Rochester takes down Combined Clubs

THE visiting University of Rochester Women’s Basketball team made light work of the Barbados Women’s Combined Clubs team at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex on Monday night, defeating the local girls 72-46.

Led by Alexis Sestric with 14 points, the Rochester Women’s Basketball team cruised to an easy 26-point victory. The team from New York are on a seven-day winter break and took on the Combined Clubs squad in the first of two friendly basketball games before they head home to compete in the University Athletic Association Conference.

The first quarter ended with Rochester leading 21-11. Veteran national player Toni Atherley put up a good fight in the game, scoring a game-high 21 points. Atherley started the matchup by scoring the first 7 points for Barbados and continued to be the primary offensive threat until fatigue set in.

Rochester never looked back however and worked on their passing and plays throughout the game. Sestric made the poor rotating Barbados defence pay on the wing, hitting open looks from beyond the arc. The touring ladies also had the advantage of fitness as they prepare for the upcoming tournament at home.

At half-time, the scoreline was 31-21 as Barbados was able to hold the visitors to 10 points in the second. Jennifer Joseph-Hackett and Tatyanna Walrond came up with a couple good blocks to help defend the paint. The dam broke in the second half unfortunately and Rochester blew the girls off the court. Lauren Foley with 11 and Hannah Lindemuth with 10 points were the other contributors for Rochester, while Tower Lorde was the next top player for Barbados with 12.

Fast breaks played a significant role for the travelling side as they worked the court to score in transition. Speaking to the media after the game, Head Coach of the Rochester team, Jim Scheible, said he was happy to be back.

“In terms of the game, we know we played some young players and also a couple of veterans we know they are very good. Toni (Atherley) is very good. I was here eight years ago with the team and we played against her and she lit us up pretty good then too. Overall, we know they are out of season and they are helping us out by playing us at this time. We are in shape, we are in the middle of our season, so overall it kind of went as I thought it would.”

Scheible was pleased with the performance of his team and believed that the visit was good for the players.

“Overall it was good for us. We wanted to come, we wanted to enjoy Barbados. We love the island, we love the people and to get a chance to play against the team made it really special for us.”

The visiting ladies of the 22-member contingent are on winter break and there is usually no basketball during the three-week break between semesters, so the chance to play full court games will be an asset to the team as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Finally, Coach Scheible was asked about his thoughts on the talent level of our local lady ballers.

“I think you can really see the athleticism around the glass, rebounding and such and you have some really talented kids off the dribble and we had a hard time staying in front of them. Our advantage is fitness and being up and to just get up and down the floor. Overall, I think you have a lot of talented kids here and it looks like they just need to keep playing. You have a lot of potential talent there.” (AS)