It seems we’ve forgotten our roots at Nottingham Sport, in truth we’re struggling for journalists as nobody wants to work for free… And that’s why some of our local sides, unfortunately like Nottingham Wildcats, have been ‘pushed to the side’ when it comes to coverage. As Editor, I feel for those ‘full time’ media outlets who want to cover everything but can’t… We will always try our best to do what we can, but it’s a tricky task when you haven’t got the numbers.
This isn’t an excuse… But is our excuse, we hope you understand, and for that, we are sorry. We will improve.
Like us, Nottingham Wildcats are hoping to improve on their fortunes of late. The WBBL side are currently tenth in an eleven-team division with one win from eight going into the winter break but that win came in their last match, at the weekend, on Sunday, in Manchester, as a team with no wins in seven previously, finally got some season points on the board.
Karen Buxton’s girls got a much needed ‘W’ against Manchester Giants who were previously 3-4 and sitting in the middle of the division, the Wildcats up from the start with a first quarter lead of five before stretching that at half time to sixteen as the away side led 53-37.
Nottingham saw the game through emphatically to take an 86-72 win and register a much-needed morale boosting victory ahead of the winter and festive break.
Star of the show, 17 year old Valerie De Falco netted 28 points with 3 rebounds and 5 assists whilst club captain Mari Stewart hooped 20 points with 13 rebounds 6 steals and 2 assists.
The impressive Stewart earning a place in the WBBL team of the week after another fine performance, she has averaged over 16.5 points per game this season and tops the Wildcats rebound average with over 9.3 total and 6.5 defensive per match.
Special mention to Jessica Wayne who netted 16 points against the Giants, she tops the teams efforts for average steals this season (2.5) with 45 field goals made which is just three less than leading scorer Stewart who has 48.
Nottingham are back in action on January 6th at Newcastle Giants in the Betty Codona Trophy and return to league proceedings on Feb 3rd at the Wildcats Arena when they host Cardiff Met Archers who are bottom of the league.
Going into 2024… It seems there’s some optimism back at Nottingham’s best, brightest and most brilliant women’s basketball team.
*Article provided by Daniel Peacock (Editor).
*Main image @NottmWildcats Mari Stewart in action for Nottingham at Manchester.
