warriors' fast break and dribble penetration kept them in the game, and they finished the quarter 4 points up at 19-15 and were looking good.
Things didn't go as well in the 2nd quarter though, too many turn-overs through forced passes and bad shot selections, along with three of the Rocket's forwards were called for a few fouls and by the time the half ended the Rockets had Freya, Rhiane and Levi all on 3 fouls, which is not ideal against a team that likes to attack the basket. The quarter ended with the Rockets leading 30-29 so the game was still in the balance.
The Rockets normally provide some fireworks in the 3rd quarter and this game was no different, they found some confidence again and pushed the ball up the court for a few fast-breaks, with the guards also starting to shoot from outside. Halfway through the quarter the Rockets were in a good place but unfortunately both Freya and Levi got called for their 4th fouls, both a little dubious according to Coach Rick Buckner, and this proved crucial to the flow of the game as the Rockets' captain had to sit on the bench just as they were looking to increase the lead and give themselves a buffer for the 4th quarter. Levi stayed on and did a good job to finish the game without further fouls.
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| Jas Long |
Going into the 4th the Rockets were up 48-42 and should have been in control but unfortunately they were playing last year's National Champions and the difference between the two teams showed in the 4th. They lost composure on offence and forced too many bad passes and over-dribbled the ball, these mistakes were pounced on by the opposition and converted into points down the other end. With time running down the Warriors took the lead for the first time in the game and things weren't looking great for the Rockets. With less than 30 seconds left the Rocket's were down by 3 points and if any team in the league could come back though it was the Rockets. They gained some composure and ran an offence that ended with the 3 point shot from Jas Long to tie the game but it wasn't to be and the game ended Rockets 60 v Warriors 63.
Coach Buckner was quoted after the game saying "Even though we lost against the Warriors our push for the play-off's is still very much alive and next weeks away game to Bucks Hornets is crucial. The girls were a little upset after the game but I know they'll be 100% focused tonight at training and give their all for the team".
