The North Adelaide Rockets women had yet another close encounter last Saturday night. This time it was against the Forestville Eagles, a team full of young and talented players. The game went down to the wire, but the Rockets were able to secure a 9 point victory.

 

Coming off 2 straight losses, the Rockets were eager to redeem themselves and prove they are contenders in 2015. The game started with an abundance of fouls being called by the referees, resulting in both teams being in the bonus situation at just the 7 minute mark of the quarter. The Rockets pounded the ball inside for most of the quarter, using their size advantage over the Eagles. Captain Jo Hill dominated the game early with plenty of tough scores under the basket. At quarter time the Eagles led the Rockets by 2 points, 19-17.

 

The second quarter saw the Rockets continue to get the ball inside, scoring the first 8 points. They maximised their height advantage and forced the Eagles to play a predominately outside game. The Eagles capitalised on this, coming back with two 3 pointers, taking the lead late in the quarter. The Rockets continued to attack the basket and were able at times to reward themselves at the foul line. Overall, the Rockets foul shooting percentage was disappointing, finishing the game at just 61% from the line. Some clever passing and high percentage shots under the basket allowed the Rockets to enter the main break with a 3 point lead.  

 

The third quarter saw both teams playing a half-court game. North Adelaide continued to shine inside the key-way and a beautiful reverse lay-up from Jo Hill took the Rockets into a time out with a 7 point lead with 3 minutes to play. Coach Brenton Johnston rested most of the main rotation at this point, giving some of the younger players an opportunity to contribute. Forestville however, capitalised and scored 5 points immediately after the time out, cutting the lead back to 2 and exposing the Rockets youth. The third quarter was a tight one, with both teams registering 13 points each on the board. The Rockets entered the final break with a 3 point lead.

 

The final quarter proved to be exciting. A beautiful bounce pass from Jamie-Lee Peris to Jo Hill for an inside basket started the quarter off on a positive note. Early in the fourth, the Rockets extended the lead to 7 which caused the Eagles coach to call an early time out. North struggled to connect offensively and the Eagles slowly pegged back the difference. An interesting charge foul against Jo Hill gave the Eagles possession, however a quick steal and lay-up by young gun Sarah Elsworthy swung the momentum back to North. North were up by 7 with only 40 seconds remaining in the game which left the Eagles with no alternative other than to foul. North Adelaide captain Jo Hill was sent to the foul line 3 times in the dying second of the game and in true form connected on all 6 attempts.

 

Key contributors were Jo Hill with yet another double double of 28 points and 11 rebounds, Jamie-Lee Peris with a solid 13 points and 7 rebounds and Sarah Elsworthy with 12 points.

 

The Rockets next game is on Saturday 9^th May at Hillcrest Vs Southern Tigers. Woman at 6:30pm followed by the Men at 8:15pm.