No comeback story for young Sunshine Girls
Published:Thursday | January 23, 2025 | 12:14 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
SOUTH AFRICA’S SPAR Baby Proteas took an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-match series against Jamaica’s under-21 Sunshine Girls with their 49-32 victory yesterday at the National Indoor Sports Centre.
South Africa completed a pillar-to-post victory, using speed and decisive passes to split the Sunshine Girls’ defenders, ending the first quarter with a 16-8 lead.
The Sunshine Girls were hampered early by unforced errors and shooting woes. While the Jamaicans struggled, their opponents kept their feet on the gas pedal in search of the series victory, reaching the halfway mark leading 25-16.
The second half produced much of the same, with the SPAR Baby Proteas ending the third quarter with a 38-23 lead.
They would coast to their second victory in as many games, the first a 61-31 hammering.
South Africa were led by the impressive Gada Prinsloo, who shot 31 goals from 33 attempts.
Prinsloo’s efforts were aided by Mbali Diphoko, who scored 11 goals from 12 attempts, Thato Legodi, who had six from nine, and Lisa Ingwesen, who impacted the game once from her three attempts.
Precious Mthembu, head coach of the team, stated that adaptation was the key ingredient to their victory on the night.
“We definitely adapted to the Jamaican style. The speed of the ball getting down the court is something we did very well. Last time we were a little slack but this time we adapted quickly to the situation,” she said.
Jamaica responded to Prinsloo’s brilliance with the efforts of Nikiesha Powell, who had 21 goals from 31 attempts, while Kellyann Hunter scored six from nine. Leneice Williams dropped four of her five attempts, while Jada Ricketts scored one of her two.
Annett Daley, head coach of the Sunshine Girls, explained that despite the defeat, she saw good changes from the opening match.
“We are seeing improvements, and that is all that we’re asking. We want them to understand that we aren’t asking for perfection, especially at this stage. It’s about learning at every step of the way, and we saw that on court,” said Daley.
Game three of the ongoing series will be played at the same venue on Saturday with match time set for 3:00 p.m., while the seniors play their last fixture at 6:00.