04/10; 11/10; 18/10; 25/10; 01/11; 08/11; 15/11; 22/11; 06/12; 13/12; 20/12; 17/01; 24/01; 31/01; 07/02; 14/02; 21/02; 28/02; 07/03; 14/03; 21/03;  

 

W/e 21st March 2010

GIRLS UNDER 18 NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 149 EASTSIDE EAGLES 39

With Wandsworth pulling out of the league, this was the final regular season match for Southend Swifts under 18 girls before the start of the play-offs. Although third place was almost certainly guaranteed from the very tough South Division, Southend were looking to end on a high, particularly as it would be the last league fixture at this level for Hannah Culwick, Katie Doubleday and Jennie Rodgers, stalwarts of the club – Ella Rees, Emma Scudder and Christina Gaskin all unavailable on the day.

Their opponents, Eastside Eagles, have been the revelation of this years girls games, surprising a number of more illustrious rivals. With the two teams due to meet at under 16 level in the following game, Eastside elected not to play any of their younger squad but certainly had an experienced and athletic group ready to compete.

However, what was witnessed had the spectators shaking their heads in disbelief as baskets from Rodgers and Culwick in the first minute were followed by three consecutive three-pointers and after three minutes, it was 15-0. Still it continued, with the ball appearing to be drawn by a magnetic force towards the Eastside basket. Emily Hankin and Rodgers dominated the rebounds and with Doubleday controlling the tempo as well as making numerous interceptions, the barrage continued. After eight minutes it was 40-0 and with further three-pointers from Doubleday, Katie Holland and Rodgers the score at the end of the first quarter was a remarkable 57-0; almost unheard of at under 18 level for either boys or girls.

Eagles finally managed to open their account, but Swifts just continued their exquisite ball movement that saw players constantly looking for a teammate in a better position. From 72-10, they reeled off 20 points straight in four minutes to hold a 92-12 half time lead; Rodgers already with 40 points personal.

Unsurprisingly the intensity dropped in the second half, with the scoring load spread amongst all of the home players. The 100 mark was reached after four minutes and the scoreline continued to climb despite some spirited play from Eastside and with one quarter remaining it was 125-29; Swifts having lost Culwick to injury midway through the third period.

The visitors were again kept scoreless for the first five minutes as Southend moved to 138 and with two minutes remaining it was 142-36. The Swifts individual club scoring record stood at 59 points, set jointly by Luke Jones and Nick Squires some six years ago, but with Rodgers on 56 with two minutes to go, it seemed apt for her to try to take the record. This she duly completed with the next five points as she led her team to an outstanding 149-39 victory, that is also a record Swifts team score after 14 years competition. Rodgers' 61 points naturally leading the way, with Hankin on 20, Culwick 18 and Doubleday 15.

 

Junior Women ‘storm’ to win

Junior Women’s Midland Conference

Bristol “Storm   36 – 67  Northants “Lightning”

The Northants “Lightning” junior women duly completed a double against a much improved Bristol “Storm” team last Sunday. The decisive period of play was the second which “Lightning” took 24-4 to set up a 39-16 half time lead.

Playing with a predominantly under 16 team the Northants girls turned in a good all-round performance although their scoring was dominated by Georgia Elliott-King who netted 20 points. Imogen Aisbett provided good support with 12 points while Holly Brown contributed 9 points.

W/e 14th March 2010

U18 Women’s National League Northern Conference

Hartlepool Heat 58 City of Sheffield Hatters 64

Hatters played the first of two weekend away games after a long trip to Hartlepool. Knowing that only a maximum points return would keep them in touch with second placed Nottingham, Hatters found the early going tough and trailed at the first break 15-12. The second quarter saw the two sides trading points, with each adding 20 to leave the half time score at 35-32 in favour of the home side.

Hatters stepped up the pace with a tough press which allowed them to outscore the hosts and lead by 3 going into the final quarter. Hatters increased the intensity of the press still further in the final quarter, and were able to stretch the lead further to wrap up a 58-64 win.

Team and scorers: Ellis Clayton 18, Naz Saghafian 17, Kendal James 14, Rebecca Pinnock 5, Ellyn Carnall 3, Jasmyn Owen 3, Leona Jorgensen 2, Kasia Zajac 2, Emma Burkinshaw and Jess Furniss.

U18 Women’s National League Northern Conference

Stockport Lapwings 45 City of Sheffield Hatters 53

24 hours after the win in Hartlepool, Walter Campbell’s side crossed the Pennines to face Stockport Lapwings.

Hatters had the better of the first quarter and lead by 5 at the first break. The visitors extended the lead to nine in the second quarter to head to the lockers leading 28-19.

In the third quarter, Hatters stretched their lead further to go into the final ten minutes leading 39-27. The home side were determined not to go out without a fight and reduced the deficit to 8 points but it was Hatters who held on to win 53-45.

Team and scorers: Kendal James 12, Rebecca Pinnock 11, Ellyn Carnall 7, Ellis Clayton 6, Naz Saghafian 4, Jess Furniss 4, Jasmyn Owen 3, Kasia Zajak 2, Emma Burkinshaw 2 Annie Critcher 2 and Charlotte Carrick.

Hatters double victory puts them in second place in the table, having played a game more than third place Nottingham and fourth place Doncaster. Much will depend on the outcome of Tuesday evenings game between the third and fourth place sides, before Hatters travel to Nottingham next Saturday to conclude their league programme.

 

GIRLS UNDER 18 NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

SEVENOAKS SUNS 72 SOUTHEND SWIFTS 58

The final game of a tough club weekend saw Southend Swifts under 18 girls team travel to Sevenoaks Suns knowing they needed victory to secure a top three league place. With play-off places decided on win percentages, the ultra competitiveness of the South Division meant that two of the top teams in the country would have to travel in the early rounds of the season-ending finale.

The teams traded baskets early on but an 8-0 run took Sevenoaks 15-6 ahead. Southend hit back as Christina Gaskin, Jennie Rodgers and Hannah Culwick all scored three-point shots in a three minute period to give their team a 19-17 lead after the opening skirmishes.

Suns came out strongly to open a six point lead at 32-26 but seven straight for Swifts took them one point ahead. However, the last three minutes would see Southend’s defensive intensity drop as they conceded 10 points to trail 42-33 at the midway interval.

After narrowing the gap by one, Swifts conceded nine straight as Sevenoaks found their range from outside. Three pointers from Rodgers and Culwick stemmed the tide but Swifts could make no real inroads as they trailed 61-46 going into the final stanza. Despite some outstanding shooting yet again from Culwick, eight points in the quarter, Southend could not make a definitive run as Suns recorded a well-deserved win by 72 points to 58. Rodgers 23, Culwick 18 and Gaskin 10 leading the scoring.

W/e 7th March 2010

Southend under 18 girls travelled to Brixton without Christina Gaskin to take on the in-form Topcats and took a 27-10 lead that should have led to victory.  But they contrived to concede 19 straight points before recovering their composure to lead 43-38 at half time  

Despite having Jennie Rodgers adjudged to have committed her fifth foul in the first minute of the second half,  Swifts managed a 14-5 run to lead 57-51 but the momentum had swung and the lead with one stanza remaining was just 60-58.  

Topcats came out strongly to lead 66-63 but Swifts drew level and a Sarah Cozens three-pointer took them 71-68 ahead.  Brixton again took the initiative to lead 76-71 but four points from Katie Holland made it a one-point game again and a three-pointer from the same player took Swifts 79-78 ahead.  The home side got 84-81 ahead going into the final minute but Swifts got Katie Doubleday open for a shot on which she was fouled.  

To everyone’s surprise it was ruled a two-point attempt rather than three, which allowed her just two foul shots, both of which were converted.  Southend got the ball back from a turnover but despite frantic efforts, they failed to find the basket to fall agonisingly short by 84 points to 83.  

Holland 30, Rodgers 20 and Culwick 16 leading the scoring.

W/e 28th February 2010

Junior Women go one and one in weekend double

Junior Women’s Midlands Conference

   Northants “Lightning”      70 – 23  Hinckley & Bosworth Lady Hoops

Birmingham “Force”  69 – 36  Northants “Lightning”   

The Northants “Lightning” Junior Women had a busy weekend with games on both Saturday and Sunday. Against Hinckley and Bosworth they picked up a routine win by 47 points on the back of a 15 point haul from Isobel Sayer. “Lightning” won all four quarters quite comfortably with all eleven players contributing to their total; Georgia Elliott-King contributing 12 points and Cheryka Holmes 10.

Less than 24 hours later the team travelled to Birmingham for a clash against Birmingham “Force”. The west Midlanders were keen for revenge having lost to “lightning” at the Northants Basketball Centre a few weeks ago.

“Lightning” made an appalling start to the game and found themselves 22-5 down after the first period of play. The following three periods were much closer run affairs with Lois Bain and Imogen Aisbett working hard at both ends of the court but there was no way back for the county girls who ended up on the wrong end of the 69-36 score line.

 

U18 Women’s National League Northern Conference

City of Sheffield Hatters 69 Stockport Lapwings 65

Hatters took the points in the battle for vital play-off places. Lapwings began well and led 14-17 at the end of the first period. Back came Hatters lead into the half time break by 31-17. In a high scoring third period, Hatters stretched their lead to 8 points, going into the final period leading 55-47. Lapwings, however, were determined not to give up the points and pushed Hatters hard throughout the final ten minutes, reducing the deficit to four points. Walter Campbell’s side held on to take the points and leapfrog their opponents in the Northern Conference table.

Hatters team and scorers: Kendal James 17, Ellyn Carnall 15, Emma Burkinshaw 13, Ellis Clayton 9, Rebecca Pinnock 8, Jasmyn Owen 3, Charlotte Carrick 2 and Kasia Zajak 2

 

GIRLS UNDER 18 NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

CHILTERN PUMAS 51 SOUTHEND SWIFTS 85

Southend Swifts under 18 girls team travelled out to Buckinghamshire looking to maintain their challenge for a high play-off place for the end of the season. Opponents Chiltern Pumas have struggled for most of the season but have recently put in some much more spirited performances that belie their league position.

And so it proved as Pumas scored the first 10 points of the match that threatened to produce a major upset. However, a Hannah Culwick three-point shot steadied the nerves and with some excellent foul shooting, six scored from seven attempts. Swifts clawed their way back to trail just 16-14 at the end of the first quarter.

But after conceding the first basket, Southend took over proceedings. Captain Jennie Rodgers and Culwick combined for the next 11 points that gave the Essex team their first meaningful lead. With Katie Holland also finding her range, Swifts continued to press home their advantage and another Culwick long-range effort helped them to a 37-24 half time advantage.

Holland led the way with nine of her team’s first eleven points and when she and Culwick scored successive three-pointers the lead moved closer to 20 as the score stood at 57-39 with one stanza remaining. Swifts really did put their foot on the accelerator in the final 10 minutes. Holland and Beth Robson hit three-pointers as their were two runs of 10 unanswered points as Southend recorded what was finally a comfortable 85-51 victory after the nightmare first three minutes. Culwick with 28 points, Holland 22 and Rodgers 18 leading the scoring.

W/e 21st February 2010

 

W/e 14th February 2010

GIRLS UNDER 18 NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 82 EASTSIDE EAGLES 54

The first game of a busy weekend for Southend Swifts saw their under 18 girls team look to consolidate their position in 2nd place in the South Division when they met Eastside Eagles on their home court at Eastwood High School. The London side are currently in 5th place and Southend had a 15 point win when the teams met earlier in the season.

Neither team could establish themselves early on as Eastside led 8-6 after four minutes but good fouls shooting from Swifts got them ahead and a Hannah Culwick three-pointer took her team 13-10 ahead. The visitors replied with the next score but seven straight for the home side should have given them the impetus to take a hold on the game. However, six of the last nine points gave Eastside the momentum and at the end of the first quarter Southend’s lead was just 23-18.

An injury to Culwick limited Swifts’ scoring options that Eagles certainly took advantage of. Captain Jennie Rodgers was the only player to score in the whole of the second period as good play from Eastside took them 34-32 ahead at the half time interval.

Not for the first time, the break worked in Swifts favour. Whatever had been said saw the home side take the initiative. They scored the first six points and although Eagles replied with the next four, a 10-5 run made it 48-43. But Culwick and Rodgers shared the next eight points and with one quarter remaining the lead was 56-43.

Four straight from Culwick took the lead to 17. Eastside’s press brought them four points but successive three-pointers from Rodgers started a 14-0 run that took the game beyond doubt as Southend recorded an 82-54 victory with a margin that certainly looked unlikely at half time; Rodgers with 33 points and Culwick 28 leading the scoring.

 

U18 Women National League Northern Conference

City Of Sheffield Hatters 46 Doncaster Panthers 44

Hatters won the South Yorkshire derby in Dramatic fashion at All Saints on Saturday, beating Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Panthers by the narrowest of margins.

There was little between the tams throughout the first quarter, with the visitors edging the period to lead 13-14 going into the second.

There was little to choose between the teams who traded baskets throughout the second quarter to leave a half time score of 23-24 in favour of the visitors.

The third period belonged to Doncaster and by the end of the quarter; the visitors had built a seven point lead with the scores at 27-34.

Back came Hatters to first narrow the deficit and then tie the game with less than a minute remaining.

Doncaster looked to have won the game, taking a single point lead with just sixteen seconds on the clock but Hatters were not finished yet.

With time for just one more play, the ball came to Rhyanna Bunniss, playing her first under 18 game of the season, who made a three point shot to put Hatters into a two point lead with just three seconds left.

Hatters successfully denied Panthers an opportunity in the final three seconds to record a vital Northern Conference win by 46-44

Hatters team and scorers: Kendal James 14, Ellis Clayton 10, Emma Burkinshaw 5, Ellyn Carnall 4, Rebecca Pinnock 4, Rhyanna Bunniss 3, Charlotte Carrick 2, Kasia Zajac 2, Jasmyn Owen 2, Kathryn Neal and Jess Furniss.

 

Junior Women’s Midlands South Conference

Woking “Blackhawks  71 – 69  Northants “Lightning”

After a long journey the Northants “Lightning” Junior Women were confronted by a freezing cold gym. This allied to a Woking side that were well ‘pumped up’ for the game made life uncomfortable for the county girls and in the first quarter they could hit just one shot from the field. They managed to keep in touch from the free throw line and at the end of period trailed 19-7

To make life even more difficult for “Lightning” Coach Sue Elliott-King suffered a severe migraine at the start of the second quarter. Despite this handicap “Lightning” took the period 24-19 to reduce the deficit to 38-31 at half time

In a game that was becoming increasingly physical Woking began to win the battle of the boards taking the third quarter 19-15 to open up a 57-46 lead. “Lightning” refused to capitulate and managed a final period scoring charge which saw them take the quarter 23-14 but end up two points short of their opponents at the final whistle in what had been a keenly contested and well refereed game from the opening tip-off.

For “Lightning” Imogene Aisbett battled tirelessly at both ends of the court scoring 7 points but their scoring was led by Ayesha Hillman with 20 points and she was well supported by Katie Bayliss with 14.

W/e 7th February 2010

GIRLS UNDER 18 NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

HARINGEY ANGELS 78 SOUTHEND SWIFTS 58

After their victory over league leaders Sevenoaks Suns the previous week, Southend Swifts under 18 girls team had hopes of maintaining their momentum when they visited current national champions Haringey Angels. But they were dealt a major blow when their England centre, Christina Gaskin, was ruled out of the game with an ankle injury, which would certainly restrict them against a team containing players that have joined from a number of other clubs.

When Angels scored the first six points of the contest a rout seemed possible but three point shots from Jennie Rodgers and Katie Holland tied the game up at six apiece. A 12-4 run took Haringey clear but not for the first time the season the prodigious shooting of Hannah Culwick, with two three-pointers, got Swifts back into the game with the lead for the hosts just 20-16 at the end of the first quarter.

Another Culwick long-range effort made it 22-21 but the London side had the next eight to lead by nine. After an exchange of three-pointers, it was Culwick again to get her team back into contention as they trailed 36-30 and with an old fashioned three-point play from Emily Hankin the half time score was a surprisingly close 37-33 to Haringey.

But with their scoring resources limited, Swifts conceded 13 points to 4 in the opening six minutes of the third quarter and despite five straight points from Katie Doubleday a 9-0 run for the home side took them 59-42 ahead with one period remaining. From 64-42 Southend again found some resolve as Culwick, Hankin and Holland maintained their scoring and whilst a 78-58 defeat was disappointing, Southend know that with a full line-up they are a match for any team in the country. Culwick 19 points, Holland 13 and Hankin 10 leading the scoring.

 

“Suns” too bright for “Lightning”

Junior Women’s Midlands South Conference

Northants “Lightning”  48 - 83  Solent “Suns”

Playing without the services of Cadette players who were being saved for the big game against Exeter, the Northants Junior Women slipped to a heavy defeat against a quality Solent team.

“Thunder” put in a superb first quarter performance and led 17-16 at the end of the period. The team was unable to maintain the intensity shown in that first period with “Suns” comfortably taking the next three periods of play. The team’s effort wasn’t helped when their top rebounder Ayesha Hillman fouled out of the game on eight points but to their credit the county girls never gave up especially Katie Bayliss who scored 14 points and Imogen Aisbett who scrambled well for her 10 point haul.

W/e 31st January 2010

U18 Women’s National League Northern Conference

City of Sheffield Hatters 60 Hartlepool Heat 41

Hatters ended their dismal run of form and returned to winning ways with a 60-41 victory over Hartlepool Heat at All Saints.

After leading at the end of the first quarter, Hatters nerves returned as the visitors got back into the game to lead 28-27 at half time.

Hatters upped the tempo in the third, forging ahead to take a 49-37 lead into the final quarter before closing out the game 60-41.

The win, however, was not without cost as Hatters Jessica Furniss was taken to hospital with what was later diagnosed as ligament damage.

Hatters team and scorers: Kendal James 16, Naz Saghafian 10, Ellis Clayton 9, Charlotte Carrick 8, Emma Burkinshaw 8, Ellyn Carnall 7, Jess Furniss 2, Annie Critcher, Kasia Zajac, Kathryn Neal and Jasmyn Owen

 

GIRLS UNDER 18 NATIONAL LEAGUE – SOUTH DIVISION

SOUTHEND SWIFTS 75 SEVENOAKS SUNS 61

The final game of the weekend was potentially the most significant as Southend Swifts under 18 girls welcomed Sevenoaks Suns to their home court at Eastwood High School. The Kent side are currently at the top of the table with just one defeat so far this season and recorded a nine point victory when the teams met in October.

Both teams made a cautious start before a Hannah Culwick three-point shot gave Southend their first lead at 7-6 after four minutes. Sevenoaks replied with the next five points but Swifts captain Jennie Rodgers hit back with the same amount to keep it a one point game. A 10-3 spell gave the visitors the initiative as they led 21-15 but eight straight for Southend, with Katie Doubleday contributing four, got them ahead before a Suns basket tied the game up at 23 at the end of the first quarter.

Sevenoaks again came out strongly making an 8-2 run that took them ahead before a crucial passage of play. In three minutes, Swifts scored 12 unanswered points as their pressure defence began to reap rewards. Christina Gaskin was dominating around both baskets and with Culwick scoring a three-pointer with the most incredibly quick release, it was 37-31. Suns hit back with the next four but Swifts shot well from the foul line to lead 41-35 at the half time interval.

The teams traded three-pointers in the opening minute and another Sevenoaks score made it 44-40 but again Swifts hit a purple patch to match their kit. This time they had a 13-0 run as Katie Holland and Gaskin created havoc in the Suns defence. Another Culwick three-pointer led a further flurry and with one stanza to play it was 64-45.

Holland, Gaskin and Rodgers all scored in the first three minutes and suddenly it was a very unexpected 70-47 lead. Sevenoaks hit back with seven straight but Doubleday, having he