Rock solid

Senior Women Final

Kool kats won possession from the jump ball and went strong to the hoop to score after 10 seconds. The rocks then answered with a strong post move from Erin McGarrachan who was fouled on her way to the basket. Another move was made by Erin to begin the rocks tally. Emma Findlay then drove for 2 and a foul shot and after 3 minutes played the score was 7-2. After some initial nerves the rocks called a time out hoping to gain some composure and forced Edinburgh to turn the ball over leading to another basket and a foul tying the score at 7 all. Both teams continued to penetrate leading to 2 easy baskets followed by a 3 to give Kats a lead of 12 -9 with four minutes remaining. Following this Natalie Chaloner hit 2 free throws to cut Kats’ lead to 1 point. Another strong drive from Edinburgh’s Charlotte king increased their lead to 4. Toni Carvill then hit 2 from the line to make the score 16-13 with 2 minutes remaining. Kool Kats gained possession after their time out with 1 minute remaining and produced a 3 after some quick ball movement. The Rocks quickly returned finishing the quarter with a jump shot from Erin McGrarrachan.

Kats started the 2^nd quarter with a quick turnover which led to a basket by the rocks who then stole again and tied the score at 19-19. The rocks defence intensified with their fans support, forcing 2 quick turnovers by the Kats, one of which Glasgow converted at the other end giving them their first lead of the game. After Edinburgh tied the score again at 21-21 the rocks hit a 3 to take them into the lead yet again. Natalie Chaloner then hit a fade away jump shot to take the Rocks up 5 over Kats and a time out was called. Kats scored off of the inbound to take them up to 23. The rocks stole the ball again and took the fast brake, Emma Findlay fouled and sent Mairi McNeil to the line for an easy 2 points. The Rocks converted again making it 23-30 followed by Charlotte King going strong to the basket to gain another 2 points from the foul line. She then went on to hit a 3 and the Kats gained momentum after an offensive foul committed by Nadele Strain which leaded to a layup for Edinburgh. Glasgow fouled again and sent King to the line once again making the score 33-30 to Kool Kats. Sarah O’Brien then hit a 3 to take the Kats into the 3^rd quarter ahead by 6.

Carvill drove was sent to the line and hit 2 free throws to start the 3^rd period making the score 38-32 to Kats. She then went on to score another layup closing the gap between the two teams. After an unsuccessful trip to the free throw line by Leanne Page Toni scored yet another layup making the score 38-36. Edinburgh’s King drove in and finished for Kats keeping them just ahead.After another few closely contested shots the score was tied at 40 all, however McNeill and Carvill added to the Rocks’ total putting them up by 4. The Rocks pulled away increasing their lead to 9 and after Rona Corkindale was fouled and scored a free throw the Kats found themselves down by 10 with 2 minutes remaining in the 3^rd. Another freet hrow by Rona extended Glasgow’s lead to 11. Sarah O’brien returned with a 3 but the rocks converted another two fast brake opportunities to make the score 43-55 at the end of the 3^rd.

Kats started the 4^th quarter with a bang with Nicola McBrierty scoring a jump shot at the buzzer of the 24 second shot clock. This was quickly answered with another layup by the Rocks making the score 45-58. Kats scored again and their score was added to again by Sarah O’Brien who went to the foul line to get another 2 points for Edinburgh. Leanne Page went to the line again to cut the Rocks’ lead to 10 but Glasgow scored again quickly following this and went to the free throw line. This made the score 51-64 with 5 minutes left of the game. The Rocks momentum continued and the score was 57-70. Kats called a timeout with 2 and a half minutes left on the clock. McGrarrachan hit 2 free throws to make the score 57-72 to Glasgow, Natalie Chaloner took control of the game taking the ball straight to the hoop for an easy layup, increasing the pressure on Kats. This was then increased by a 3 with 30 seconds to go. Kats came back with a jump shot but the Rocks were too far ahead and ended the game with a convincing win of 61-76.

Edinburgh’s Coach Ben Gunn felt that the Rock’s 3^rd quarter performance was the deciding factor in the game as they stepped up their defence and began scoring at will. This view was shared by the Rock’s head coach Shirley Birch who felt the team began with nerves but after their 10pt turnaround after the half began to relax which ultimately won them the game.

Written by Jamie Wilson

Game Stats (Box Score)