Clippers Notch First Win of the Season in Rematch Against Queens
Briercrest Clippers open with a strong offense with Red Deer Queens to meet, scoring the first point of the game. Clippers pull together for a unified team to jump ahead with a beautiful 3 pointer by #9. Queens pull ahead again with an open 3 pointer by #6halfway through the first quarter. Queens come back with a hard offense to match Briercrest with some fast breakaways. An impressive drive by Clipper's #6 leads to 2 perfect free throws for Briercrest. A run of great steals and fast breakaways catches Briercrest up 8 points and puts them ahead 17-15 into a Time Out for Red Deer. 17-16 for Clippers into the second quarter.
Queens open with a strong push and a score in the first twenty seconds. Briercrest puts on a strong defense, pushing with an equal offense. With two perfect 3 pointers by #9 and #13 as well as some hard-fought jump-shots, they climb ahead 7 points to put the score at 29-10 in their favour. Queens are quick to respond with a fast break-away point. Another perfect 3 by Clipper's #13! In the last minute, Queens gain a point in free-throw, and Clippers land another breakaway point to close out the first half at 33-25 for Briercrest.
Again, Queens open with the first point to try and close in on Briercrest's lead. Clippers respond with a ferocious back and forth up the court to score their first point of the second half with a strong offensive push and a couple of 3 pointers by #13, #6, and #9 to widen the lead 46-35 for Briercrest. Working hard to close the gap, Queens jump ahead four points, just before the Clippers score another 3 pointer by #9. For the Queens, a perfect 3 by #14 puts them at 44, but Clippers respond with two 3 pointers by #24 and #13—Queens gaining another shot—to close the third quarter at 56-46.
Teams open the fourth with equally strong offense and defense as they work for that first goal of the quarter—Queens winning the first point. Clippers jump ahead to 61-49 with some good steals and well-placed 3 pointers. Queens are hot on their heels as they gain 5 points to make it 61-52. Another 3 pointer for Clipper's #13. Despite the Queen's hard offense, Briercrest holds their 10 point lead—but the Queens won't give up as they call a Time Out to regroup. The Queens battle to the end and Briercrest closes the game at 69-56.
The Player of the game was awarded to Red Deer Queens' #12 Sophie Melin with 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 10 points; and to Briercrest Clippers' #14 Hope Jorden for her 22 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 10 points. Well done ladies!
Hope Jordan had this to say after the game: "I think they [The Queens] did a good job giving us a different look and defense with the zone—they were disciplined in their jobs. We knew we just needed to clean a few things up and take that next step to close the game. We passed the ball and saw each other well and really shared the ball well—and we rebounded really well on both ends!" Looking forward: "We just need to keep building and playing a tough defensive game and take care of the ball when we get fast breaks."