Arrows girls tame the Outlaws with debut win

Arrows U13’s 39 Outlaws 12

The Arrows girls put on a stunning performance against the Ilkeston Outlaws to run out winners by 39 – 12 in their first competitive fixture. This new venture for the Arrows is part of the Sport England Small Grant initiative and is already bearing fruit as the team of U13 girls took to the court in style.

The Arrows girls although at the moment very inexperienced in match conditions proved the much more athletic team against the Outlaws constantly out manoeuvring their older but slower opponents. The Arrows with Sophie Hopkinson and Megan Kelly prominent in the early action quickly built up a   12 – 0 advantage with aggressive defence leading to some opportunities in attack.

Geihan Abdulla one of three U11’s in the Arrows line up bemused the Outlaws with some clever ball – handling and scores while Steffani Oliver - Smith appeared to be everywhere on the court.

The Arrows proved relentless as Hannah Javed and Rayhana Otmani two further examples of the Arrows U11’s made an impact in the game. The Arrows reached the interval ahead by 20 – 9.

After the interval the Arrows began to put there more athletic quick passing game together as Geihan Abdulla quickly added a treble of lay ups in the third quarter which the Arrows finished leading 34 – 11, while in the final quarter there was a basket for Brit Isherwood, after good play from Sophie Lee.

The Arrows athleticism will be a problem for all their opponents they face and their unit skills are improving quickly. The girls are targeting an impact in the new season having secured this debut win by 39 – 12.

Arrows top scorers; Sophie Hopkinson 17, Steffani Oliver – Smith 10, Geihan Abdulla 10, Rayhana Otmani 2, Brit Isherwood 2, Megan Kelly, Sophie Lee & Hannah Javed