Norwood ruffles Hawks' feathers as Eagles take game one
Samantha Norwood has put in an MVP-calibre performance to lead the Australian Central East Perth Eagles to a 75 – 66 victory over the Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks in game one of their best-of-three semi-final series.
The West Coast Waves forward finished with 30 points and 17 rebounds in the game at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre on Friday night to put East Perth within one win of the women's State Basketball League Grand Final, where they would face Willetton or Wanneroo.
The game was defensive orientated from the tip off with neither team scoring for the first two minutes until Gabby Clayton reeled of the first five points of the game to give the Hawks the opening advantage.
It took the Eagles until almost the six minute mark to register their first score through Norwood, who went on to score six of the next 10 points as the Eagles got on a roll and found themselves with a five point lead. The Hawks then hit the next five points to tie it up at 10, but East Perth went to quarter-time up by four.
Chelsea Boyanich opened the scoring in the second quarter for the Hawks to cut the lead to just two, but the Eagles managed to trade baskets with the Hawks to keep themselves just in front until Rosie Tobin converted on a thee point play to give the Hawks a one point lead.
Down the other end of the court Melissa Winfield converted a three point play of her own to give the Eagles a two point lead, a lead they stretched to four and held onto for the latter half of the quarter. The Eagles made a run nearing half-time and extended their lead to 35-27 at the break.
At the half, Norwood was leading the way for the Eagles with 10 points and eight rebounds, with Kate Fielding and Nicole Jorre De St Jorre contributing six points apiece.
Clayton and Boyanich had seven points each for the visitors with Tobin keeping the Hawks on top in the rebound count with seven first half boards.
The Hawks lifted their intensity to start the second half with Boyd scoring four of the first five for the Hawks to see the Eagles lead close to three points. Perry Lakes chipped away at the Eagles until they levelled the scores at 40-all after four and a half minutes of play.
East Perth tried to get the lead back but the Hawks held tight, never letting the Eagles get the advantage until Norwood, with one minute to play, scored an inspired field goal and converted the free throw to give the Eagles a one point advantage.
When Elizabeth Cooke snuck in to score again for the Eagles they looked to be taking a three point lead into the last break until Tegan Walker made a lay-up on the buzzer to cut the Eagle lead to 55-54.
Walker scored again for the Hawks to open the fourth quarter and give them back the lead until Fielding scored six straight points for the Eagles, first a three point field goal to tie the game, then a tough lay-up and successful free throw to give her side a three point lead.
Norwood then converted a three point play to give East Perth a six point lead and a real chance of victory. The Hawks would not concede tough and Tanya Kelly reeled off a quick four points to get the Hawks within two.
But that was as close as the Hawks came, as Jorre De St Jorre made a clutch three point basket for the Eagles, forcing the Hawks to foul to stop the clock with Norwood making five free throws to make certain of the victory.
Boyd was a standout for the Hawks tallying 18 points and 12 rebounds, with Walker finishing with 10 points and Boyanich and Clayton both with nine.
Fielding finished the night with 14 points in support of Norwood and Jorre De St Jorre finished with 11 points and nine rebounds.
Despite her own outstanding performance, Norwood modestly played down her outstanding contribution.
"We’ve come good at the right time, and as a team we’re taking the right options. I’m really enjoying playing right now and I love my team mates," she said.
Eagles Head Coach Anthony Fletcher said he was pleased with his side's resilience.
"I’m very pleased with the girls’ game, we played as a team and when we were challenged we overcame those challenges. Now we must win away," Fletcher said.
Game two will be played at the WA Basketball Centre next Saturday night, tip off at 7:30, with game three, if required, at the same venue Sunday with a 12:00 tip off.
Article by Leigh Dalton at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre
Photo by Mick Cronin
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