Racers seek improvement against Sharpes

St Catherine Racers will be looking to work all facets of their game as they chase their first win in Netball Jamaica's Berger Elite League this season in a match against St James Sharpes at the Leila Robinson Courts this evening at 6:45.

The game will be preceded by a clash between defending champions Kingston Hummingbirds and Clarendon Gaters, which is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. Three games were actually scheduled, but the Manchester Spurs vs St Ann Orchids encounter has been postponed. Those teams have experienced a win, something that has eluded St Catherine Racers. They came close on Wednesday night, tying a very exciting game 39-39 with St Ann Orchids.

This time, they are hoping for a better result, and their captain, the experienced Nardia Hanson, while noting the competitive mix of players on each team, believes that her Racers team has a good chance.

All teams good

"This is pro league. All teams are good. We've a pretty good chance, we just have to come out and dominate. As the whistle (blows), we have to just get going, stretch the lead as far as we can. At the end of the day, each team is going to come hard. So, we just need to stay focused from the first whistle until the end," said Hanson.

Amid regrets of not winning Wednesday, the skipper shared that more than half her team had been involved in the Intercol senior netball final earlier that afternoon and would have been jaded.

Still, she gave them credit for their performance and noted the team's gradual improvement after marginally losing its second match to draw on Wednesday.

"We're moving along the right lines," said Hanson. "As a team we just need to go to the drawing board and put everything together."

Part of that gelling means getting the ball to the shooter.

"Be patient with the ball. We were trying to force the ball too much on the shooter," Hanson analysed. "Whenever we win the ball, we kept pushing it too hard. We're playing the opponent's game instead of slowing it down and just keeping our composure, and ensuring that our shooter gets the ball."

The St Catherine Racers' main shooter, Tracy Ann Barnes, has been finishing at a high percentage and will again carry most of her team's burden, along with Hanson, the goal attack, and Zonasha Hinds.

Racers' task will not be easy as St James Sharpes are expected to play with more determination after suffering a three-point defeat against St Ann Orchids last Saturday and looking to rebound.

Sharpes won their opening match and will be looking to goal shooter Shedeiky Hamilton-Barnes and Kestina Sturridge to continue leading their charge while seeking balance through mid-court and defending their goal through Sasha Dixon and Kera Christie.