City of Edinburgh Kool Kats Junior Women

Match Reports

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Saturday 3rd March
City of Edinburgh Kool Kats v Falkirk Fury
Portobello

After the previous weeks game against Glasgow having to be postponed, Kats couldn't be blamed for being nervous having to face the Falkirk side that they suffered their first loss to, as the first game after a months break. However, before arriving at Portobello the team was informed of the result from the previous night in the league. Thanks to Glasgow's win over challengers St Mirren, Kats would win the league with a win today which seemed to be enough motivation.

Kats came storming out from the start of the first with great shooting form Holly Fillingham hitting 3 3's in the period. Also well run offences were giving Kats many oportunities to score. At the defensive end Mairi Buchan wasn't posing her usual threat for Fury from inside and instead got her 4 points from the free throw and 3 point lines, leaving the score 22-4 after the first. Exactly the start that the home side needed.

The second quarter saw Kats try out a zone press which proved quite successful as they gained many easy points off of steals and Falkirk turnovers with Buchan the only one who looked confident at bringing the ball up the court. Despite this early pressure, when the press was broken Fury were able to capitalise on the break situations with some good 2 on 1 scores making the score 40-19 at the half.

The home side's positive and upbeat play continued in the 3rd with good zone defence holding Fury to only 7 points. At the other end 3's from Nicola McBrierty(in her 1st game back) and Holy Fillingham showed the many threats that Kats possess while combining for 14 points in the quarter. the tiredness was showing in the 6 man Falkirk squad which Kats exploited to increase their lead to 21 points going into the last.

The final quarter saw the Kats bench get good minutes as they stuck in their press and gained more good steals from hustle plays. Annie Rowan demonstrating some impressive shooting with 11 points in the period while Rowan Bell added another 7 to her tally for the home side. At the defensive end the half court zone had proved effective when required although by then Fury had lost their drive, leaving the score 81-38 at the final whistle.

A great performance by the new Junior Womens League Champions who will be presented at their next home game

Top Scorers: Rowan Bell (kats) 23, Mairi Buchan (fury) 22, Annie Rowan (kats) 22, Holly Fillingham(kats) 20

Saturday 3rd February
City of Edinburgh Kool Kats v St Mirren
Portobello

On the back of their first defeat of the season, it wasn't the best time to be playing your title rivals. It was a must win game for St Mirren to keep any league aspirations alive however only turned up with 7 players due to a times clash with a cadette game elsewhere. Although Kats couldn't field their full team either as Nicola McBrierty's ankle injury sustained in the Falkirk game was still taking it toll.

Much like previous game, the first quarter was a tight affair. Kats were pushing the ball to get good looks but couldn't always convert. Saints relyed on some good shooting from Lisa Haldane who clooected 5 of their 10 points in the period, tieing the scores 13 all.

The second quarter saw Kats make their run. Scoring was spread throughout the team as they ran the offences patiently for open shots. At the defensive end , holding St Mirren to 9 points in the period could be classed as successful however they still felt there was more to come with some lapses of concentration giving away the points. Home side went in 33-22 up at the half.

After a rousing team talk at half time from coach Barry Lang, Saints came out strong, showing their determination that had not always been there in previous games with Becca Cumming and Laura Blackwell combining for 15 of the visitors 21 points in the period. The intensity was still lacking from Kats whose nerves were starting to show again with a loss of composure in offence. Captain Rowan Bell did well inside adding a further 8 points to her total and keeping Kats 3 points ahead going into the last.

The final quarter saw the fouls mounting up on the home side with Kats reluctance to use the bench. Baskets were being traded due to well set offence at both ends. Kats points were spread well across the team, but 2 big 3's from Michelle Bisset gave the visitors a slight edge in the final few minutes. Saints were plugging hard at the home sides interior defence knowing that cheap fouls would not only send them to the line but get rid of the more experienced Kats lineup. With less that a minute to go Becca Cumming made 3 out of 4 free throws to seal the win for the depleted St Mirren side who showed their will more than ever with the final score 60-64.

Kats intensity lacked throughout the game much like the previous week and were punished for it. This result left Kats 2 wins ahead of St Mirren with 3 games to go.

Top Scorers: Becca Cumming (saints) 20, Rowan Bell (kats) 19

Saturday 21st January 2007
Falkirk Fury v City Of Edinburgh Kool Kats
Mariner Centre

Kool Kats went into this game against the improving Fury hoping that the absence of Falkirk coach would help Kats secure another win. The memory of the blowout that occurred on their last trip to the Mariner was still in their minds to serve as a prematch confidence boost if they needed it.

The first quarter saw a tight affair between the 2 teams with no one wanting to make a run. Kool Kats box and one defence was doing a good job on Furys main inside presence but in turn were giving up open outside shots. At the offensive end, Kats were playing the running game, getting into good break situations and finishing well levaing the score 13 a piece after the 1st.

The second quarter saw the Falkirk shooting dying down and Kats taking a small lead through their up tempo play. Limiting Mairi Buchan to only 8 points in the first half was a good result for the visitors who went in 6 up thanks to some good moves inside from captain Rowan Bell who had 13 at the half. However a bad fall saw Nicola McBrierty sidelined with an ankle injury that would take her out of the rest of the game for Kats.

The third period saw Falkirk bring it back, inspired by the ever present Mariner crowd. Katie Bisset and Natalie Fairgreive hitting big 3s for the home side while their zone defence was doin a good job to stop the Kats penetration at the other end and they led by 1 going into the last quarter.

The wake up call had been sent to Kats who were looking more nervous than usual going into the final period with their unbeaten record on the line. They needed to start running again as the Fury zone was proving hard to crack in the half court set. At the defensive end Mairi Buchan was becoming more influential in the game and the man defence was taking its toll on the foul count with 4 out 5 Kats in uncertain positions. However they battled through the quarter tieing the game in the closing seconds and sending it to overtime.

The first period of OT saw Buchan dominate inside for Fury getting 7 of their 9 points and blocking any drives that came near down the other end. Kats had to rely on their outside shooting to keep them in the game and despite not having a great day managed to force a second period with the score tied 66 all.

Top Scorers : Natalie Fairgreive (fury) 15, Katie Bisset (fury) 19 and Mairi Buchan (fury) 39 Rowan Bell (kats) 31 and Annie Rowan (kats) 17

Saturday 13th Jan 2007
City of Edinburgh Kool Kats v Glasgow City
Portobello

Kool Kats knew not to be complacent when facing the Glasgow side who have come close in previous games and wanted to improve on their less than perfect performance the previous week on this early morning at Portobello.

The game started as usual with niether team showing any real control. Kats scoring was spread across the team as they ran their offences to get good looks at the basket for everybody. At the defensive end, the home side were coping well with the usual hard drives of the City guard but were not getting out well enough to the shots leaving the score 20 - 15 after the 1st.

The defence picked up in the second period, limiting the visitors to just 8 points. Meanwhile at the other end, Rowan Bell was starting to find room inside with some nice moves and good rebounds earning her 8 points in the quarter alone and stretching the home lead to 13 at half time.

The third quarter saw Annie Rowan continue her great shooting for Kats grabbing another 8 points at the offensive end. However in defence the intensity was lacking greatly. No communication and lazy movement meant Glasgow won the quarter 20 - 17.

After getting the lead down to just 10 going into the last, City seemed to have peaked too early as their form could not continue into the final quarter. Kool Kats executed well with Holly Fillingham hitting 7, including her second 3 pointer of the match while Glasgows inexperience told with the home team showing their strengths and running in 77 - 54 winners.

Overall the whole game seemed to be lacking atmosphere. Glasgow played quite well with 4 cadettes making it into double figures, although Kooll Kats never really appeared to be going 100% but a wins a win.

Top Scorers: Rowan Bell (kats) 26, Annie Rowan (kats) 23, Holly Fillingham (kats) 14, Sarah O'brien (city) 13

Saturday 6th Jan 2007
St Mirren v City of Edinburgh Kool Kats
Linwood

Kool Kats went into the new year hoping to maintian their 1st place spot for the rest of the season, but with the first game aginst rivals St Mirren , it wasn't the easiest of starts. However, not only did Saints have injury problems; but due to a broken window at Linwood sports centre, they were forced into a last minute change of venue, all of which boosted the travelling side.

The unfamiliar court may have been the reason for the slow start, as both teams struggled to get any sort of run going in the opening quarter. having lost the intimidating atmosphere of Linwood, St Mirren did their best to frighten with the hard hustle defence, denying any passes to the wings early on and forcing Kool Kats out of their sets. Down the other end, it was much the same as Saints couldn't transfer their stops into points with Caroline Finlay scoring the home sides only 4 points in the period.

Kats lead by 5 going into the second, but were under orders to be patient and confident in offence as all players hit the court in the first half. Both teams appeared more calm and were finding room to work their offences, with Rowan Bell getting many offensive putbacks to notch up her points for the visitors and take the score to 17 - 24 at the half.

The third quarter ended with nothing to give on either side. The defences remained strong , although finishing was causing some problem for Kats who missed a number of layups in the period but maintained their 7 point lead.

Kats demonstrated their experience in the final quarter, keeping their composure and holding Saints to another 4 points while running out eventual winners 33 - 46.

Overall a scrappy game with no real team showing control.

Top Scorers: Rowan Bell (kats) 18, Caroline Finlay (saints) 16

Saturday 16th Dec 2006
City of Edinburgh Kool Kats v Falkirk Fury
Portobello

With it being the last game before the turn of the year, Kats wanted to finish on a high. The visitors came to Portobello on the back of a thrilling game the previous week that had saw them lose in overtime to 2nd place St Mirren.

The home side came flying out the traps with all starters grabbing points in the first, in particular Holly Fillingham with 2 consecutive 3 pointers leading the way. The defence was strong aswell, holding Furys impressive inside game to just 8 points in the 1st quarter, due to outside pressure and great help side in the man defence.

Kats went into the second quarter with an 18 point lead but were not complacent, Becca Allison demonstrating this with 8 points in the period. However Fury pushed on, lead by captain Mairi Buchan exploiting some lazy defence and adding 11 points to her total and making the half time score 40 - 23.

The third quarter saw Kats begin to struggle as the Fury defence became tougher to break down. Bad decisions were leading to turnovers at the offensive end, but the defence was still holding up giving away only 11 points in the period and maintainting the 17 point lead.

The home side began to run their bench in the last quarter and Falkirk finally started to hit form, punishing the less experienced players and at one point grindling the lead down to just 5 points thanks to more good work from Buchan. With just over 3 minutes to go and Kats 9 points up, an unfortunate accident resulted in Annie Rowan receiveing a nasty head wound which forced her off the court for the first time in the match. A nervous atmosphere broke around the hall as some may have sensed a Fury comeback, however with the home side setting up good offences to run the clock, the visitors were never given the chance, as it finished 60 - 49.

Kool Kats finish the year on a high and hope to continue for the next half of the season.

Top Scorers: Mairi Buchan (fury) 32, Rowan Bell (kats) 16

Saturday 9th Dec 2006
Glasgow City v City of Edinburgh Kool Kats
St Andrews High School

With a change to the regular venue, Kats went to St Andrews High School in good spirits after another good result the previous week. However Glasgow are a side who are always improving and will give all teams a run for their money so the visitors had to be cautious.

The home side quickly proved their worth getting off to a flying start. Kats struggled to cope with the mobility of Glasgow centre Carlyn Wallace who was causing all sorts of hassle on the inside then finding her shooters like Sarah O'brien spotted up for the 3's. At the offensive end, the visitors couldn't get their shots to drop off the bouncy rims and there was no fluency about their play which meant they went in trailing 21-10 after the first.

With a rousing talk at the quarter time, Coach Findlay sent his team out to close up at the defensive end and have more patience with the offence. Having never really been in this position all season, especially away from home, you could see the angst around the bench. However the speech had worked as the aggression and intesity was evident in the second quarter as the visitors turned an 11 point deficit into a 4 point advantage by half time, holding Glasgow to only 5 points in the period!

The third quarter saw Kats increase their lead further with the Glasgow points becoming even more sparse due to an injury to their guard Alicia McFadden which saw her play no part in the second half. With this loss, the visitors were getting easy steals and running the break well. At the other end, Wallace's influence became less due to good defence in the post denying her the ball which reduced the home side to 4 points in the period.

The fourth quarter saw Kats run in easy winners and everyone getting good minutes and having an impact with the final score 45-61.

Not a great performance again but good spells with less experienced players doing really well when called upon.

Top Scorers: Annie Rowan (kats)29, Carlyn Wallace (city) 16

Saturday 2nd Dec 2006
City of Edinburgh Kool Kats v St Mirren Reid Kerr College
Portobello

After the great team performance that Kats displayed at Linwood in the previous meeting, they were hoping for more of the same as the Saints came to Portobello for the second time in the season. However, with experienced players missing for both teams, no one could be sure of the effects or outcome of the match.

The opening quarter began quite even and scrappy with no team asserting any control on the game. The defence was tough and fouls were mounting on both sides but Becca Allison and Annie Rowan were managing to find spaces with 11 points between them for the home side as Kats took the lead into the 2nd 16-13.

St Mirren continued the hard defence with some good hustle from Deanne Hayward in the 2nd quarter but the Kats experienced guards kept calm, setting up the offences and executing well. Caroline Findlay continued to show her potential in reply for Saints, notching up 9 points by half time, taking the score to 33-25 at the half.

The home side achieved their highest scoring quarter in the 3rd despite captain Rowan Bell being forced out of the game as she picked up her 4th foul early on. With Kats other centre Nicola McBrierty still suffering with injury, Holly Fillingham was forced inside to pull her team out of the trouble with 10 points in the period. Coach Findlay also took the decision to leave in guard Annie Rowan on 4 fouls for most of the second half which made the home side lose some intensity at the defensive end although they still won the quarter 21-18.

The final period saw the inevitable St Mirren comeback spurred on by the increasing volume of their bench. Lisa Haldane got a hot hand hitting 9 of her teams 21 points while Finlay made a further 8 in the quarter off the Kats lazy defence. However typically, the home side hung on with some good team play and time management.

Overall, not a great performance but everyone who got on the court also got on the score sheet which should boost confidence within the team who just keep grinding out the results.

Top Scorers: Holly Fillingham (kats) 20, Caroline Finlay (saints) 22, Lisa Haldane (saints) 19

Saturday 25th Nov 2006
Falkirk Fury v City of Edinburgh Kool Kats
Mariner

Kats went into this encounter at the Mariner with a nervy atmosphere after Falkirk had given them a scare in the previous match at Portobello. However any nerves that existed were quashed immediately in the prematch team talk given by the coaches where their obvious confidence rubbed off to all the players. Falkirk were also only able to field 7 players which made it a struggle from the start as Kats began strongly with scoring evenly spread through all starters who notched up 23 points in the 1st quarter alone. Mairi Buchan did her fair share to reply for the home side with the first 11 points for her team in the period.

With Fury heads down, the visitors continued to push on showing good control in the half court sets aswell as demonstrating their threat on the break; while the defence was maintained, giving up only 10 points in the period. As all Kats hit the floor in the first half, the lead was maintained and grew with the score 49-24 at the half.

The second quarter came and went with Kats patient play resulting in good baskets for all of the team, Annie Rowan in particular grabbing 8 points. Down the other end Glasgow were still plugging away with good drives requiring help defence while the shooters were spotted up across the court. Rebounds were vital to both teams and Rowan Bell did well for the visitors to get a good share of the offensive boards in the period, and Kats went in at the half 36-22 up.

The 3rd quarter came and went with the same theme as the previous 2. Kats impressed with their shooting: 2 3pointers from Annie Rowan aswell as a nice and 1 for Izzy Lancaster.The young Fury side struggled to cope with the many threats that the visitors posed although did well in spells with Buchan hitting another 8 in the period against some tough defence.

The final period proved to be Kats most productive as they hit a further 28 points and held Falkirk to only 8 mainly due to some solid man defence from the less experienced players who were proving their worth to the coachinng staff for games to come. Mean while Annie Rowan took hold at the offensive end with some weaving drives punishing the tired defence and grabbing 11 points for herself taking the final totals to 46-98.

Overall, Kats can't complain with another win and a greater self belief among the entire team.

Top Scorers: Annie Rowan (kats) 29, Rowan Bell (kats) 25, Mairi Buchan (fury) 24

Saturday 14th Oct 2006
Glasgow City vs City of Edinburgh Kool Kats
Eastbank

Kats went into this fixture knowing they couldn't be complacent - the 30 point victory at home was in the past and they knew that Glasgow would be a harder challenge on their home court at Eastbank Academy.

The visitors started well, running thier offences through and getting good looks st the basket and despite some shots not dropping, they took an early lead. However, the defensive end was not as successful, as the more experienced Kats found it tough to match the pace of the Glasgow young guns giving away many lazy fouls. Alicia McFadden was the focus of many home attacks hitting 6 of the teams 10 points in the first quarter.

The third quarter saw Kats change from their standard man defence to a more risky zone pressure. However, timing and floor position is key and the speed of the Glasgow guards broke the pressure without much trouble. Despite this ease, once in the half court set Glasgow struggled as the penetration became few and far between and Kats stretched their lead to 19 by the end of the quarter.

The final period saw Kats stick in thier zone and Glasgow find their shooting touch with Ashleigh Anderson leading the way with 10 of her 14 points coming in the last. The visitors, however, kept their lead intact while running the whole team and getting most of the team on the scoresheet resulting in a final score of 54-77.

Top Scorers: Annie Rowan (kats)23, Rowan Bell (kats) 20, Holly Fillingham (kats) 19 , Alicia Mc Fadden (glasgow) 21

Friday 6th Oct 2006
City Of Edinburgh Kool Kats vs Falkirk Fury
Portobello

After their hard fought win over title rivals St Mirren the previous week, Kats were in a more relaxed mood heading into this match at Portobello. In their first meeting at the Mariner centre Kats had got off to a flying start but stuttered after, so they hoped to keep up the standard throughout the game this time around.

The home side came out with a fine start, finding gaps all over the floor at the offensive end and getting the ball inside to Rowan Bell who contributed 8 points in the opening quarter. Good defence was also key as they held Fury with their big inside threat to only 10 points and lead after the first 17-10.

A revived Falkirk came out in the second all guns blazing, shutting down the kats offence. Mairi Buchan and Eilish Barnes were creating problems down the other end with some nice post moves and drives, contributing 10 points a piece in the first half alone. Kats intensity was poor, in defence especially, as they struggled to play their own game and went in at the half deservedly 23-24 down.

The main focus of the team talk at half time was about decision making and concentration. This may not have been evident from the performance of the home side in the third as they continued the poor standard. Fury were finding good looks and finishing well with the points spread over different players in the quarter which they won 13-19.

Kats finally took they wake up call going into the last quarter and picked up their play. With Falkirk tiring, Kats went at them and scoring no less than 9 of the free throws that they were awarded in the final period. Good team scoring was also vital as Fury found it diffficult to deal with the many threats that the home side possess. Defence was also effective, holding this talented, hardworking Falkirk side to only 10 points in the last and running out winners with the score of 58-53 at the full time. Another narrow victory stands the side in good stead for the rest of the season, although a better performance will be wanted in future games.

Kats are now the only team still unbeaten but with many more encounters ahead before the end of the season, St Mirren won't be too disappointed.

Top Scorers: Rowan Bell (kats) 16, Rebecca Allison (kats) 13, Mairi Buchan (fury) 23, Eilish Barnes (fury) 17

Friday 29th Sep 2006
City of Edinburgh Kool Kats vs St Mirren
Portobello

Both teams headed into this fixture with unbeaten records, but both knowing that this was going to be a real test and hopefully a good and well tempered match at Portobello.

It was the away team that started as the agressors with a zone press that the Kats guards found hard to deal with, therfore causing 3 turnovers in the 1st 3 offences aswell as some unchallenged layups for Saints off their steals. After an early timeout to calm the nerves, Kats gradually got better with their decision making in beating the pressure and started to play their own game with a more controlled pace, however still went in after the first 11 -14 down.

The 2nd quarter came with a slightly slower tempo than the first but Kool Kats still making errors with lacks of concentration at times resulting in St Mirren going to the line. However the offence did pick up with Rebecca Allison finding her game scoring 8 of the 14 team points in the period.The home side eventually took the lead and were ready to go in at the half up by 2 until a 3 pointer from Saints Michelle Bisset took the score to 25-26.

Having fought back in the second, Kats began to contol their game more in the 3rd with Holly Fillingham and Annie Rowan stepping up to make some nice shots helping them to win the quarter 20-14. However St Mirren aren't known for backing down and captain Jenny Nolan was continuing to put in a good performance, challenging and taking many rebounds throughout the game.

The last quarter let Kool Kats demonstrate their style of play with some well worked, patient offences resulting in free shots, while the good finishing of Caroline Findlay wasn't enough to keep the Saints challenge alive.

Kats are now the only team still unbeaten but with many more encounters ahead before the end of the season, St Mirren won't be too disappointed.

Top Scorers : Rowan Bell (kats) 20, Annie Rowan (kats) 16, Becca Allison (kats) 14, Michelle Bisset (st mirren) 14

Friday 22nd Sep 2006
Falkirk Fury v City Of Edinburgh Kool Kats Junior Women
Mariner Centre

In their second game of the season, City of Edinburgh Kool Kats Junior Woman went to the Mariner Centre in a more anxious manner than the previous week, with only 9 players available. A tough game was expected as the nucleus of Falkirks cadette cup winning team from 05/06, formed this years junior outfit. However Kats came out blazing in the first against a Fury zone defence that could not cope with the fast ball movement and strong inside threat that Kats posed. Early Fury turnovers were also key in putting the visitors 28 - 7 up after the opening quarter.

Kool Kats kept up the pressure in the second quarter scoring a further 19 points with some strong drives that earned Annie Rowan and Holly Fillingham 3 point plays, while Mairi Buchan hit form for Falkirk with 11 of their 13 points in the period, leaving the score 20 - 47 at the half.

The 3rd quarter was a more scrappy affair with Kats losing their intensity at both ends of the floor and Fury being boosted by good team play and winning the period 12 -8. After some motivation from their coach, Brian Findlay, the visitors came back out in the last with a bit more energy and structure, scoring some nice baskets off of well worked offences. Despite Falkirk's Katie Bisset scoring 6 of her 10 points in the 4th, the impressive 1st quarter display from Edinburgh had been too much to recover from as the home team went down 42 -71 at the final whistle.

Top Scorers - Annie Rowan (kats) 23, Rowan Bell (kats) 17, Mairi Buchan(fury) 23

Saturday 16th Sept 11am
City Of Edinburgh Kool Kats v Glasgow Rens
Portobello High School

Kats began the defence of their Junior Woman National League title with an 88 - 51 victory over Glasgow Rens on the opening day of the season at Portobello. Both teams started frantically with no real control emerging until the end of the first quarter, where Kats lead 23 -12. After a brief spell of zone pressure which was easily broken by Glasgow in the 2nd , Kats changed back to their solid man defence and went in at half time 48 - 33 to the good, thanks to some impressive shooting from Annie Rowan, big rebounding from Rowan Bell and good team work with all players hitting the floor in the first half. The same followed in the 3rd with Kats experience starting to tell as the frustration mounted in the young Glasgow team. However, pulling together in the last with some fast break baskets caught Kats off guard as they finished the 4th with 17 of their 51 points total. Kats by this point were able to give some less experienced players good minutes which could prove vital in the games ahead.

Top Scorers : Annie Rowan (kats) 26, Rowan Bell (kats) 16, Alicia McFadden (rens) 12