... against a slightly more experienced Garstang Giants team on Saturday 10th July. The friendly fixture was arranged just 7 weeks in to the girls basketball programme and for all of the girls was their first taste of competitive basketball, albeit played in a very friendly spirit.

Preston brought 8 girls to the match with Mia, Lucy, Heidi, Alice (front row), Rebecca, Mya, Chloe & Phoebe (back row) all kitting up and Head Coach Darcey and Assistant Coach Danny supporting the girls from the sideline. Coach Matt from Garstang had a team of 7 girls who all made the visitors feel very welcome.

The game started with Preston taking the lead after a slick set of passing gave Phoebe the opportunity under the basket which she confidently converted! After the initial shock Garstang took no time in getting on the scoresheet and took control of the first quarter with their number 7 particularly impressive going coast to coast twice to open up an early lead.

The PBC girls shook off the early nerves and with Coach Darcey rotating so that everyone got on court, everyone settled down really well. Rebecca and Chloe worked hard defensively to bring down the rebounds and Mia brought the ball up the floor convincingly. Garstang had a very good run around the basket though to stretch their lead with some expert finishing and good team passing. Lucy got the Preston scoreboard going again, adding valuable points from the free throw line.

At the half PBC were behind but had produced a fantastic first half of basketball they had ever played with the coaching team delighted.

The second half saw even greater improvement from the Preston girls with the team getting back to defend earlier and being much harder to score against. Mya used her height really well standing up to her opponents and slowing down attacks and Phoebe attacked the ball with her ferocious competitive edge. The passing was improving too with Rebecca showing her strength and accuracy and Mya throwing a number of javelin passes hitting their target.

Heidi used her pace and agility to get onto some attacking passes and she worked tirelessly up and down the floor for the team, alongside Alice who showed great enthusiasm and energy to create a number of steals & interceptions. Lucy again was impressive on the offensive end getting the scoreboard moving again and Phoebe worked hard to create space against a good set of defenders.

At the final whistle, although the result wasn't favourable, the girls had performed excellently well in such a short space of time together. Everyone showed individual and teamwork improvement in the 40 minutes of the game itself and conducted themselves immaculately. Garstang Giants played their part in the game too, conducting themslevs in a repectfull manner with some talented girls in their team showing some great skill and touch around the basket. All that's left to say is well done girls, a superb first match and here's to many more in the future of the PBC Girls.