Asia
The 92nd Empress’s Cup was awarded in Japan this week as the top pro teams entered the competition at this stage. The Sunflowers dialed up the offense in the fourth quarter to get the win over the Iris in Sunday’s championship game.
It was not quite a full week of games in South Korea after the All Star break, but action did resume with Saturday’s doubleheader. Hana Bank did not slow down during the stoppage, starting with a win over the Blue Minx. BNK remained the next team behind them after a win over the S-Birds. The Stars also kept pace, defeating the Blue Minx on Sunday and getting a 10 point, 11 rebounds, and 10 assist triple-double from Kang Lee-Seul. The S-Birds continued to be well below the rest of the teams, losing to Woori Bank on Monday.
The big news in China this week was Guangdong suffering their first loss of the season on Monday having been undefeated, even withstanding a 34 point game from Chennedy Carter. The day also saw Kalani Brown score 36 points, just behind the high for the week of 37 points from Kai James, who helped her team offset a 32 point game from Sidney Cooks. There was also a showdown in the lower group as Shatori Walker-Kimbrough had 30 points in a loss after Jaime Nared had 34 points and Phillipina Kyei 30 points for the opposition. Nared had another 32 points in the rematch.
It was the first week of the regular season in Lebanon as teams loaded up their rosters for what should be another competitive season. Chyna Cornwell had a 21 rebound game while Kennedi Williams had the highest scoring game with 31 points. Tina Raffoul had a standout game among domestic performers with a 21 point, 12 rebound, 10 assist triple-double.
Around Europe
There was a more traditional basketball cup format in Portugal this season alongside the knockout tournament and it was played over the weekend. The championship game went to two overtimes before Benfica edged Quinta Dos Lombos. Cup play in Switzerland included a 30 point game from Julia Chadwick. British cup action included a 36 point game from Anastasia Warren. Cup play in Iceland included a 31 point game from Keishana Washington and a 30 point game from Marta Hermida. In league play, Abby Beeman had 20 assists and Re’Shawna Stone had 37 points. The second division included a 34 point game from Chloe Wilson, 26 rebounds from her teammate Iho Lopez, and a 33 point game from Anna Larusdottir.
Chase for Promotion
The cup final was on Tuesday in Italy’s second division and Matelica defeated Alpo as the two teams are tied at the top of their group in league play after the same result in their meeting on Saturday. Laura Valli had the highest scoring game with 32 points while Marta Moscarella grabbed 21 rebounds for the opposition. In Portugal’s second division, Iyanna Warren had 30 points and Abby Cooper had 20 rebounds. Merissah Russell had 41 points in an overtime loss in Spain’s third division. Maja Manten had 20 rebounds in Germany’s second division.
Notable Individual Performances
Julianna Okosun had 32 points in Sweden. Lucia Kasperanova had 41 points in Slovakia. Tai’Sheka Porchia had 20 rebounds in Romania. Stine Austgulen recorded an 18 point, 10 rebound, 10 assist triple-double in Norway. Alexis Mead had 31 points in Kosovo. A double-round week in Israel included a 32 point game from Sparkle Taylor and a 21 point, 14 rebound, 10 assist triple-double from Shyanne Sellers. Sara Puckett followed up a 32 point effort in Finland with 45 points in a game that saw her teammate Jeanae Terry dish out 20 assists. E’Lease Stafford had 30 points in Croatia and her teammate Ana-Marija Begic grabbed 21 rebounds. Makayla Andrews had 30 points in Cyprus.
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