Thursday, October 18, at the Sports Dome saw the long-awaited showdown between the Calrossy Stars and the St Ed’s Pumas.
The Stars ran out winners 32-20 on the night, splitting the tie after the rivals were one game apiece this round.
Emily Lasker was the first to put points on the board for Calrossy followed soon after by Minnie Pearson before Lasker backed herself with two in succession.
Pearson then scored another basket to take the Stars to 10 on the scoreboard.
The ball stayed close to the Calrossy hoop and St Ed’s had to provide some vigorous defence to keep the scoring to a minimum.
St Ed’s persevered and Madeline Studte broke the seal for the Pumas paving the way for Sophie Austin to sink her attempt.
Dionne McCubbin sunk both of her attempts from the free-throw line and Studte potted another basket to take the team’s score to eight points.
Calrossy weren’t slacking off as St Ed’s put points on the board and moved the ball around the court putting Layla Dobson in position to score.
Minnie Pearson stepped up again twice in a row followed by Hannah Hurley who finished the scoring for the Stars on 18 at the half-time siren.
A change of ends meant a change of fortune for St Ed’s as they were able to sink four in the first five minutes of the second half doubling their score.
Amber Burrows began the run of baskets for the Pumas and Madeline Studte again showed her skill before Dionne McCubbin was able to sink her next two attempts.
Layla Dobson started Calrossy off in the second half leading the charge for Amira Gunn to step up and show her skill by sinking the next three baskets for her team.
Hannah Hurley joined the scoring along with Emily Lasker and Minnie Pearson and the ladies finished their score on 32 points.
Dionne McCubbin was able to sink another basket for St Ed’s and Sophie Austin finished up the scoring for the Puma’s on 20 points.
We have seen these teams play before and the improvement in both is amazing to watch.
St Ed’s had some players who started as netballers and who have now definitely transitioned to basketball, at least on Thursday nights.
Calrossy have come together as a group of girls who play as a team and the scoreboard attests to their success in this regard.
This was a hot and humid night and the young ladies gave their all.
Even though the vigour waned a little towards the end, they definitely played the game out until the final siren.
