Kansas City (#2) defends tough challenge from No Coast (#7)

By Shelly Shankya

Having the tournament at Pershing Arena was a true home-court advantage for the No Coast Derby Girls (#7) as they took on the Kansas City Roller Warriors (2). The crowd at their back, No Coast was able to hold the Roller Warriors scoreless for the first three jams.

Photo by Taura Horn Photography

It wasn't until Enigma's 24-point jam that Kansas City established themselves in the lead. A lead that they held tenuously for the remainder of the first half, losing it once towards the period's end.

Jammers spending time in the box was a hangup for both teams as the first half progressed; the two teams each had four power jams. There was a kerfuffe in the tenth jam that caused confusion for all when No Coast's jammer Flash Gloria thought she had been called to the box for a penalty, springing Track Rat from the box. However, upon sitting down, Flash was called back to the track, a misunderstanding. Track Rat had to go BACK to the box at the start of the next jam, giving the Mad Maxines another power jam as Track Rat finished out her time in the box.

Just as the first half was drawing to a close, No Coast jammer Slam Anderson tipped the scales in the tournament host's favor, scoring 15 points--three natural grand slams--and giving No Coast the lead change. The team called a timeout with only seconds on the period clock in the hopes of capitalizing on the lead change momentum and KC's jammer Hypersmacktivity's late illegal procedure trip to the box. The timeout was fruitless, however, as Flash Gloria got two major track cuts in the jam, giving Kansas City a chance to finish the period in the lead, 92-86.

"For us, it's not about keeping our cool at certain times in the game, it's about keeping our cool for the entire game," Kansas City blocker Bella Fire said. "No game is over until the last whistle, and you only need one to win."

The second half saw No Coast grabbing lead repeatedly until Track Rat took the power jam opportunity to gain 19 points. The heated exchanges between Lincoln and Kansas City continued through the half, each team playing with high levels of intensity, especially after the close point spread at the end of the first half. Flash Gloria took a tough hit during the fourteenth jam and called the jam off from the floor. Medics were called to her side, but she defiantly said "I'm not getting on that thing!" as they offered the stretcher. Gloria didn't skate for the remaining jams of the game. Instead, No Coast's jammers Eva La Speed and Slam Anderson exchanged the star cover for the final seven jams.

"We've played No Coast three times this year, so Pershsing didn't feel like a home court advantage for No Coast," Kansas City's Bella Fire said. "No Coast is a great team and they're great hosts as well."

Kansas City Roller Warriors defeated the No Coast Derby Girls 171-130 in the last game of Day 1 at Landlocked Lace Up. Kansas City advances to play Atlanta on Saturday. No Coast moves to the consolation bouts to play the winner of Bout 8.

Kansas City Roller Warriors (#2) 171
No Coast Derby Girls (#7) 130