Bears claw their way to victory

Highland Bears v Pentland Star

It was a nervy start to the game from both teams. After early exchanges, Jennifer Robertson opened the scoring for Pentland with a big 3. After 6 minutes, Jacqui Horne made a nice jump shot to push Highland ahead 8-6. It was nip-and-tuck for the rest of the quarter, with neither team giving an inch. With less than a minute on the clock, Highland’s strong inside defence forced Pentland to shoot from range, but Veronica Walls came up with a 3 pointer from NBA range. At the end of the 1^st Pentland Star were up 14-10.

The first points in the 2^nd quarter were scored by Kovacs-Miller of Highland, to narrow the gap, but Pentland quickly replied with another basket to maintain their early lead. Highland began to drive for the basket more mid-way through the 2^nd and a foul in the lane put Jane Pottie on the free-throw line. She kept composed to make both shots and lift Highland. With the game tied at 20 a piece, Walls came up with a steal on half way and scored with a right hand layup. Approaching halftime, it was a 2 point game with Highland up, after a strong baseline move from Anna MacArthur gave them the lead. The half finished at 24-22 to the Bears and both teams will have gone in to the changing rooms knowing there was all to play for.

After the break, Highland came back out looking like they meant business with a couple of quick baskets, but Pentland then made three 3s in a row to take the score to 31-28. Another big 3 from Kristina Skarnulyte and Pentland were threatening to break away, but some nice shooting and a big block from Fiona Hogg kept Highland in touch at 38-36. At the end of the 3^rd, the game was nicely poised 38-38.

Into the 4^th and the game was like a can of Redbull – Fizzy and energised! A 3 from Jennifer Robertson and Pentland pushed ahead again. As time slipped away it was clear that we were in for a thrilling finish. Some great pressure on the guards from Alison Sinclair of Highland and the game was still hanging in the balance. Jacqui Horne made 2 important fowl shots to narrow the gap to 4, with 5 minutes to go. At that stage, Kevin Pringle, CEO of basketballscotland said that this was one of the best Women’s finals in the Chairman’s Cup that we have seen for a number of years. With just under 3 minutes to go, Highland called a timeout to regain their composure. Pentland continued with patient build up play, while Highland tried to raise the tempo. Inside 2 minutes and Highland went for the full court press. The game was at 1 point and it was the time for someone to step up. Charlotte Gannon of Pentland made a free throw to stretch the lead to 51-49. With just 30 seconds remaining, Highland went on the offensive and a huge rebound from Judi Kovacs-Miller brought the scores level at 51-51 all. This game really was a nail-biter and it looked like we may be set for overtime. But then Highland got a steal on half-way and a pass into the lane seemed to give them the opportunity they needed. Under pressure, the layup was missed, but the ball came off a Pentland player and Highland had possession from the baseline, with just 9 seconds on the clock. Just when it was needed the most, some quick thinking and Sandi Horne was under the basket for a pressure shot. She kept her cool and made the basket, to take the title to Highland. A fantastic finish to an enthralling contest!

Head Coach, Jane Pottie, was thrilled to win such a tight battle, their third in four years, and gave particular praise to Alison Sinclair for hussling hard, which was fundamental to their defence. Finally, she commended a solid performance, as usual, from Sandi Horne and said she wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to be under the basket with just seconds remaining. Commiserations to Pentland and congratulations on a well earned victory to the Highland Bears.

Written by Andy McSweeney

Games stats (boxscore)