U18 Women

Game 1: Southern Yorke Peninsula

Bullets opened confidently, with Kelly Altmann, Emily Palm and Libby Frazer early scorers.  Bullets’ full court pressure was effective, with Sarina Weyland intercepting strongly.  SYP’s height helped them stay in the game, but trailing Bullets by 7points.  Olivia McLoughlin moved strongly to open the scoring in the second term.  Nikki Dougall made a welcome return to the team, making her presence felt in both offense and defence.  Tegan Smith broke through with an effective drive, and Bullet’s unrelenting aggression saw them take a comfortable lead at half time, 30 – 15.  In the second half, Ashleigh Horsnell repelled early SYP attacks, and while Bullets found it harder to score, Smith’s 3-pointer added momentum.  Bullets had a comfortable win, 57 – 34.

Game 2:  Whyalla

Smith scored two 3-pointers early in the game in what was a scrappy first quarter.  Whyalla took an early lead by applying strong offensive pressure.  Palm was accurate from the foul line,  but Whyalla led 12-7 at the first break.  The Whyalla girls in general were taller and very accurate in scoring.  Horsnell scored 2 baskets strongly, whilst Dougall scored from free throws.  Coach Donna Jaensch encouraged the girls to take control and set up plays down the court.  Whyalla extended their lead by 1 for the quarter.    In the third quarter Bullets’ shots wouldn’t drop, and they couldn’t overcome Whyalla’s accuracy and drive.  A  3-pointer by Dougall kept them in touch, but Bullets trailed  by 10 points at the last change.  In the final term Bullets played stronger body and got back into the game with a lovely 3-pointer by Horsnell.  The girls kept chipping away at Whyalla’s lead and were soon down by only 2 points.  With 19 seconds to go Smith was fouled and scored one from the stripe, but Whyalla gained possession and took the game out winning the game 43 – 40.

Game 3:  Mount Gambier

Mount Gambier played a tight first quarter, keeping Bullets scoreless until Altmann broke through with a minute to go.  Bullets increased their intensity at the start of the second quarter but were unable to translate that to the scoreboard.  However, they in turn managed to restrict Mount Gambier’s scoring, with the teams scoring 2 points each for the quarter.  Palm and Smith opened the scoring in the third quarter, with Smith also driving strongly and scoring from free throws.  Caitlin Morris, Lexi Blight, Frazer and McLoughlin provided some fresh legs off the bench, and improved their offense and defence, but Mount Gambier increased their lead 27 – 12.  The last quarter proved the best, with Altmann continuing to provide options in offense with tireless running, and was well supported by Horsnell and Dougall.  Weyland as ever was strong in defence, but were beaten on the day by a more consistent team, 43 – 24.

Quarter Final: Port Augusta

Although the Pt Augusta girls were taller and larger, the Bullets girls were not intimidated and attacked the basket often.  Palm and Altmann drew early fouls, but it was Dougall’s drive that provided a confidence booster for the team.  A 3-pointer late in the quarter gave Pt Augusta a one point lead, 6-5.  Smith provided a steadying influence, bringing the ball down the court, with Horsnell finally breaking through.  Blight was steady in defence, and Bullets only trailed by 4 points at half time.  Dougall’s 3-pointer drew Bullets level at 19-all going into the last quarter.  McLoughlin stopped Port Augusta’s first attack, but Bullets found it hard to convert their many forays in offense, with scores still deadlocked 7 minutes into the quarter.  Pt Augusta crept ahead then Altmann scored again, and scores were level 22-all with 40 seconds to go.  The game was forced into overtime.  Altmann battled hard at both ends of the court, with Weyland effective in defence.  Unfortunately, Pt Augusta were able to convert their shots under pressure, taking the game 28-23.