Despite a third consecutive defeat for the Women’s British Basketball League newcomers Gloucester City Queens, head coach Jay Marriott believes there were many positives to take out of their last game.
The Queens hosted a Sevenoaks team that are flying with confidence at the top of the WBBL and ended up on the wrong end of a 44-85 loss.
Speaking this week, Marriott was rather upbeat about the performance and once again reiterated that this season is all about growing as a franchise and cementing a place in British basketball’s top division.
“As far as the Sevenoaks game we know that them and London are fighting for the league. Sheffield haven’t played Sevenoaks yet so I think that they’re looking pretty strong but I would say it’s between London and Sevenoaks for the league.
“With us going in without Maura our top scorer, our leading rebounder, our captain, it was always going to be really tough but we needed to show some growth from the game that we had against London where we just kind of gave up and accepted they were the better team.
“Against Sevenoaks we played a really good first quarter and again just frustratingly if you drop your level against a team like that then they’re going to get away from you.”
The former BBL player extended his praise for his team by saying: “I think we did a lot of good things in the last game but it was always going to be one of those games that is a precursor for us going into the more competitive end for us, which is trying to fight for a play-off spot. That’s what I’ve always said whether we come last or whether we come eighth I just want everybody in the league to look at us that we try.
“We’ve tried to be competitive, we’ve tried to put on one of the best shows in the league. We’re trying to show that we are taking professional women’s basketball seriously and that’s what’s important to us.
“I think we grew and have taken some positive steps from the Sevenoaks game going into now a Christmas stretch which is vital for us.”
Maura Fitzpatrick injury update
Marriott also confirmed that captain Maura Fitzpatrick has been ruled out with an ACL injury and will not take part in the rest of the season.
Fitzpatrick acquired the injury making her international debut for the Irish national team. Coach Marriott was understandably devastated when asked about the situation.
“Sadly, we received the news yesterday that she will be out for the season. It chokes me up a little bit because it’s not about lots of people feeling bad for us. I don’t feel bad for us at all, I feel bad for Maura Fitzpatrick because I think she’s come in here and shown an MVP calibre set of games so far. Also, what an incredible moment for her to represent her country, you can see how much pride she had wearing the jersey.
“I just hope the injury doesn’t take away those proud moments for her on the international scene. So sadly, we won’t be seeing her in the WBBL again this season, she is going to need surgery and she has chosen to have that done back home as she’s got somebody who has done a past surgery on her ACL for her other knee and she came back really strong from that.
“It was an emotional conversation yesterday between the two of us. She’s been outstanding for us she’s been our captain. At the time when I made the decision to bring her in we needed a big player and I made the decision to go with the best talent available at that time and I did not make a mistake I brought in one hell of a player. We would love to see her come back as a Gloucester City Queen but if she gets a bigger offer then she fully deserves it, she’s an incredible player.”
With this devastating blow for the team, Gloucester City Queens forward Marlee Ball has been urged to step up by Coach Jay Marriott due to the absent Fitzpatrick.
“This a great challenge for somebody like Marlee Ball,” stated Marriott. “She has been playing outstanding the last couple of games. She’s got to take another step again for us in order for us the be competitive in games so hopefully she embraces that challenge.”
The Nottingham tip-off is scheduled for 18.00 GMT and Marriott says all his focus is now on that game.
Follow the UOG Park Life Sport blog to catch the latest action:
