POV: Mercy is the most consistent player on the roster By A.A. Johnson | 6 July 2025 | 10:00 AM
1. I have always hated on the 3-point shooting but I like what I see so far
Not going to lie, the Lady Jaguars have lied to us when it comes to 3-point shooting this season, but it’s a problem I think they are working on so hard and I am somewhat convinced they are. Yesterday we made 5 three-pointers which is a low number but I am not complaining. What I liked about it was that it was one three from five different people, and that’s what we need. We don’t need Aziida to make five three-pointers alone (okay we need that too) but in the current situation where we are not being good at it, each player can say make two three-pointers and that will be enough. Like yesterday, we got a 3 pointer from at least Mai, Brenda, Aziida, Shakira and Mary Priacilla. So if we can then advance to 2 3s from each I think we shall pick up the pace from there. But still, we shall need those three-pointers to win games come the playoffs.
2. The first half belonged to the Jaguars while the Stomers took over the second
The Lady Jaguars owned the first half, winning the first quarter by 10 points. By mid-second quarter, they led by as much as 20 points powered by Aziida who found her way in the paint of the Stomers. Aziida ended the game with 15 points and 8 rebounds. The Stomers, however, launched a comeback in the second half of the game. They launched a 13-0 run to begin the third quarter before Shakira could sink in her three-pointer. The game went to as close as a 4-point gap until the final whistle in that quarter which also ended with a 4-point gap, 51-47. But now we know the magic get hot in the second quater which has been the case in even previous games, so the next games should see us consistent all through especially in the last plays of the game.
3. I like whatever Coach Sudi’s strategy is of starting Shakira on the bench
It’s the third consecutive game that Shakira hasn’t begun in the starting five and she looks much more productive that way. Whatever strategy coach is deploying seems to work for Shakira. She has scored 18+ points in these last three games while Rhoda leads the first-half scoring. Today she looked good with 20 points that powered the Jaguars to win the game.
4. Mercy has been the most consistent player on the roster
Ain’t no player on the roster as consistent as Mercy. She knows her role and even though the game isn’t going on well, she delivers on her primary role. Mercy is the reason the Jaguars are still dominant especially on defense. Today she grabbed 25 rebounds with 15 points, and yes, she plays the most minutes in the game because the team needs her so much. In as much as that wears her out so fast, she is still able to stay resilient and fight for her team. Sangare will be a huge help to Mercy.
5. The win just gave us a ticket to meet the same Magic Stomers in the quarterfinals of the WNBL
So our fate in the WNBL has already been sealed in 3rd position. We are only left with Nabisunsa and regardless of the outcome, we shall still remain in 3rd position. Most likely, our opponents are the Magic Stomers. They are 6th on the table and chances are they will stay there. It’s a power protection strategy that’s used when pairing teams so the 3rd seed will meet the 6th seed, and hence our fate to play the Stomers. Expect that the stomers too know this and will be much prepared for us, so we need to closely find blow out strategies in order to help us win the games. Again, I am not convinced that the stomers are a mid tier team, I think they play good basketball, and we should be ready.