Handsworth Girls' Energy Helps in Win over Kitsilano

Friday, December 9, 2022

Written by Scott Leigh, Handsworth ‘06

Handsworth v. Kitsilano

One thing is for certain, Handsworth’s coach Cam Nelson looks very very good in royal blue. Also noteworthy, Kits’ coach is multi-tasking in unprecedented fashion by both coaching and filming the game at the same time!

Both of these teams have started this game with a defensive focus, and will be looking for these stops on D to turn into fast break opportunities at the other end. Over 3 minutes into this game we are tied nil-nil, as both teams are searching for their offensive groove. The first basket of this game was a Steph Curry like three from real deep, by Kits’ #4 E. Tomasi. Once the floodgates were opened, both teams looked comfortable making the extra pass and finding open players. Tomasi continues to stay redhot from range, after hitting her second 3 ball. The Royals have found their ideal pace of play by aggressively picking up rebounds on the defensive end and quickly breaking out in search of easy fastbreak points. This style of play has given them their first lead of the game up 12-10. At the end of Q1, Handsworth finds themselves up 4.

The Royals bench is bringing the energy, synching up on rhythmic chants no matter what end of the court their team is on. My personal favourite is “take that ball away, take that ball away [clap clap]”. I don’t think anyone is having more fun than Handsworth #10 F. Barta, who knocked down the jumper and made sure the gym knew about it by flexing as she ran back on D! It has been a game of runs, and Kits is going to be looking to put a dent in the Royals lead before we enter the half. Handsworth has increased their lead to 9, with under 5 to go in the quarter. It turns out that fun has a direct correlation with fouls, as Barta got hit with her third foul call in a matter of minutes which forced her to the bench for the remainder of the half. At the end of the half, the Royals are up 24-12. 

Halftime Fact: The 2006 Handsworth boys, led by Quinn Keast, beat Kitsilano in the final of the boys provincials earning them the coveted provincial title with Quinn being recognized as Player of the Game in that final game. 

Kits was working on some halfcourt sets during halftime, and the execution has been more disciplined offensively to start the second half as a result. They are going to have to look for more of that execution, and finish off those offensive sets with some made buckets to get back into this game. Although the lead is in double digits, there is a lot of game left to get back into it and create the exciting finish this Friday night crowd is looking for. The Royals and Blue Demons exchanged buckets for the majority of the third quarter, with neither team changing the spread by more than a few points. No bucket was more exciting than the behind the back pass from #22 N. Jauregui to Tomasi who knocked down the buzzer beater 3 to get her team within striking distance. At the end of the third quarter, the Royals are up 9. 

Kits is going to look to build off the momentum of the buzzer beater, and slowly pick away at this lead the Royals have built up. Kits’ Jauregui and Tomasi seem to be on the same page, as they both hit back-to-back threes and quickly reduced the lead to 3! The Royals are looking to maintain their composure and regain their form, and have done so through solid offensive sets leading to good looks around the hoop. # 11 for Handsworth, A. Delgado, wanted to provide a little flair of her own, and she did so by dipping, dodging and diving her way to the basket in style. Delgado continued her strong play with multiple buckets in a row, seemingly not interested in Kits gaining any further confidence and staying within reach. In the end, the Royals were able to take the energy from their homecourt crowd and turn that into a great W!

Final Score: Handsworth 41 - Kits 31.

No Regrets.