AFTER their best-ever start to a season, three straight victories, smooth shooting, and chemistry that’s hard to teach, the Solent Women’s Basketball team have been handed a month-long break that could test their rhythm and resolve.
The timing is less than ideal.
The squad has been in impeccable form, capped by a dominant 50–22 win over Exeter last week that showcased both their offensive balance and defensive discipline.
Yet with no competitive fixture for several weeks, the focus now shifts from building momentum to maintaining it.
For head coach Elliot Goddard and team, the challenge will be keeping the intensity that has defined their early success.
Long gaps between games can disrupt routine and rhythm, but the Solent side seems determined not to let that happen.
Centre, Melanie Garcia, believes the team’s unity will help them navigate the break.
“We always do stuff together, we go out together, we practice together…We all play as a team, which is really great.”
Togetherness has been a clear factor in their early-season form.
On court, it translates into quick ball movement and a shared confidence that may have been missing in previous campaigns.
Off the court, it’s fostered through regular team activities and a culture that prioritises communication and support.
The team’s fast start hasn’t come by accident.
After establishing themselves as a team last year, Solent have placed greater emphasis on conditioning, set plays, and building a cohesive group of players who understand their roles.
That preparation has paid off, and now, the task is to ensure the break doesn’t undo that hard work.
If the Solent Women can carry their current form through this stretch of downtime, they could set themselves up for their strongest season ever.
The real test begins not when they step off the court, but when they return against Plymouth in December.
Find out more about what Melanie had to say here…
