This past weekend saw Loughborough Student Riders 2nd team, take the drive down to Reading for the 2014 Division II Women's Playoff Quarter Finals.
Coach Thorne was really pleased with the initial draw in the playoffs, ''I enjoy the experience of playing a new team from a different league. Some years you play the same team 3 to 4 times and it becomes repetitive. I was excited to see what Loughborough 2nds were like, being the feeder team for a Division 1 program I was expecting some talented girls and plenty of athleticism".
Coming into the playoff match, the Rockets didn't have a full strength team available with Captain Steph Johnson out injured with bruised ligaments in her ankle, but luckily the Rockets had been able to play a double header the previous weekend which gave other players time to adjust to slightly different roles. The Rockets split the double header weekend suffering their only league loss to Birmingham 70-62 after traveling with a young Rockets team consisting of only four senior players, but the ladies bounced back with a tremendous defensive game vs Bromsgrove the next day defeating the Bears 81-21. The Rockets had some tension to release after their loss and the girls executed fantastically what they set out to do.
They came into the playoffs full of confidence and energy. As a strong defensive team the Rockets looked to make stops defensively to spark their offense and to make a run on the visiting Loughborough Student Riders. They pushed the ball and played unselfishly finding ways to score both inside and out and they were able to control their creative play as veteran point guard Claire Maytham took the helm and helped to keep the team's composure from the tip.
1st period - 15-9 to Rockets.
Until 45s to go in the period Rockets were up 15-3 and Loughborough looked shaken. But 2 big 3s from missed defensive assignments meant Loughborough went into the quarter break on a high.
2nd period - 37-20 to Rockets
Alex Stollery had an outstanding quarter - dominating the post on defense, running in transition, she set the tone for the group. Coaches Thorne and Buckner wanted 40 minutes of intensity and the strength of the team is its depth. Melissa Espin and Carla De Benavides Gabernet were relentless in their offensive rebounds and picking off reversal passes.
The focus at half time was to win the 2nd half by continuing to push the ball and to walk off the court with no regrets at the final whistle. Starting the 3rd quarter 0-0 with some highlighted areas to improve the Rockets came out ready to fight.
3rd period - 56-27 to Rockets
As the Rockets extended their lead in the 3rd quarter, U18s Denisa Molnar, Eloise Sneddon and Rhiane Szmidt got an opportunity to play some extended minutes which is going to stand them in great sted going into their playoff quarter finals with Sheffield in April.
4th period - 71-43 to Rockets
Great fight back from Loughborough winning this period 16-15 as they took advantage of a defensive change from the Rockets. Coach Patel can be very proud of his girls, all being aged 16-19 with a great attitude. You can see why they came 2nd in the North league and will be an even bigger force coming into next season. The Rockets were a more experienced team and it showed as each team member contributed through hard work and determination. Becky Lear and Cat Lutz lead the Rockets' scoring with 13 a piece and Carla De Benavides Gabernet added 12.
Rockets Division II Women make club history! First league title and now first trip to the playoff Semi Finals!
If you can make the trip to the Brixton Rec on Sunday at 2pm that would be fantastic. Brixton made the Trophy Final, finished their league season undefeated and are ranked 2nd in the country. We are really looking forward to the opportunity to play a high ranked team.
Being the highest scoring team in the country from league play at 92.35 and Brixton averaging 72.2 it shows both teams can score. Brixton have a great defensive record forcing teams to 37.36 and Rockets 47.21 that brings the scoring difference a bit close together. But Stats mean nothing come game day. It is going to be a fantastic experience and we look to keep growing as a group and as individuals.
Coach Thorne was really pleased with the initial draw in the playoffs, ''I enjoy the experience of playing a new team from a different league. Some years you play the same team 3 to 4 times and it becomes repetitive. I was excited to see what Loughborough 2nds were like, being the feeder team for a Division 1 program I was expecting some talented girls and plenty of athleticism".
Coming into the playoff match, the Rockets didn't have a full strength team available with Captain Steph Johnson out injured with bruised ligaments in her ankle, but luckily the Rockets had been able to play a double header the previous weekend which gave other players time to adjust to slightly different roles. The Rockets split the double header weekend suffering their only league loss to Birmingham 70-62 after traveling with a young Rockets team consisting of only four senior players, but the ladies bounced back with a tremendous defensive game vs Bromsgrove the next day defeating the Bears 81-21. The Rockets had some tension to release after their loss and the girls executed fantastically what they set out to do.
They came into the playoffs full of confidence and energy. As a strong defensive team the Rockets looked to make stops defensively to spark their offense and to make a run on the visiting Loughborough Student Riders. They pushed the ball and played unselfishly finding ways to score both inside and out and they were able to control their creative play as veteran point guard Claire Maytham took the helm and helped to keep the team's composure from the tip.
1st period - 15-9 to Rockets.
Until 45s to go in the period Rockets were up 15-3 and Loughborough looked shaken. But 2 big 3s from missed defensive assignments meant Loughborough went into the quarter break on a high.
2nd period - 37-20 to Rockets
Alex Stollery had an outstanding quarter - dominating the post on defense, running in transition, she set the tone for the group. Coaches Thorne and Buckner wanted 40 minutes of intensity and the strength of the team is its depth. Melissa Espin and Carla De Benavides Gabernet were relentless in their offensive rebounds and picking off reversal passes.
The focus at half time was to win the 2nd half by continuing to push the ball and to walk off the court with no regrets at the final whistle. Starting the 3rd quarter 0-0 with some highlighted areas to improve the Rockets came out ready to fight.
3rd period - 56-27 to Rockets
As the Rockets extended their lead in the 3rd quarter, U18s Denisa Molnar, Eloise Sneddon and Rhiane Szmidt got an opportunity to play some extended minutes which is going to stand them in great sted going into their playoff quarter finals with Sheffield in April.
4th period - 71-43 to Rockets
Great fight back from Loughborough winning this period 16-15 as they took advantage of a defensive change from the Rockets. Coach Patel can be very proud of his girls, all being aged 16-19 with a great attitude. You can see why they came 2nd in the North league and will be an even bigger force coming into next season. The Rockets were a more experienced team and it showed as each team member contributed through hard work and determination. Becky Lear and Cat Lutz lead the Rockets' scoring with 13 a piece and Carla De Benavides Gabernet added 12.
Rockets Division II Women make club history! First league title and now first trip to the playoff Semi Finals!
If you can make the trip to the Brixton Rec on Sunday at 2pm that would be fantastic. Brixton made the Trophy Final, finished their league season undefeated and are ranked 2nd in the country. We are really looking forward to the opportunity to play a high ranked team.
Being the highest scoring team in the country from league play at 92.35 and Brixton averaging 72.2 it shows both teams can score. Brixton have a great defensive record forcing teams to 37.36 and Rockets 47.21 that brings the scoring difference a bit close together. But Stats mean nothing come game day. It is going to be a fantastic experience and we look to keep growing as a group and as individuals.
