Leiderdorp wins from STOL-Grasshoppers in 1st Division basketball –Set play is more effective than run and gun

Two basketball teams, two playing styles. The run and gun from STOL-Grasshoppers against the set play from Wereldtickets.nl/Leiderdorp. Fast plays from the small Katwijkers versus controlled actions from the Leiderdorpers. The last prevailed last night in Cleijn Duin: 75-82.

Grasshoppers against Leiderdorp is always a special match. Both teams put on the pressure and come quickly in foul problems (Corinne Manuputty for Leiderdorp and Missy Mitidiero for Grasshoppers), the crowd gets involved, and it’s exciting until the last quarter.

The teams have different playing styles, but are alike in one aspect: they are both being developed. “Both teams are still working for balance”, according to Joris Zandbergen, coach from Leiderdorp. His team consists of players who came from everywhere to join (or return to) Leiderdorp. Marlous Nieuwveen returned to the club where she started when she was 11, after a foreign adventure in the U.S., Korea, and Italy. Corinne Manuputty cam back from DAS Delft, and Francis Donders, Kim Hartman, and Jasmijn Overbeeke also joined the team.

“Both of our teams are still growing, but in different ways”, said Bo Melis, coach of Grasshoppers. “Joris has to make a team from his good, experience players. By us it’s just the opposite. We have a team where the majority have played together for years. Now we have to concentrate on individual improvements.”

Melis is right about the big difference between his team and Leiderdorp’s. Grasshoppers are known for their good youth development. The junior teams are all playing in the highest divisions. Zanderbergen: “In the past, we also had a lot of youth players.” These players choose to play elsewhere this season. “This meant that we had to change and look for players from elsewhere. We had no choice. The return of Marlous was very benificial. It attracted other players.

All of a sudden, we have a ‘dream team’ in Leiderdorp. Zandbergen’s team was jokingly called the Chelsea of women’s basketball. Zanderbergen finds that an exaggeration. “Someone made the remark and it stuck”. The fact is that he has one of the biggest budgets at his disposal. This meant that he could afford to buy players.

Melis doesn’t have this luxury. “Grasshoppers is not that type of club. We’re a real club where people want to see their own players in the First Division.” The Americans who play for us, Heather Stec and Mitidiero, bring quality, but are expected to help make the Katwijk players better. “That’s our philosophy.” Grasshoppers are steadily improving. The last two seasons they were in last place, but now are approaching the middle of the league. Leiderdorp is going for the play-offs.

With fast play and a lot of scores, the home team demonstrated that they were a tough opponent for Leiderdorp. The maximum lead for Grashoppers before halftime was 9 points. Then Leiderdorp came slowly back. In the third quarter they took a 6 point lead and in the end took the win.

Grasshoppers – Leiderdorp: 75-82 (25-19, 50-51,61-67)

Scores Grasshoppers: Kuijt 19, Stec 19

Scores Leiderdorp: Yoerger 21, Nieuwveen 19, Hartman 17,Overbeek 12