Oaklands Wolves Clinch Historic Victory in SLB Cup Women's Final

Oaklands Wolves made history by winning their first piece of silverware in the SLB Cup women's final, defeating Sheffield Hatters with a commanding score of 65-51. The victory, which took place in Nottingham, marks a significant milestone for the St Albans-based team, which was formed in 2009 and joined the British Basketball League (now SLB) in 2016.

MVP Sam Ashby Shines

Sam Ashby was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) after scoring 12 points and leading her team to victory. Ashby, who is also a member of the Great Britain squad, expressed her joy after the game, stating, "I think we deserved that win but to really prove how we can play and be as a team, that felt amazing."

Team Effort Secures the Win

The Wolves started strong, leading 21-11 after the first quarter. Although the Hatters managed to cut the deficit to just six points by halftime, the Wolves pulled away in the third quarter. Despite being outscored 10-7 in the final quarter, the Wolves held on to secure the win.

Shanice Beckford-Norton, the team's guard, highlighted the collective effort, saying, "We are well rounded as a team and really showed that with multiple people getting on the scoreboard - even on the bench everyone was so locked in from the beginning."

Sheffield Hatters' Disappointment

For the Sheffield Hatters, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow. Head coach Vanessa Ellis expressed her disappointment, stating, "I'm really disappointed in how we played. Credit to Oakland, they made it tough for us, but we've got to be able to adjust and adapt."

The Hatters had been hoping to win their first trophy since their 2019 WBBL Cup victory. However, they struggled to find their rhythm throughout the game.

Looking Ahead

The two teams are set to face each other again in the Championship at Oaklands College on 30 March. The Wolves will be looking to build on their historic win, while the Hatters will be eager to bounce back.

This victory not only cements the Wolves' place in the league but also sets the stage for future successes. As Sam Ashby aptly put it, "This week, we just had to revisit who we are. Lee pointed out everyone's strengths and that's all we had to bring. Instead of everyone trying to do everyone, they were just doing what they're best at, which is why we got the win."