It was great to back at home to celebrate Courtney Hansen’s 50^th game and take on the Eagles. The starting 5 consisted of Shannon McKay, Kirsty Williams, Lauren Badenoch, Jo Hill and Opal Mader.

Jo opened the scoring and good teamwork was displayed. They all seemed more focussed this week and played with intensity and strong defence. It was a high scoring quarter with the score seesawing with Eagles leading 19 to 21 at the first quarter break.

Rockets had a very slow start the 2^nd quarter, Opal was the first to score after several minutes had passed. A great steal from Lauren, completed with a layup got us cheering again. An injection of fresh legs of Sarah Elsworthy and Georgia Green proved effective. In the back corner a tousle between 2 fabulous players; Jo and Olivia Thompson; led to a double foul being caused. Jo later shot a magnificent long 2 pointer that brought the scores level, 40 all at half time.

The leading scorers were: Lauren with 11 pts and Jo 10 pts, also Oliva from F/Ville 18 pts.

Shannon Tarran and Courtney Hansen contributed well in the second half, Kirsty was playing tough defence and Shannon Mackay was shooting well. Nine players were rotated well, allowing Jo to have some small breaks and proving the depth of talent in this team. Lauren made another sneaky steal but the quarter was tainted by some dubious calls which made many of us quite frustrated. Rockets’ determination and solid driving to the basket payed off, as they were leading 60 to 52 at three quarter time.

All the team were playing well but that was not enough. Eagles had fired up again and with three and a half minutes to go scores were level again. North were down by 4 points with 45 seconds to go and then North called a time out to run a play, when Sarah scored. Forrestville then were only 2 points up but they missed their shot and North pushed the ball up with Opal making a layup with 1.4 seconds on the clock which tied the game at 74 all, so extra time was called.

So five extra minutes were played and the Rockets team outclassed a tired Eagles with intensity, impenetrable defence and much cheering and instruction from both the bench and crowd. Olivia Thompson travelled, the Rockets scored well and won a very exciting game, 82 to 74 keeping Eagles scoreless in extra time.

Top scorers were Jo 19pts, Lauren 18 pts Opal 13 pts and Sarah 11 pts. The top rebounders were Jo 16 rebounds, Lauren and Opal both had 10 rebounds.

See you on ANZAC Day 1.30pm Hillcrest Stadium against Central Lions.

April Johnston