MK Breakers Women (52) .v. Hemel Storm Women (48)
MK Breakers Women knew they faced a tough challenge when they welcomed title contenders, Hemel Storm, to Bletchley Leisure Centre for their fifth league match last Saturday. In what turned out to be an absolute thriller, the enthusiastic crowd were treated to a contest full of passion, energy and impressive teamwork from both sides.
Earlier in the week, it wasn’t certain that MK were going to be able to field a team as several players had illnesses and injuries. However, when it came to the day of the game, only two of the squad were still unavailable so although not quite at full strength, MK had enough players to be able to play the game.
It was Hemel who took the early lead and looked the more confident of the two teams, but the Breakers players settled and not only slowed Hemel’s progress, but regained some control. By the end of the first quarter, Storm’s lead was cut to just 2 points (13-15).
In the second quarter, the Hemel coached subbed out a couple of her key players as they’d both committed two fouls and Breakers seized their opportunity. Strong drives to the basket sent MK players to the free throw line multiple times and at the other end of the floor, Storm were held to just 7 points in the period. Although MK were guilty of too many turnovers and allowing Hemel too many offensive rebounds, they entered the mid-game break with a slender 25-22 lead.
Both teams adjusted their defences in the second half with Hemel trying a 2-3 zone and MK closing up the gaps in their man-to-man defence. Neither team did enough to take control of the quarter and the difference remained single digit not just for this period, but for the remainder of the game. It was Hemel who won the third period, but only by two points so there was only one point separating the teams as they entered the final stage of the game (39-38).
The excitement built in the hall through the final quarter as it became ever clearer that the game was going down to the wire. Breakers had held onto a fragile lead until Storm wrestled it from them to go one point up with just nine seconds left to play. Knowing it was going to be a close finish, Coach Round had held onto a timeout which gave him the opportunity to draw up a play. From the sideline, the ball went straight to Vanessa Obanor who went to work in the low post and her move to the basket earned her a free throw as she was fouled on her successful shot attempt. Breakers had the lead once again.
After converting the free throw, MK transitioned immediately into an up-court zone which forced a crucial turnover. As Breakers now had a two point lead with time running out, Hemel had no option but to foul which gave MK two more free throws, both of which were successful. It was the second of Lauren Dabbs’s free throws that put the game out of Hemel’s reach and the celebrations began.
Both teams were unbeaten going into the game so with the scoreboard reading 52-48 in MK’s favour, it was the home team who had claimed an important league win. However, both sets of players should be proud of their efforts in what proved to be a fabulous example of women’s basketball.
Coach Round’s player will now need to shift their focus to their next game which will be against Tees Valley Mohawks after a long drive up to Middlesborough on Sunday 2nd November.