MITCH'S ROUND 2 REPORT
MITCH'S MATCH REPORT
ROUND 2 V WERRIBEE
I don't know what they feed the kids down Werribee way, but bugger me! They are all tall. Boasting the biggest line up in the league, with a continual stream of huge girls coming of the bench, matching up against Werribee was always going to be a tough ask. Add to that some handy guards that are capable of shooting the ball and you can see why this team are being rated as a top four contender.
We went into the game with a defensive focus, looking to limit the ball into their bigs and shutting down their options inside. In the first quarter our defence was just sensational. The referee's were letting the big girls bang bodies in the post and it was great to watch Steph, Amber and Ez all working overtime to get in front and to box out. We managed to keep Werribee to just 9 points in that first quarter. At quarter time we had the lead in a low scoring tough slog, 12 to 9
I went into the second quarter pumped thinking that we were right in this game and were doing well. But it was this second quarter that we got pumped! It wasn't our D that let us down, we still were working hard in that department, we just couldn't buy a basket! Shooting a woeful 18% from the field ain't real good in any game, but against a team like Werribee who were super hot, it was enough to blow the game right out. 4 from 22 from the field and 3 from 6 from the line just doesn't cut it in this league. The Werribee coach ran his three bigs all at once and we just struggled to shoot over the top of them. I began looking for an atm, to get some cash to buy some baskets at half time. We went into the break 11 points down, 23 to 34. (If only we could suit Bryn up in the chicks team, we could have done with Mr perfect shooting game)
To the girls credit, they did not give up in the second half, and even when Werribee's Elisha Foley was knocking down three pointers from two meters out from the line (she finished with 4 from 6 from downtown) we kept playing hard. We kept boxing out, diving on the loose ball and going strong to the basket, and what do you know we started hitting some shots. In the last two quarters we were only outscored by four points in each, but it was that initial blow out that we just couldn't get back. The final score 71 to 52.
Talking to people after the game and saying yeah we went down by 21 points, the reaction was mostly, wow you guys must have sucked, you must be disappointed, was it bad, did you go off at them? But you know what, my answer to that is that we didn't suck and I wasn't really that disappointed. No I haven't lost my mind; I know that sounds strange, but I was really pleased with the effort that the girls put in. Our defensive effort was exactly what I asked for, and we worked super hard, we only went down on the rebound count by 1, and if you saw the size of this Werribee team you would realise just what a great effort that was, to keep them from dominating the boards. We kept their big players to below average scores, and it was only two of their players who had a once in a season "can you feel it" shooting game that really scored. Unfortunately their shooting day out had to be against us! We ran our stuff; we just couldn't finish off and put the ball in the hole! And against a quality team like Werribee, if you can't even hit the side of a barn you are going to get punished. There were a lot of positives that came out of the game for us to build and work on, and we are all looking forward to the next time we match up against Werribee, it certainly won't be a 21 point game the next time we meet them!
We now go into the Easter break with a 1 and 1 record, and I think we are all looking forward to having a rest. The dreaded flu has hit the team hard, coach included, so it's turned out to be good timing to have no games this weekend. We will return to training next week rested, refreshed and minus the snot and coughs, looking towards playing Melbourne Uni on the Saturday night. It's a home game, so we want to see as many of you there next Saturday night to give those Melbourne Uni people a tough time!
MITCHS HIGHLIGHTS
STEPH CORTESE
Another huge game from Steph, she crawled out of her sick bed to finish with 17 points ( including two 3 pointers) and 11 boards while keeping Dionne Fenton, who is a quality player, to just 6 points.
THE RETURN OF NIKKI CALVERT
After having major jaw reconstructive surgery and missing out on playing the Frankston tournament and the lead into the season, it was great to have Nikki back in the line up. Over the coming weeks we hope Nikki will get her game back and be knocking down 3's from everywhere. The early signs are encouraging, and all the girls, and most of the boys in the crowd, were happy to see Nikki back out on the court after all the pain she has been through.
BENI'S MUM
Mrs Evans made the trip to Werribee and listening to her comments from the bench was just hilarious. We particularly liked when she was yelling out "oh that's a travel", especially considering the player she was calling it on was her own daughter! We all loved hearing that sweet little voice cheering for us and we hope Mrs Beni can make it to more games.
Have a great Easter; I'm off to get stuck into the cold and flu tablets. We look forward to seeing you all on Saturday the 22nd of April at our home court.
Coach Mitch
Official Big V Match Summary
ROUND 2 V WERRIBEE
I don't know what they feed the kids down Werribee way, but bugger me! They are all tall. Boasting the biggest line up in the league, with a continual stream of huge girls coming of the bench, matching up against Werribee was always going to be a tough ask. Add to that some handy guards that are capable of shooting the ball and you can see why this team are being rated as a top four contender.
We went into the game with a defensive focus, looking to limit the ball into their bigs and shutting down their options inside. In the first quarter our defence was just sensational. The referee's were letting the big girls bang bodies in the post and it was great to watch Steph, Amber and Ez all working overtime to get in front and to box out. We managed to keep Werribee to just 9 points in that first quarter. At quarter time we had the lead in a low scoring tough slog, 12 to 9
I went into the second quarter pumped thinking that we were right in this game and were doing well. But it was this second quarter that we got pumped! It wasn't our D that let us down, we still were working hard in that department, we just couldn't buy a basket! Shooting a woeful 18% from the field ain't real good in any game, but against a team like Werribee who were super hot, it was enough to blow the game right out. 4 from 22 from the field and 3 from 6 from the line just doesn't cut it in this league. The Werribee coach ran his three bigs all at once and we just struggled to shoot over the top of them. I began looking for an atm, to get some cash to buy some baskets at half time. We went into the break 11 points down, 23 to 34. (If only we could suit Bryn up in the chicks team, we could have done with Mr perfect shooting game)
To the girls credit, they did not give up in the second half, and even when Werribee's Elisha Foley was knocking down three pointers from two meters out from the line (she finished with 4 from 6 from downtown) we kept playing hard. We kept boxing out, diving on the loose ball and going strong to the basket, and what do you know we started hitting some shots. In the last two quarters we were only outscored by four points in each, but it was that initial blow out that we just couldn't get back. The final score 71 to 52.
Talking to people after the game and saying yeah we went down by 21 points, the reaction was mostly, wow you guys must have sucked, you must be disappointed, was it bad, did you go off at them? But you know what, my answer to that is that we didn't suck and I wasn't really that disappointed. No I haven't lost my mind; I know that sounds strange, but I was really pleased with the effort that the girls put in. Our defensive effort was exactly what I asked for, and we worked super hard, we only went down on the rebound count by 1, and if you saw the size of this Werribee team you would realise just what a great effort that was, to keep them from dominating the boards. We kept their big players to below average scores, and it was only two of their players who had a once in a season "can you feel it" shooting game that really scored. Unfortunately their shooting day out had to be against us! We ran our stuff; we just couldn't finish off and put the ball in the hole! And against a quality team like Werribee, if you can't even hit the side of a barn you are going to get punished. There were a lot of positives that came out of the game for us to build and work on, and we are all looking forward to the next time we match up against Werribee, it certainly won't be a 21 point game the next time we meet them!
We now go into the Easter break with a 1 and 1 record, and I think we are all looking forward to having a rest. The dreaded flu has hit the team hard, coach included, so it's turned out to be good timing to have no games this weekend. We will return to training next week rested, refreshed and minus the snot and coughs, looking towards playing Melbourne Uni on the Saturday night. It's a home game, so we want to see as many of you there next Saturday night to give those Melbourne Uni people a tough time!
MITCHS HIGHLIGHTS
STEPH CORTESE
Another huge game from Steph, she crawled out of her sick bed to finish with 17 points ( including two 3 pointers) and 11 boards while keeping Dionne Fenton, who is a quality player, to just 6 points.
THE RETURN OF NIKKI CALVERT
After having major jaw reconstructive surgery and missing out on playing the Frankston tournament and the lead into the season, it was great to have Nikki back in the line up. Over the coming weeks we hope Nikki will get her game back and be knocking down 3's from everywhere. The early signs are encouraging, and all the girls, and most of the boys in the crowd, were happy to see Nikki back out on the court after all the pain she has been through.
BENI'S MUM
Mrs Evans made the trip to Werribee and listening to her comments from the bench was just hilarious. We particularly liked when she was yelling out "oh that's a travel", especially considering the player she was calling it on was her own daughter! We all loved hearing that sweet little voice cheering for us and we hope Mrs Beni can make it to more games.
Have a great Easter; I'm off to get stuck into the cold and flu tablets. We look forward to seeing you all on Saturday the 22nd of April at our home court.
Coach Mitch
Official Big V Match Summary
Last Modified on 13/04/2006 15:16
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