Colliers U14 girls win first National Title

SL Colliers vs Gladiator Rocks

U14 Scottish Cup Final   

 

March 20th 2016 - In the run up to this game, the Colliers hadn’t lost a game and Rocks only one (to the Colliers back in October) so it was clear the two best teams in the country were in for a battle.

 

It was the Rocks who started the game stronger and looked like they had more energy taking a 6-4 lead through their guard Paula Puzule. Colliers guards Valentina Palli and Carla Crowther answered back very quickly and scored some incredible shots in and around the basket.

 

Through some terrific defence by Katie Burn and Valentina Palli, the Colliers used their pace to score on the fast break building up an 8-point lead going into the second quarter.

 

The Colliers started the 2nd quarter looking to build on their lead through attacking the basket and using their size advantage in the paint. The combination of Palli and Crowther on offence was too much for the Rocks to handle and soon a 13-point gap appeared between the sides. The Colliers led 34-23.

 

At half time Head Coach Ross Hutton told the players to expect the Rocks to come out fighting in the third and not to take their lead for granted. Both teams played with intensity with neither managing to take the momentum. Leading by ten going into the fourth quarter, it was Colliers game to lose (46-36 to Colliers).

 

The Rocks started strong and put the Colliers on the back foot with some tough defence and scoring through point guard Puzule. The Colliers had a frustrating time as the ball would just not drop for them despite having decent opportunities. With 3 minutes to go the noise from the crowd was deafening as Rocks inched their way closer to the Colliers who still had 46 points.

 

With less than two minutes to go the score was tied at 46 and the atmosphere in the hall was electric. With 1:18 on the clock Laura Thomson managed to score from close range to put the Colliers up by 2 points which made it a nervous last minute.