Photo: Action from game one of the Berger Elite League Final. The Clarendon Gaters defeated the St. James Sharpes 40-38 to take a 1-0 lead in the best of three series.
The Clarendon Gaters led by the young twin towers of Kadie-Ann Dehaney (19/21) and Simone Gordon (20/23) edged the St. James Sharpes 40-38 in an exciting game one, of the best of three finals in the Berger Elite League competition at the Leila Robinson Courts on Friday.
In a game of twists and turns, the Gaters, led by inspirational captain Nicole Aiken-Pinnock rallied from a three goal, third quarter deficit to sneak a win in a contest that could have gone either way.
The Gaters started the game the stronger of the two and led the contest comfortably, 12-6 at the end of the first quarter, thanks to good shooting from Dehaney.
The Sharpes started finding their rhythm in the second quarter and were able to cut the gap to four points at half time, as the Gaters continued to lead 20-16 in a low scoring game, as the defenders from both sides made it difficult for the shooters at either end.
Shortly after the resumption Aiken- Pinnock went down with a hand injury and was replaced by Gordon who went into the goal shooter position while Dehaney replaced Pinnock in defence.
The Sharpes made good use of the opportunity and building on their second quarter momentum went on a 10-3 run to overtake the Gaters and lead at 28-23 in the third quarter, thanks to good shooting from Deneen Taylor (22/24) and Jodi-Ann Ffrench-Kentish (16/24). But Aiken-Pinnock who is also the captain of the Sunshine Girls, returned to inspire her team and dragged them back into the game.
Playing in the wing defence position, the mere presence of the captain on the court was enough to inspire a team that was seemingly out of the contest. The tall, but slight of frame Gordon, responded for her team in attack sinking her shots while her defenders forced the turnovers that helped reduce the deficit to 30-27 at the end of the third quarter.
With the momentum now in their favour, the Gaters went on a 4-0 run at the start of the fourth quarter to retake the lead at 31-30 and held on to the lead all the way to the final whistle to score a narrow but deserving win.
Valerie Blake, assistant coach of the Clarendon Gaters was happy how her team responded to the challenges during the game, “During training we have always played people in different positions just in case something like this happens (injury to Aiken-Pinnock). We knew where the adjustments had to be made and we had it in Kadie-Ann Dehaney. She did well at both end of the court for us tonight.
Blake is also confident of winning the series. “We can close out the series and we will definitely be doing that on Wednesday.”
“My team really played well tonight and I have to give credit to them. When I got the injury and came off I saw that the ladies were down but it all boils down to motivation, I just had to keep reassuring them that we could win, that the game was already ours because we have worked hard for it,” said a happy Aiken-Pinnock.
“In the previous game I actually ended the game in wing defence and it actually worked for us, it was a plus for us. I have confidence in Kadie-Ann and Simone. I have seen them play and I know that they can pull off the big one and I just have to give them credit, they really stood their ground and they really worked hard,” she concluded.
Gordon who came in the game just after half time to lead her team to victory was pleased with her own performance, “I feel very good about my performance because I know that my team worked very hard to reach where they are now…we wanted a win so I went out there and gave my best.”
“We had a very poor start and we were playing in spurts. We lost the game in attack and in the shooting area. We have to shoot and keep possession of the ball. We need to stay focused, be disciplined in our plays and push each other,” admitted Spurs captain Sasher-Gaye Henry.
Game two will be played today at the same venue, starting at 6:00pm.
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