Check out the match reports below for last weekend.
U12s
Both Kings and Kats U12 teams played in the RDL games today with experienced players turning out for the first games and then moving up to U14. This gave some of our newer and less experienced players an opportunity to showcase their skills, and they did not disappoint.
It was really pleasing to see players passing, defending, communicating and scoring using all of the skills they had learnt in training and largely without any prompting from the coaches.
The boys won three out of four games showing some real pace and skill from both experienced and less experienced players whilst the girls played themselves to a standstill, running, hustling and defending to the very last, most of the time against much bigger and older opposition. The girls won one, lost two (one of these a narrow defeat to East Lothian which could have gone either way).
Huge thanks to Paul for coaching the girls in their first game and to Matt and Alexander for coaching the boys during a really positive afternoon for the U12s and to all the parents for getting the players there on time and providing much appreciated support during and in between games.
U14s Boys
The start of the RDL league saw the Kings U/14 boys have 3 out of 4 wins today, the B team losing to Blaze A in the last game of the day.
All the players gave it their all and it was great to see 24 players having game time. The new U/12 players were superb and the experience of the older players certainly rubbed off on them.
Well done all players and also the players and coaches from Blaze and Peregrines, who won and lost in great sportsmanship which is a credit to them and their clubs, lets look now to the next rounds to be as good.
U14 Girls
After many months of training the U14 girls finally managed to put some of that into practice. The girls played extremely hard and gave it their all in both games but it seemed that it was not to be, as sadly we walked away with two losses.
It was lovely watching the girls enjoying themselves and being able to gain game experience which they can call upon at our next RDL fixtures.
Our new U12 players all stepped up to the mark and played superbly with our older players leading the way. We still have a lot to work on in training, in preparation to try and take home a win at our next games.
Although we missed out on a win at the weekend the girls came away from the day with their heads held high and I could not be more proud.
Cadette Women National League
Kats v SWL
This was the first outing for this year's Cadettes in a friendly against the new team in the league from West Lothian. Despite this they actually fielded 2 of last year's Scotland u16 squad who were backed up by a group of hardworking and aggressive players determined to make their mark on the league.
The first quarter was fairly evenly matched with both sets of starters creating good openings. However rebounding let us down with the bigger SWL players able to get far too many put backs under the basket and they led 12-22 going into the second period.
All 16 Kats players hit the floor before half time. The constant subbing seemed to disrupt the visitors offence as we went in at half time down by a single point : 27-28.
The third quarter was more of a struggle as we tried out different combinations on the floor. Their defence slowed down our breaks and made life in the key difficult for a number of our post players. End of 3rd 33-47.
We changed up our defence in the last quarter to get more practice and forced a few turnovers however in the end our offence became too static which gave them some easy steals for break away layups and finished the game 40-53 to SWL.
This was a good experience for all of the girls to see the pace of the Cadette game for those who have just moved up from u14 and hopefully they have all learned more about working together as we head into our first National League game this weekend.
Cadet Men National League
Kings v Boroughmuir Blaze
The Kings Cadets just came up short in a fixture with local rivals Boroughmuir Blaze. Unfortunately Kings were missing influential guard Kyle Jiminez who suffered an injury in in the week previous.
After a very close start to the game with both teams trading baskets Blaze managed to edge out into a lead in the 2nd quarter. Blaze further extended this lead after half time to put them in front by 20 points.
Kings however did well to fight back and managed to get the score back to 8 but in the end Blaze ran out 12 point victors - final score 64-52 to Blaze.
Kings played well for long spells although a slight lapse in concentration to start the 3rd quarter cost them dearly. Plenty of positives though to take away from the game and the return fixture at Portobello will be an exciting contest.
Main Scorers: K Kantorski 24, D Haquin 12, J Campbell 10
Senior Men National League
Kings v Boroughmuir Blaze
A once in a life time (hopefully) shooting game for John Browne of Boroughmuir (29 points) and a poor 2nd quarter provided Kings SM with theit first and hopefully only loss of the season.
In the 1st quarter both teams played a high tempo game that did not make for great spectacle with Kings edging ahead 17–14.
Unfortunately for Kings the 2nd quarter brough a lack of offensive rhythm, poor shooting and turn overs that saw Boroughmuir take a 7pt half time lead 33–26.
In the 3rd quarter we fought back to bring the game back to 1pt (39–40) early in the quarter, and even though Audrius hit 9 of his 16 points, a late flurry from Boroughmuir saw them pull away to a 10pt lead 55-45.
Tha final quarter was much the same as the third with Kings unable to pull the game back. Final score 77-63 to Blaze.
Main Scorers: Matt Kruczynski 20, Craig Reilly 17, Audrius Ciapas 16
