KESTRELS ADVANCE IN THE NATIONAL CUP WITH VICTORY OVER LOCAL SIDE PORTSMOUTH FORCE
Wow. A frantic, efficient and outright enjoyable performance to fire Portsmouth Force back down the M27 in a 90-41 blowout win. Earleesha Jackson with 19 points off the bench flipped the game on its head.
The Kestrels began the South Coast Derby up against familiar faces upon some players’ returns to the SSC somewhat slowly, but once Ruby Laight’s corner three-pointer found the bottom of the net, the Kestrels’ scoring was underway.
One of those scoring streams came from Charlotte Finn, a three-point shot over the defender in Lili Pajer and the game was 8-3. A local rivalry that came with the added level of physicality that you would expect, but it was hurting the Kestrels during the first quarter as they gave away simple buckets from the free throw line.
Jackson made an instant impact to stop the momentum swing that had begun a pendulum the way of the visitors, two from two at the line and a steal in the Force half led to a layup with tenths of a second left to play. Four points at the end of the first were not enough for Jackson, as she got four more to begin the second and triggered a 12-0 run in favour of the home side.
Laight and Lily Blunt combined for the latter to lace a three and give the Kestrels a 34-18 lead with two minutes in the half… by the time the referee blew for the end of the opening half that lead had shot to 45-23.
The Kestrels had found their rhythm by this point, for every Portsmouth bucket the Kestrels replied with two… or three… or four of their own.
Finn was the standout when it came to outside shooting for the afternoon – scoring five threes (two of which coming at the beginning of the fourth) and scoring 18-points total.
Jackson rejoined the party after an offensive set alongside Sophia Miell in a pick and roll, with the centre finding space under the basket.
Scoring was maintained right until the final minute, rounding out a 90-41 win to set the mark in front of the home support for the first time in the competitive season.
Top Performers:
Earleesha Jackson – 19 points
Charlotte Finn – 18 points (5 threes)
Ruby Laight – 14 points
Next weekend, Kestrels are back at the SSC in a league match against the Reading Rockets. Tickets for that match are available here – https://www.solentkestrels.co.uk/event-details/senior-women-vs-reading-rockets
The Men’s team will come back to SO14 on the 17th of October to play Sussex Storm, tickets available here - Senior Men vs. Sussex Storm - NBL Division 1 Men | Solent Kestrels.
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