Lapwings fell Valkyries for KO Cup joy

THE final of the Manchester Area Basketball K.O. Cup, between Stockport Lapwings and Valkyries, produced possibly the most exciting women’s game this season.

The Lapwings played a slow, controlled offence in the hands of Karen Silikas, who used all her skill and experience to outwit her opponents.

Eight in a row from Karen Silikas followed by another basket saw Stockport start to move ahead and they had pulled out to 19-11 midway through the first period. At 22-13, their opponents looked in deep trouble.

However, missing five out of six free throws failed to keep the momentum going, and Valkyries seized their chance, taking two off the line and then bombing in two more threes, they moved in to a two-point lead on half time.

The second half began with Stockport trailing and this time it was Valkyries who failed to strengthen their position hitting only two out of six free throws.

Having played catch up throughout the whole of the quarter, Stockport scored two off the line to keep the deficit to only two points.

Scoring first through Niki Fletcher at the start of the final quarter brought the scores level again at 37-37.

After the Valkyries had edged ahead, Karen Silikas brought the scores level once more at 48-48.

A time out took the restart in to the Valkyries half, and now desperate to get the ball they fouled Silikas on the inbound. One of the two shots made put Stockport ahead by the odd point. Good defence denied Valkyries and with Stockport holding the ball inside the last fifteen seconds, Karen Siliikas drew another foul.

This time she sank them both and Stockport looked home and dry on a three point lead and less than ten seconds to play.

But another long three point shot tied it up again.

A tied score meant extra time to decide a winner. Stockport scored first when Lindsay Dawson was fouled on a shot which went in and added the bonus shot off the line. Valkyries levelled and with time running out fast Stockport were blown for a foul – the Valkyries centre stepped up with a chance to put them ahead, and possibly win the game.

Fortunately for Stockport, she missed them both and the extra five ended level at 54 each.

The second period of extra time saw Valkyries scores first but Nikki Fletcher put Stockport two ahead at 58-56.

It was Fletcher again taking two off the line to open a four point lead with twenty seconds left.

Again Valyries replied with another big three point score which brought them back to one point.

Stockport only needed to hold the ball with twelve seconds left to play.

Valkyries needed it and fouled Fletcher again, this time she missed them both, but reacted so quickly she took her own rebound , and passed it back to Silikas, who was also fouled, but sank both her shots to give a three point buffer, with the clock showing only five seconds to play.

It was just time for Valkyries to get the ball up court, but when they needed it most their big three pointer missed, and Stockport clinched the Knock Out Cup 62-59.