Newcastle Eagles just came up short on Saturday evening down in St. Albans against the Oaklands Wolves after a really good all-round effort. Their 81-76 loss denting their hopes of a top four finish in the SLBW Championship but not completely ending them.
Newcastle now need to beat Caledonia next Saturday night at home in the Vertu Arena and hope results go their way to clinch a top four spot. It would be well deserved after battling adversity through injuries and unavailability all season long.
The loss to Wolves was particularly hard to take as Eagles took the lead after one minute and thirty-four seconds of the game and held on to it until two minutes and forty-five seconds were left on the game clock. A total time of thirty-six minutes and forty-one seconds in front.
Head Coach Chloe Gaynor gave her thoughts post-game on what was a tough loss to take.
“I’m proud of the fight the team showed. I think we put together a solid 35 minutes of basketball. But ultimately, we didn’t have enough in the tank to maintain that over the 40 minutes.”
“In the final 5 minutes our offensive discipline wasn’t quite where we needed it to be with regards to our spacing and decision making as well as some missed defensive assignments and ultimately that’s where we lost the game down the stretch.”
“I’m proud of their commitment to task for the majority of the game. I’m disappointed in the end result because for what those 8 players who travelled and 7 who played gave to that game, they deserved to have the end result go in their favour.”
“But credit has to go to Oaklands who capitalised in those final 5 minutes.”
Once again, it was Shanique Lucas and Andrea Daley who grabbed the headlines and plaudits for their individual performances that almost got Newcastle over the line. Lucas with 28-points and 6 rebounds and Daley another exceptional double-double of 25-points and 18 rebounds.
They were well supported by both Jada Dapaa with 10-points and 7 rebounds and Sarah Wells with 10-points and 5 rebounds.
Gaynor though was quick to give rightful praise to all the players who travelled to Oaklands and in particular her supporting cast.
“Ultimately, we are as strong as the entire team! I thought that yesterday was the strongest defensive performance I have seen Sarah Birkett have in an Eagles jersey.”
“Alex Campbell has had her best season so far and I’m really proud and pleased for her for the journey she’s been on. With her still being young I’m excited for the opportunities that are ahead of her.”
“Zoe Willis has played an increased role than that of previous seasons and has settled into an important role and consistently has put her body on the line for the team.”
“Grace Rae has improved across the season and has played vital minutes for us in games previously. The future is most definitely bright for her.”
Wise words from a coach who knows her players well and always gets the best out of what she sends on court. She will need all that and more as her team go looking for a big win in their last regular season game against Caledonia next Saturday night with a 19:30 tip-off in the Vertu Arena.
Tickets for Saturday night are still available on the box office.
