Inverness basketball club Highland Bears prove too hot to handle for Kool Kats in Edinburgh
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Highland Bears under-16 girls produced another stunning display to defeat City of Edinburgh Kool Kats 97–44 away at Portobello High School.
Knowing a win against their old adversary would leapfrog them into third place, Bears were determined from the start with Scottish Internationalist Emily Hill soaring above the Kats player to win the tip-off and into Grace Alexander's hands.
The resulting drive would normally have been a forgone basket for the league’s top scorer but Grace was unceremoniously blocked and sent to the free throw-line.
Unable to compose herself in time, both charity shots were missed.
This though only motivated Grace to go on a nine-point scoring run from all areas towards yet another dominating display of 48 points.
With her elder sister, captain Charlotte Alexander (6 points) having another stellar performance demonstrated again how to finish with speed using either hand, along with Emily Hills inside domination and 18 points pushed the Bears to a 23-6 lead at the end of the quarter.
Calm and composed coaching from Anna MacArthur at the break infused further confidence into the squad and with more wizardly dribbling from Emily Seago enabled the Bears to score at ease.
Seago’s repertoire of shots was impressive securing another creditable nine points. More determined defensive work from Ruth Mackay (6 points) and Emily Bell in this period was the cornerstone of keeping the home side to limited scoring opportunities and the Bears finished the half in total control at 47 – 13.
If the home side were hoping for better fortunes in the second half it was initially not forthcoming as Grace Alexander scored the first 11 unanswered points before the Kats, Caoimhe Stupart and leagues second top scorer got into her stride with a further 10 of her 14 points.
Identifying this threat Mackenzie Bell (2 points) was then instrumental with her tenacious defence in keeping Stupart scoreless for the last quarter.
New signing addition to the Bears squad, Elisa Hobson, from Perth Phoenix demonstrated all the flair and talent she has with countless euro step moves to the basket to convert for a solid eight points.
Head Coach Anna Macarthur was delighted with her team’s performance adding: “I am so pleased with the way they have gelled recently and working so hard in defence without giving away silly fouls. I am now looking forward to the rematch this week against Boroughmuir Blaze who we slipped up against in our first game of the season”
A win at home on Saturday at Inverness Royal Academy sports Complex with a 11:20pm tip-off could put Bears into second place in the national league.
