Youth's Slow Start to Season

Monday 27th October 2008
Lost 26 - 39

This was the beginning off Mavericks Youth 2008/09 season with Loughborough Lighting for their first match off the season. The Mavericks Youth squad were nervous as they wanted to start the season with a win under their belts. The first line up wasShaunagh GS, Zoe GA, Abi WA , Sophia C, Jade WD, Steph GD and Josie GK. Maverick Youth were ready to take on Loughborough Lighting Youth.

The first quarter was very tight as both teams contested for every ball. Maverick Youth were stopping Loughborough lighting progressing down the court as they were using man to man marking. Zoe and Shaunagh’s shooting was almost 100% in this quarter which was good as both teams battled it out to take the lead. Both shooters were rotating well in the circle which made the C and WA give a quick easy ball into the attacking circle. Unfortunately Loughborough Lighting Youth won the first quarter 8-9.

Maverick Youth made some changes on the court in the second quarter, Debbie WD, Abi C and Sophia WA. With the changes on court Maverick Youth needed to settle in this next quarter to gain the lead and to maintain it. Loughborough lighting were still strong and putting up a fight as they went up by another goal, by this time players on the Maverick’s side were getting frustrated with one another. Loughborough lighting still had the lead even though Steph GD was making interceptions and forcing the opposition to make errors. Maverick Youth had opportunities to gain the lead back but didn’t, this was due to players not driving at an angle for the ball and also not reacting quick enough when made an interception or gained possession. At the end of the second quarter Maverick Youth were down 14-19.

In the third quarter both teams made changes to their line up. Katherine took the court as WA, Zoe GS, Shaunagh GA And Loran Gk. Maverick Youth had a different line up for attack to see if it would make an impact on the game. In this quarter Maverick Youth were determined to come back to win this quarter. Unfortunately in this quarter the attack wasn’t looking down the court as Zoe held her position in the circle correctly and was free to feed her the ball, due to this Maverick Youth held the ball for three seconds and lost possession. Loughborough Lighting were driving down the court working as a team and won this quarter 18-30.

Last quarter and again Maverick Youth made a change to their line up in both attack and defence, Jade took WD and Alice Took GA. Loughborough Lighting had increased the margin and Maverick Youth had a lot off work to do in this last quarter. Maverick Youth come back in this quarter brining their score up. Maverick defence were working extremely hard for the attack to have opportunities. Loran made interceptions and gained possession by getting the rebounds from the Loughborough lighting attack. In this quarter Maverick Youth were driving the ball down the court and working as a team. Driving down the court showed in this quarter as the Maverick Youth attack were looking down the court and feeding Zoe the correct ball into the circle. In the end Loughborough Lighting came out on top winning 26-39.

Maverick Youth were disappointed not to have won their first match and have realised that we have a lot off work to do in training. Maverick Youth are determined more then ever to work hard in all areas to improve our games for the rest off the season. Maverick Youth will not go down with out a fight!

By Lauren Allington
30th October 2008