York’s amazing Women’s 1s Basketball team, yet again, was almost able to reach for the win during their thrilling game when Lancaster came and conquered. Crowds have never been so stirred.
Having watched York and Lancaster’s great women’s basketball team during Roses, it is clear that a great future success is on its way. York’s team roared into this game with heads held high, playing at a great standard of Basketball. This game shows a great improvement from last year, as York lost 54-60 to Lancaster; however, this year, York lost by just two points. This game had the whole crowd and bench on the edge of their seats just waiting to see who would win this year’s game, as the score throughout the game was extremely close.
During the game, York ended the first quarter losing 11-2 to the skilled Lancaster team. However, by the end of the third quarter, York was catching up at 33-31 to Lancaster, making tensions high as they even started winning within the last quarter at 35-41. With both Lancaster and York scrambling for the win, Lancaster took the Victory.
Significant show-stopping York players include Co-Captains Jemima Kent and Leanna Lau, scoring great 3 pointers and free throws, as well as reaching for rebounds. In addition, Nora Belkhiter with her spectacular ‘ankle breaking’ as she sends the Lancaster team to the floor with her dribbling multiple times. Other York players, including Joelle Zabaneh, Valentina Weinstein, Isobel Rondeau, Emilia Janus, Mila Tosic, Diya Donbekbayeva and Fiyin Aworinde, also showed a great impact on this game’s result with great communication, defense and offence. This team played dramatically well alongside the Lancaster women’s team as they both created a stimulating atmosphere for their supporters.
Lancaster’s captains also played excellently, as they even riled up the crowd, using them to motivate their team.
Coach Azaan for the York Women’s basketball team expressed his gratitude for the team “making it the best season as a coach yet ever”. This, on its own, shows how even a loss for York has its wins for this close-knit team.
York’s Co-Captain Kent also said that she is “Beyond proud to have that as my final game for the university”
An exhilarating game for all Roses enthusiasts as the Lancaster crowd brought horns, megaphones and even rattle clackers to support the Lancaster team as well as distract the York team during timeouts and shots. It was noticed that the hall was filled with more Lancaster supporters than York supporters, with the York side of the hall taken up mostly by red. Although York’s men’s basketball teams, of course, made a significant impact on the noise for the crowd shouting ‘airball’ and ‘brick’ at the Lancaster women’s team as they took their shots.
Overall, to have a full hall with so many people to come to support the two Women’s teams was amazing to see, as it created an intense atmosphere for the game. Women’s basketball is a highly skilled and competitive sport that hasn’t always received the recognition it deserves, but Roses helps give it the value it deserves. Therefore, has women’s basketball turned into a gem of Roses?
Despite York’s loss in this game, the way they quickly caught up and matched Lancaster’s high level of play raises the question: could next year be their year?