Under 12 Girls at the Classics

Thank you to Tim Ingram for this summary of the Girls adventure at the Classics -

 

Our Rockets U12 Div 1 Girls’ team were invited to participate in the Classics Tournament in Melbourne over the June long weekend on the back of their top 4 finish in State Champs. This made it back-to-back Classics invitations for Coach Barry Mansfield’s U12 squad and they were determined to play hard and place higher up the ladder than last year. 


With the three minor rounds all played on the Saturday, first up was Melbourne Tigers. A nervous start for our girls unable to convert scoring opportunities saw the first half end 7-22. Our girls’ stepped up in the final quarter trading baskets with the Tigers but eventually went down 31-58. 


They faced a very strong Frankston team, who went on to finish 3rd overall in the tournament, in their second game. A team with strong ball handlers and the ability to create scoring opportunities almost every time they went into offensive transition. A tough game for the girls, in the end going down 19-56.

Their final minor round game against Hills Hornets from Sydney was a nail biter in the end, with our girls working hard to get out to a handy 11 point lead going into the second half. But the Hornets stepped up in the last quarter causing turnovers and converting at their end, however it wasn’t enough with our girls holding them off by only 2 points at the final siren 42-40.


The quarter final game on the Sunday morning was against West Adelaide, who had beaten our girls convincingly twice during State Champs. From the tip off our girls were energised and switched on at both ends with the Bearcats unable to adjust to the extra ball pressure and hustle on defence, with Rockets having a commanding 29-9 lead at half time. Bearcats dug deep and forged a strong comeback in the second half but it wasn’t enough, with Rockets finishing with a confidence-boosting 42-31 win.

The semi final game on Sunday afternoon was against a well-drilled and well supported Basketball ACT side. ACT’s tall timber dominated in the paint and on their defensive end and were too good for our girls running out comfortable winners 62-33.

The final game played on Monday morning was against Manly for 11th and 12th placings. Slow starts for both teams with many missed shots saw the half end 13-9 in Manly’s favour. Manly ramped up their offense in the second half eventually prevailing with a 35-21 victory and claiming 11th spot with our girls taking out 12th place overall for the tournament.

The eight girls who participated, Coach Mansfield and Co-Team Managers Caroline and Michael Hobbs were well supported on the sidelines by dedicated parents and siblings, as well as other family and friends who attended the games over the weekend. A great weekend of basketball, fun and bonding, with the girls’ now determined for a strong finish to the second half of our winter district season.

Photo L-R: Holly Ingram, Casey Real, Amelia Richardson, Barry Mansfield (Coach), Lara Somfai, Caitlin Schaefer, Monique Villalta, Caroline Hobbs (TM), Sarah Hobbs, Makayla Collins




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