Women’s NBL1 2024 Game 1
After a long wait the NBL1 Central season starts off for Norwood with a round 1 matchup against the North Adelaide Rockets. Coming off a championship last season the girls are looking to repeat their success, there have been a lot of new signings including head coach Richard Dickel so we’re looking forward to getting this season underway. It will be a tough game missing both imports but let’s start with a win in round 1.
Eva Langton started the game off draining two quick triples, unfortunately the Rockets matched her 3-point shooting whilst also executing the pick and roll to go up early. We couldn’t find a consistent rhythm early on offence but found our footing late in the quarter, making a good balance of layups and threes. Stratford and Maddy Hinton heating up and hitting some tough shots got us back into the ball game. Meanwhile the Rockets led by Jordan Freer’s 10 points continued to execute on offence despite the high energy Norwood defence holding off our push leading at quarter time 21-24.
Great execution on the quarter-time game plan let Norwood attack the paint, abusing mismatches and poor closeouts to start the quarter dominating inside, closing the gap to 2. North started figuring out the game plan and tuned their defence to break the lead back out to five forcing a timeout for Dickel and the Flames. Coming out of the timeout the Flames took charge from 3-point landing hitting their next two triples before tying the game off a low-post score from Emily Winter. Both teams had impressive defences in this quarter, forcing a lot of late shot-clock offences, 42-45.
A quick 5-0 run for the Flames to start the 3rd quarter got Norwood the lead early in the quarter. The intensity on defence sparked fastbreaks and semi-transition motion sets which led to easy scores for Norwood. North answered with their own run taking back a three point lead. Dictating the physicality of the quarter the flames looked comfortable on both ends getting whatever looks they wanted on offence and forcing tough possessions for North Adelaide. Getting steals in the passing lanes due to high energy defence got Norwood a one point lead with 2:00 to go in the quarter. North regained their composure, slowing the game down and keeping their lead and going into the fourth up 56-58.
Coming into the final period it was clear the message of the day was defence, physicality and energy was emanating from the flames. The physicality of Norwood got to the Rockets as an early technical was issued to Brooke Basham after she complained about a no call. Unfortunately, shots weren’t falling for the Flames going down by 4 before a timeout disrupted North’s momentum. This disruption was only momentary as the Rockets continued their solid 4th quarter play, challenging the Flames interior defence and extending their lead to 5 with 2:30 to go. North Adelaide picked their time to gain momentum well, riding it into the final buzzer, unfortunately the short-handed Flames squad lost their season opener 66-75.
Article by Samuel Sterry
