Richmond, VA

Naptown denies No Coast

By Megan Enemies

The Naptown Roller Girls (#13, #3 seed), of Indianapolis, Indiana, defeated No Coast Derby Girls (#22, #6 seed), of Lincoln, Nebraska, in a contest that began with several early lead changes. Ultimately, Naptown’s solid teamwork and jamming – along with No Coast’s penalty minutes – resulted in 206-144 victory for the Tornado Sirens.

Naptown earned a spot at 2013 WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs Richmond with their 6-1 record in regular season sanctioned play, losing only to Ohio Roller Girls, the #6 seed in 2013 WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs Fort Wayne that ended up taking second place in that contest.

Jennifer M. Ramos

In Richmond, Naptown dominated the first half. In the first seven jams, Naptown jammers earned lead six times, and by the 10th jam, the Sirens were up 74-51. Naptown’s blockers excelled at slowing the pack when their jammer was approaching by grabbing an opposing blocker and containing her at the back.

No Coast jammers Christy Johnson and Megan Harrington often trailed just behind Naptown jammers, pressuring Naptown to quickly call the jam. Harrington ended up scoring more than 100 points in the game, as did Naptown jammer Maiden America.

Naptown’s walls were nearly impenetrable, and the Sirens’ blockers exhibited quick footwork that enabled them to avoid offensive plays from No Coast. In one jam, Naptown blocker Asian Sinsation forced the opposing jammer out and narrowly avoided a block by a No Coast jammer, by leaping out of the way and skating backward.

At the half, Naptown was up 114-75, with Asian Sinsation and Maiden America in the penalty box. The first several jams of the second half were almost the opposite of how the game started, with No Coast grabbing lead jammer status in several consecutive jams. Naptown had to fight much harder in the second half to get points on the board, often calling jams without scoring, or remaining scoreless for two jams -- or more – in a row.

As No Coast blockers continued going to the box, Naptown had the pack advantage in most jams, making it easier to stop the opposing jammers.

In the 15th jam, Harrington hip-checked Naptown jammer G-Rocket off the line and took off, making her scoring pass before G-Rocket initially cleared the pack. The jam ended 175-115, in favor of Naptown. But that’s where No Coast’s minor comeback ended, as jammers began heading to the box on penalties, and Naptown capitalized on power jams. As No Coast added a few points per jam, Naptown pulled ahead to a 190-131 lead with minutes left to play.

Final Score

(3) Naptown Roller Girls 206
(6) No Coast Derby Girls 144

Naptown will go up against the winner of #2 Texas Rollergirls vs. #10 Terminal City Rollergirls at 4 p.m. Saturday. No Coast will face Jacksonville RollerGirls in Game 8, at 10 a.m. Saturday.