Pregame:

It was a cold and wintery afternoon. Wayville stadium loomed like a haunted mansion and there sitting… waiting inside was a sleeping giant (The Div 5 Griffins team –and both coaches).  To make the moment even more momentous the game was moved to court 1 due to a malfunctioning score clock projecting the screams of lost souls (maintaining haunted house analogy).

League leading North Adelaide fielded 6 players but all of their weapons were there. The Griffins brought 7; Melissa (I’m giving up scoring for hustle & boards) Perry, Catherine (don’t piss me off or ill break your nose) Cunningham, Kate (still can’t think of a nickname) Richards, Chloe (The Hurricane #2 / movie star) Lim, Emma (Game-Time) Westthorp, Jess (Cuddles) Westthorp and Jane (I should bring my mum every week) Elliot.

Game On!!!

First Quarter:

We still don’t know if it was the rain, the stadium, court 1 or Catherine having an eye for the umpire that woke the sleeping giant, but whatever it was we should bottle it! The Griffins came out and handed it to North opening up a 14-2 lead!

North called a timeout and changed their approach. The first quarter was highlighted by Chloe Lim rebounds and spin moves, Cunninham penetration, Jane’s inability to score… and great team play!

Quarter finished, Griffins leading 14-9

Second Quarter:

 After an animated quarter time speech from Coach Stubing the Griffins came out and continued their effort on defense limiting North to one shot per offence. The Griffin defense provided good offences as Kate Richards received outlet passes and lead the break. Despite some frustrating shots from North the girls stayed disciplined with Emma Westthorp controlling the offence. As the griffins began to tire turnovers became a factor however whenever North looked like breaking, there was Mel Perry to intercept, defend or give a Medusa-Stare stopping North in their tracks.

Due to patient, smart and unselfish offence and hardworking defense the Griffins kept their lead.

 Score: 22-18

Half Time:

The second half saw the game kick up a notch. North were feeling the pressure and the Griffins could smell their fourth victory of the year. AUBC continued to attack the basket while putting the North Adelaide full-court trap to shame. Solid foul shooting kept the score ticking while North girls were racking up fouls. A Chloe Lim offensive board and shooting foul resulted in a North player fouling out reducing them to 5.

This seemed to fire the rockets as they showed why they are were league leaders. 3’s and transition baskets hurt the Griffins indicating we were tiring, timeout Griffins.

North dropped back to their 2-3 zone and with subs in Uni looked refreshed. Teams went basket-for-basket thanks to some sharp shooting from ‘Cuddles’ leaving the game tied 32-32 going into the last.

Final Quarter:

Tired??? Who’s tired??? Chris was breaking a sweat on the score bench teaching the other scorer and trying to start the clock but the Griffins girls kicked ass breaking the deadlock with solid rebounding and good running in offence going up 38-34.

Notice that Jane has not had a mention so far … we were just saving up (she had scored 10 already). The fourth quarter however was the ‘Tarzan Show’.

The Griffins continued to work hard. Rebounds and fast break offence kept the pressure on.  The umpires put away their whistles for the last which worked in our favour as Catherine was; quote; “deaf and pissed off”

For the entirety of the final quarter the Griffin offence went through Jane; layups, put-backs, offensive/defensive rebounds, and1 baskets, leading the break. It even impressed the other scorer who had never watched a game!

Griffins up 42-35 and looking the goods… until the North shooters decided to come and play. Bang, Bang 6 points in 2 consecutive possessions… 42-41.

Nathan was nervous, Chris was struggling to keep score but the players were cool, calm and collected. Except Catherine who decided to smash a girl in the nose and then sit on her… (yes, they were both going for the ball).

North on the break, long pass, North girl ALONE under the ring… and she missed – rebound Griffins, long pass and layup! (Four point turnaround). It didn’t stop there as Jess sank another duce and Jane was sent to the line splitting the pair.

Griffins defended out the last minute enduring vicious and high pressure defense to take the game!

Final Score Griffins win 47-43.

Jane Elliot (19), Catherine Cunningham (9), Chloe Lim (9)

Congratulations Girls! North Adelaide was top for a reason. It shows that hard-working defense and team offence can achieve good results. This is proof that we have improved a lot!