NRG Warning Belles 125, Paper Valley 118 — With the score 122-99 for visiting Naptown B-team the Warning Belles and just about two minutes left on the clock, it seemed like the Warning Belles had victory in hand. But Paper Valley’s Chop StikYa scored a 12-3 power jam and called the jam just moments before the period clock expired to pull Paper Valley within striking distance.
After a lengthy zebra huddle, the evening’s final jam rolled off the line with .3 seconds on the clock and Naptown holding a 125-111 lead. Paper Valley’s Grin’ Reaper broke the pack first, but to the chagrin of the home faithful, without lead jammer status. Paper Valley’s blockers steadfastly contained Naptown’s Willa Hoeflinch as Grin’ Reaper scored one grand slam and entered the pack for her second pass looking for more. Moments later, Willa Hoeflinch slipped past the Paper Valley wall, earning lead in the process and sealing the 125-118 win for the Warning Belles with a touch of the hips.
Paper Valley had been up for most of the first half, but a 10-0 power jam for Naptown’s Jane Ire in the final jam of the first period trimmed Paper Valley’s half-time lead to 55-36. It was a sign of things to come. Naptown charged to the lead on the strength of several well executed 2nd period power jams. Paper Valley’s attempts to regain lost momentum were continuously thwarted by untimely and frequent trips to the box by their jammers.
Leading scorers for the Warning Belles were Willa Hoeflinch with 45 and a +26 differential. Jane Ire added 39 and Maiden America 26 points. Grin’ Reaper led Paper Valley’s scoring attack with 54 points and a +35 differential. Chop StikYa was Paper Valley’s workhorse, adding 53 for Paper Valley on 17 attempts.
Paper Valley’s next action is in Chicago versus the Chicago Outfit on 4/24. Naptown’s next action is 4/17 when they host the Ohio Rollergirls in an A/B doubleheader. — Todd A. Lathrop