We are nine weeks into the 2017 Premier 1 season and the top teams have separated themselves from the pack.
Dodgers vs Wests
Despite being below Dodgers on the premier league table, Wests came out with clear intentions of putting on an entertaining game.
Both teams traded baskets early in the first quarter, as Dodgers’ Rosemary Schweizer scored the first six Dodger points. Although Wests fought hard early, Dodgers showed their class, scoring multiple unanswered buckets allowing Dodgers to jump ahead 17-12 at the end of the first term.
The story would continue in the second, as neither Wests nor Dodgers could gain dominance early. Wests would again lose focus midway through the second, as Dodgers Alice Coddington scored six points within a minute, helping her side put on a 16-3 run.
Wests’ Achingol Mayon did her best to swing momentum with a couple of made baskets. However, with the damage already inflicted, Dodgers took the opportunity and scored seven quick points in an attempt to close the half strong. Wests’ Mikaela Williams proved her worth as she took the ball to the ring for a two point field goal also following it up with a deep three on the next possession. Williams’ courage kept Wests in the mix going into the third quarter, only down by eight at the buzzer [41-33].
Wests’ Emma Bourne scored with the first possession of the third and the lead fell to six. However, as Dodgers had done throughout the game, they weathered the Wests attack and replied with a 10-2 run of their own. Despite Wests scoring five unanswered points to close, they still trailed by eight in a quarter entirely dominated by Western Creek Woden Dodgers.
Coming into the final term of the game, West needed a lift. However, Dodgers Rosemary Schweizer quickly put that to bed, scoring four points within 30 seconds putting Dodgers up by 15. This would prove pivotal, as Wests struggled to regain any sort of momentum. Dodgers looked to ease off the throttle late in the term but never looked in danger. Dodgers coasting to a confident 83-66 victory, drawing within 3 points of table leading Vikings with a game in hand.
Top Scorers:
Dodgers: Rosemary Schweizer (26), Alice Coddington (18), Ella Oakley (11), Kristen Langhorn (10)
Wests: Mikala Williams (17), Achingol Mayon (12), Emma Bourne (10)
Wests and Capitals Academy guard Emma Bourne // Photo by Paul Furness
Rats vs Dodgers
Rats came out hot with Will Copper firing in a deep three pointer and helping Rats to an 8-2 run early in the first. However the lead wasn’t lengthy, as Dodgers Mitch McGee and Dylan Simpson both nailed consecutive three pointers in an 8-0 run which would see them retake the lead 8-10 forcing Rats into a timeout midway through the quarter.
The swing in momentum seemed to shake Rats into gear as Derek Emelifeonwn and Goch Kot scored four points each in quick succession in another run that had Rats pile on 10 points to Dodgers two. The entertaining opening quarter didn’t stop there, with both teams scoring in runs. Dodgers were able to score six unanswered points to close a tightly contested first term, Rats ahead at quarter time 20-18.
It would seem the high energy from the first quarter would follow into the second, as both teams continued to score in bundles. Dodgers’ Nathan Smith scored to get his team back in front with four minutes remaining but this would only last a mere 13 seconds as Rats replied with six straight points, including a clutch three pointer from Cooper, putting Rats up 31-26. Dodgers guard, Mitch McGee, scored a three coming out of a timeout making it a one possession game [31-29] but Rats would quickly respond, closing the half strong, taking a 37-29 lead going into the break.
Coming out of the extended break, Dodgers’ Jordan Grant lit up as he scored an easy two pointer followed by a three with the very next possession. Although Dodgers cut the lead to three points [37-34], Cooper and Emelifeonwu got the crowd on their feet, as they scored 13 unanswered points. This amazing run would be prove difficult to pull back, as both teams traded baskets throughout the rest of the quarter and Rats maintained their lead going into the final term [63-47].
The men in red came out firing, as Jordan Grant made consecutive shots, including one from three, closing the gap to ten [65-55]. However, as both teams scored in runs throughout the first three quarters, the trend would continue in the fourth. Rats Mitch Brown shot two threes deep into the final quarter, keeping the lead above 10. Despite a late push from Dodgers Mitch McGee, scoring eight points in the final three minutes, Rats weren’t in any danger. Dodgers put on an entertaining performance but ultimately Rats’ class proved too much. Rats going out 79-69 winners and leaping into second on the premier league standings.
Top Scorers:
Rats: William Cooper (18), Derek Emelifeonwn (17), Goch Kot(14), Mitchell Brown (13), Francisco Caffro (11)
Dodgers: Mitch McGee (20), Jordan Grant (14), Dylan Simpson (13), Nathan Smith (11)
Rats guard Derek Emelifeonwu // Photo by Paul Furness
Other Results:
Premier League 1 Women’s:
Vikings def. Norths 60-54
Norths: Callie Bourne (20), Emma Rowcliffe (13)
Vikings: Shelly West (16), Abbie Davis (10)
Premier League 1 Men’s
Vikings def. Ramblers 73-57
Vikings: Glenn Morison (20), Evan Fowler (13), James Toohey (12)
Ramblers: Wani Swaka Lo Buluk (22), Jonathan O’Bannon (16)
Wests def. Norths 88-76
Wests: Isaac Plunkett (18), Jon Harris (17), Andrew Murphy (16), Broderick Doran (12), Nick Dewey (10)
Norths: Tamuri Wigness (23), Dan Jackson (16), Jarryd Rose (13), Ryan Armstrong (10)
By Daniel Graham
Loading ...
