report
Another step necessary for victory – the challenge continues to aim for heights
Yamanashi Queen Beads 55-58 Mitsubishi Electric (neutral held)
Score/missed broadcast
After yesterday’s match, Mina Kaminaga said, “I’m used to chasing. However, I can get to the point where I catch up, but I can’t go beyond that. I want to take the lead and advance the game.” . These words clearly express the problem faced by the team: “We want to break away from playing the game by being on the back foot and playing catch-up.”
What drew particular attention was how to fix an offense that lacked attackers. The question is whether the offense can be completed in a way that makes sense in an organized manner and connect that to the next defense. Even more than the success or failure of the shot, the subsequent play determines the outcome. Also, how much can they hold out in situations that can be considered lifelines, such as rebounds and loose balls? Furthermore, the focus of the match was on how to overcome the mistakes made in the decisive moments.
Queenbee’s got off to a strong start, controlling rebounds from the start of the game and leading to fast attacks. At the end of the first quarter, Ikeda’s score gave them a 13-10 lead, and they went into the second quarter with a slight lead of 18-17.
In the second quarter, there was good movement between people and the ball, and they repeatedly attacked the ring with their organized offense. His defense was also solid, and his sense of stability that didn’t allow for quick attacks stood out. The team entered halftime with a 38-34 lead, and for the first time in a long time, the bench was excited. It was a first half in which the entire team came together as one.
In the second half, Mitsubishi Electric increased their defensive strength and gradually began to find a flow. With 5 minutes and 28 seconds left in the third quarter, Yuina Nagai’s three-pointer led them to 44-46, but the Queen Bees committed a series of turnovers and widened the lead to 44-51 before they could find a way to counterattack. The development will be interesting. Head coach Sachiko Ishikawa called for a timeout and tried to rebuild the game, using both Anmor and Nakazawa to attack inside, but she was unable to completely regain the momentum. Still, they held onto hope in the fourth quarter with a four-point lead at 48-52.
In the 4th quarter of the match, Mitsubishi Electric deployed a zone defense to contain Queenbee’s attack. After a difficult period in which they stopped scoring from the beginning, they were able to extend their lead to 48-56 with 6 minutes and 54 seconds remaining. There were many periods where they couldn’t make any shots, and they were held back by rebounds, but they were held scoreless until 2 minutes and 29 seconds left. This seven-minute scoring stoppage had a huge impact on the entire game.
In the final stages, Momoko Inoue and Aika Watanabe scored points, and although they showed tenacity and were close to a one-point difference at 55-56, the game ended at 55-58. The inability to take advantage of Mitsubishi Electric’s zone defense was the deciding factor in this game.
After the game, Momoko Inoue cited “lack of scoring ability in critical moments” and Aika Watanabe cited “ability to respond to zones” as the reason for the loss. Honoka Tsuchida also pointed out the importance of calling out in times of crisis. In this regard, head coach Sachiko Ishikawa and Aika Watanabe both spoke of the necessity, albeit in different words, and it became an issue that the team as a whole needed to improve on.
The Queenbees’ overall record is 4 wins, 8 losses, and their provisional ranking is 5th. The criteria for aiming to advance to the top ranks is becoming increasingly tough. Still, head coach Sachiko Ishikawa said, “Compared to the last match, I feel that the players have definitely improved through the two games yesterday and today.The league game is not over yet.The players also have a strong desire not to give up.” We will convey this information and prepare properly for the next match,” he said, turning his attention to the next match against Alanmare Akita and Niigata.
How will they utilize the issues highlighted in the two-day match in the next match?
In order to achieve the goals set before the opening. Together with the fan boosters who support the team with their warm and passionate passion, the Queenbees aim for even greater heights. The battle isn’t over yet.
Head coach/player talk
We showed our tenacity until the end of today’s match, but there were some moments where we couldn’t decide. In particular, we were not able to respond well to the zone defense and were unable to develop set pieces. Additionally, our inability to convert the opponent’s mistakes into attacks remained an issue.
There were some moments where we were uneasy due to poor flow, but I feel that if we could have calmed down the players in these situations, things might have turned out differently.
However, I feel that our players have definitely improved through the games against Tokyo Haneda and Mitsubishi Electric. Today’s match also showed improvements in many aspects compared to the last time they faced each other. In the end, it didn’t lead to a victory, but we were able to see many plays that gave us confidence heading into the next match.
The league game isn’t over yet. We would like to convey to our players that we will not give up and prepare well for the next match.
Captain Momoko Inoue
I think our defense worked well today. We were able to keep the opponents’ points scoring players to 10 points, and we were able to keep the total score under 60 points, which was an accomplishment for us. However, the scoring stopped in the middle of the third and fourth quarters, and the offensive strength needed to win the match remained an issue.
Additionally, there was a big difference in the number of free throws, with 4 for our team and 18 for our opponent. Our opponent was actively aiming for layups and making sure to take advantage of our chances, but I think we lacked precision as we relied on difficult shots and judgment in many situations. I feel that we need to use the entire court more to develop our offense and make the right decisions.
For the next match, I want everyone to have the mindset of aiming for a score, and I want each of us to remember the strength to attack the ring. We know what our opponent wants to do and where they will score points, so the key is to further increase the strength of our defense and use that to create breaks.
The league match still continues. I want everyone to fight through without giving up.
Honoka Tsuchida
A frustrating match. In particular, against Mitsubishi Electric’s zone defense, I wasn’t able to fully control the team as a guard, and it was difficult for me to form an attack. Additionally, the opponent was skilful in switching from zone to man-to-man, and we were unable to respond to that and were unable to increase our scoring.
In the second half, I felt that the overall atmosphere of the game had subsided a bit. The pressure to win may also be a factor, but I think it’s important to be conscious of positive feedback and a cheerful atmosphere in situations like this.
Aika Watanabe
Personally, I think we were able to play with an attacking mindset, but as a team, we were lax in responding to the opponent’s zone defense. I regret that when the opponent switched to zone, the ball stagnated and the attack became monotonous. I feel that this point greatly influenced the flow of the match.
Additionally, if we continued to make mistakes at critical moments, there were times when the entire team’s rhythm was disrupted. Under these circumstances, I regret that I should have been able to lead the team and make plays that changed the atmosphere early on.
Still, I think we showed a more aggressive attitude compared to yesterday, and the fact that everyone was conscious of aiming for a goal was a positive element. I feel that the key will continue to be how much we can do what we want to do in situations where our opponents are making adjustments.
