Steel snap losing run
That victory was worth the wait.
Smiles, celebration, relief, the actions of the Steel players and coaching staff said it all as they ended their 21-game losing streak with a thrilling 63-61 extra-time victory over the Stars at ILT Stadium Southland.
It had been 718 days since the side last tasted victory and for the likes of Georgia Heffernan, Ivari Christie, Kate Heffernan and Renee Savai'inaea, that victory was extra sweet.
They were all part of the winless 2023 season and the win at home in front of a raucous Stadium Southland crowd was a relief for captain Kate Heffernan.
“That was awesome. We all ready needed it to show that we could do it. We’ve all got the confidence now. That shows we are here to compete and now we can try and work towards the playoffs.”
There were indications that a win was not far away in encouraging performances against the Mystics and Pulse, before the Steel finally delivered on Saturday.
It was a win that did not come easy with the Steel behind 16-13 at the end of the opening quarter.
The attack and defence lifted in the second quarter and by halftime they were on level terms with the Stars at 29-all. They started the third quarter strongly to move into a three-goal lead and many of the Steel faithful began to believe. However, the lapses that let them down in the opening three games returned and by the time the period ended they were 50-42 down. The
Reinga Bloxham-coached Steel produced the most compelling of comebacks when forcing the game into extra-time, turning the eight-goal deficit at the start of the final quarter into a dramatic 58-all stand-off at the end of regulation time.
That required two periods of three minutes each way of extra time, the jubilant Steel handling the pressure of the situation with more poise than the Stars as they went on to clinch their first win in the ANZ Premiership since May 22, 2022.
“When we stuck to what we were going to we were really good. Again we had the same blip from the last game in the third quarter but the girls showed some great heart to fight back like they did,” Heffernan said.
“To feel like we had control like we did in extra time was pretty exciting because we haven’t had that in a long time. We’ve got a lot to look at and I think we can be so much better, so that’s the exciting part.”
Heffernan said there’s a real sense of belief among the 2024 crew.
“I could feel that out there on court.” “I am really proud of the the girls. We didn’t drop our heads like we have in the past. It has been a feeling where we get behind and then doubt ourselves, despite trying so hard. We focused on our roles. We all just came together as one and connected and that’s really exciting.”
Heffernan said they were thankful to their fans, who keep turning up week after week.
“They were awesome, man we are lucky. They were so loud and the way they have turned up during that massive losing streak that is now done. They still supported us day in, day out and they make a massive difference. We are very grateful for them.”
A player who added a different dynamic was replacement midcourter Christie, who came on in the final quarter for Shannon Saunders.
“So cool to see Ivari watching Shan and learning off the best is just awesome. Her aerials are amazing and she can just carve up anyone when she leaps into the air. She is a fantastic asset.”
The shooting combination of Grace Namana and Georgia Heffernan continue to improve each week and were again outstanding, while the defensive trio of Abby Lawson, Jeante Strydom and Taniesha Fifitawas superb, making it difficult for the Stars shooters.
Next up for the Steel is back-to-back away matches against the Magic and Tactix, before they have two home games against the Mystics in Dunedin on May 26 and Pulse in Invercargill on June 1.