Recap The Court

Jacob Smith

The Gaels kick out three is one of those things you almost forget about defensively because you’re so busy trying to win the rebounds, until they make four in a row and you’re wondering what hit you. That’s because it’s almost been kept as a second option/secret weapon that they are very capable of using.

Almost a lull of the defence into thinking the offensive rebounds are being put back up by Chadwick, Bridget Mulholland, Laura Donovan or whoever grabs them, just to find Bella Belvedere or Donovan on the perimeter in the third quarter when you’re least expecting it. The Gaels have many different facets to their offence, and the kick out three may be the one you’re least expecting, but is the most lethal.

The 2022 U SPORTS Final 8 hosted by Queen’s was a showcase of the dangers of their offensive rebound kicked out for a three. Whether it was Donovan, Emma Rticey or Michelle Istead, they always had their weapon to pull out of the back pocket to break the back of teams late in game.

This year, they have those same weapons in Bella Belvedere, Bella Gaudet, Laura Donovan, plus Julia Chadwick still holding down the paint looking for options to go to on the perimeter. The Gaels currently sit fourth in the OUA in three-point percentage at 30.8, and shooting at the highest clip among the top five, that puts defences in a bind trying to figure out what to prioritize.

It’s not just the Gaels efficiency that makes their kick out three such a lethal weapon, it’s the arsenal that it’s being added to which causes headaches. The Gaels are sixth in the league in offensive rebounds, and their leading rebounder, Julia Chadwick, is ninth in the league in offensive rebounds while also averaging 14 points per game at a 44 per cent clip, creating a decision of whether to put more bodies in the paint against Julia, or give up more offensive rebounds but leave open shooters who are hitting at a efficient rate.

It’s the Gaels presence on the glass by efficient and effective scorers that allows the second chance threes to be a stored weapon for the Gaels, and when used late in games, gives the Gaels a back breaker to push out a lead or keep ahead of opponents.