Going unbeaten in netball is a rare thing but First Caribbean is on the verge of doing just that.
On Thursday the club battled hard and earned another win, defeating a passionate Rising Stars team by a score of 20-19.
Both squads play in the Cayman Islands Netball Association Mixed League.
The netball courts at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex were the site of the epic game from 6:30pm.
A crowd of some 35 excited onlookers came out to watch the action. Most of the crowd, including members of team Unity, could be heard debating which team needed to win this game more and who would play their hearts out.
As it turns out both clubs would come out hustling and scraping for balls early. Their vigour proved that both clubs wanted to win badly.
Though the first quarter ended tied at six, RS came out the more athletic side and played with a strong desire to win.
It was if they were out to prove to themselves and everyone else that they were a serious team and looked intent on controlling the game.
In the second quarter that attitude transformed into more defensive pressure and good looks at the net. The result would be that RS outscored FC 6-4 in the second quarter.
Goal Shooter Colin Anglin, Centre Deandre Simpson and Goal Keeper Samuel O’Garro led the charge for RS.
Anglin would hustle around the net, looking for a good scoring spot and opportunities to put his back to the basket.
When the ball came his way, Anglin did not hesitate to rise to the net and shoot.
Simpson would be all over the court. Hardly a pass would go toward a RS player without Simpson touching the ball first. His ability to sky for FC passes would keep his club in it.
First Caribbean would counter with a star trio of their own in Goal Keeper Kevin Maxwell and Goal Assist Nicola Williams and Goal Shooter Omari Corbin.
Maxwell’s height and positioning caused Rising Stars to work for every point. His ability to wear out the attacking players would loom large in the second half.
Williams gave an inspired performance, running around the court for passes and hustling toward the net for a chance to score. Her willingness to go the extra mile on the court kept the squad inspired during the breaks off of it.
Corbin would be responsible for most of FC’s scoring throughout the game. His tall frame and basketball background helped him control passes and get quality scoring chances.
At half-time both squads would talk about the game being theirs for the taking.
RS, most notably Tricia Skyers Palacio, talked about winning battles at mid-court and keeping the pressure on offense.
In spite of their slight deficit, captain Nicola Williams urged her FC team-mates to play their game, keep hustling and not over-commit to defense.
At the start of the third quarter RS made critical changes in their line-up. Due to fatigue, Anglin was placed on the bench.
O’Garro switched to Goal Shooter, Simpson placed at Goal Keeper and Shawn Myles would be brought on at centre.
Key starting wingers Nordia Ricketts and Jessica Anderson were taken out in favour of Tricia Skyers Palacio and Patrice Booth.
The results would be disastrous. FC wingers Stacy Reid and Benecia Mullings stepped up and wreaked havoc on the RS passing.
RS struggled to get scoring chances leaving O’Garro visibly frustrated.
Meanwhile the RS defense would face a never-ending onslaught. FC seemed to execute a sort of counterattack as most players went on the offensive after every turnover.
Centre Richard Allen and Goal Defense Cynthia Collington had much to do with that. Their ability to pressure RS at mid-court and thwart offensive strikes allowed FC to spring their wingers up court and give the ball to Williams and Corbin.
At the end of the third quarter FC outscored RS 7-2 and had a five point lead going into the fourth quarter. RS were tired but feverishly tried concocting ways to stay in the game.
In the fourth quarter the subs for RS energized the squad. Wingers Booth and Skyers Palacio were a presence on both ends of the court, fighting for loose balls and making passes. Myles was a focal point in the middle, leaping for passes and ensuring RS had the edge in ball control.
An exhausted but fiery FC attack did its best to create chances to score. Much of those opportunities would be thwarted by the RS defense and a determined Dionne Anglin.
Even though RS would outscore FC 5-3 in the fourth quarter it wasn’t enough for victory.
When the final whistle blew, a tired but jubilant FC squad leapt in the air in celebration while RS walked off the court shaking their heads at an upset that was one quarter short.
With the win First Caribbean remain unbeaten while Rising Stars are fourth in the league.
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