Bradford Dragons Women’s Basketball team opened their 2011/12 season in the Leeds & District Basketball League on Thursday 13th October with a 59 – 38 victory over Deighton Diamonds at Bradford College Sports Hall.

Diamonds opened up the scoring taking an initial 2 – 4 lead but as the Dragons stepped up their intensity they managed to close out the first quarter taking a 9 – 8 lead.  Led by Louise Hunte, Rhianna Mae Laing and Sammy Drake the Dragons came out much stronger in the second quarter pressuring the Diamonds into mistakes resulting in creating a double figure lead and finishing the half 30 – 15.  Diamonds came out fighting in the second half never giving up but as Dragons continued to capitalise on the Diamonds’ missed shots and slow defensive transition, Dragons picked up a much deserved first win.  

Points = Louise Hunte (14), Rhianna Mae Laing (14), Sammy Drake (14), Natalia Laing (5), Laura Moloney (4), Katie Vaines (4), Anna Sipitanou (2), Rachel Tunnacliffe (2), Claire Doherty, Esther Joyce, Keem Taylor-Hirst & Marta Wrzalik-Ciesla.

Mark Gunn, Bradford Dragons Women’s Basketball Head Coach, said:

“Diamonds are always a tough team to play against and I respect their style of play being very aggressive towards the ball on defence continually trying to intercept passes as well as playing an excellent passing game offensively.  We [Dragons] performed well enough to control the game but with the players being new to the program and just getting to know each other our execution and finishing could have been much better.”  

In reflecting on Bradford Dragons Women’s Basketball team, Coach Gunn also commented, “After an active summer developing the female game in Bradford and taking a professional approach towards building a new program we managed to attract several West Yorkshire based players to the club including one of Bradford’s future Great Britain basketball stars, 14 year old Rhianna Mae Laing (City of Sheffield Hatters Junior National League player and recently named in the England U16 Women initial squad for the 2012 international season).  On top of this we were lucky enough to have several experienced European players land on our doorstep wanting to play for Dragons and they have all really complimented the squad with their desire to compete adding much needed strength in depth for the long season ahead.”

Bradford Dragons Women’s Basketball next game is on Saturday 22nd October away to Manchester Slam Dunkin Divas in the England Basketball Women’s National Founders Cup.