EBT vs ViVe – title credentials?

Which team steps up!

Saturday evening in Espoonlahti (yes, I know I go here too much!) and EBT and ViVe were battling for honours in the Top 4 clash – and probably already looking ahead to playoffs.

ViVe have been on a ten game winning streak, EBT have been playing well and just beaten last seasons Champions (PeKa) – so, who will come out on top!

Not what I expected

Now, I expected EBT to be doing more of the running, getting more fast break points, more points from turnovers (both stats they lost in this game). I also expected EBT to be stronger in three pointers, but that also let them down on the night (making only 18% of their shots).

For ViVe – they do have probably the strongest (at the moment) starting 5 in the league. To have any chance of winning against them – you GOT to keep them in check. Guess in one way, keeping Sara Puckett under 30 points is succeeding in one key area.

Luckily I am not a coach, as the game went on – you could see the EBT rotation wearing ViVe down a little. Then an eye injury to Heta-Maria Thil and injury to Sahara Jones – plus Kert and Jaatinen on four fouls.

Yes, things went against ViVe there – but EBT did not exploit these enough on the night.

As said, I am no coach – and I bet Niko Hellman will come to me at the next game we meet and say something ‘So, how would you have coached the last 15 minutes then…’

I just say things I notice – no way of knowing if they have credibility …

Credit to ViVe

Two players down to injury, two players on four fouls .. and STILL taking a huge win in the game, just hoping the injuries aren’t too serious and both Jones and Thil are fit to play next weekend.

But, a 20 point win, against one of the fastest running teams in the league.. kudos to you!

EBT youngster keep impressing

Nea Inhala, Emili Melnikova, Nicole Ogun ….SOLID GAME!

Ogun and Melnikova have already been key players for a while for EBT, and for their age group National Teams. For me it feels like I’ve been shooting them for ages and then you look them in the National team.. and go like.. ‘You play for the U16’s?? How old were you when I first photographer you for EBT… 11??’

And the new name, Nea Inhala, taking on a BIG role in the team after the injury to Erika Mace .. and she has more than responded to the test. In this game, no fear – and just having self belief and determination ..

Stat Pack

EBT : #7 Emili Melnikova, #4 Nea Inhala, #8 Nicole Ogun and #3 Sanni Tuomisto – all over 10 points. Melnikova the best, with 15 points. Ogun with double-double (10 rebounds)

ViVe : #4 Sara Puckett 28 points/9 rebounds, #1 Jaenae Terry 14 points/19 rebounds/8 assists/4 steals, #10 Silja Viita 10 points/8 rebounds/6 assist/5 steals.

And a big SHOUT OUT to #5 Minttu Isoranta for 100% on the night from the paint!

What next?

EBT play two games in Espoo – away to Tapiolan Honka on Wednesday and at home on Saturday vs Kouvottaret. Team looking to bounce back to winning ways.

ViVe – two games at ‘home’ in Lapua (ViVe’s home gym burned down just before the season) and both games against fellow Top3 teams. First the reigning Champions arrive to Lapua for the mid-week game, and then Tampereen Pyrintö come on Saturday.

After this week, we COULD be a to wiser as to who will take the top spot in the league after regular season.