(GIRLS) Handsworth Royals defeat North Shore rivals Carson Graham

December 7, 2019

Handsworth Royals v. Carson Graham

Written by Scott Leigh, Handsworth Grad ‘06

This game may not be overly significant in terms of placing in the No Regrets Basketball Tournament, but from an unbiased Handsworth alumni - this looks like a December Buchanan Bowl if you ask me.

The horn sounds, and we are set for tip-off. The Royals are looking to apply some early pressure with the full court press - looks like the Eagles will be testing Coach Nelson’s full court press break to start this game. Carson has suffered from some early season injuries that has altered the lineup, but it has also opened up opportunities for some of the younger players. Jessica Day, #12 for the Eagles, has earned herself a starting position as a grade 10 player. She will be looking to make an impact on this game with her height advantage. The pressure from the Royals is paying off early as they have found themselves up 5-2 in the early parts of the game. No-quit-Carson is not backing down, looking to match the pressure seen early from the Royals. 

Rarely seen, but the basketball has actually got lodged under the bleachers, requiring Coach Nelson to show his strength with a clean deadlift of approximately 200lbs to pull the ball out. The crowd went wild chanting Coach Nelson’s name as he came out with ball in hand! In other integral news, It has been discovered that Day has been playing the majority of the first quarter partially blind, with only one contact in. Let’s see how important that vision is, as we expect her dad to be dropping off a replacement contact at anytime. Rumour has it she has a prescription of -2.25. At the end of first quarter the Royals are up 4. 

Back to back takes off the dribble by Francesca Roccuzzo and Aidan Chubb for the Royals have extended their lead, now up 20-10 after the first few minutes of the second Q. Carson is going to have to figure out how to break this press and turn that into easy buckets in transition, as the turnovers off the press are starting to add up and limiting their offensive opportunities.  Sidenote: confirmed - Jessica now has two contacts in. The girls seem to be enjoying the swag for this years No Regrets Basketball Tournament, with all 10 of the girls on the court rocking the now infamous No Regrets socks. Great design choice for whoever made that decision, with the black and white lightening bolts on the socks. At the end of the half, none other than Elly Raham, #8 for the Royals, ends up with ball in her hands with the halftime buzzer mere seconds away - she is able to get the mid-range jumper off before the horn but it comes out a bit hot and she just barely misses as the halftime buzzer goes off. Valiant effort by Elly and the Royals, the Royals are up 29-16 at the half. 

Halftime Fact: My sister, Kristin Leigh, and Margot Merinsky, both Handsworth Alumni, coached these senior Royals girls in their early career at Handsworth with the assistance of my dad, Digby Leigh, as an assistant coach. 

Halftime Fact: Coach Nelson of the Eagles is a member of the No Regrets Basketball Tournament Organizing Committee, a Platinum Sponsor of the Tournament and a coach of the Eagles Senior Girls Team - busy weekend!

As the second half is set to start, let’s see if Coach Nelson’s halftime speech will be enough to fire his squad up and make a comeback in this game. A set play by the Eagles working the ball into the high-post and kicking it out to Lauren Grey, #4 for Carson,  for the three has the lead momentarily down to 10.  Day’s vision is looking good as she knocks down the first of 2 three throws, all net. The Royals are continuing to apply the pressure and make things difficult for the Eagles. Carson is looking to match the intensity of Handsworth by getting themselves into a full court press. Katie Bunozew, #9 for the Eagles, is making her impact on the offensive end with a nice three, followed up by 3 consecutive makes at the charity stripe after being fouled while shooting from deep.  Each time it looks like Carson may be positioned to make a run, the Royals force a turnover which leads to an easy layup in transition. The Royals have extended their lead to 17 points after three quarters.

The suffocating defence from the Royals may be too much for the Eagles today. A great battle by two North Shore teams on a rainy Saturday afternoon at Carson Graham.  This may not be the gridiron, but the Royals will chalk this up as a W over the Eagles after a convincing victory. 

Final Score - Handsworth 59 : Carson 42.

No Regrets.