I5 Rollergirls on top with 197-139 win over Kitsap Derby Brats

Photo by Eric Korn

As the game opened, the Kitsap Derby Brats were dancing in front of their bench, their nervous energy spilling out in smiles and funky moves.  Over at the I-5 bench, it was all business as they strapped on their pads and yelled their cheer.  They knew what they were here to do, and they were going to do it.  So did Kitsap, and they were about to show it in some very big ways.  What followed was a 60 minute knockdown fight.

The first jam saw the I-5 bench sending out their usual starter at Jammer, Lex Celerator.  Red Rager stood on the line for Kitsap.  As the whistle blew, Lex was off like a shot... then ran smack dab into a prepped and ready Kitsap wall.  It took her nearly half a lap to finally find a hole, but Red was quick behind her.  Lex managed to time her call well and nabbed three points before the fourth whistle blew.  I knew right then that I was witnessing something awesome.

The next Jam, I-5's Dee Stroir came to the line against Punches and Cream.  She was stymied in the pack while Punches racked up two grand slams.  Kitsap had taken the lead!  Not to be undone, Dee went to the line a second time and came away with a ten spot of her own. 

I5 had the lead, and Lex was on the line.  Normally, this would mean she was about to extend things a bit, but once again the Kitsap pack held and she came away empty handed while Little Mean Sunshine managed four points before calling the jam as Lex Celerator was racing for the pack on her scoring pass.

What followed was jam after jam of the blockers giving all they had while the jammers struggled through.  At the half, I5 had come out on top of that battle 103-59 on the back of some extreme precision on the part of their blockers and some heads up jamming by Dee Stroir and Hunt-Her Down, as well as Lex Celerator despite being held to single passes or no points in 2/3 of her jams. 

The beginning of the second half saw the young women in yellow blasting back, outscoring I5 30-4 in the first 5 jams, reducing the I-5 lead to scant 17 points.  Again, they were able to hold Dee and Lex back for some time, but it wasn't going to last. 

Lex finally broke out for a 20 point scoring tear, followed quickly by Dee Stroir putting up a 25 point power jam blast as the I-5 pack put on a very impressive display of offense/defense transitions, tying up the Kitsap skaters in 1-1 match ups which focused on opening holes and preventing Kitsap from forming their very effective defenses.  While Kitsap was able to bring things back under control, the damage was done.

I5 Rollergirls took the victory lap and the scoreboard read 197-139

The sun setting behind me as I waited for the ferry to take me back to reality, I had a chance to reflect on the game I had just witnessed. Another gem of a bout put on by the NW regional junior derby girls?  Sure, but this one had something more.  This seemed to be a testament to hard work and dedication, of teams coming together and using their training to full benefit, and of two teams giving their all for the sport they love.  When that happens, the scoreboard doesn't matter.  Everyone wins.

Three cheers for I5!
Dee Stroir - Dee Stroir definitely stepped up against the physical play Kitsap was dishing out, effectively counter blocking the initial assault and blasting out with a 67% lead jammer rating and 83 points (top for the team).  She was also a strong presence in the pack at blocker, lending to her teams efforts in a very significant way.

I5 pack swarms Punches and Cream.  Photo by Eric Korn

The Archer - As I said in the preview, once she gets the derby feeling and gets her skates under her, this skater would break out in a big way.  That she did with a team leading 6 blocker stand-outs and some impressive turns as jammer.  Her pack work is what earns her the second cheer for I5 and earned her the third MVP in as many games.

The I-5 Pack - Sometimes in a game, things just seem to all come together, and that is so often true for the pack work of I-5.  Their uncanny ability to shift seamlessly from offense to defense, then back again is a sight to behold.  That ability is truly what gave I-5 this victory as a team.  For that reason, I am giving the third cheer to the blockers at large.


Three Cheers for Kitsap!
Little Mean Sunshine - This young skater has really come far and has stepped into a star jammer role with gusto.  Against one of the toughest packs in the region, she managed an amazing 50 points and a 57% lead jammer rate.  Add in some heads up play in the pack and she more than earns her cheer.

Dee Stroir stopped by Kitsap blockers.  Photo bt Eric Korn

Gaines Slayer - Gaines Slayer was a one woman wrecking crew, sending skaters flying and making sure her jammer got through or stopping I5 jammers.  She was a definite part of the successes Kitsap had in holding back the I5 tide.

Red Rager - Where Gaines was knocking them down, Red Rager was setting them up.  Excellent pack play on offense and defense along with her 8 turns as a very physical jammer (for 17 points) earn her a top spot in this post.

It's always nice to have help when I am covering a bout.  A huge thank you to Rockin' Red of the SDB Galaxy Girls for helping me by keeping the score sheet for Kitsap during the bout, allowing me the leeway to do the blocker stats!

And now, the blocker stats! A blocker has three categories: jammer stops, open holes and big hits.
B - Big hits are, well, big hits, but they have to be clean and they have to be significant.
S - Jammer stops have to keep the jammer from getting through the pack in a significant way.
O - Open holes are awarded for creating an opening for your jammer to get through.
A - Assists are awarded if you contribute significantly in a play which gives your teammate the ability to make a big play.
Remember, this is only based on what I can see. If I missed a big hit for you, I am sorry!

Kitsap Blocker Stats
Gaines Slayer B-3, S-1. O-1. A-1
Red Rager B-1, S-3, O-2, A-1
Whamsday Addams B-1, S-1, O-1, A-2
Mad Medic B-1, S-1, O-1, A-1
Chewbeca B-1, S-1, O-1, A-1
AliSin WonderSlam B-2
Aqua Knock U Out B-1, O-1
Punches N Cream S-1, O-1
Quarter Pound'Her B-1, O-1
HanaBULL the Cannibal S-1
Kae-Oss O-1
Little Mean Sunshine O-1

I5 Blocker Stats
The Archer B-2, S-3, A-2
Hunt-Her Down B-2, O-1, A-2
Audrey Headburn S-1, O-1
Dee Stroir B-1, S-1
Lex Celerator S-1, O-1
Smash Ketchum B-1, A-1
Sierrated Blade S-2
Lip Smack-Her A-1
Short Fuse S-1
Miss B Haver A-1
FeeBeeSting A-1