STOL-Grasshoppers just miss taking the win from HLB Accountants

Last Saturday, STOL-Grasshoppers were visited by HLB Accounts from Den Helder (record holder in the number of Netherland’s championships). Den Helder, who have been coached for many years by the current national team coach, Meindert van Veen, is playing this year mainly with young internationals, but because of injuries were forced to call back veteran players Marloes Roetgerink and Tirza Pentury.

STOL-Grasshoppers have demonstrated this season that they can win from anyone in a home game, and since this weekend they have 2 players in the all-star team. Talented Grasshoppers’ player Karin Kuijt, and the American power forward Heather Stec.

At 20:15 the stands are full with supporters. Grasshoppers win the jump ball and within 10 seconds Karin shots in a 3-pointer. Den Helder answers directly with a 3-pointer by Laura Kooij. The intention is clear, and Graasshoppers break lose. Coach Bo Melis’s team races over the field at an enormous tempo. Den Helder has no ready answer, and Grasshoppers end the quarter with a 10-0 run. When the smoke clears, after 10 minutes, the scoreboard shows a surprising 31-15 score.

Den Helder sharpens their defense in the second quarter. Grasshoppers have more problems under the board and suffer more ball loss. Den Helder creeps closer by, but stays about 9 points behind. A minute before halftime, Den Helder’s center, Maxime Essenstam has an unfortunate fall, and the match is stopped. She’s taken to the hospital with a dislocated shoulder. When the match starts again, there’s still a minute to play, and Grasshoppers are able to widen their lead to 11 points. Noticeably, there are not many fouls called in the first half – 3 against Grasshoppers and 7 against the visitors.

The second half is another story. Either Den Helder has recuperated, or Grasshoppers is not paying attention. Within 4 minutes Den Helder has tied the score and even taken a small lead. Den Helder takes advantage of the room they’re allowed by the refs, especially good old (with respect) Roetgerink is able to profit from the situation. Grasshoppers have trouble scoring, and after 9 minutes in the 3rd quarter have only 4 points. Only in the last minute are Grasshoppers able to score 5 points to almost tie the score at 58-59.

The packed house is really excited and nervous. Anouk Breel brings the Katwijkers in the lead again, but Den Helder answers with an 8-0 run. Grasshoppers again fight their way back in the match, thanks to a bomb from Missy Mitidiero from around the middle line. The score ties at 71-71 after another 3-pointer from Missy, but Den Helder again edges away by 5 points. Then Grasshoppers come back, encouraged by the loud home team supporters. Until 80-80 the game can go either way. The experience and class from Den Helder makes the difference in the end. The game ends at 80-84 and although Grasshoppers couldn’t take the points, they played an excellent match. Maybe they’ll have more luck when Binnenland comes for a visit on Tuesday, January 25. The match starts at 21:00 and there is no admission fee.

Heather Stec(18 points, 8 rebounds), Missy Mitidiero(15 points), Karin Kuijt(15 points), Rianne Philippo(11 points)