STOL-GRASSHOPPERS DS1 BEGIN STRONG IN THE NEW YEAR

 

After a weak period before Christmas, when 6 games in a row were lost, and the unexpected departure of coach Bo Melis and player Randell van der Lee, STOL-Grasshoppers could use a boost. A time when a win is welcome for the self-confidence. Fortunately, this victory took place last Tuesday when competition leader CBV Binnenland was the opponent.

STOL-Grasshoppers had already won twice from Binnenland earlier in the competition. This time, Binnenland played without their strong American, Launa Hochstetler, who is recovering from an injury. As they also missed other players due to injuries, they came to Katwijk with a small team.

On the STOL-Grasshoppers side, Rick Driessen (coach of the junior team) is temporarily coaching the DS1. Janine Guyt from that junion team, made her debut in the ladies First Division and Julia Dijkman is on the bench still recovering from her injury.

The match begins at 21:00 and quickly goes to 3-3 via 3-pointers by Lisa van den Adel and Rianne Philippo. After 3 minutes, STOL-Grasshoppers take the lead with a score by Corine Manuputty and 5 points in a row by Karin Kuijt. After free throws by Rianne (who plays a strong match), Binnenland takes their first time-out. The visitors come closer by, but Karin and Rianne, with 2 free throws and a score after a steal, make the difference. These ladies score 7 and 10 points this period, and together with Corine take care of the scoring for this quarter. After 10 minutes, STOL-Grasshoppers end the period with a small lead: 19-16.

The second period begins chaotic, Binnenland comes closer and only after 2 ½ minutes STOL-Grasshoppers manage to score. The teams are pretty much in balance, the ladies defend intensely an both sides, which leads to hurried shot. Corine scores 7 points in the last minutes before halftime to end the period at 35-31.

When the match resumes, STOL-Grasshoppers widen their lead to 7 points, but Binnenland brings the difference back to 2 points in no time. Janine Guyt scores her first points in the First Division after a fast break. In the last 2 minutes, it’s Ingrid van der Plas and Kelli Valentine (with an important 3-pointer), who bring Binnenland in serious problems. This period ends at 53-47.

The fourth period begins with Karin and Ingrid widening the lead to 12 points, which seems to break Binnenland. The small selection takes it’s toll (with Jantine Kraak and Natalie van den Andel also to the bench with injuries). Coach Kodde takes a time-out for Binnenland, but the Katwijkers take their lead to 66-51 which the visitors are no longer able to bridge the gap. Corine Manuputty ends the match with a far-away 3-pointer at 71-61.

Top scorers: Corine 22, Rianne 17, Karin 13, Ingrid 10

Rebounds: Eline 9, Ingrid 7