STOL-Grasshoppers
win their first away game of the season from Lekdetec.nl
It
was certainly not an easy win, you can say they won by the skin of their
teeth. At halftime, STOL-Grasshoppers
were trailing by 58-41. At that time, it was a true image of the match. Via small adjustments in the second half, and
especially a mental adjustment within the team, the win became reality. The tough and calm playing style in the
second half delivered the first away game win of the season. The hard fought match ended at 91-95 and the
points went to Katwijk. Karin Kuijt led the scoring with 30 points (11 of 12
2-pointers and 8 of 10 free throws), Heather Stec
followed with 24 points and 15 rebounds, and Missy Mitidiero
and Rianne Philippo both contributed 12 points to the scoring.
STOL
began weak in the match. While
Lekdetec.nl played full speed ahead in the first two quarters, it looked like
the ladies from Katwijk had not yet started to play. The home team played freely, and that was
demonstrated by the 7 3-pointers in the first quarter. They also make it
difficult for the Katwijk’s team with a tight
defence, with special attention to Rianne Philippo and Heather Stec. The first
quarter ended at 31-20 for the home team.
The second quarter was a
repeat of the first. Three 3-pointers by
Lekdetec.nl in the first 4 minutes seemed to signal the end for the Katwijk’s
team. Via scores from Karin, Anouk, and
Heather the growing lead of the home team is halted. Even then, the home team manages to score 58
points in the first half and reach halftime with a 17 point lead. Typical in the first half was the difference
in fanaticism. In the first half, it
happened at least 5 times that Lekdetec.nl took 3 or more offensive rebounds in
one play and then scored.
“At that time, it was not
going well” says coach Bo Melis after the match. “We gave away too many offensive rebounds and
open shots, which they took full advantage of.
During the halftime rest, we discussed sharpening two things in the
defence and one small item in the offence, and that worked better for us in the
second half.”
Until
69-53 in the fourth minute of the 3rd quarter, the difference stays
at 16 points. The team from Katwijk
needed the first minutes to establish another playing rhythm and comply with the
instructions they received at halftime. In the 5th, 6th,
and 7th minutes, STOL closes their defence and manages to score
also. Via simple plays to the basket,
they created a lot of open shots in the bucket.
Karin was especially successful by making 10 or her 11 drives. At the end of the period, the score is almost
equal at 73-72. The outside shots are
still not falling, which was typical for the entire match. STOL-Grasshoppers attempted 10 3-pointers
during the match, but only 1 from Anouk Breel was successful.
In
the 4th quarter the Katwijk’s team calmly continues. Lekdetec.nl also wakes up. This creates an exciting 4th
quarter and STOL finally takes their first small lead in the match
(85-86). The home team answers quickly
with a 6-0 run to take a 5 point lead.
That seemed to be a signal for STOL-Grasshoppers to again take
control. Via scores by Karin and Heather
and good defending by the whole team, the ladies from Katwijk place a 9-0 run. This run was decisive for the win of 95-91
for STOL-Grasshoppers.
Bo Melis was a very happy coach when the match
ended: “After a not so good first half
for us, the team regrouped in the second half.
With hard work, believing in themselves, and giving all they had, they
managed to take the win. Yes, it was
touch and go. Lekdetec.nl made it very
difficult for us in this match with good and controlled basketball. I think you can see that we’re a year
further. Last season we were losing this
sort of matches. Now we are winning, and
that is proof that our team is making progress.”
Game stats:
31-20; 27-21;
halftime 58-41; 15-31 (72-73); 23-18; end score 91-95.
Individual stats: Karin 30pts (11 of
12 2pts = 92% en 8-10 free throws = 80%) and 5 assists; Heather 24pts (8 of 16
2pts = 50% en 8 of 11 free throws = 73%) and 15 rebounds; Rianne 12pts (6 of 9 2pts
= 67%) en Missy 12pts (6 of 9 2pts = 67%)
Team stats: 38 of 59 2pts shot
= 64,4%; 1 of 10 3pts shot = 10%; 16 of 23 free throws = 69,6%; 34 rebounds (11
offensive en 23 defensive).