Amy Wright scored 14 in the unexpected win over Taunton. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0455995)
GUERNSEY produced possibly their worst and best performances ever in the space of 24 hours in the latest rounds of the National basketball League recently.
The greens let slip a nine-point lead over UWIC Archers to eventually lose 53-64 before producing a stunning display to get the better of high flying Taunton Tigers, 75-70.
‘Saturday [against UWIC] was one of my worst games in charge,’ said Guernsey coach Pat Ogier.
‘We looked in control for three quarters, but the turnovers we committed in the fourth were criminal and you can’t afford to do that against this type of opposition. We sat down at the end of the game and discussed what went wrong and how we could lift the team for the tough game the next day.’
Playing on UWIC’s home court in Cardiff, Guernsey were without both Gemma Loveridge and Jenny Rees. But the side started the game well enough to cope with most of UWIC’s best moves.
The Sarnians led 28-26 at half-time thanks to an Emma Hicks three- pointer and in the third quarter the islanders pushed the lead out to nine points which seemingly broke the UWIC spirit.
Guernsey were certainly not prepared for the amazing fight back which followed.
UWIC scored the first 17 points of the final quarter before Emma Pattimore registered Guernsey’s first points.
By then the damage was well and truly done as the island side committed turnover after turnover and with them threw away a winning position to lose.
Kerr top scored with 19 but it was a disappointing display from the Guernsey women.
However, the next day against Taunton proved to be a very different affair for Ogier’s side.
‘A few people had points to prove and I’m glad they did it against Taunton,’ said Ogier.
‘Going from the worst game to probably the best game I have been involved in with this team, they did everything I asked. There was a new desire and hunger about them – they wanted to win so badly and they went out and executed.
‘It was a great win – one they can all be very proud of.’
Taunton came to Guernsey’s home court in Hamble riding high in second place with just two losses all season and looking to roll over a Guernsey side that was low in confidence.
Taunton were quickest out of the blocks as they hassled the island team into errors and connected on a number of transition lay ups.
The Sarnians were struggling to adjust to the pace of the game and
looked beaten and dejected at 10-16 in the first quarter.
Some stern words were used in the break and they came out determined and aggressive and matched Taunton all over the court. The shooting of Kerr and Pattimore in the second quarter gave Guernsey a new lease of life as they not overturned the deficit but managed a one-point lead heading into the third.
The third quarter was equally close as Taunton edged it by one point and with one quarter remaining the scores were tied.
Kerr and Amy Wright began to take control of the offence and the Tigers struggled to find any easy opportunities in the fourth as Guernsey took the lead and pushed on.
Within three minutes the lead was 10 and the greens were looking at a memorable win.
Tigers did their best to comeback but there was an air of composure about the Guernsey team as they hung on to takes the game 75-70. Kerr was sensational with 30 points, assisted by Kerri Brown with 15 and Amy Wright with 14.
‘We have one game to go against Birmingham and we are certainly going to enjoy it,’ said Ogier.
‘We are currently at nine wins from 17 games in our opening season which is more than we could have expected without knowing the opposition. I really think we can compete next season and we are already making plans.
‘Once Birmingham are out of the way, we need to start focusing on Aland where a gold medal is definitely our priority.’
Article posted on 14th March, 2009 - 9.29am
Most Commented: