Last weekend's National Cup weekend produced three wins for Northants teams including a magnificent 64-62 triumph for the "Northants" Lightning over Junior Women's cup holders Doncaster.
Northants "Lightning" 64-62 Doncaster "Panthers"
When these two teams met in the first match of the season Doncaster ran out comfortable winners by eighteen points. Since that time England guard Rachel Taylor has taken a break from competitive basketball and on Sunday the "Lightning" were further handicapped by the absence of the 'holidaying', Sophie Freeman. Coach, Karen Goodrich's pre-game emphasis was getting her players to believe in their own ability and not get intimidated by a Doncaster side loaded with national team players.
Needing to make a good start the "Lightning" did just that with Andrea Wanstall causing the Doncaster defence a lot of problems while at the other end of the court Sandra Wainwright was doing a tremendous defensive job on Doncaster's prolific scorer Helen Naylor Leading 10-2 after five minutes Northants were in command of the game but then Angelina Browne picked up her third foul and Goodrich was forced to make an unwanted change to her line up. The "Panthers" were able to capitalise immediately and by the end of the first quarter the "Lighning's" lead had been reduced to one at 11-10.
The "Lightning" started the second period in style with eight unanswered points but the cup holders once more battled back with Naylor adopting an offensive position closer to the basket. Goodrich responded by transferring the defensive responsibilities to Lucy Chilton and thanks to her efforts Naylor was well contained and at the interval Northants led 28-25.
Needing to maintain their efforts in the second half the "Lightning" totally froze in the first five minutes of the third quarter during which time they were outscored 12-2 as the cup holders eased ahead 39-32. Coach, Goodrich called a time out and she didn't mince her words as she demanded more from her charges. No one responded more than Andrea Wanstall who scored seven personal points in the next minute to tie up the scores. Suddenly, the belief returned to the Northants girls and by the end of the quarter had eased ahead 44-43.
The "Ligthning's" perimeter shooting had lacked conviction during
the first three periods but out of the blue Wansatll and Hayley Swann swished
three-pointers and a major shock suddenly became a reality. With confidence
soaring Northants extended their lead to
64-55 but then the expected Doncaster pressure arrived and forced three turn
overs resulting in seven points and a lead reduced to just two. Lucy Chilton
was fouled with seven seconds remained but she missed both free throws. Doncaster
were able to get off one last shot but it hit the ring and bounced out to the
delight of the "Lightning" players and supporters.
The Northants win had been built on a determined defensive performance but special mention should be made of Andrea Wanstall who scored twenty seven personal points. She was well supported by Angelina Browne who despite those three early fouls scored ten points and pulled down the same number of rebounds while Lucy Chilton played all forty minutes, scored seven crucial points and secured a number of vital rebounds.
Taunton "Tigers" 55 - 83 Northants "Lords"
The Northants Cadets made the long journey to the west country on the back of a heavy league defeat at the hands of North West Derbyshire. Coach, Brian Johnson had made some offensive adjustments to accommodate his small line up but during the first quarter the "Tigers" gained the initiative taking a 17-15 lead.
The "Lords" played with more confidence in the second period taking it by seven points to lead 37-32 at half time. The "Lords" had been effectively 'switching' defences during the first twenty minutes forcing Taunton into a number of errors which resulted in easy scores.
The third quarter was a dour low scoring affair which was taken 18-14 by Northants
and they were able to let loose in the final ten minutes to run out comfortable
winners by
83 points to 55.
For the "Lords" guards, Dwayne Lawson and Mikey Taylor were in sparkling form scoring twenty two and eighteen points respectively. 'Big men' Seb Russell with 16 and Patrick Glenn and Martin Crick with ten each gave excellent support
The third National Cup victory came in disappointing fashion with the Rhondda
"Rebels" Cadette Women declining to make the trip to Northants so
the county girls move into the next round on a default win.
Following the National Cup weekend this weekend sees the attention switching back to the National League with three county teams in action on Saturday.
The Northants "Lords" (Cadet Men) and Northants "Knights"
(Junior Men) both travel to Derby "Storm" while at Northampton
School for Boys, the Northants "Lightning" take on Ellesmere
Port.
That match it tips off at half past five, spectators are welcome and
admission is FREE
Karen Goodrich (Administrator)
01604 238950
07702 263813John Collins (Coaching Co-ordinator)
01604 238950
07801 533151