The 2017 Premier League competition is beginning to take shape five rounds into the season. On a chilly evening the Norwood Flames (3-1) visited the Woodville Warriors (2-2) in a clash to climb.

Despite the difference on the ladder so far, the opening few moments were very balanced with Norwood taking a slight edge. The Flames edge was their ability to out manoeuvre and out muscle their hosts under the ring when going for the offensive rebound. This caused frustration on the Woodville bench.

Despite their problem boxing out, the Warriors also had trouble keeping the ball safe as turnovers began to pile up. After an even opening couple minutes, the Flames began to build a lead and ended the first with a 10-point margin.

The second term was a slow quarter offensively with both sides struggling to score. The visitors outscored their hosts 11-5 in the second and continued building their lead. As the game proceeded, the Warriors started to box out and improve their rebounding.

A circus layup by Woodville’s import Ashley Clausson before halftime left the hosts down 12-points with some momentum their way.

With a poor offensive quarter, the defensive abilities from both sides began to shine especially by Norwood’s Jessica Good who showed her presence inside. Good finished with a triple double for the evening (22-points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists). 

The Warriors looked like a different team coming out of the halftime break as they were really pushing for baskets and hustling for rebounds. With these benefits, problems continued to arise as Coach Herriman’s girls struggled from the Free Throw Line.

After a slow beginning to the third for the Flames, their offensive ability began to shine. Shannon McKay (11-points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists) converted a 4-point play which didn’t help the Warriors momentum. This built their lead to a dominant 21-points although was eventually cut back to 16 at Three Quarter Time.

After fixing a few scoreboard troubles prior to the beginning the final term, the Warriors began to show some heart and cut the margin down to 11-points. Unfortunately for Woodville, their momentum appeared to stop after some turnovers.

Despite the turnovers, Herriman’s girls began to build momentum again although it was too late. The final siren left the Flames winners by 13-points on the road.

 

Notable Performances:

Woodville

Ashley Claussen: 15-points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.

Jennifer Monroe: 14-points, 9 rebounds and 1 block.

Norwood:

Jessica Good: 22-points, 16-points, 11 assists, 3 blocks and 19 +/-.

Chelsea Brook: 19-points, 11 rebounds.