Forgetfulness is a vital quality for basketball players, particularly at this time in the season.
With the Women’s Superleague Basketball play-off places being determined next month, Caledonia Gladiators cannot afford to dwell on any of their past results, whether they be positive or negative.
It’s the quality that Gladiators’ point guard, Téa Adams, values most highly as her side enters this high-pressure period of the season.
“You have to have a short-term memory, especially when it comes to losses, because it's such a quick turnaround between games,” she says.
“Straight after each game, we have to get our heads down and get back to work to make sure we're prepared for the next game, particularly as we look towards the play-offs.”
Gladiators currently sit in fifth place in the Women’s Superleague and today, Adams and her teammates will face third-place Manchester in what is a vital fixture as the Scottish side strive for a top-four finish which would guarantee a play-off place.
Given Gladiators lost their most recent outing, to Newcastle last weekend, Adams is in little doubt as to how important it is that her side returns to winning ways today.
“We've had a good week of training and we're looking to get back to winning,” the 25-year-old says.
“If we can pull it out against Manchester it would be a big victory for us so we just need to keep that belief that we are capable of reaching the play-offs, and then potentially winning the play-offs.”
A play-off place would be just the latest highlight in what’s been a truly historic season for Gladiators’ women’s side.
In January, the team won its first-ever silverware with victory in the Trophy League Finals and that win has, reveals Adams, generated a significant shift in mindset within the squad.
“There is a different feel in the squad since we won the Trophy finals - we've taken real confidence from it and it proved to us that all our hard work is paying off,” she says.
“It showed what we can do as a team and it meant so much.”
Being raised in a sporting household meant her ascent to becoming a professional athlete was far from surprising but her time in Scotland has opened her eyes to the differences in the sport compared to her home country, primarily the popularity of basketball and particularly the women’s game.
However, Gladiators’ women’s team’s recent Trophy Finals success, which built on their second-place league finishes in 2023 and 2024, has contributed greatly to a significant increase in crowd numbers, with the team notably attracting over 1000 fans to their home venue in East Kilbride for the first time last month.
Being part of a side which is breaking so many barriers is, admits Adams, quite something.
“This is my second year in Scotland and I love it here,” she says.
“Of course there are differences compared to America - basketball obviously isn't as big a sport here but we've been pulling some really good crowds recently which has been brilliant and so refreshing to see.
“It’s awesome to be part of growing the club - we just want to keep that going and keep building off our trophy win earlier this year.”
