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And Then There Was Limor...
Safsal
,04/15/2007 |
Our guest commentator for the Finals, Tal Natan, analyzes game 2 and lists keys for game 3.
We said the series was over. We started summing up the season. Ramla was very close to another title. We searched for the suspense, drama and excitement. Deep down we knew four years with no title for Anda Ramat Hasharon is way too much. The women's league was an inch away from wrapping things up, and then there was Limor...
Limor Mizrachi in a wonderful performance led Ramat Hasharon to a justified 1-1 tie in the series. We always told the young players about Limor Mizrachi. We spoke about a great and unique player. A player that aside from her talent, is blessed with commendable work ethic. A player that for her hard work is a way of life; while some young players waste the off season, Limor goes through grueling work outs and always comes in ready for the season. It was a big game for Mizrachi who left us waiting for more from this series.
Ramat Hasharon dominated the game from the start. Aggressiveness and toughness for most of the game. Ramat Hasharon switched from man to man to zone combined with a 1:3:1 and forced a lot of Ramla turnovers, which helped them get on the break. Limor led the way but a lot of credit goes to the coaches and the other players as well. Ramla proved that when the team is clicking, defending and running, the series is entirely up to them. In the 2nd half Ramla's strong defense erased a double digit lead (16) and tied the score at 66 with 5 minutes left, but the night belonged to Ramat Hasharon who got the win and rightfully so.
Keys for Game 3
Ramla:
1. The Israelis
Currie, Pierson and Thomas will get their points. The big question is what will Gourevitch, Selwyn and Noy contribute. Ramla needs the Israeli not only for points, they have to be part of the team. Their importance defensively is also significant.
2. First loss after 5 wins
Ramla's coming into a game against Ramat Hasharon after a loss for the first time. The mental aspect of the game will have a key role. Plenette Pierson and Monique Currie must be calm (because basketball they know). Eli Rabi will have to keep the pressure off his players or it could become a problem.
3. Personal fouls
Ramla needs its starting 5 on the floor in the closing minutes. Ramla drops a level when the bench comes in. The rotation has to make sure that Ramla gets to the final minutes with the strongest lineup on the court.
Anda Ramat Hasharon
1. Stability
Through out the series Ramat Hasharon had big ups and downs during the game. In order to win in Ramla, Ramat Hasharon needs 32-35 good minutes with no slip ups defensively or offensively. If they can play consistently good for long enough stretches, Ramat Hasharon might surprise and steal a win in Ramla.
2. Mabika
Mwadi Mabika is one of the best foreigners to ever play in Israel. Mabika of the last few months is a lot better than the Mabika of the start of the season but to win in Ramla Mabika needs to go off and show the kind of form she showed a few years ago. A mediocre game from Mabika won't be enough for Ramat Hasharon to go up 2-1.
3. Easy baskets
I divide this subject to two parts:
I. Don't let Ramla's exceptional running game get easy baskets (something we've talked about all series).
II. Try to get easy baskets. For that Ramat Hasharon needs defensive rebounds and a quick outlet by Mizrachi or Liron Cohen to Mabika in the open court.
In conclusion,
The cliché says that the winner of game 3 in a tied series makes a big step towards the title. I remember how Ramat Hasharon won game 5 in Ramla (in the first season I coached in Ramla) despite losing game 3. Ramla doesn't want to go to 5 games. The first step is winning at home. My prediction: Ramla will get back on the winning track after a great battle.
Tal Natan
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