The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ALTHOUGH they are a lot younger this year, new coach Devon Johnson said there’s no excuse for his Career Builders Lady Cheetahs not to be playing better than they are right now.

In just their second game of the season, the Lady Cheetahs prevailed with a 61-55 victory over the first year Englerston Lady Elites in the battle of the winless as the first week of the New Providence Women’s Basketball Association came to a close at the DW Davis Gymnasium on Saturday night.

In the feature contest in the showdown of the top two undefeated teams, the Bommer G Lady Operators handed the defending champions Johnson Lady Truckers a 77-66 defeat.

Lady Cheetahs 61,

Lady Elites 55

With not so much size to rely on in the inside, Tanae Bowleg, one of their small guards, helped to carry the offensive load from the outside. She ignited their spark with 19 points, shooting 6-for-17 from the field, 0-for-4 from behind the three-point range and 7-for-12 from the free throw line in 38 minutes and 13 seconds. Latova Silver was her battery mate with 10 points. Christine Sinclair and Shadell Williams both had nine points with seven and four rebounds respectively and Annie Moultrie added six points, four rebounds and four steals.

The Lady Cheetahs broke away from an 11-11 tie as Marshanique Jones got an offensive rebound and a putback for a 13-11 lead and they held a 15-13 margin at the first break.

Despite struggling on the boards without a presence in the middle, Career Building stayed on top to start the second quarter. Once Moultrie arrived, she made a big difference as the Lady Cheetahs slowly pulled away to hold a 30-25 margin at the halfway break.

The second half was a duplication of the first half as the Lady Cheetahs stayed ahead, posting a 48-38 lead at the end of the third. The fourth turned out to be a battle of the fittest and the older Elites didn’t seem to have enough firepower to make a comeback.

“It’s a brand new team. We have added a lot of young girls because a lot of the veterans are no longer playing,” Johnson said. “We’re making the adjustments and trying to come out prepared to play hard every night. It’s going to be a bit rough, tough season, but we will try our best.”

Once they can develop some chemistry in their line-up, Johnson said they will be okay.

We looked pretty good on defence, but if we can get one or two more big girls to help Annie in the backcourt to get some rebounds, we will be a lot better. But the young girls are doing their best shooting on top offensively.”

Although they had the size advantage, the Lady Elites lacked the snap, crackle, pop in the backcourt. They held a 41-23 advantage in rebounding, but they doubled up the Lady Cheetahs 24-12 in turnovers in what proved to be one of the key differences in the outcome.

Lakeisha Rolle scored 14 points with 13 rebounds as she played the entire game. Tazia Rivers had 11 points and five rebounds, Kristinique Moss had seven points and six rebounds, Ijana Rolle had six points, nine rebounds and four assists, Nikira Rolle had six points and Kelliann Kelly and Latesha Charlton both had five points.

Mchael ‘Scooter’ Reid, coach of the Lady Elites, said although it was their second loss in as many outings, he’s confident that they will get better as the season progresses.

“They’re not well. They have the talent, they have put in the work, but we still have a lot of things to improve on,” Reid said. “I love the way we played tonight. I think it was a good sign that we are going to get it together.”

Operators 77,

Lady Truckers 66

In a shootout contest between two of the top stars, Felicia Kelly continues to make her presence felt for her new team as she pumped in a game high 30 points with seven rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Kelly, who played for 35 minutes and 47 seconds, was 10-for-17 from the field and a perfect 10-for-10 from the foul line, but 0-for-2 from behind the three-point arch. She also had six turnovers with two personal fouls on her ledger.

What Kelly didn’t do, Bommer G got from Alberta Russell who had 18 points, eight rebounds and two block shots, while Ruthann Simms came off the bench and contributed 16 points and 14 rebounds.

In a losing effort, Shantell Rolle played the entire 40 minutes and produced a 29-point effort with six rebounds and two blocks. She was 8-for-20 from the field, 4-for-8 from the three-point line and 9-for-14 from the free throw line.

Latoya Rolle had 16 points, a game high 20 rebounds, five assists and three steals and Glenda Gilcud came off the bench and chipped in with 11 points and three assists.

Bommer G led the start of the game, opening an early 10-8 margin at the end of the first quarter. But when they stopped at the half, Johnson’s had taken a slim 30-28 advantage. However, the Lady Operators outscored the Lady Truckers 22-19 in the third and 28-17 in the fourth to preserve the win.

Both teams were even at 42-42 in rebounds, but the Lady Truckers had a 15-14 advantage in the turnover category. The Lady Operators were 30-for-73 from the field for a 41 percentage, compared to 21-for-74 for 28 per cent for the Lady Truckers.

Johnson’s, however, had the edge 33-11% from the three-point line and 71-67% from the charity stripe over Bommer G.