West Regional Development League
23rd of Feb, 2014
Colliers under 12 mixed team defeated Cuckoo basketball in the Regional Development League (RDL) play offs to finish 5th. The team got off to a great start leading 8-0 through guard Shaun Thomas and forwards Katie Burn and Carla Crowther. A shaky 2nd period saw the lead diminish as the bigger players from cuckoo scored inside. Colliers led 9-8 going into the third.
A more commanding performance saw the momentum swing back in colliers favour as they took 4 point lead going into the last quarter. Aedan Kelly and Laura Thompson played a huge role in the fourth as colliers finished off with 20-14 win.
The under 14 boys got their play-off games underway with a 37-17 against Ayr Storm. Chris Duncan was too quick for the Ayr guards as he stole the ball and sped off to finish the lay-up time after time. Louis Lennox-Devion was solid inside scoring with ease and Ben Lyle was tenacious on defence.
Colliers took a 16-0 lead into the 2nd. Storm had a mini come back in the second as they clawed back 12 points to make it 20-12 at the half, but the Colliers came out strong in the third. Colliers terrific defence only allowed Ayr to score 2 points in the quarter as they increased their lead. Colliers ran up a big lead in the fourth and coach Hutton rotated the bench. Colliers 37 Ayr Storm 17.
The Under 14 boys took on North Lanarkshire in their must win game to finish 5th. The players started out the more aggressive team getting to the basket early and building a commanding lead. Coach Hutton tasked the players with converting easy baskets consistently, which the players did very well. Chris Duncan was once again the driving force on offence as he stole the ball and got out on the fast break. No defender could keep up with Chris as he exploded to the hoop to finish. With a 16 poioints to make it 20-12 at the half, but the Colliers came out strong in the third. Colliers terrific defence only allowed Ayr to score 2 points in the quarter as they increased their lead. Colliers ran up a big lead in the fourth and coach Hutton rotated the bench. Colliers 37 Ayr Storm 17.
The Under 14 boys took on North Lanarkshire in their must win game to finish 5th. The players started out the more aggressive team getting to the basket early and building a commanding lead. Coach Hutton tasked the players with converting easy baskets consistently, which the players did very well. Chris Duncan was once again the driving force on offence as he stole the ball and got out on the fast break. No defender could keep up with Chris as he exploded to the hoop to finish. With a 16 point lead at the half Colliers were in pole position. Ben Lyle kept up his solid defensive performance but was joined by Louis Lennox-Devion who stood like a brick wall at times which mnt lead at the half Colliers were in pole position. Ben Lyle kept up his solid defensive performance but was joined by Louis Lennox-Devion who stood like a brick wall at times whichade it hard for any opposing player to get near the hoop. The final quarter was all about maintaining the lead and continuing to play good team basketball.
Andrew Irvine, Lloyd Jackson, Mitchell Kennedy, Adam Thompson and Calum Inglis put on a show scoring at will and shutting their Lanarkshire counterparts out. Adam Thompson and Andrew Irvine must have combined for at least 20 rebounds in the 4th quarter alone. Colliers finished off the game with a 20 point win and secure 5th place in their first year.
The last RDL game of the Colliers day was the 3rd/4th play-off game, which was contested by the U14 girls. With seven under 12 players in the team of 9 up against a strong Ayr Storm team, it was always going to be a tough game. Ayr Storm took a commanding lead through their 6'0 centre but the girls still battled hard at both ends of the floor.
Natalie Clark was the spark for the Colliers as she attacked the Storm defence and displayed tough defence. Carla Crowther was the main offensive threat for Colliers late on in the game as she made good drives to the hoop and looked to shoot when open. New girl Laura Thompson worked hard on defence and pulled down some great rebounds. All in all though, Storm were too strong for the young Colliers team taking the game 54-10.
“I have seen improvement in every player so far this season and very pleased with the way all the teams played. The players have learned how to play as a team but more importantly they have had fun. At this age, players should be focused on getting better, having fun and being positive. The fact that our U12 mixed and U14 boys teams won their games is a bonus and with our U14 girls being made up mostly of U12 players their time will come. All in all, I am extremely pleased with the progress of our young players,"
Ross Hutton, Club Development Officer & Head Youth Coach.
