New Kids Aces didn’t take long to find form after their bye last week, beating reigning premiers, Shooting Stars, 67- 41, in the Wagga competition on Saturday.
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Both teams went into the game with just the bare seven and the Aces’ shooters, veteran, Lisa Frow, and young schoolgirl, Flynn Hogg, soon established a big quarter time lead, netting 22 goals in the opening term.
At the other end of the court, the Aces’ experienced circle defenders, Lisa Reynoldson and Tracy Schulz-Cole, had the measure of the wily Erin Brown and tall, young shooter, Katie Caller, restricting them to just 10 goals for the quarter.
The Stars, with Maddi McIntyre and Hayley Stevens working hard in defence, outscored the Aces in the second term, but still found themselves nine goals in arrears at the long interval.
With minor positional changes at half-time, the Aces put the foot down, scoring 17 goals in each of the last two quarters, doubling the Stars’ return for the second half.
The Aces will meet CSU Reddies next week, while the Stars will be up against competition leader, Uranquinty.
In the other match, the young Uranquinty team soared to the top of the points table with a 59-43 win over a gallant Turvey Park.
Introducing two ‘season debut players’ to their lineup, in Sherrene Thompson and Teagan Hallam, Turvey Park surprised Uranquinty with their bright start to the game.
It’s rare that the fast-scoring Uranquinty team is behind at quarter time, but that was the case on Saturday, with Turvey’s shooters, Morgan Watts and Nicky Gallagher converting well, to take a 14-12 scoreline to the first break.
Centre court players, Amanda Gooden and Kira Hallam were providing a good link between the shooters and strong circle defenders, Sara Schneider and Jaimee Smith.
Uranquinty’s Hannah Finemore, displayed her versatility when she was moved from shooter to keeper for the second quarter. Abbey Lowe moved in to the shooter’s spot to partner scoring machine, Lana Duffy.
In a see-sawing game, the ball moved swiftly from one end of the court to the other, but Uranquinty managed to outscore the Park, putting them one ahead at half-time.
In the second half, Uranquinty showed why they are premiership favourites as they outscored Turvey 13-8 in the third and then doubled Turvey’s return in the final term to coast to a 59-43 win.
Uranquinty’s Tameka Scott and Olivia Tilyard played well, while Watts for Turvey and Duffy for Uranquinty had excellent conversion rates.
Quarter by quarter
New Kids Aces: 22, 33, 50, 67
Shooting Stars: 10, 24, 34, 41
Uranquinty: 12, 26, 39, 59
Turvey Park: 14, 25, 33, 43