North Adelaide women make it two in a row!
North Adelaide women make it two in a row!
In Jess Cook’s 200th game, the North Adelaide Rockets overcame the Eastern Mavericks by 9 points with a 69-60 victory at Hillcrest on Saturday night.
The Mavericks opened up the scoring on the night but North Adelaide captain Jo Hill responded with a quick move inside. The game started off with some scrappy offence from both sides before Jamie-Lee Peris connected for 2 after a tough move inside. The Rockets were down 18-9 before Shannon McKay connected on two consecutive long range shots which were quickly followed by a Sarah Elsworthy lay up to put the Rockets just 3 points behind. The Mavericks called a time out to try and stop the Rockets scoring run, however they came out again strong and were able to gain a 2 point lead by the end of the first quarter.
Jess Cook opened up the scoring for North in the second quarter. After this there were several offences where neither team scored before Kirsty Williams finally hit a mid range jump shot to extend North’s lead to 6 points. Jamie-Lee Peris fought her way down the court on a fast break to make a tough lay up under pressure. She was then fouled in two consecutive offences and was able to connect on all 4 foul shots, extending North’s lead 37-28. Coach Brenton Johnston was able to rotate his bench throughout the quarter and the Rockets went into the half time break up 39-32.
Shannon McKay opened up the 3rd quarter scoring for the Rockets which was quickly followed by a 2 inside from Jo Hill after North executed their offence. Jo Hill was then fouled during a further 2 offences and was able to connect on 3 out of her 4 free throws. Good ball movement by the Rockets gave Jess Cook an outside look and she connected on a big 3 pointer. North Adelaide had cemented a 14 point lead at 3 quarter time (58-44).
A steal by young gun Sarah Elsworthy kick started the Rockets 4th quarter. A lapse in concentration saw the Rockets miss several scoring opportunities before coach Brenton Johnston made some subs and Sophie Byrne hit a big 3 pointer to break North’s scoring drought. The Eastern Mavericks stayed in the game on the back of North’s turnovers and cut the lead to just 7 with 3:28 to go in the game. Coach Brenton Johnston subbed in the remaining starters and Jamie-Lee Peris drove hard to the basket and was sent to the foul line. A time out was called with 1:34 to go in the game and North were up by 8. The Eastern Mavericks scored a 2 and connected on a bonus to cut the lead back to 5 before Jamie-Lee Peris hit a baseline jumper from range to ease North’s discomfort. With both teams in bonus, the Mavericks came out of the time out looking to foul and force North to the foul line. Shannon McKay was sent to the foul line and made both free throws. Sarah Elsworthy was then fouled and was also able to connect on both her foul shots which secured the game with only 8 seconds left to play. The Rockets came out on top with a 9 point victory, 69-60.
Top contributors were Shannon McKay with 18 points, Jo Hill with 13 points, 15 rebounds and Jamie-Lee Peris with 19 points, 9 rebounds.
The Rockets next game is next Saturday night (13th June) vs Woodville at St Clair. Women tip off at 6:30pm followed by the men at 8:15pm.
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