The B.Braun Sheffield Hatters suffered a rough defeat tonight against Manchester Basketball in their opening home game of the season. The game began quite levelled but the longer it went on the further the visitors pulled away. Despite the flaws within the game it was quite easy to see strengths and dynamics that were working, Tia Morgan and Laycee Drake worked amazingly well together when on the court at the same time. Laycee Drake also took the MVP award of the night with 13 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals. The Hatters will be back home next weekend against the Oaklands Wolves.
An opening scuffle after tip-off as the ball found itself out of bounds multiple times, but to the Hatters dismay, Manchester found the basket first (0-2). Hatters rookie Laycee Drake followed up shortly with 2 points to tie up the beginning of the game. Though, as Manchester thought they were running away with the score in the first period, Nina Krisper found her way around Manchester’s defence to spin and put up the 2-points and push the Hatters closer to the lead (12-13). Tia Morgan made the advance and sank the 3 points (17-16). The quarter ended 17-18, leading to a close fight in the second quarter.
Manchester started off strong in the second quarter as they started to pull away, but Shauna Harrison got the Hatters first 2-points of the quarter (19-22) to keep the score tight. Tia Morgan and Laycee Drake were left alone as they worked together and put down the 2 (23-29), the two already creating a great duo. Manchester started to run away with the lead in the first half of the game, but Shauna Harrison got to drop another 2 (27-36) before Nina Krisper was fouled on the play and made both needed shots (29-38). Despite the Hatters best efforts the second quarter ended 30-47. A strong defence needed heading into the third quarter.
Hatters brought the speed in the third quarter but Manchester began to pull further away as they opened the quarter once again with a 2-point shot by Christine Lau. Jess Eadsforth-Yates opened the Hatters’ scoring with a big 3-point shot (33-49). Then later sinking ANOTHER huge 3-point shot (36-59). Rachel Cockman tried to keep the Hatters in it as she sank a much needed 2-points, and then followed up shortly with another 2-points (40-64). The third quarter ended 40-68, with a stronger game very much needed heading into the final quarter.
Rookie Laycee Drake opened the scoring in the final quarter as she put up 2 points (42-68). Nina Krisper followed up closely and put up another 2-points (44-70). Krisper then also made a beautiful pass to Tia Morgan for a deep 2 (48-74). A much stronger quarter from the Hatters as Laycee Drake then sank a huge 3-point jump shot (51-82), followed by two consecutive 2-point shots from Tia Morgan (55-82). Tierra Hodges bagged the final points of the game with a 2-point jump shot to finish 59-88, an unfortunate loss for the Sheffield team.
23-year-old rookie Laycee Drake took home the MVP award tonight with 13 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals, a very impressive start for her first pro season. Tia Morgan was a close contender this game with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.
The Hatters next play on Saturday 17th October against the Oaklands Wolves at the Canon Medical Arena with a 7pm tip-off.
By Jessica Downs
