U16 Girls fifteen seconds of fame....
U16 Strathclyde League
October 30th, 2015 - Both teams last met on the 5th of October and the Colliers took the game 72-57. This time it wouldn’t be as easy for the South Lanarkshire based team as St Mirren looked ready for a battle right from the start.
Neither team managed to make any sort of impact that would see the momentum secured and the game controlled as they traded baskets all the way throughout the first quarter. Colliers managed to play some great team basketball with Clark, Palli, Crowther, Hawthorne and Burn all contributing offensively.
It was much of the same for most of the second quarter but Colliers looked more in control as they went in to the half with a 5-point lead.
With fatigue setting in during the third and St Mirren stepping up a gear or two, the Colliers let the lead slip through lapses in concentration on defence and lack of teamwork on offence.
With the momentum clearly in St Mirren’s favour it would be a tough 4th and final quarter for the Colliers but they fought hard to remain within touching distance. Midway through the quarter the Colliers were down by 11 points, coach Hutton called a time out and highlighted that the only way the game will be won is by playing as a team.
The Colliers went back out with renewed enthusiasm and immediately scored through a Katie Burn lay-up followed by a Carla Crowther steal and another lay-up to bring the lead back to 6 points.
The difference in score would remain as both teams traded baskets once more until the last 15 seconds and St Mirren leading 70-64. Carla Crowther stole the ball and scored a lay-up followed by another Colliers steal and converted lay-up by Palli to bring the score line to 70-68 with only 9 seconds left.
As St Mirren passed the ball in, it was followed by another quick steal from Palli and successful jump shot which tied the game with only 5 seconds to go.
Once again St Mirren tried to inbound the ball but Carla Crowther managed to tip it to Palli who tried to shoot but was fouled giving her two foul shots with only 3 seconds left. Palli stepped to the line and iced both shots to give the Colliers a 2-point lead.
St Mirren managed to get the ball in play and heave up an attempt but it was no good and Colliers pulled off an amazing comeback to seal the win.
Tina Palli with 35 points followed by Carla Crowther 19 points.
FINAL SCORE: St Mirren 70 SL Colliers 72
Head Coach Ross Hutton commented: “We put ourselves in a position whereby we had to rely on an amazing last 15 seconds to seal the win.”
“I am happy we won but not entirely happy with the way we played.
“We made it hard for ourselves and could have done better defensively."