close final seconds

Our first season game played in Norrkoping on Saturday was a close game in the last few minutes/seconds.  We played the best basketball that we have played yet, I thought, but couldn't pull away with a W.  The frustrating part was that we were up by 19 at one point and lost our lead.  We had glimpses of good basketball and then other times where we were bad and made poor decisions.

The score ended up 61-59 final.  We came out at the start of the game fired up and ready to play and it showed.  We got on them early defensively and the score was 10-0 with Stockholm 08 calling the first timeout.  They are the defending champions in the league from last year.  We extended the lead to about 14 or so, but let them back in it, going into halftime with only a 7 point lead.  The second half was decent and we it was looking like we were going to win (so some of us thought).  The last few minutes of the game was panic city and we couldn't handle their full court defensive pressure that they gave us.  Too many turnovers (29 to be exact) and bad decisions led to their easy baskets, and in a matter of seconds they were back in the game.  They tied it up with about a minute to go and we call a timeout and don't execute the offense, which lead to their ball and with a one possession game they get a shot off and miss.  We don't box out on the back side and they get a put back layup. 08 up 2.  A few seconds left and we throw up a prayer hoping for a buzzer beater.  It was told to me long ago that 'its not the first shot that beats you.  It's the second/rebound that beats you.'  This proved true on Saturday for us, ending in a close loss.

A loss isn't entirely a bad thing because if you, as a team, can learn from the mistakes you did and get better the next time, then it doesn't make it as bad to lose early.  Yes of course I HATE LOSING and so does everyone else, but if it means that we got better as a team, then we move on from there and make each other better in practice.  

Some statistics:  Amy had 19 pts, 10 boards.  I had 16 pts, 9 boards. Henna had 10 pts.  Carro had 4 assists. 29 TO's to 11 assists as a team (needs improvement) We shot well from the field, 3 point range, and 93% from the pin stripe!

After our game, we had a banquet at the Scandic hotel with all 12 teams in the league.  Sunday afternoon  we watched the rest of the teams in the league play and scouted our next opponents: Norrkoping Dolphins.  Our next game is at HOME yaya!!! We play at 3:00 on Saturday at Gammliahallen!  

Lets Go Comets!!

Rip City!