Road to Manchester: RDF Eagles U16s vs Kent Crusaders
Updated: Oct 20, 2025
The atmosphere at Sydney Russell is energetic as the two teams, RDF Eagles and Kent Crusaders, prepare for a cup game to determine who’s going to get a step closer to the sure-shot cup finals in Manchester. The two teams have arrived early and are straight into their warm-ups, ready for a 5 p.m. tip-off. From watching them warm up, I already have a good feeling we’re going to see a few threes from RDF guards Brooke (No. 7), Diana (No. 11), and Rosie (No. 0).
Upon speaking with head coach Lamar Roberts about his approach to the game, he says:
“Winning this game would be great for the girls as it would mean putting us into the top eight teams in the country.”
“I expect the girls to work hard by playing lots of defence, running in transition, playing together, and having fun — and hopefully, we can get the job done.”
RDF point guard Jada Jarvis says she has been working on her defence and making her layups, so we should watch out for that today.
RDF guard Vanessa believes they will play strong defence and strong offensive plays as a team and that “the other team might have to watch out.”
Sounds convincing to me.
RDF guard Harmony believes she will score about 10 points!
1st Quarter
The first quarter of the game has just started, and both teams are starting off strong and energetic. Crusaders start with strong defence, and unfortunately, RDF concedes the first two points of the game. RDF’s Molly (No. 50) receives the ball and puts up the first layup for RDF, followed by an AND ONE foul, giving her a free throw, which she makes. Soon after, she is back on the free-throw line and sinks both shots.
On the defensive end, Natalie (No. 15) is intimidating and causes the Crusaders to turn the ball over, where Rosie reclaims it and puts it up for a sweet layup before they call a timeout. I don’t know what they were discussing during timeout, but it must have been something inspirational because, coming out of the huddle, the girls and coach scream “No mercy!” — which leads to strong defence from RDF, causing the Crusaders to make another turnover. Rosie then drops a composed three and attempts to disguise her excitement before she drops another once again, only a minute later.
It's been a very touchy game so far as foul whistles from the refs interrupt the flow of the game. Rosie gets fouled two more times, yet she makes most of her free throws. Jada, off the bench, has come in with a strong defensive bag, and once the ball is in her hands, she goes up for a nice under-the-rim reverse layup. After holding them back for eight solid minutes, the Crusaders finally put up the last layup of the quarter, ending the first quarter with RDF Eagles at 20 points and Kent Crusaders at 6.
2nd Quarter
Again, the Crusaders start with strong defence, and this time make a good corner three. On their next possession, it’s a 3 vs 1, and RDF’s Brooke, Jessica (No. 9), and Diana stop Crusader’s big girl from scoring two-points. Regaining the offence, RDF’s strength right now is their snappy passing, which helps the ball make its way perfectly into Rosie’s hands. With a gentle fake to send her defender, she goes up for the layup, adding another two points to the scoreboard. After conceding two points from the Crusaders, Molly gets the ball and spots Rosie on the cut for another layup.
As the pressure intensifies and the Crusaders make their way back into the game, it’s evident that emotions are starting to intrude. However, Natalie seamlessly controls her emotions and uses them to spur on her defence. The rest of the RDF team does the same and after a short timeout, they are each back in the driver’s seat, causing the Crusaders to crumble and turn the ball over, and Rosie grabs the ball and puts up another beautiful three. Here in the crowd, Priscilla (U18s Women’s center) and Tia (U18s Women’s center) have picked up a new chant inspired by coach Lamar’s instructions for the U16 girls: “Pass, pass, pass, two points!”
Pretty catchy if you ask me.
Above all, it would be wrong for me not to mention the unmatchable hustle coming from Diana and Molly on offence following Jada’s strong rebounding. The Crusaders are at it again, putting up three and another two points, but this time Vanessa (No. 4) is at the frontline, and I can tell she’s ready to play excellent defence when she slams her hands on the shiny wooden floor and shouts, “DEFENCE!”. The Crusaders sink a free throw after being fouled, but the same goes for Angi (RDF center, No. 20) who is also fouled but makes her free throws. She then makes a fast layup off a direct inbound pass from Diana to end the first half with the score at RDF with 34 and Kent Crusaders with 23.
3rd Quarter
To start the second half, the Crusaders put up a layup, but Rosie regains control of the game by running a smooth play, highlighting the strength of the girls’ communication. Extrinsic motivation from all the support around the room is giving the girls more confidence, and Natalie puts up her first layup of the night. It’s back in the Crusaders’ hands, and they put up three points and a free throw. Once RDF gets the ball, a dime pass is thrown to Rosie for her to put up another two points. On the next possession, Angi is fouled and makes both of her free throws. Soon after, the ball is in her hands again when Rosie makes a beautiful assist for Angi to powerfully lay the ball up. Not long after, the same thing happens — Rosie passes the ball to Angi, except this time Angi is on the three-point line and shocks the crowd with a pinpoint, off-the-backboard three. “I’ve never seen Angi shoot a three before,” says Tia. It truly is a special night.
On defence, Angi is doubly as good as she absolutely DENIES the layup attempt by the Crusaders. Molly’s hustle is also apparent as she dives headfirst for the ball. RDF is back on offence, and the ball is in Brooke’s hands on the three-point line, wide open — big mistake, Crusaders. She splashes the three. I think that got the Crusaders upset because now they’re coming back by making a floater and all their free throws, despite the noise from RDF fans. They even foul Rosie as she goes up for a rebound, but she makes the second free throw.
On defence, Vanessa is loud — not just vocally — and she denies the Crusaders’ inbound pass. After a timeout and some fouls from RDF, the Crusaders put up some more free throws and a layup to warm up the next quarter. The atmosphere is heated as the third quarter ends with RDF still in the lead by only six points. RDF 48 – Kent Crusaders 42.
4th Quarter
This has been such a great game to watch so far. As we approach the final quarter, the energy is increasing — and so is the pressure. RDF’s defence starts strong as Angi acts as a wall, preventing the Crusaders from scoring a layup. Despite this, the Crusaders get the ball back, but Natalie does not allow this and blocks the layup attempt. Carrying on defence, Natalie sneaks up from behind on the Crusaders’ point guard and steals the ball. Come on, Crusaders — no one’s going to shout “woman on” to warn their teammate? After Rosie makes another free throw upon being fouled, the Crusaders pull out some fancy handles, although it’s nothing against Harmony’s defence.
Being the track star she is, Rosie picks up the pace and puts up a layup the other team can’t catch up with. They must have thought she was done, but right away, she does it again before a timeout is called.
The Crusaders are putting up a fight now as they come back with a strong up-and-under layup from No. 61. With six points in the lead, RDF coach Lamar is successfully instructing the defence from the sideline, saying, “Bring her to me!” to corner the ball handler. As they set up on the defensive end, the Crusaders try to get back on Rosie after realising they left her open, but it’s too late — she knocks down the triple. When Harmony gets the ball on offence, she drives her way through girls bigger than her to put up two points. The Crusaders intercept RDF, but Rosie quickly gets it back and assists Diana for a layup.
With 2 minutes and 30 seconds left on the clock, RDF have kept a good lead thus far, and coach Lamar is clearly proud of the girls, seen by the ear-to-ear grin painted across his face. As the game goes on, Molly is still filled with energy and hustles to get the ball back into RDF’s hands. With 19 seconds left on the clock, coming out of a timeout, RDF’s team chemistry is stronger than ever as they collectively shout “TEAM!” I’m hearing chairs banging, feet stomping, and hands clapping from all over the sidelines — and beside me, Tia exclaims, “I love home games.”
The Crusaders put up the last layup of the night, but unfortunately for them, you can’t make 11 points in five seconds. Sorry, Kent Crusaders — but RDF has won this game with a final score of 60 – 49.
I predicted 68 – 50-ish, so I was close!
With that, RDF Eagles U16 girls are now in the final eight teams in the whole country — and are just two games away from playing in Manchester. Good luck, girls!
Written by Iman Ogunlola
Congratulations to and yourTeam. 🏆🎉🎊🪁