By Jess Downs
The B.Braun Sheffield Hatters tipped off against the Cardiff Met Archers at Archers Arena this afternoon, in their first league game back. Last season the Hatters were undefeated as they claimed every trophy available, becoming quadruple champions and will be looking to retain those titles this season. The Hatters went back to Sheffield with a huge win on their back as they defeated Cardiff 64-103. A dominant performance was put on both defensively and offensively by the Hatters as they won with a huge 39-point gap.
The B.Braun Sheffield Hatters started off with a strong first quarter as Nina Krisper put up 2-points off of the tip-off. Some great defence made sure that the Hatters started to put some distance between themselves and the Archers. By the end of the quarter the Hatters had a strong 13-point lead (15-28), with excellent plays from new signings Tierra Hodges and Mia Jaye Sarkodee-Adoo.
Nina Krisper opened the scoring once again with a 3-point play, as she put down a 2-point lay-up before being fouled on the play and made the shot from the free throw line. Cardiff tried to pull the game back but Rachel Cockman put up a 2-point lay up thanks to a beautiful pass from Laycee Drake (28-41) and is fouled on the play. Cockman made the shot (28-42) for a 3-point play. Tia Morgan finished as she put up a 2-point buzzer beater to end the quarter 35-48.
The Hatters extended their lead to 24-points with amazing play from each of the girls on the court. Rachel Cockman opened the scoring in the third quarter with a 3-point shot. Tierra Hodges put up a beautiful 2-point driving layup (42-57) with an assist from Laycee Drake too. Chantel Charles put up a 2-point shot (49-67) but was fouled on play and made it a 3-point shot too (49-68). Tia Morgan also put up a deep 3-point jump shot and then followed that up with a 2-point shot to finish up the quarter 49-73.
It would have been a tough claw back for the Archers as the Hatters pulled further and further away with a 39 point gap. Laycee Drake shined that final quarter as she put up two consecutive 2-point shots. Nina Krisper made a 2-point lay up (56-83) before then making another 2-point lay up to give the Hatters a 28-point lead (57-85). Drake also rounded up the game as she put up a 3-point shot to put the Hatters over 100 points and bagged a final 2-points to end the game 64-103 to the Hatters.
For their first game as a team, you could see the clear connection they had together. Rachel Cockman was in the running for MVP with 18 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 turnovers. Tia Morgan was also a close competitor especially after such a successful game for her as she rallied up 21 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 turnover. Though the MVP of the game for the Hatters was Nina Krisper as she totalled up 23 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 turnovers and 2 steals. Honourable mentions also go to Tierra Hodges who put up 18 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 turnovers and 1 steal. Laycee Drake also had a phenomenal game as the 23-year-old in her first professional contract put up 16 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 6 turnovers and 2 steals.
The B.Braun Sheffield Hatters will next face Manchester Basketball at the Canon Medical Arena on 10th October with tip off at 7pm.
