Reading Rockets V Worcester Wolves
1:00pm Tip
Saturday 27th February 2021
Women’s National Basketball League
Rockets (2-4) host the Worcester Wolves (5-3) at the John Madejski Academy this Saturday for their clash in the National Basketball League. The game tips off at 1:00pm and will be livestreamed on the Basketball England YouTube channel.
The Rockets are looking to bounce back after their loss to the league leaders Ipswich last time out. The team have been working really hard in training and developing their individual skills as well as perfecting the team’s playbook. The Rockets will be relying on their highly effective on ball defence again this week. They currently averaging 13.5 steals a game, which is 2nd best in the league.
Head coach, Joan Portero Luque, is looking forward to this week’s game against a very good opponent in the Worcester Wolves:
“We have another hard game against Worcester, and we are ambitious, we want to win this game to have our first victory in 2021. The last week, the girls have been working very hard and pushing themselves during the training sessions, and we are proud of the progress they are making.”
“I am expecting a very tough game defensively from both sides. both teams like to press the ball aggressively. We have to be careful on the defensive end and patient on the offensive end to keep the ball safe. We can’t wait to have Worcester in front of us and it’s going to be a good measure to see where we are at right now.”
Worcester also lost in their first game in 2021, falling to a 55-52 defeat to the Thames Valley Cavaliers. They sit 3rd in the WNBL this season and looking to stay in striking distance of the top 2. Worcester is a powerhouse for basketball in the UK which has improved dramatically their women’s programme, so they will be a tough test for our women to overcome.
Rocket’s assistant coach Charlie Haynes spent 3 years at Worcester University studying sports coaching science before joining the Rockets coaching staff at the start of the season. He gave his thoughts about the upcoming game:
“The Worcester Wolves Women have always been a team full of belief, with a roster that offers different challenges for their opposition. We have made sure to prepare well for a team that we most certainly do not underestimate. I feel confident that our girls are ready for this fixture. I am looking forward to competing against old friends and I have no doubt it will be a great contest.”
You can watch the game via the Rockets YouTube channel where you will be joined by Matt Johnson and Todd Lindley on commentary. You can also follow the game on FIBA LiveStats.