The Gloucester City Queens make their long-awaited return to play this weekend, as they travel to Loughborough University to face the Leicester Riders.
It’s been over a month since the last time the Queens played a competitive game and this match-up will be a familiar foe for the new WBBL franchise, when they tip-off at 4pm on Sunday.
The Riders and Queens met in September, but it was the veteran franchise that dominated the game, winning by 35 points in a 81-46 victory in the cup matches in Cardiff.
Claire Abbott was the highest points scorer with 19, followed by Marlee Ball with 13 and Maura Fitzpatrick with nine points.
Both teams struggled from behind-the-arc and shot less than 25%, but it was the Queens overall shooting that lost them the game, as they shot 23.2% from the field, 11.9% less than their counterpart.
Despite the loss to the Riders in the cup, the Queens have managed to find success in the WBBL Championship and currently sit 2-2, just two points behind Leicester.
How do they matchup?
When you look at the stats, the first thing that jumps out is the immense scoring from three of the Queens starters but it’s the depth that is lacking at the moment.
The Gloucester-based team have the quick scoring options of Abbott (17.7PPG), Fitzpatrick (17.3PPG) and Ball (17PPG) as the three combine for an average of 52 points.
However, despite this consistent and quick scoring, there’s not much to follow after that compared to the Leicester Riders.
They don’t have the same elite level of scoring but with seven players averaging over seven points per game, compared to the Queens having only four, it’s no wonder why a 35-point victory was seen last time out.
Chelsea Jennings (14.7PPG), Hannah Robb (13.6PPG) and Brooklynn Mcalear (10PPG) are the main offensive threats, with Robb and Mcalear also finding success moving the ball, with 9.2 assists per game combined, and also on the glass, combining for 11 rebounds per game.
Maura Fitzpatrick: One to watch
As prior mentioned, Fitzpatrick is a pure scorer, has proven that many a time this season and will undoubtedly be itching to get going again in Queens colours.
The team captain has had the chance to represent her country in the last couple weeks, after being called up to the Ireland national squad for the EuroBasket qualifiers.
After struggling from the field in her debut against the Netherlands and only scoring four points, a bounce back game was needed and witnessed, as she scored eight points on 66.6% shooting against the Czech Republic.
Fitzpatrick has been a star for the Queens this season and is currently averaging a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Head coach Jay Marriott wary with preparations ahead of game
When questioned by the Queens media team earlier in the week, head coach Jay Marriott expressed his thoughts and needs with the preparation put in so far.
“What we’ve had to be careful with in this break is doing some really good quality work, that was probably the most important thing.
“So, for us two things were on my mind. Get healthy and get fitter.”
He went on to state that “we’ve been through, the good, the bad and the ugly,” regarding the preparations ahead of the game against the Riders.
Where is it and what time?
The game will take place at Loughborough University on Sunday 21 November at 4PM.
Follow the UOG Park Life Sport live blog to catch the latest action here: