WSBL Week 2 Review
The Perth Redbacks got tangled up in a mass of determination from a young group of Cockburn girls eager to taste their first victory for 2007 on Saturday night at Belmont. The Redbacks were without two players from their Round 1 away victory over the Flames, starting point guard Christelle Sampi and Kristy Jerzejewski. The loss of those two saw two players come in for their first SBL game, Redbacks junior Kelsey Crook stepped in for Christelle Sampi and Jo Callaghan also got a call up from coach Henry. A huge crowd was on hand for the first Redbacks home game and both sides didn’t disappoint them.
Kelsey Crook in action in her first SBL game.
It was the Cougars who impressed their faithful the most, scoring the first eight points of the game and jumping out to a 10-2 lead thanks to Emma Pass and Vanessa Cahill combing for eight points. The Redbacks pulled the lead back, to the delight of the crowd, Simone Cornwall started the run with a big three, followed by 11 unanswered points, 9 of which came from Lynx players Christine Boyd. Boyd finished the quarter with 11 points, leading all scorers, with the Redbacks up by two points at the first break 16-14. Emma Pass was the star for the Cougars, scoring 8 points to keep them in the contest.
The Cougars came out in the second quarter and had taken the lead within a minute of the quater starting thanks to a three point play from young super star Chelsea Evans and the assist from another young gun, Lizel Buckley. With the Cougars up by a point, both teams went nearly basket for basket for the next couple of minutes. Chelsea Evans and Vanessa Cahill ensured the Redbacks didn’t get too far away hitting two threes to level the scores at 23 all. The Redbacks looked like they were going to pull away and end up in front at half time after going on an 8-0 run to take a 8 point lead. However determined to not let them get away the Cougars fought hard and kept the Redbacks scoreless for just under four minutes till half time. The Cougars went into the main break up by six points (31-37) thanks to Cahill who had 6 points in 4 minutes and Jess Snell who had 5.
The Redbacks scored just 10 points in the third however managed to keep the Cougars to just 10 as well. It was again a case of the Redbacks doing all the work early on in the quarter, led by Natalie Harris they pulled the Cougars lead to just two points with three minutes to play. Yet the Cougars again pulled away scoring six points to two in the last minute and a half. With the scores just six points apart, most would have expected the Redbacks to pull away in the last quarter.
It was not to be. The Redbacks put the locks on defensively limiting the Cougars to just 7 points for the quarter (and 17 for the half) but struggled offensively and with their foul count. Emma Pass pulled the Cougars lead out to 9 points with back to back baskets until Christine Boyd steadied with three free throws. When Kerise Del Coure hit a three and Christine Boyd another field goal, the Redbacks were down by 3 with just 1:38 remaining. However the only other score would be a three throw from Lizel Buckley as Latoya Wallaces last ditch attempt to tie the game up went unsuccessful thanks to tough Cougars defence. Jayne Armstrong battled hard in the last minutes, managing to get to the three throw line and rebounding well but it was the Cougars night as they recorded their first win for the season.
Coach Henry would have been disappointed with the loss which was caused by poor ball handling and a high foul count. The Redbacks committed 26 fouls and 28 turnovers compared to the Cougars 13 and 15. With the Redbacks hitting just 5/11 from line, the Cougars 15/23 and the Cougars scoring 21 points off turnovers compared to just 14 for the Redbacks, the game was clearly lost on the Redbacks behalf. Consistency continues to be a problem for the young team with the poor second quarter showing (15-23) and the poor turnover and foul counts costing them the game. The Redbacks take on Wanneroo at Joondalup Basketball Stadium next Friday night and will be looking to make amends against the young Wolves team.
Kelsey Crook in action in her first SBL game.
It was the Cougars who impressed their faithful the most, scoring the first eight points of the game and jumping out to a 10-2 lead thanks to Emma Pass and Vanessa Cahill combing for eight points. The Redbacks pulled the lead back, to the delight of the crowd, Simone Cornwall started the run with a big three, followed by 11 unanswered points, 9 of which came from Lynx players Christine Boyd. Boyd finished the quarter with 11 points, leading all scorers, with the Redbacks up by two points at the first break 16-14. Emma Pass was the star for the Cougars, scoring 8 points to keep them in the contest.
The Cougars came out in the second quarter and had taken the lead within a minute of the quater starting thanks to a three point play from young super star Chelsea Evans and the assist from another young gun, Lizel Buckley. With the Cougars up by a point, both teams went nearly basket for basket for the next couple of minutes. Chelsea Evans and Vanessa Cahill ensured the Redbacks didn’t get too far away hitting two threes to level the scores at 23 all. The Redbacks looked like they were going to pull away and end up in front at half time after going on an 8-0 run to take a 8 point lead. However determined to not let them get away the Cougars fought hard and kept the Redbacks scoreless for just under four minutes till half time. The Cougars went into the main break up by six points (31-37) thanks to Cahill who had 6 points in 4 minutes and Jess Snell who had 5.
The Redbacks scored just 10 points in the third however managed to keep the Cougars to just 10 as well. It was again a case of the Redbacks doing all the work early on in the quarter, led by Natalie Harris they pulled the Cougars lead to just two points with three minutes to play. Yet the Cougars again pulled away scoring six points to two in the last minute and a half. With the scores just six points apart, most would have expected the Redbacks to pull away in the last quarter.
It was not to be. The Redbacks put the locks on defensively limiting the Cougars to just 7 points for the quarter (and 17 for the half) but struggled offensively and with their foul count. Emma Pass pulled the Cougars lead out to 9 points with back to back baskets until Christine Boyd steadied with three free throws. When Kerise Del Coure hit a three and Christine Boyd another field goal, the Redbacks were down by 3 with just 1:38 remaining. However the only other score would be a three throw from Lizel Buckley as Latoya Wallaces last ditch attempt to tie the game up went unsuccessful thanks to tough Cougars defence. Jayne Armstrong battled hard in the last minutes, managing to get to the three throw line and rebounding well but it was the Cougars night as they recorded their first win for the season.
Coach Henry would have been disappointed with the loss which was caused by poor ball handling and a high foul count. The Redbacks committed 26 fouls and 28 turnovers compared to the Cougars 13 and 15. With the Redbacks hitting just 5/11 from line, the Cougars 15/23 and the Cougars scoring 21 points off turnovers compared to just 14 for the Redbacks, the game was clearly lost on the Redbacks behalf. Consistency continues to be a problem for the young team with the poor second quarter showing (15-23) and the poor turnover and foul counts costing them the game. The Redbacks take on Wanneroo at Joondalup Basketball Stadium next Friday night and will be looking to make amends against the young Wolves team.
Last Modified on 14/01/2010 20:42
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