North has chalked up just its second win in its past seven games with an upset 70-55 win against the Eagles at Wayville on Saturday.

After trailing by nine points late in the second quarter, the Rockets outscored Forestville 44-20 thereafter.

Kirsty Williams was one of the keys, scoring 11 points in the second half.

Jo Hill was the other, finishing with 22 points on just 10 shots, while grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing off 5 assists, while playing all 40 minutes.

Jess Smart had 13 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists, before fouling out late in the fourth.

Her 12 boards and 4 dimes were season-highs.

Kate Gladstone had 9 points, as North won without Coach Tania Dhu.

Assistant Coach Carlo Bertetic took charge and did a marvellous job.

The Rockets, who were without Shannon McKay, shot 44% to the Eagles’ 36%, had 38 rebounds to 33, and turned the ball over on five less occasions than their opponent.

On a sour note, North’s troubles at the line continued, connecting on just 10/23 free throws.

Notable absences for Forestville were Megan Kermond and Monica Bello.

Georgia Minear, who also played the entire game, was the Eagles’ best with 20 points, 6 boards and 3 steals.

Jess Fergus was the only other Eagle to score in double figures, posting 14 points. Fergus also had 6 rebounds and 4 assists.

Alex Duncan had a solid all-round game with 7 points, 6 assists and 5 boards, while Tara Robinson had 12 rebounds, albeit just one field goal.

With a tick under three minutes remaining in the first, scores were level, before the home side scored nine of the quarter’s last 11 points for a 21-14 quarter-time lead.

Hill showed her frustration, committing an offensive foul against Fergus with only nine seconds left in the quarter.
The Eagles extended their lead to nine on two occasions in the second.

Their latest team-high advantage occurred with 2.28 to go in the half, after Minear converted a three-point play.

However, Gladstone hit two treys and Smart one, as North closed to within one after 20 minutes.

One of Gladstone’s bombs was a banker on the half-time buzzer.

After heading into half-time with all the momentum, the Rockets hit the court just as hard at the start of the third.

A Fergus basket put Forestville back up by one with 8.14 remaining in the period, before the Eagles went more than six minutes without scoring again.

During that time, North scored 15 points, including seven from Williams and six from Hill.

The Rockets ultimately won the third quarter 19-7, and led 56-45 at the end of three.

North scored the first two baskets of the fourth, as the Eagles continued to fail dismally at the offensive end.

Their first basket of the quarter was a banked three from little-used Kate Harrison, illustrating the Rockets’ pulsating defence.

A Minear three with just over six minutes remaining in the fourth gave Forestville some hope, reducing the gap to nine.

However, Williams scored again to regain North’s double-digit advantage, and that was where things stayed for the remainder of the night; the Rockets scoring a vital victory.

Defining moment: The 15-0 run spanning six minutes in the third was the key to the Rockets’ win. Ultimately, their 15 point advantage during that span was the game’s final margin. Smart started the run with the go-ahead basket, before Williams, who was barely sited in the first half, scored seven key points. Meanwhile, Hill, dominant as ever, added six of her own, as North put a strangle hold on the game.

North Adelaide verdict: This was a massive victory for the Rockets, who are now back in finals contention. Their combination of Hill as the star player, Smart and Williams as second and third options, excellent effort at the defensive end, and resilience when under pressure was invaluable for them in this game, and if they can replicate this in their coming games, they may just sneak into the top five by season’s end. At the half-way mark, North is sixth on the table with 4-5 record, and very much in finals contention.

Forestville verdict: The Eagles appeared to have found some form after wins over the Mavs and Lions, so this result would have been a massive shock to them. Forestville showed the same characteristics as they did in most of the first six rounds, most notably its poor shooting, lack of energy defensively, and a forgettable third quarter. After nine games, the Eagles are also 4-5, so are still in finals contention, but must improve greatly on this performance if they are to have any chance of defending their crown.

By James Woite