WNBL Division One
Bristol Flyers 68 Ipswich Basketball 85
Ipswich Basketball Club travelled to WNBL Division One league champions Bristol Flyers, return home with a fantastic 85-68 victory to get their season off to a perfect start.
The Suffolk side introduced new signing Colleen ‘Coco’ Leung to the line up, and the exciting guard played a key role as Ipswich dominated the whole game.
Ipswich were without Great Britain International, Esther Little, who is expected to miss an extended period of time, so the team, went into the game with their backs against the wall. However, a dominant defensive display from start to finish saw the Ipswich team get out in transition and connect on a number of fast break scores to open up a double figure lead early in the second period, a lead they would slowly grow for the remainder of the game.
The Suffolk based team dominated the rebounding battle with Cameron Taylor-Willis, Susannah Rafiu, Coco Leung and Becky Harwood-Bellis all recording double figure rebounds, while Danni Cazey was the teams top scorer, connecting on twenty-one points to lead a balanced scoring attack from Ipswich, that included seventeen from Taylor-Willis, thirteen from Harriet Welham and twelve from Harwood-Bellis.
Ipswich were dealt a blow early in the second half when last years Division One leading scorer, Harriet Welham, was forced to the bench with a knee problem, further demonstrating the much improved depth of the Ipswich team this season.
“It’s a good win and a good start. But it’s just one win” Said Ipswich Head Coach Nick Drane
Top Performers:
Cameron Taylor-Willis (17 points and ten rebounds),
Danni Cazey (twenty-one points),
Coco Leung (6 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists and 5 steals)
Becky Harwood-Bellis (12 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists).
Ipswich are at home next Saturday against Southwark Pride (3pm) where they will double head with the NBL D2 Men in what is the seasons official curtain raiser.