Changes to Junior Sport in the Advocate

NJL Coaches and Managers volunteer their time in Tamworth:

Our CHBA division 1 teams traveled to Tamworth last weekend for the second round of the Northern Junior League competition. Thanks to our coaches and team managers for their efforts to ensure our players are skillful and motivated, and play with great sportsmanship. Below are the team reports for the weekend.

Under 12 Girls:
The Coffs Harbour Suns under 12 girls division one team continued their season unbeaten record with three more convincing wins Northern Junior League last weekend in Tamworth.

Matched up first against the fast improving Port Macquarie Dolphins the Suns girls clearly showed why they are considered the best team in their age group in Country NSW with a solid 87 points to 16 victory.

Their next game against Coffs Harbour Suns 12 girls # two team, the only other unbeaten side in the NJL competition, turned out to be quite a torrid contest with both teams playing the game hard but fair with the Suns # one team coming out on top with 71 points on the board and their renowned brick-wall defence holding Suns # two girls to just 12 points.

Third game Sunday morning against Lismore was handled with less intensity with Coach Julie Black running her bench players for extended minutes and giving her sore and tired starters an essential rest.

The Lismore girls showed they are also improving as their NJL season progresses restricting the Suns girls to just 22 points while shooting the ball with determination and accuracy to hit 32 points at their scoring end.

Under 14 Girls:
The U14 girls had a great weekend in the U16 NJL comp at Tamworth. They stood up to be counted, in 3 very physical encounters against much bigger opponents.

In their 1st game against Tamworth the girls kept with them in the 1st half, even taking the lead at times but Tamworth’s class showed through and Tamworth ran away with it in the 2nd half to record a 94-50 victory. To score 50 points against a classy U16 Div 1 side was a fantastic effort.

In the 2nd game against Lismore the girls, although always behind, kept in touch by matching the very physical Lismore girls with their own great intensity. With 3 minutes to go the Suns took the lead and hung on to record a great 2 point win, 72-70. A very exciting and well deserved win in for the girls.

In the 3rd game against Grafton the girls got off to a slow start and went behind 14-0 putting themselves under pressure. But the girls didn’t panic, which was extremely pleasing for the coach, and slowly but surely worked themselves back into the game. In the 2nd half when the girls had established a lead, it was the opposition who didn’t handle the pressure and the Suns went for it, recording a great 69-42 victory.

Tops scorers for the Suns in the games were Annabel Tonks, Sam Bastick and Jess Reeves respectively. The Suns are playing against a top Brisbane this weekend at 3:00 on Saturday & 10:00 Sunday. A must for those who wish to witness U14 girl’s basketball at its very best.

Under 14 Girls division 2:
Coffs Harbour played a full court man to man defence and their usual fast breaking offence against Tamworth #1 in their first game of the weekend. The Coffs girls had the lead by 6 at the end of the first quarter but failed to capitalise on it and struggled in the next two quarters. Tied at 28 all going into the final term the superior fitness of the Suns enabled them achieve a comfortable ten point win at the final bell.

A much smaller and less experienced Grafton team were no match for the Coffs girls in their second game with Coffs having a comfortable 68 - 24 victory.

The final match of the weekend was an all Coffs affair with the U14#2 girls having to work hard over the U14#3 girls for their third win of the weekend. Best for Coffs over their three games were Jessica Longhurst, Emily Malouf, Alanah Watson and Clancy Pierpoint. The team now has a seven win no loss record.

Under 16 women:
The team had a great weekend of top-level basketball. Saturday saw the girls matching up against the under 18 Coffs Harbour women. Despite a strong effort the older girls controlled the game to win by a margin of 43. Backing up that evening to face the under 18 Tamworth squad was a similarly difficult task. Some loose periods of play cost dearly and again Tamworth dominated the game to win by 40.

Sunday was an early start against the Inverell under 18 team. The Coffs girls were ready and keen and ripped into their task. An excellent transition game as a result of quality passing saw them dominate their opposition to secure an 84-42 victory. Courtney Martyn and Bronte Emanuel ‘s efforts were typical of a more concentrated effort across the team.

Later that morning the team faced Port Macquarie. Again an intense man on man game resulted in the turnovers we were looking for. After being 15 all at quarter time a massive effort saw a 28 to 10 2nd quarter that set up a second victory for the day. Every player contributed to the score sheet, which was a compliment to the passing game of the team. Brittney Ainsworth , Ruby Mayson and Liza Goulding were rewarded with double figure individual scores. Everyone stepped up after the hard games of the previous day and showed their skill and work ethic for the team. Congratulations to all ten players on a solid weekend of top level basketball.

Under 14 Boys Report.
Although the boys were never really challenged, they played great basketball. Port Macquarie was the first game for the weekend and the boys were not quite as focused as they should have been. This resulted in a slow start. However, the team regrouped after the first quarter and soon had the game under control.

After the first game we returned to the motel for food, rest and an intense team meeting. The boys decided that they needed to look at the big picture and prepare to play every game like it was the finals at the Country Championship.

After a very organised, totally focused warm up the boys took to the floor against Tamworth like there was no tomorrow. Tamworth had no answer to the intensity of the Suns’ relentless defence, nor their organized strong controlled offence. Coffs ran out winners, both on the scoresheet and in their commitment and dedication to team play.

The last game for the weekend on Sunday morning was against our own Coffs Harbour Suns team and although these boys are a lot smaller in physical size they certainly did not lack in heart. The score was not true indication to the sprit the game was played. The crowd was kept well entertained with amazing athleticism and great play from both teams. It was fantastic to hear Coffs Harbour supporters from both teams cheering and applauding great play for both teams.



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