EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 11/8/2008

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Men News

*****************************************************
  ABA   


Robert Lynch named to World Basketball Cup Executive Committee - by Gianni Pascucci

The World Basketball Cup (www.worldbasketballcup.com) today announced that Robert Lynch, President of RLM, Robert Lynch Management, Inc., has been named to its Executive Committee. His areas of responsibility will include the development of North America and South America as well as marketing and public relations for the WBC. Prior to establishing RLM in 2003, Lynch worked for Atlantic Records in the artist relations department and as a product manager. RLM specializes in all facets of marketing and promotion in the entertainment industry including, but not limited to, sports, music and clothing. In 2008, Lynch partnered with Jerry Blair of Fuerte Group to continue expanding his success in the Latin American professional sports and music industries respectively. After being named as an All-State point guard out of Newark University, Lynch went on to play Division I basketball for Rider University where he studied Marketing and Business Administration. He continued his education at Five Towns College in Long Island after receiving further degrees in Sports Entertainment and Music. 'We are very fortunate to have a person with Bobby's background and experience,' said Joe Newman, WBC CEO. 'He will not only help to maximize the potential of the WBC in South America, but he will be able to add his knowledge of PR, marketing and entertainment to the overall operation. Our goal is to make the WBC tournament in Atlanta in 2010 a world class event and having Bobby with us will certainly enhance our chances.'



ABA announces Pre-Season Power Rankings - by Gianni Pascucci

The American Basketball Association yesterday released its pre-season Power Rankings, a listing of the top 24 teams for the upcoming season. 'This has been a very difficult process,' stated ABA President Quentin Townsend. 'It is really hard to know which teams are truly the strongest because there are so many new teams and so many new players on the returning teams. But, we looked at a variety of factors, put them all together, got out our trusty dart board, and this is what we came up with. We will watch the upcoming exhibition games and pre-season tournaments and make adjustments every week.' The first 2008-09 ABA Power Rankings are as follows:

1. San Diego Wildcats
2. Beijing Aoshen Olympian
3. San Francisco Rumble
4. Jersey Express
5. Montreal Matrix
6. Atlanta Vision
7. Nashville Sound
8. Maywood Buzz
9. Knoxville Thunderbolt
10. Houston Takers
11. Winston-Salem Storm
12. West Virginia Blazers
13. Washington Raptors
14. Kentucky Bisons
15. Gallup Outlaws
16. Southeast Texas Mustangs
17. Arizona Rhinos
18. Cleveland Rockers
19. Modesto Bearcats
20. Las Vegas Aces
21. Alaska Dream
22. Westchester Phantoms
23. West Texas Whirlwind
24. Phoenix Fury

'I can only imagine my emails from Georgia, Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, Kansas City, Salt Lake City, Aurora, Mississippi, Phoenix, Bahamas and Sacramento,' added Townsend. 'They all have solid coaches with great experience and winning records and I know after a week or two, we'll have some serious shuffling. Sorry guys. Win a couple and show me how wrong we are.' For more information, email qtownsend@abalive.com or visit www.abalive.com



Gwizzlies will kickoff the season,marking a 5th year anniversary - by Richard

Macon, Georgia-The Georgia Gwizzlies have a story or two to tell. On Friday December 5th the team open up on the road against the Nashville Broncs to mark the 5th season the team have been in business in minor league pro basketball. Owner Embry Malone says he has seen witnessed and experienced a lot in the minors the past years. Facts back his claims. According to Wikipedia and a few other publications Embry Malone brought the ABA to the state of Georgia in February 2004 as the Gwinnett Gwizzlies. The fall of that year Quinton Townsend tried out for the Gwizzlies and was cut the very first day by the Gwizzlies and it probably was career changing for the League now CEO.'I walked in the Life college gym and seen this guy trying to run down the court and I told my then coach Brook Steppe to cut this guy so he can go out and get in shape or pursue something else' states the Gwizzlies owner. After a few years absent from the ABA the organization returned last season in Middle Georgia. The team can proudly say over the years they have promoted ballplayers first, ownership second. This has resulted in over 40 ballplayers who one time wore a proud Gwizzlies uniform an offer to play overseas. Recently Malone Alma mater Pepperdine University of Malibu, California alumni chapter had discussions about a story about Malone and the team. The team also was the first team outside of the NBA to have an annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday basketball game. Malone says his only disappoint over the past 5 has been that he has not had one of his former players on an NBA roster as of yet. 'I do this year in and year out for the love of the game, help ballplayers and I have no desire to ever be in the NBA ranks says Malone.


Courtesy of Pro Basketball



*****************************************************
  ADRIATIC LEAGUE   


Vukoicic to coach "young" Bosna ASA BHT - by Sead Buljina

After Alen Abaz had resigned as the head coach of Bosna ASA BH Telecom due to management changing team goals and plans just days prior to the season, Bosna signed a new coach on Monday. The new coach is a well-known name, Vlada Vukoicic, former FMP, Hemofarm, Oestende coach who's made a name for himself by working with young players and achieving great results along with developing those young players. Bosna ASA BH Telecom hopes that Vukoicic can repeat the same kind of success in Sarajevo. However, they forget that Vukoicic had the best young players in the region when he won the Adriatic league with FMP. Similar thing with Hemofarm. No doubt that Vukoicic is a good coach. It's fortunate for Bosna that he left Oestende after decent achievements with this club. However, new coach cannot fix the reason Abaz left the team last week. Simply because Bosna's 'young' players have been sitting on the bench for 5-6 years before this season. It's hard to expect that players who until this season sat out whole games for several seasons can carry the load in the Adriatic league, let alone win Bosnian championship and Cup. While former Bosna director used to bring several Americans and washed out players from Serbia for the last 4 years Bosna young players have been watching others play. Since nobody becomes a player by sitting on the bench it's clear that they cannot achieve goals that Bosna has this season. It's simply not fair to Abaz, new coach Vukoicic and players born 1986 and later that Bosna's management wants to go with young team. Now, when previous director has taken a comfortable chair in the Governing Board far away from the public they want to go young. Management, however, forgets that Bosna's 'young' players are not so young any more. Emir Zimic (217-C-86) has been sitting on the bench for three years prior to getting seriously injured and missing most of the last two seasons, Amar Suljagic (213-C-88) has only played garbage time for the first team if he was among twelve players at the first place, Muhamed Pasalic (190-PG-87) started getting a serious playing time last season, played well only to see Bosna management bringing two Americans on his position prior to the play-offs. Let's recall that Bosna qualified for the ULEB Cup 1/16-finals with Pasalic as a back up point guard. Who else is considered young player in Bosna? Of course, Bozo Djurasovic who's been 'young' for the last five years. With almost 22 years of age Djurasovic is still waiting to get an opportunity to play more than 5 minutes in a close game. Put aside a fact that he's been loaned to Vogosca in A1 league, but with his height of 199cm he has had to play power forward position although his natural position is clearly at small forward. The only one of those younger players who got almost a serious chance to play is Suad Sehovic (195-G-87) although there have been long stretches when he barely saw any action. Sehovic is a fighter and he has been used by previous Bosna coaches for special defensive assignments, not to score, not to carry the load, but as a role player. Now, he is supposed to be one of the main pillars of new Bosna. So, Bosna management considers young players all those younger than 23 years of age although they should show their worth by that point. In Bosna, players are young till that treshhold. If they don't deliver after reaching the treshhold they got kicked out because they 'have not been working hard', they 'have not been focused on basketball', at the end 'they've never been gifted enough', etc...Let's get something straight: we're not talking about a young team made of Miro Raduljica, Milan Macvan, Boban Marjanovic, Vladimir Dasic,Mladen Jeremic and other top NBA prospects from Adriatic league teams. We are talking about gifted players who will never achieve their full potential simply because they've been warming Bosna's bench for way too long. They are getting a chance that they should have gotten four-five years ago. Thus, Bosna management is missing on generation. Now is the time for Eldin Camdzic (192-G-90), Aldin Klinac (211-C-90), Aldin Majstoric (198-G-90), Nebojsa Andjelic (200-G-91) and couple other players, but according to Bosna their turn will be in 3 years. Of course, they're too young and they are supposed to spend next two-three years on the sidelines at practice watching their teammates play five on five, not to mention official games. Zimic, Pasalic, Suljagic, Sehovic had to start playing for the first team at age of 17-18, not 21-23. Now, those are players who will become good, but will never be what they could have been. At the same time their counterparts from FMP, Buducnost, Hemofarm have been already playing 3-4 seasons in strong leagues and European Cups. Bosna management has to realize that it has slowed down development process of more than a dozen of very skilled players (i.e. Does anyone recalls 12 extremely gifted players that RIN sent to Bosna 5 years ago? All of them have been sacrificed so that one of them can be sold for big money). Bosna has not paid enough attention to generation '86-'90. Just one example: Zimic has asked his club to provide him with a strengthening coach and a program. After waiting several months, this player has had to pay that 'luxury' out of his own pocket. The management also has to realize that new coach can't bring a title and Cup by himself after previous coaches with much stronger and expensive teams have lost two BiH championship titles and three Cups. Every basketball fan can see that Bosna has no starting point guard and starting center, two pieces you start building any team from. Zimic, Suljagic and Klinac should get more playing time, but none of them is ready to carry the load at center, Pasalic is a very good point guard but started playing too late and he can be a solid backup in a team that wants to win Bosnian championship and Cup. Camdzic is a combo guard who should start getting some playing time and start getting PT now when he is still really young, not young according to Bosna's criterion. By now it's obvious that Djordjevic and Stanley Burrell are not reinforcements Bosna needs. They remind of an army of Serbian and American players brought to Bosna in the last four seasons only to be replaced at the mid-season so that couple people can collect extra profit by taking agents' provisions twice in one season. Ivanovic and Vucurovic are reinforcements that Bosna needs. However, winning a title and Cup without bringing players at center and point guard positions will remain only a wish with this roster. Stories that Bosna has no money are for fans, coaches and players only. Only few people from top Bosna management control money flow in the club. Last year there was enough money in the budget to pay four Americans $62,000 every month! Let's remind that Bavcic also had a big contract, Dzenan Rahimic hasn't played for free, Seid Hajric neither. This season Bosna management has admitted that budget is more than 3 million KM although it's even more than that. Bosna has been actively seeking center and couple guards whole Summer willing to pay even more than Lance Williams last season. All of a sudden, a couple days before the season started, management has decided not to bring necessary reinforcements at key positions and left (now former) coach Alen Abaz and fans wondering what's going on. So, if Bosna provides more playing time to young players, brings two strong reinforcements, gets rid of Djordjevic and Burell, Bosna has a great chance to accomplish both goals for this season: win both domestic titles and develop its younger players. Otherwise, not even an excellent coach like Vukoicic can accomplish such a miracle.



*****************************************************
  ARGENTINA   


TNA Round: 6 (Regular Season) - by Eurobasket News
Union - Obera TC 107-78
Easy win for Union, who remains the only undefeated team in Group North after 6 rounds. Sucre Axiers top-scored for the hosts with 23 points. At the same time he had 11 more rebounds for 26 minutes. Whorton John had 22 points and impressive 16 boards for Obera, who now has 1-5.

A.Espanola - La Union 79-81
5-1 for La Union and 2-4 for Asociacion Espanola after this game. Pau Ariel and Green Nathaniel shined for the winners scoring 21 points apiece. The hosts got 18 points and 9 rebounds from Rotschy Mauro.

Atl.Echague - A.Italiana 79-86
Asociacion Italiana made it on the road vs Atletico Echague improving its score in TNA on 3-3. Small Fernando and Miller Derrick drained 20 points each for the visitors. Winless hosts got 24 points from Ledesma Javier.

San Mart.C. - Alma Juniors 70-64
Both teams entered into this round with 3-2. Carcamo Alex was the key player for San Martin C collecting 16 points and 14 rebounds. Tomatis Matias scored 18 points for the visiting side.

GimnasiaLP - Belgrano SN 81-63
Easy one for Gimnasia LP, thus both teams now have 2-4 in Group South. Lucas Perez led the winners scoring 21 points and catching 5 rebounds for 31 minutes. The same number of points also had Carlos Colla but in Belgrano SN.

Ciclista - C.Entrerriano 84-66
Ciclista didn't have to work very hard in order to beat Central Entrerriano jumping on 4-2. Visitors will have to look for some other chance in order to register the second win this season. Wilson Byron had 13 while Moya Pablo and Balbi Franco netted 12 points apiece for the winning side. Farias Sebastian also had 12 points but for Central Entrerriano.

Firmat SF - Argentino 68-67
Tight one for Firmat SF, enough for 4-2. Exactly the same record as Argentino. Ghirardi Martin was the key player of the game scoring 20 points, but with not so brilliant shot percentage. Safar Selem delivered 16 points in Argentino.

San Mart.MJ - P.Echague 68-61
Nwankwo Ije had another good game in jersey of San Martin MJ. This time Nwankwo led his team to win against Pedro Echague scoring 17 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Ford Williard netted 20 points and grabbed 10 boards in defeat. Both teams had 3-2 before this game.



*****************************************************
  AUSTRIA   


Worthsee signed a new PG - by Stefan Heinrich
The Worthsee Piraten made a chnage in their roster after losing to UBSC Graz in Round 3 of the ABL. The team released Michael Harper after only games and they signed a PG. The new player is Tim Burnette (188-G-82, college: Tarleton St.), who played the past 4 seasons in Germany. Last season he participated in 28 games for the Kirchheim Knights in the Pro B and he averaged 21.7ppg, 2.7rpg, 3.4apg and 1.9spg.

They are hoping now that Burnette can celebrate his debut on Saturday in their home game against the BasketClubs Vienna.

*****************************************************
  BOSNIA   


Vukoicic to coach "young" Bosna ASA BHT - by Sead Buljina

After Alen Abaz had resigned as the head coach of Bosna ASA BH Telecom due to management changing team goals and plans just days prior to the season, Bosna signed a new coach on Monday. The new coach is a well-known name, Vlada Vukoicic, former FMP, Hemofarm, Oestende coach who's made a name for himself by working with young players and achieving great results along with developing those young players. Bosna ASA BH Telecom hopes that Vukoicic can repeat the same kind of success in Sarajevo. However, they forget that Vukoicic had the best young players in the region when he won the Adriatic league with FMP. Similar thing with Hemofarm. No doubt that Vukoicic is a good coach. It's fortunate for Bosna that he left Oestende after decent achievements with this club. However, new coach cannot fix the reason Abaz left the team last week. Simply because Bosna's 'young' players have been sitting on the bench for 5-6 years before this season. It's hard to expect that players who until this season sat out whole games for several seasons can carry the load in the Adriatic league, let alone win Bosnian championship and Cup. While former Bosna director used to bring several Americans and washed out players from Serbia for the last 4 years Bosna young players have been watching others play. Since nobody becomes a player by sitting on the bench it's clear that they cannot achieve goals that Bosna has this season. It's simply not fair to Abaz, new coach Vukoicic and players born 1986 and later that Bosna's management wants to go with young team. Now, when previous director has taken a comfortable chair in the Governing Board far away from the public they want to go young. Management, however, forgets that Bosna's 'young' players are not so young any more. Emir Zimic (217-C-86) has been sitting on the bench for three years prior to getting seriously injured and missing most of the last two seasons, Amar Suljagic (213-C-88) has only played garbage time for the first team if he was among twelve players at the first place, Muhamed Pasalic (190-PG-87) started getting a serious playing time last season, played well only to see Bosna management bringing two Americans on his position prior to the play-offs. Let's recall that Bosna qualified for the ULEB Cup 1/16-finals with Pasalic as a back up point guard. Who else is considered young player in Bosna? Of course, Bozo Djurasovic who's been 'young' for the last five years. With almost 22 years of age Djurasovic is still waiting to get an opportunity to play more than 5 minutes in a close game. Put aside a fact that he's been loaned to Vogosca in A1 league, but with his height of 199cm he has had to play power forward position although his natural position is clearly at small forward. The only one of those younger players who got almost a serious chance to play is Suad Sehovic (195-G-87) although there have been long stretches when he barely saw any action. Sehovic is a fighter and he has been used by previous Bosna coaches for special defensive assignments, not to score, not to carry the load, but as a role player. Now, he is supposed to be one of the main pillars of new Bosna. So, Bosna management considers young players all those younger than 23 years of age although they should show their worth by that point. In Bosna, players are young till that treshhold. If they don't deliver after reaching the treshhold they got kicked out because they 'have not been working hard', they 'have not been focused on basketball', at the end 'they've never been gifted enough', etc...Let's get something straight: we're not talking about a young team made of Miro Raduljica, Milan Macvan, Boban Marjanovic, Vladimir Dasic,Mladen Jeremic and other top NBA prospects from Adriatic league teams. We are talking about gifted players who will never achieve their full potential simply because they've been warming Bosna's bench for way too long. They are getting a chance that they should have gotten four-five years ago. Thus, Bosna management is missing on generation. Now is the time for Eldin Camdzic (192-G-90), Aldin Klinac (211-C-90), Aldin Majstoric (198-G-90), Nebojsa Andjelic (200-G-91) and couple other players, but according to Bosna their turn will be in 3 years. Of course, they're too young and they are supposed to spend next two-three years on the sidelines at practice watching their teammates play five on five, not to mention official games. Zimic, Pasalic, Suljagic, Sehovic had to start playing for the first team at age of 17-18, not 21-23. Now, those are players who will become good, but will never be what they could have been. At the same time their counterparts from FMP, Buducnost, Hemofarm have been already playing 3-4 seasons in strong leagues and European Cups. Bosna management has to realize that it has slowed down development process of more than a dozen of very skilled players (i.e. Does anyone recalls 12 extremely gifted players that RIN sent to Bosna 5 years ago? All of them have been sacrificed so that one of them can be sold for big money). Bosna has not paid enough attention to generation '86-'90. Just one example: Zimic has asked his club to provide him with a strengthening coach and a program. After waiting several months, this player has had to pay that 'luxury' out of his own pocket. The management also has to realize that new coach can't bring a title and Cup by himself after previous coaches with much stronger and expensive teams have lost two BiH championship titles and three Cups. Every basketball fan can see that Bosna has no starting point guard and starting center, two pieces you start building any team from. Zimic, Suljagic and Klinac should get more playing time, but none of them is ready to carry the load at center, Pasalic is a very good point guard but started playing too late and he can be a solid backup in a team that wants to win Bosnian championship and Cup. Camdzic is a combo guard who should start getting some playing time and start getting PT now when he is still really young, not young according to Bosna's criterion. By now it's obvious that Djordjevic and Stanley Burrell are not reinforcements Bosna needs. They remind of an army of Serbian and American players brought to Bosna in the last four seasons only to be replaced at the mid-season so that couple people can collect extra profit by taking agents' provisions twice in one season. Ivanovic and Vucurovic are reinforcements that Bosna needs. However, winning a title and Cup without bringing players at center and point guard positions will remain only a wish with this roster. Stories that Bosna has no money are for fans, coaches and players only. Only few people from top Bosna management control money flow in the club. Last year there was enough money in the budget to pay four Americans $62,000 every month! Let's remind that Bavcic also had a big contract, Dzenan Rahimic hasn't played for free, Seid Hajric neither. This season Bosna management has admitted that budget is more than 3 million KM although it's even more than that. Bosna has been actively seeking center and couple guards whole Summer willing to pay even more than Lance Williams last season. All of a sudden, a couple days before the season started, management has decided not to bring necessary reinforcements at key positions and left (now former) coach Alen Abaz and fans wondering what's going on. So, if Bosna provides more playing time to young players, brings two strong reinforcements, gets rid of Djordjevic and Burell, Bosna has a great chance to accomplish both goals for this season: win both domestic titles and develop its younger players. Otherwise, not even an excellent coach like Vukoicic can accomplish such a miracle.



*****************************************************
  CANADA   


Njoya signs at Quebec Kebs - by Gianni Pascucci

The Quebec Kebs (new official name of the Quebec City Kwebekwa) have signed Cameroonian Simplice Njoya (6'10''-C/F-81, college: Memphis) for the 2009 season. Njoya is a 2006 graduate of the University of Memphis, where he was a teammate of NBA players Joey Dorsey, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Darius Washington and Shawne Williams. He began his collegiate career at Duquesne University, where he averaged over 9 pts per game as a freshman and sophomore, before transferring to Memphis. He then played in the WBA for the North Mississippi Tornadoes, and last year in the CBA, with the Pittsburgh Xplosion. Simplice is a solid interior presence who played at a high level in college and is used to physical play, having battled the likes of Joey Dorsey everyday in practice. He also has two years of professional basketball under his belt, and will provide us with an interior presence to go along our perimeter scorers. Furthermore, he speaks French very well, which is great for our community and our fan base, and his maturity makes him a great fit with our local guys says Head Coach and Director of basketball Operations, Charles Dube-Brais . The Kebs will open up their training camp on November 22 and will begin preseason play shortly thereafter. They host the Manchester Millrats on Dec. 5 & 6 at the Juvenat Notre-Dame, a local high school located on the south shore of Quebec City, the second game also being the Champlain Cup opener, a season long tournament also featuring the Montreal Sasquatch and Vermont Frost Heaves.

For additional info, please contact the Kebs front office at vbernier@kebs.ca or 418-780-4850, or visit www.kebsdequebec.com



*****************************************************
  COLOMBIA   


Norte won the thrid game of the final playoff - by Victor Garcia
Norte took the lead on the series wining the first of three straight games in his home, now the Bucaros are forced to win one of two next games and make the series back to Bucaramanga.
Bucaros Cruz Salcedo and Rogers Washington began hurting the Norte defense with 3 points shots, but quickly Julio Toro switch the defense to one on one and forced Bucaros to run diferent ofensive, however Bucaros managed the game to keep a lead until the end of the third quarter, specially to Miguel Marriaga and Marcus Fleming, in Norte all its starting five was having a good ofensive night leaded by Monty Wilson who finished with 19 pts including four three pointers.
In the third quarter the intensity of Norte defense forced many Bucaros turnovers, specially with Edgar Moreno stealing balls and running fastbreaks that finished in easy baskets for the locals, Carlos Rogers was also big in the ofensive side and as become a team leader, Norte finished winning the game 83 73 and putting now the pressure on Bucaros back.
Tonight will be the 4 game in Cucuta again, Cucuta stadium had a fullhouse for the first time this season.
Norte de Santander 83- M. Wilson 19pts (4-3ptrs), C. Rogers 19pts, E. Renteria 16pts, E. Moreno 15pts + 5 steals, E. Torres 14pts+10rebs.
Bucaros Freskaleche 73- M. Fleming 18pts, M. Marriaga 16pts*11rbs, C. Salcedo 12pts, R Washington 12pts, A. Reyes 8pts, D. Garcia 7pts

*****************************************************
  CYPRUS   


First win for Pizza Express Primetel Apollon - by Michael Aristidou
Pizza Express Primetel Apollon won Omonia Nicosia by 74-52 on the opening match for day 3 in the Cyprus League. Apollon had control of the score from the first minute. Omonoia fought only in the first half were the score was near (34-28). Second half Apollon played even better and manage to get a maximum difference of 24 (74-50). First scorer for Apollon was Lewis Sims (203-F/C-73, agency: Strategic Sports, college: New Orleans) with 23 (2), followed by Ernest Brown (213-C-79, college: Indian Hills CC) with 16. On the other hand Omonia had Giorgos Neophytou (193-G-83, agency: Globalsports/Globalevents) with 14(1). Final scre Apollon-Omonoia 74-52. Spectactors 700.

*****************************************************
  D-LEAGUE   


D-League ReleasesReturning, Allocated and Open Tryout Players - by Surujh Roopnarine

The NBA D-League has released the names of players who are returning from the 2007-08 season, have been allocated by the league or earned an invitation to training camp via the league's open tryout.

Albuquerque Thunderbirds

Name / Position / Height / Weight / College
Will Conroy G 6-2 195 Washington
Daryl Dorsey (6'1''-G-81, college: S.Indiana) G 6-1 185 Brevard CC
Ramon Dyer F 6-7 200 Houston
Cheyne Gadson G 6-3 190 Oklahoma State
Cory Underwood (6'10''-F/C-80, college: SUNO) F 6-10 240 Southern
Mark Walters (Allocated) G 6-2 225 New Mexico
Sidney Hooper (Tryout) G 6-3 175 Sul Ross State

Anaheim Arsenal

Name / Position / Height / Weight / College

Mario Boggan (6'7''-F/C-83, college: Oklahoma St.) F 6-7 235 Oklahoma State
Mike Efevberha G 6-4 195 Cal St. Northridge
Noel Felix F 6-9 225 Fresno State
Cedric Bozeman F 6-6 207 UCLA
TJ Cummings (Allocated) F 6-8 210 UCLA
Ayinde Ubaka (6'4''-G-85, college: California) (Allocated) G 6-4 200 California
Jason Harris (Tryout) G 6-4 220 Sacramento State

Austin Toros

Name / Position / Height / Weight / College
Serge Angounou F 6-8 236 Arizona State
Eric Dawson G 6-9 235 Midwestern
Carldell Johnson (5'10''-G-83, college: UAB) G 5-10 180 UAB
Marcus Williams F 6-7 205 Arizona
Charles Gaines (Allocated) F 6-7 220 S. Miss
Malik Hairston (Allocated) F 6-6 220 Oregon
Tack Minor (5'11''-G-84, college: LSU) (Tryout) G 5-11 180 LSU


Bakersfield Jam

Name / Position / Height / Weight / College
Mateen Cleaves G 6-2 205 Michigan State
Trey Johnson G 6-6 216 Jackson State
Nick Lewis (6'10''-F/C-83, college: San Diego) F 6-10 235 San Diego
Derek Wright (Allocated) G 5-9 205 Austin Peay
Jeff Trepagnier (6'4''-G-79, college: USC) (Allocated) G 6-4 USC
Justin Bellegarde (Tryout) G 6-9 240 Washington State
Demario Butler (Tryout) G 6-3 180 Azusa Pacific

Colorado 14ers

Name / Position / Height / Weight / College
Damien Lolar F 6-4 215 West Texas A&M
Eric Osmundson (6'5''-G-83, college: Pennsylvania) G 6-4 200 Penn
Josh Davis F 6-8 240 Wyoming
Jamar Brown(Allocated) F 6-9 232 Col. State Pueblo
Joe Dabbert (Allocated) C 6-11 225 Creighton
Lamar Butler (Tryout) G 6-2 George Mason
Keith Salscheider (6'5''-G/F-82, college: San Diego Chr.) (Tryout) G 6-5 San Diego Christian

Dakota Wizards

Name / Position / Height / Weight / College
Blake Ahearn G 6-2 190 Missouri State
Maurice Baker (6'1''-G-79, college: Oklahoma St.) G 6-1 185 Oklahoma State
David Bell G 6-0 195 Montana
Wil Frisby (6'8''-F/C-81, college: Miami, FL) F 6-8 235 Miami
Dontell Jefferson G 6-4 195 Arkansas
Quemont Greer (Allocated) F 6-7 240 DePaul
Renaldo Major (Allocated) F 6-7 190 Fresno State

Erie BayHawks

Name / Position / Height / Weight / College

Jackie Manuel F 6-6 188 North Carolina
Geary Claxton (6'5''-G/F) (Allocation) G 6-5 215 Penn State
Mike Cook (Allocation) G 6-4 220 Pittsburgh
Ivan Harris (Allocation) F 6-7 220 Ohio State
Maureece Rice (6'1''-G-84, college: George Washington) (Allocation) G 6-1 George Washington
Jarvis Gunter (Tryout) F 6-10 Arkanasas-Pine Bluff
Brian Robinson (Tryout) F 6-7 245 Assumption

Fort Wayne Mad Ants

Name / Position / Height / Weight / College

Ron Howard F 6-5 200 Valparaiso
Anthony Kyle G 5-8 165 Miles
Walker Russell (6'0''-G-82, college: Jacksonville St.) G 6-0 170 Jacksonville State
Eric Smith F 6-8 210 Charleston
Chris Hunter (6'11''-F/C-84, college: Michigan) (Allocated) F 6-11 225 Michigan
Anthony Kent (Allocated) F 6-11 Ball State
Dewitt Scott (Tryout) F 6-6 IPFW

Idaho Stampede

Name / Position / Height / Weight / College
Brent Petway (6'9''-F-85, college: Michigan) F 6-8 205 Michigan
Jamaal Tatum G 6-2 175 Southern Illinois
Jason Ellis F 6-7 200 Houston
Ryan Appleby (Allocated) G 6-3 170 Washington
Coby Karl(Allocated) G 6-5 216 Boise State
Reggie Larry (6'6''-F, college: Boise St.) (Allocation) F 6-6 224 Boise State
Tim Barnes (Tryout) G 5-11 175 CS Bakersfield

Iowa Energy

Name / Position / Height / Weight / College
Dwayne Mitchell (6'5''-G-82, college: La-Lafayette) G 6-5 210 La. Lafayette
Aristide Sawadogo C 7-1 265 Clayton State
Courtney Sims C 6-11 230 Michigan
Curtis Stinson (6'2''-G-83, college: Iowa St.) F 6-3 215 Iowa State
Chris Lawson (Tryout) F 6-4 Houston
John Smith (Tryout)
Jamaal Moore (Tryout) F 6-6 210 Rice


Los Angeles D-Fenders

Name / Position / Height / Weight / College
Darren Cooper G 6-3 180 St. Vincent
Brandon Heath (6'4''-G-84, college: San Diego St.) (Allocation) G 6-4 198 San Diego State
Joe Crawford (Allocation) G 6-5 205 Kentucky
Patrick Sanders (Allocation) F 6-6 205 UC-Irvine
Johnny Dukes (Tryout) F 6-8 225 San Francisco
Ryan Forehan-Kelly (Tryout) G 6-5 195 California
Rashid Byrd (7'0''-C-81, college: E.Oklahoma St. JC) (Tryout) C 7-1 240 Eastern Oklahoma JC

Reno Bighorns

Name / Position / Height / Weight / College

Damone Brown (6'9''-F-79, college: Syracuse) F 6-9 212 Syracuse
Tony Gipson G 6-1 190 LSU
Alfred Neale G 6-1 185 New Mexico
Andre Patterson (6'7''-F-83, college: Tennessee) F 6-9 215 Tennessee
Kyle Shiloh (Allocation) G 6-3 190 Nevada
Jesse Smith C 6-11 260 Idaho State
Jamaal Thomas F 6-8 220 Angelo

Rio Grande Valley Vipers

Name / Position / Height / Weight / College

Stanley Asumnu G 6-5 220 Tennessee
Trent Strickland G 6-5 215 Wake Forest
Quin Humphrey (6'4''-G-84, college: Youngstown St.) G 6-4 205 Youngstown
Craig Winder F 6-7 200 Texas
Kendall Dartez (6'10''-C/F-80, college: Louisville) (Allocation) F 6-10 225 Louisville
Alton Ford (Allocation) F 6-10 265 Houston
Damone Morris (Tryout) 225

Sioux Falls Skyforce

Name / Position / Height / Weight / College
Chris Alexander (7'1''-C-80, college: Iowa St.) C 7-1 260 Iowa State
Milone Clark G 6-4 200 Tennessee Tech
Carl Elliott G 6-4 220 George Washington
Michael Joiner F 6-7 230 Florida State
Bobby Jones F 6-6 Washington
Frank Williams (6'3''-G-80, college: Illinois) (Allocation) G 6-3 215 Illinois
Chris Childress (Tryout)

Tulsa 66ers

Name / Position / Height / Weight / College

Russell Carter (6'4''-G-85, college: Notre Dame) G 6-4 220 Notre Dame
Keith Closs C 7-0 215 Central Connecticut State
Chris Ellis F 6-9 265 Wake Forest
Jeremy Kelly G 6-5 205 Tennessee-Martin
Terrell Everett (6'4''-G-84, college: Oklahoma) (Allocation) G 6-4 188 Oklahoma
Ryan Humphrey (Allocation) F 6-8 235 Notre Dame
Keith Clark (Tryout) G 6-2 242 Oklahoma

Utah Flash

Name / Position / Height / Weight / College

Brian Jackson (6'9''-F-80, college: Oregon St.) F 6-9 245 Oregon State
Andre Ingram G 6-3 190 American
Chris Moore (Tryout) G 6-5 Tulane
Steve Newman (Tryout) C 6-9 230 Georgia
Mike Hall (6'3''-G/F-82, college: BYU) (Tryout) G 6-3 190 BYU
Kris Clark (Tryout) G 6-2 180 Utah State
Ryan Diggs (Tryout) G 6-2 Western Washington



Interview with New Albuquerque Thunderbirds Head Coach John Coffino - by Surujh Roopnarine

For many in the northeast, a move from New York to New Mexico signifies the end of a long hard working career and the realization that you are now retired and ready to relax. For John Coffino , that couldn't be further from the truth. The 45 year old, longtime assistant coach at the NCAA DI level is stepping up to become the new Head Coach of the Albuquerque Thunderbirds of the NBA Development League. An assistant to Jeff Ruland , last seasons head coach, Coffino steps in to the lead role as Ruland took a job in late-summer with the Philadelphia 76ers as an assistant to Maurice Cheeks . Prior to his time in Albuquerque Coffino spent four seasons as an assistant coach at St. Peters and was on Tim Welsh s staff at Iona when the Gaels advanced to the 1998 NCAA Division I Tournament. The Bronx, NY native now finds himself in a new situation, in a new town, new time zone and new playing field. While the NCAA has its traditions and each school a certain way of developing both the mind and bodies of student athletes, the NBA D-League, entering its ninth year of existence, is still an ever forming and changing entity.
With the 2008-09 season fast approaching, coach Coffino spent a few minutes with USBasket to discuss the opportunity he now has to lead the Thunderbirds and to speak about some of the things that he has learned and is looking forward to experiencing this
upcoming season.

USBasket: Briefly describe your basketball philosophyare there any coaches you like to pattern yourself after?

Coach Coffino: I think we all have our own style as coaches but that we have people in our careers who have helped shaped that style. For me coaches like the legendary Bob Hurley (St. Anthonys HS, New Jersey), Tim Welsh and of course Jeff (Ruland) have provided great insights that I have learned from and adapted my own. As far as style of playmy system will definitely be up-tempo on offense. I want to encourage creativity on the offensive end while keeping it simple and basic. We are going to look to push the ball and score quickly and often. But with that, if a guy is not playing the hardest, toughest nosed defense I think he can, then hew will not play for me. I think like most others that defense wins championships so that will be my number one priority for the team. I believe that to be the best you have to be the hardest working. Because we are the D-league affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat, I think it is important that I take some principles of their coaching systems and incorporate them into the Thunderbirds system. The NBA clubs are sending their players down to get experience in a way that will benefit them, so it only makes sense for me to run styles of play that can help those players.

USBasket: How would you describe your first season in the D-League last year?

Coach Coffino: To be honest I didnt think I would like it. Spending my whole life at the collegiate level I didnt think I would like a professional situation but once I came out here (Albuquerque) it was definitely not what I expected. One thing that stood out to me was that at the pro level there arent the same distractions you have at the collegiate level. You dont have to worry about who is attending class, grades, and other influences which may take away from the focus on the basketball court. At the D-League level it is all business. Players are a little more mature and the focus is on winning, developing players and being involved in the community. Also about the D-league, I mean, aside maybe from the talent of the players, it is just as well run as the NBA. The coordination, management and level of excellence expected out of this continually growing league is something that impressed me from day one of being here in Albuquerque.


USBasket: With strong ties to the New York Metro areaIona, St. Peters and the contributions you received from NY area talent last season (Julius Hodge (6'7''-G-83, college: N.Carolina St.), Abdul Mills (6'3''-G-79, college: Nebraska-Omaha), Cory Underwood (6'10''-F/C-80, college: SUNO) and Cheyne Gadson (6'4''-G-80, college: Oklahoma St.)) would you say you have a stronger comfort level with NY players versus some others? Do they need to be coached or handled differently?

Coach Coffino: I feel like I can coach anyone, regardless of where they are from. The understanding we have on the court about what needs to get done is the number one priority in a coach player relationship. With that being said, I relay do believe that the New York player is a special type of player. They have a certain persona which when focused and applied correctly can result in outstanding players.

USBasket: What was your first thought when you found out you had been named head coach of the Thunderbirds?

Coach Coffino: It was a huge shock at first. I wasnt the number one candidate after Jeff (Ruland) took the Philadelphia 76ers position. The club wanted to look at guys with NBA pedigrees but the local owners really supported and pushed for my case to become Head Coach. During the off-season I stayed in Albuquerque to be involved in community development and PR initiatives. I think my commitment to the team and obviously the comfort level that the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks organizations (as NBA affiliates) had in me went a long way to me securing the position. I think once I step on to the court and the regular season actually tips off I will have a much better appreciation for the opportunity I have.

USBasket: You are very close to (now) Philadelphia 76ers Assistant Coach Jeff Ruland what has he meant to your coaching career and how is the relationship between you two?

Coach Coffino: Jeff has always been a great friend and advisor to me as well as being a great help in me getting this position because last season I wasnt so much an Assistant Coach as much as a partner to Jeff. I had numerous responsibilities that kept me involved in all aspects of the team so coming into this season I have a little experience and understanding of what needs to happen.

USBasket: What are some of your expectations for your first year as Head Coach?

Coach Coffino: Win and then win some more. I think in the D-league we have a few key points which we always strive towards, first of which is winning. Winning breeds so many other positive results that I think once a team can get into a habit of winning it helps them so much with other goals, such as development and most importantly to the owners, making money. I think also a major goal of this season is to develop players and help players get to the NBA. When Miami and Dallas send players down to us I am going to make sure that they are comfortable with the system we have and that they get a chance to make an impact on the team. Also, I think the D-league has done a tremendous job of becoming immersed in the local communities. Winning definitely helps that as fans are more likely to go see winning brand of basketball, but even in the off-season when I stayed down here it was easy to see how important it is to be involved in the community and in our case partner with the University of New Mexico to expand our fan base and get people excited about Thunderbirds basketball.

USBasket: With the D-League draft coming up this Friday, are there any particular types of players you will be targeting? Ones that you think may fit your style of play best?

Coach Coffino: Well we are hoping to get an updated player list today so we can go over again who will be available in the player pool, but as far as targeting certain players I guess like everyone else, size will be at a premium. Big men by far are the hardest players to obtain and hold onto in the D-League. If a guy has size and can play, then usually they arent here for long. They either get a call-up to the NBA or they sign a deal overseas. We are planning on bringing 17 guys to camp and we have guys returning from last years squad so we are going to look to draft 10 players this Friday (7pm EST on NBA TV). Players who are tough on defense and have a hard nosed work ethic are probably the players I will target, physically and mentally tough athletes; players who are willing to listen and also learn. Also, if they happen to be able to be dead-eye shooters, well they are welcome as well. You can always find room on a roster for pure shooters.

USBasket: Last questionswhat is your favorite thing about the D-League as a whole and then specifically about the city of Albuquerque?

Coach Coffino: The most impressive thing about the D-league is just the level of excellence that it demands and the fact that it is run by the NBA. This is the place to be if you want to make it to the NBA or even if you just want to be a part of the NBA experience.
As for Albuquerque, I never thought I would like it here, Im from New York and we have a certain lifestyle up there, but this place grew on me very quickly. The weather is great, never too hot, and not too cold. And the mountains, theyre amazing! It is a small town of about 800,000 but it is so wide open that you cant imagine that many people are here. The food is great, the people are very welcoming and it is just a great atmosphere to live and work in.

USBasket: Well coach I wish you the best of luck for the upcoming 2008-09 season and I look forward to keeping tabs on your progress throughout the season.

Coach Coffino: Thank you I appreciate that.


** Surujh Roopnarine - USBasket Correspondent



*****************************************************
  EGYPT   


Al Ittihad faces Aljalaa tommorrow at Halab Tournament - by Mohamed Hafez

Al Ittihad Alexandria team has arrived yesterday to Aleppo - Syria getting ready to face Al Jalaa Aleppo from syria on saturday , ittihad has been place in the strongest group among the tournament , in additional to al galaa one of the home team club the club will face Sagesse - Al Hekmeh Beirut from lebanon and Al Riyadi Amman from jordan , the final of this tournament will be played on next friday 17 November


Amro Abu Al Khair the team head coach stated that the team will borrow an american play maker from the syrian league during the tournament as two of the original team playmaker suffer from injuries , the coach also announced the names of the players who will travel with the team to Syria are:
(Muhanad al-Sabbagh - Mohammad Orabi - Emad Nour - Ahmed El Sabagh (-85) - Yasser Mubarak - Amir Abd El Fanan (190-G/F-80) - Haytham Kamal - Rami Ibrahim - Ali Mohamed - Ahmed sedeek- Gabriel Hughes (213-F/C-80, college: California)) also Moamen Abouelanin (-86) the national team player will go directly from tunisa to syria and will catch the team on saturday



*****************************************************
  FINLAND   


KORISLIIGA: KTP defeated YMCA Lahti - by Rauno Hurmalainen

Korisliiga, Round 10: Only one game tonight. KTP (Kotka) (6-4) defeating at home YMCA Lahti (7-3) 73-59 (33-25). Quarters: 14-9, 19-16, 18-25, 22-9.
The contest was close untill beginning of the fourth quarter (51-50), but KTP won the last 10 minutes 22-9 and the contest by 14 pts. KTP had four players in double figures: Steve Smith (200-F-81, agency: CAA Sports, college: Iona) 15 pts/13 rbs, Durell Vinson (201-F-85, college: Wagner) 15, Pasi Heinonen (194-G-78) 15 (in 19 minutes) and Damon Williams (199-F-73, college: Colorado St.-Pueblo) 14/11. Sami Pekkola (201-F-83) and Vesa Makalainen (200-F-86) scored both 12 pts for YMCA Lahti. Ray Nixon (203-F-84, agency: Court Side, college: Wisconsin) netted 10 pts.

KTP - YMCA Lahti 73-59 (33-25) (Steve Smith 15/13, Durell Vinson 15, Pasi Heinonen 15, Damon Williams 14/11 - Sami Pekkola 12, Vesa Makalainen 12, Ray Nixon 10).



*****************************************************
  GERMANY   


Junior Denson to Waltrop - by Daniel Poerschke
GV Waltrop of the 1. Regionalliga West signed their second import player within this week: Junior Denson (180-G-85, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement) will be the new playmaker for Head Coach Markus Dueringer. Denson, a 2007 graduate of NAIA powerhouse California Baptist University, played last season in Germany already for SG Wolfenbuettel in the 1. Regionalliga North and averaged 26.2ppg and 5.5apg, including a 45 Point performance against EBC Rostock. In his first game tonight versus BG Hagen, Denson had 18 points in a loss.

*****************************************************
  HOLLAND   


Bobby Walker: "I don't look at myself as just a scorer" - by Fred Roggen
Eurobasket made an exclusive interview with Bobby Walker (188-G-84, agency: Pro One Sports, college: Va Commonwealth) of Rotterdam Challengers, he is leading the league in most points per game (24.6) and shooting the 2pointers with 61.5% and
the 3pointers with 45.8%.

You grew up in Virginia. What was your childhood like?
I grew up in small part of Virginia called the Eastern Shore. My childhood was a normal one..I was fortunate enough to grow up with both parents, and one older brother who actually introduced me to playing basketball.

You played college ball at Virginia Commonwealth. What were your nicest memories on the Basketball court there?
Two memories stick out in my mind..The first one is that I was able to be apart of a team to the NCAA tournament as a freshman by winning the CAA tournament against a very good George Mason team. The second would have to be as a senoir, again reaching the NCAA tournament and advancing by beating Duke on a last second shot.

In 2007, you started your first professional season. Why did you go to Iceland?
Well I chose Iceland, because I took it as a situation where I could learn how professional basketball is played in Europe, but at the same time develop my skills as a professional basketball.. I was fortunate enough to be in a good situation where I had great teammates, a good coach, and I was able to have to success playing there.

You won the championship with Keflavik but decided to go and signed with the Challengers but did you had other offers as well?
Well my coach from Keflavik and I had some brief conversation about coming back there for another year, but the offer to come to Rotterdam was one of best offers I received.. And I was happy that with the offer and I accepted.

Before you arrived in Holland what was the idea of the country and about the league? And after 8 games what you think of our league?
Before coming here I was able to talk to some people and they told me about the country and culture and how things are done here..I happen to know a player that played here last season, Frank Young and we talked about the city of Rotterdam and what to expect..After 8 games I can say that this is a very tough league, very physical, and alot skilled players in this league..Definately a good challenge to play in this league.

What is it like playing for coach Terence Stansbury. He is Basketball 24/7 and is a very fair coach but expects a lot from his players.
Coach is all basketball. Everyday he expects us to work hard, to be a team, and put forth the effort whether it's practice or a game..To do whatever it takes to get the job done

How would you describe the playing style of Rotterdam?
I would describe the playing style as uptempo for the most part. We want to get out and run and try to get easy points as much as possible.. At the same time we need to play smart on both ends of the floor.

What are the strengths of team?
One of the strengths of this team is our talent.. We have alot of versatility, and different players can play different positions and different roles at the same time. We are trying to make the main strengths of our team as playing together, and working hard as a team.

You are a great scorer but also you can make other things on the court...
Yes but I can't honestly take all the credit for scoring.. It's my teamates that help me get open, and having a good floor leader that calls plays for me, and even coach calling plays from the sideline. I don't look at myself as just a scorer, I feel I'm capable of doing more then just scoring to help my team.

What do you expect from the season and What are your goals?
From the season I expect to continue to learn and grow as a player. Also try to become more developed as a professional basketball player..The only goal I have is to try to help my team win as much as possible and make the best of the season we have this year.

Thanks Bobby for taking the time to do this interview.

*****************************************************
  ICELAND   


1. division results - by Siggi Hjorleifsson
Three games tonight in 1 division. All games won at home.
Thor 94. KFI 74. Richard Fields ( Agency Icebasket) (193-G-85) 33 + 12 rebs. Mark Woodhouse (205-F-82, agency: IceBasket, college: N.Carolina A&T) 19 + 13. Baldur Ragnarsson & Vikingur Olafsson 13 pts for Thor. Craig Schoen (178-G-83, college: Georgetown, KY) 19. Pance Ilievski 14 for KFI.
Hamar 98. UMFH 81, Marvin Valdimarsson 36. Jason Pryor (188-G-79, college: Longwood) 32 for Hamar. Caleb Holmes (Agency Icebasket) (198-G/F-85) 28. Atli Gunnarsson 14 for UMFH.
Valur 83. Hottur 80. Steingrimur Ingolfsson 21. Alexander Dungal & Robert Hodgson 14. Hjalti Fridriksson 13 for Valur. Sveinbjorn Skulason 30. Ben Hill (196-F-79, agency: IceBasket) 23 + 14 rebs. Jerry Cheves ( Agency Icebasket) (191-G-84, college: Brockport St.) 19 for Hottur

*****************************************************
  INDIA   


School basketball in Jr NBA programme for India - by Anil Kumar
He has played more games in the National Basketball Association league than any player in history. Even a decade after retiring from active play, Robert Lee Parish, at 53, appears fitter than most members of the Indian team.In the Capital as part of NBA's five-week Junior NBA/Jr. WNBA Hoop School, a three- pronged initiative to promote 'education, basketball participation and an active lifestyle among children in India' Parish sounded pleased with the opportunity to be in the country he has always wanted to visit.

'I am overwhelmed by the way I've been received here,' he said. 'I've always wanted to be in India to know a thing or two about the people and the rich culture of this great nation. But I am going to tell the coaches and players here: Don't be in awe of my height, frame or my status. You don't have to be tall to play good basketball. You got to get the basics right and train the right way.

'We, from the NBA, are here to help those love basketball the right way to train. One should enjoy playing this game and that's the best way to improve. We are here to make the learning part more enjoyable,' said Parish.

Parish, inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003, layed for Boston Celtics for 14 seasons during which the team won the NBA title in 1981, 1984 and 1986. In April 1996, he surpassed one of his all-time favourites, Kareem Abdul Jabbar's record of playing 1,560 games.a۬Other clinicsa۬Parish will also be travelling to Bangalore (November 10-12) and Mumbai (Nov. 14 to 16).

Following a three-day clinic here, ending on Saturday, more than 600 schools throughout the country will receive coaching guidelines, posters and educational guidelines aimed at enhancing the interest in basketball among children in the age-group of eight to 16 years.The five-week programme comprises coaching clinics for Indian coaches, educational seminars and weekly youth clinics for each participating school. The Hoop School in Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai will culminate next month with a competition featuring around 25 local schools.a۬The Basketball Federation of India Secretary Harish Sharma said: was optimistic of basketball growing in the next three years. 'You'll start noticing results,' he said. 'But, for now, we have to concentrate on the process that has just begun.'
Thirty years after the iconic black power salute in the Mexico Olympics Games, America may have awakened to a revolution. With an African-American at the helm of the White House, time is ripe for change. But not a complete one, opines the man who had played a remarkable 1,611 games, more than any other, in NBA history.

'It's still segregated. I don't think we will ever get beyond race relation issues,' says the towering 7ft1 Robert Parish, winner of four NBA Championship rings. 'The biggest strength about Obama is his ability to relate himself to one and all. That is why the whole attitude has changed towards African-Americans. But I feel, not in my lifetime but perhaps by the time my grandchildren get older, the world would be able to say good riddance.'

While Obama is today's role model, the former Boston Celtics centre, who was in the Capital to promote the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Hoop School, a customised grassroots programme for Indian schools, harks back to the days when his parents served as his motivational tools.a۬'My parents told me to judge people by their characters, not by their colour. Coming from the deep south, I could easily have been brought up in an alternate environment but my mother used to invite my teammates over and they were mostly white. It was only because of my upbringing that I became an All-Star, Championship winner and a Hall of Famer.'

Once he had stopped 'messing around' and dealt with his growth spurts at 15 years of age - he grew from 6 ft to almost 7 in two summers - the awkward Louisiana boy transformed into a would-be star. Handpicked from college by Golden State Warriors in 1976, he was traded to Boston Celtics in 1980, and the rest, as the cliche goes, is history. In his 14-year sojourn at the club, the Celtics reached the playoffs 13 times, won nine Atlantic Division titles, reached the NBA Finals five times and won thrice.a۬At Boston, he became a formidable member of the legendary 'Big Three.' With Kevin McHale and Larry Bird, he was part of a frontline which was revered and feared, and the nostalgic glint in his eyes sought to recapture those moments. 'The Big Three was all about humility. The team always came first.'

There was a mischievous laugh, although it wasn't accompanied by revelations. 'We had our flare-ups but for the most part we kept our egos in check. We had our differences but the important thing is that we always moved forward.'

And then there was the famed rivalry with LA Lakers' Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul- Jabbar. 'It was a healthy dislike. It was such a fierce rivalry that we normally brought our A-games on court. We had our names for each other. They were faster, more athletic but we called them Fakers, punning on Lakers,' his recount was complemented by a satisfactory grin.a۬The tower of power, who was voted among the 50 greatest players in NBA history, played his remarkable 21st and last season in 1996-97 as a Chicago Bull, where at 43 years, he shared the stage with another legend Michael Jordan and won his final championship. 'Michael always had the potential to be a great player. I didn't know much about his work ethic while he was growing up but obviously, he was very determined and driven and that's why he turned out to be the player that he is.'

Now that his past is framed for posterity, the Jack Nicholson fan, who is nicknamed 'Chief' after a stoic character in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, wouldn't mind, uncharacteristically, a movie offer. 'I'm kinda curious what kind of roles they could have for a seven-footer.' The contented smile said it all.a۬

Courtesy The Hindu & Times of India Sports Desk

*****************************************************
  IRAN   


The Student couldn't Win The Master... - by Mohammad Ahmadi
Third Week's matches of Iran Basketball SuperLeague were played on Thursday and Friday.
On Thursday, Saba with his new name, SABA MEHR, defeated BEEM in Azadi Basketball Hall with 79-63.
Before that, Mahram won another team from tehran, Ararat with 85-69.
In Khorasan - Mashhad, Langeroud players won their home with just 3 points in 78-81. Zob Ahan defeated Shahrekord in thier home in a great match with 104-105. And the last match of thursday in other cities was for Petrochimi which won Gorgan in 66-82. At the other hand, in Friday the last match of third week was in Shiraz between Shiraz a.s Pipe and Tehran Azad University which was a competition between Two great coaches of Iran. One was Asadollah Kabir , the olden coach of Iran National Team and the other one was Mehran Hatami one of the successful coaches of Iran and assistant coach of Iran National Team in Beijing 2008 Olympic. When Asadollah Kabir was the coach of Iran National Basketball Team, Mehran Hatami was playing in that team and was one of the best 3point shooters of Asia. In that match on Friday, First Quarter finished on 24-24 and at the end of First Half, the score was 40-45 for Azad University. a.s Pipe players did their best on Second Half and Won third quarter with 17-13 and score was 57-58 for Azad University. But in Last Quarter, Shiraz a.s Pipe players finished Azad University by 22-7 and the last score was 79-65 for Shiraz a.s Pipe and Mehran Hatami couldn't win his twonsmen.

Saba Wins, Even Without Battery... - by Mohammad Ahmadi
After Saba Battery company told that they don't want to invest on basketball , One of the best teams of Iranian Basketball League was being cancelled. They couldn't play for Two weeks BUT ...
But a New company named SABA MEHR took their hand and invested on them. They saved Saba's Players and Coaches and too many honors of Iran Basketball.
Saba started the league from Tuesday on Azad University and they won that match 77-73 whereas they didn't play as they are and it's understandable because of too many news around the team.
After two days, they won their second match against BEEM in good shape with 79-63 and showed that they are good every time. Saba Can Win, Even Without Battery.

Standings - Superleague
Superleague Standings
 1. Mahram 3-0 
 2. Zob Ahan 2-0 
 3. Petrochimi 2-0 
 4. Saba 2-0 
 5. Kordestan 1-0 
 6. Langeroud 1-1 
 7. a.s Pipe 1-1 
 8. Ararat 1-2 
 9. Gorgan 1-2 
 10. Shahrekord 1-2 
 11. Azad 0-2 
 12. Khorasan 0-2 
 13. BEEM 0-3 


*****************************************************
  KOSOVO   


MINISTER BEQIRI AND THE PRESIDENT OF FBK BELEGU ENDED THEIR VISIT IN MALAYSIA - by Qendrim Ahmetaj
In the last day of their stay in Malaysia Minister Valton Beqiri and the president of FBK Erolld Belegu, visited the Association of Basketball of Malaysia (MABA). Kosovarian officials were accompanied in continuity by officials of the Ministry of sports in Malaysia were also waited in hospitality by the general sexretary of MABA Taan See Wah, the executive secretary Ong Leng Kok and other officials and other representatives of this state. During the day they vizited the National Council of Sport and the National Center of Olympic sports of Malaysia.
On Saturday afternoon the Minister of Culture, youth and sport Valton Beqiri and the President of FBK Erolld Belegu are expected to come back to Prishtina.


*****************************************************
  LATVIA   


LBL Round: 10 (Regular Season) - by Eurobasket News
ASK/Juniors - Jurmala 63-74
ASK/Juniors remained on top of Division II ladder despite losing to Jurmala in the last round. Atis Ozols scored 24 points to pace Jurmala to a 74:63 victory. Raivis Logins added 20 points and 9 rebounds as the winners improve to 3-2 record. Janis Dilevka knocked down 14 points for ASK/Juniors as they slipped at 6-2 record.

Kandava - BA Riga 86-91
BA Riga clinched the initial win in the season as they shot down Kandava 91:86 on the road. Edmunds Dukulis cam up with 24 points and 12 boards for the winners. Edmunds Tukiss contributed 15 points and 9 rebounds in the winning case. Girts Celms answered with 23 points for Kandava.

Liep.Papirs - Keizarm.U21 67-70
Keizarmezs U21 narrowly defeated Liepajas Papirs 70:67 away from home. Martins Jaunzems secured 27 points and 15 boards as the winners climbed to 3-3 record. Liepajas Papirs were not helped by 19 points and 10 rebounds from Kristaps Fridenbergs.

Barons/LMT - Ventspils 78-82
Ventspils prevailed agaisnt Barons/LMT in one of the key matchups of the season. Tyrone Brazetlon scored 15 points to pace Ventspils to a narrow 82:78 victory. Martins Skirmants added 15 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. ASK/Riga answered with game-high 33 points from Demetrius Alexander.

Zemgale/Juniors - Ventsp.Aug. 109-74
Zemgale/Juniors came back to life as they posted the second win in the Division II action. This time they cruised past Ventspils Augstskola 109:74 at home court. Edgars Tramdaks exploded with 29 points and 11 boards for the winners. Martins Auns answered with 16 points in defeat.

Valmiera U21 - Kandava 81-65
The Valmiera's second team improved to 4-1 record in the Division II championship with a comfortable 81:65 win over Kandava. Aigars Strelis was solid for Valmiera U21 with 22 points and 10 boards. Einars Tukiss had 17 points in the win. Kaspars Baumanis secured 19 points for Kandava as they fell to 2-4 record.

Zemgale - Liepajas 87-74
Zemgale outscored Liepajas Lauvas 87:74 to grab the third win in the tournament. Ilmars Bergmanis came up with 18 points for the hosts. Martins Berkis finished with 17 points in the victorious outing. Arturs Stalbergs responded with 20 points for Liepajas as they fell to 5-3 record at the second spot in the standings.



LBL standings
LBL Standings
Division I
 1. BK Ventspils 6-1 
 2. Liep.Lauvas 5-2 
 3. Valmiera 4-3 
 4. ASK Riga 3-1 
 5. Barons/LMT 3-2 
 6. VEF Riga 3-3 
 7. Zemgale 2-4 
 8. Buki Gulbene 2-5 
 9. Keizarmezs 0-7 
Division II
 1. ASK/Juniors 6-1 
 2. Saldus 4-0 
 3. Valmiera-2 3-1 
 4. Ridzene/Barons 3-1 
 5. RNS-D/Livani 3-3 
 6. Keizarmezs-2 3-3 
 7. Ventspils au. 3-4 
 8. Jurmala 2-2 
 9. Kandava 2-3 
 10. Liepajas Papirs 2-3 
 11. Zemgale/Juniors 2-4 
 12. BA Riga 1-4 
 13. SK Cesis 0-5 


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  LITHUANIA   


LKL Round: 6 (Regular Season) - by Eurobasket News
Nevezis - Sakalai 89-81
Nevezis earned the third win in the LKL season rolling past Sakalai 89:81 at home court. Valdas Dabkus nailed 21 points to pace Nevezis. Gintaras Leonavicius added 16 points in the win. Laurynas Samenas netted 18 points for Sakalai as they slipped at 2-3 record.

Aisciai - Kaunas Tr. 85-87
Sarunas Vasilauskas scored 8 points in the final 39 seconds of the game to lift Kaunas Triobet to an 87:85 win over Aisciai on the road. Povilas Butkevicius notched 23 points and 16 rebounds for the winners. Donatas Motiejunas answered with 22 points and 11 boards for Aisciai.

Neptunas - Alytus Alita 103-72
Neptunas remained among the leaders with a cruising 103:72 win over Alita. It was the fourth victory for Neptunas as Valdas Vasylius. Marius Janisius answered with 26 points and 9 rebounds for Alita.

Suduva - Techasas 73-76
Techasas got 26 points from Darius Griskenas and celebrated the first win in the season. Demarius Bolds added 17 points and 6 rebounds as Techasas overcame Suduva 76:73 away from home. Marius Runkauskas had 27 points for the hosts as they suffered the 5th straight defeat.

Techasas - Neptunas 94-98
Neptunas kept on winning as they bruised Techasas 98:94 in Round 6. Martynas Mazeika exploded with 30 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for the Klaipeda outfit. Evaldas Dainys had 18 points in the win. Darius Griskenas nailed 28 points for Techasas as they slipped at 1-5 record.

Kaunas Tr. - Lietuvos 62-106
Lietuvos Rytas claimed the fifth consecutive victory in the season as they thrashed Kaunas Triobet 106:62 away from home. Mindaugas Lukauskis fired 23 points to lead the league leaders to an easy win. Martynas Gecevicius dropped 16 points for the Vilnius team. Arturas Milaknis had 11 points for Kaunas Triobet in defeat.



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  LUXEMBOURG   


T71's Whitworth busted Residence for 43!! Amicale dumped Racing on the road! - by Alex Meyers
October 31, 2008

T71 90 - Residence 74

Dudelange, Luxembourg
Tim Whitworth (198-G/F-81, agency: Court Side, college: Drexel) of T71 found his rhythm and subsequently the bottom of the hoop last weekend dropping 43 points against struggling Residence. PG Gilles Ruffato scored 14 and Bob Kieffer 10 as T71 improved to 3-2 giving them important momentum as they head tonight to Steinsel to face Amicale in a battle for 4th place in this early DBBL season. T71 played well defensively and executed well offensively throughout the match but Residence hung in there managing to keep it close until the last 5 minutes of the game where T71 went on a 15-7 run to close out the game and grab the important victory. Residence has a new import in Matt Hall (198-F-84, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement, college: Harding) who had a good start in Luxembourg scoring 32 points. He didn't get much help however, from his new teammates, as only Pit Koster hit double figures with 10 points. Residence will play host to Musel Pikes tonight.

T71: 35 filed goals, 7 three pointers, 13 for 19 free throws and 15 fouls.
Technical foul 7' Martin Rajniak
Rajniak 8, Whitworth 43, Siebenbour, Ruffato 14, Kieffer 10, also Klein 4, Abreu and Hoffmann
Residence: 31 field goals, 6 three pointers, 6 for 13 free throws and 20 fouls.
Hall 32, F. Mangen 8, Abdieu 7, Leschek 6, Koster 10, also Kayser, Hemmen 3 Julien 6 and Felten 2

Unsportsmanlike fould 8' Leschek, Technical foul 14' Hemmen, no other stats were available
Score by quarters: 1st Q 18-21, Halftime 43-40, 3rd Q 64-57, Final 90-74
175 Spectators


November 1, 2008

Racing 78 - Amicale 83

Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Racing lost again but not without putting up a good fight against visiting Amicale. Balanced scoring and sharp shooting keyed the victory for Amicale as they improved their record to 3-2 in the DBBL. Four Amicale players reached double figure status led by Travis DePree (201-F/C, college: Albion) with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Chris Scholtes stepped it up a notch adding 21 points followed by Christian Schartz who had 14 points and dished for 8 assists. Christopher Jones also had 12 points for the winners from Steinsel. Racing, playing without Eric Grand and Steve Klose, dropped to 7th place with a poor 1-4 start for the 08-09 campaign. Jordan Brady (198-F-83) had another double-double grabbing 12 missed shots and scoring 23 points. Dave Schroeder picked up some slack with 20 points and Jol Pires scored 18 for Racing. Racing will travel to Heffingen(0-5) for a battle of the DBBL's bottom tonight and Amicale will host an ever improving and momentous T71. The winner will take over the fourth spot in the DBBL.

Racing: 33 field goals, 7 three pointers, 5 for 8 free throws, 27 rebounds, 18 fouls and 17 turnovers
Brady 23, Schroeder 20, Pires 18, Weynandt 8, Haas 7, also Groos and Schmit 2
Amicale: 30 field goals, 11 three pointers, 12 for 18 free throws, 31 rebounds, 11 fouls and 17 turnovers
Scholtes 21, Jones 12, DePree 24, Schartz 14, Ney 4, also Rausch 3, Kartheiser 2, Haan and Birenbaum 3

Score by quarters: 1st Q 21-23, Halftime 39-45, 3rd Q 59-65, Final 78-83
250 Spectators

Contern upsets previously unbeaten DBBL leader Musel Pikes for second straight win!!! - by Alex Meyers

Sunday, November 2, 3008

Musel Pikes 68 - Contern 80

Remich, Luxembourg
Contern played 4 solid quarters last Sunday afternoon in Remich and gave Musel Pikes its first loss of the season to win their second straight after an 0-3 start. AB Contern(2-3) climbs farther a way from the DBBL cellar with the win and is now in the 7th place in the ten team league. Chris Braier (195-F-84, agency: Rasmussen Services, college: Lawrence) of Musel Pikes was held to only 8 points, scoring only three times the whole match, but hoisted down 11 rebounds and dished for 7 assists. Samy Picard shared scoring honors with Contern's Eric Jeitz, each with 24 points. Guy Schmit added 17 and Laurent Schwartz 11 for Pikes. Contern had a nice balanced scoring attack with Eric Jeitz 24, Ken Diederich 18, Brandon Gary (202-F-83, college: Hutchinson JC) 17 amd Gilles Becker 14(6 asssits). Gary notched the game's only double-double tearing down 11 rebounds for Contern. Contern shot well from the three point line hitting 10 of 20 attempts and even better from 2 point range where they were 21 for 34 for 62%. Musel Pikes was flawless from the free throw line shooting in 10 for 10. Contern will host league co-leader Black Star on Saturday, November 8th and Musel Pikes will travel to Walferdange to face Residence.

Musel Pikes: 23 field goals, 12 three pointers, 10 for 10 free throws, 32 rebounds, 14 fouls and 10 turnovers
Picard 24, Schwartz 11, Braier 8, G. Schmit 17, Kox 8, also C. Schmit, Dentzer and Schmitz
Contern: 31 field goals, 10 three pointers, 8 for 11 free throws, 30 rebounds, 17 fouls and 14 turnovers
Brandon 17, Jeitz 24, Becker 14, Diederich 18, Fasbender, also Torres 5, Florentin and Bissener 2

Score by quarters: 1st Q 19-21, Halftime 28-36, 3rd Q 51-61, Final 68-80
275 spectators



Black Star continues to surprise with road win at Etzella!!! - by Alex Meyers
October 31, 2008

Etzella 61 - Black Star 72

Black Star surprised Etzella last week by dominating for three quarters. Especially in the final period where the visitors romped scoring 25 points while giving up only 19. Black Star led by as many as 12 points early in the 4th and held on to win by 11 in the end. Black Star won with defense holding the home team to 11 and 12 in the 1st and 3rd periods. Nelson DelGado was held to a season low 7 points as he and his teammates struggled from the field in shooting percentage. Marcus Kennedy (193-F-84, college: Montevallo) played a marvelous game to keep Etzella in, it ending up with 35 points and 18 rebounds. No others from Etzella could reach double figures. Due to torn ligaments in his ankle, Raphael Albaladejo played for less than 3 minutes for the Jairo DelGado and Jim Garganese-less Etzella. Black Star improved their record to 4-1 which moves them to a tie for first place in the DBBL along with Sparta and Musel Pikes. Black Star's Billy McDaniel (201-F/C-84, agency: 540 Sports, college: Ark.-Monticello) (201-F/C-84, dominated the boards ripping down 24 total caroms and adding 29 points and 4 assists. He had help from Jannik Tuffell(14 points) and Pit Hoffmann(11 points). Patrick Arbaut did not play his best for Black Star scoring only points and had a game high 5 turnovers. Next up, Black Star will play in Contern and Etzella will go to Sparta. Both games tomorrow evening, Saturday, November 8th.

Etzella: 22 field goals, 6 three pointers, 11 for 12 free throws, 29 rebounds, 13 fouls and 8 turnovers
N. DelGado 7, Benseghir, Giver 8, Albaladejo 3, Kennedy 35, also E.. Ferreira, Ittenbach, Jacoby, Wiesenbach 4 and Kerger 4
Black Star: 31 field goals 1 three pointer, 9 for 16 free throws, 44 rebounds, 15 fouls and 15 turnovers
P. Arbaut 6, McDaniel 29, Tuffel 14, Becker 4, Hoffmann 11, also Norrell 8, Muepa, DiBatolomeo and Y. Arbaut

Score by quarters: 1st Q 11-14, Halftime 30-31, 3rd Q 42-47, Final 61-72
332 Spectators

Standings - DBBL
DBBL Standings
 1. Sparta 4-1 
 2. Musel Pikes 4-1 
 3. Black Star 4-1 
 4. Etzella 3-2 
 5. T71 3-2 
 6. Amicale 3-2 
 7. Contern 2-3 
 8. Racing 1-4 
 9. Residence 1-4 
 10. Heffingen 0-5 


Scoring Leaders - DBBL
Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
1 Hall, Residence 32.0
2 McDaniel, B.Star 27.0
3 Whitworth, T71 26.8
4 DelGado, N., Etz. 26.2
5 Brady, Racing 25.6
6 Anderson, Heff., 25.6
7 Smith, Sparta, 25.6
8 Kennedy, Etzella 25
9 Rajniak, T71 21.2
10 Schmit,G. Res. 18.8


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  PBL   


Raimnen add three players to roster - by Gianni Pascucci
The Halifax Rainmen announced the agreement with former Manchester Millrats star Robert Sanders (6'7''-F-83, agency: Strategic Sports, college: Providence), as well as with two players from last year's team, Brian Silverhorn (6'6''-G-84, college: Georgetown, KY) and Jimmy Twyman (6'0''-G-80, college: Detroit Mercy). The Rainmen now have five players signed, including Walter Moyse (6'10''-F/C-81) and David Bailey (6'8''-F, college: Prince George CC).

Njoya signs at Quebec Kebs - by Gianni Pascucci

The Quebec Kebs (new official name of the Quebec City Kwebekwa) have signed Cameroonian Simplice Njoya (6'10''-C/F-81, college: Memphis) for the 2009 season. Njoya is a 2006 graduate of the University of Memphis, where he was a teammate of NBA players Joey Dorsey, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Darius Washington and Shawne Williams. He began his collegiate career at Duquesne University, where he averaged over 9 pts per game as a freshman and sophomore, before transferring to Memphis. He then played in the WBA for the North Mississippi Tornadoes, and last year in the CBA, with the Pittsburgh Xplosion. Simplice is a solid interior presence who played at a high level in college and is used to physical play, having battled the likes of Joey Dorsey everyday in practice. He also has two years of professional basketball under his belt, and will provide us with an interior presence to go along our perimeter scorers. Furthermore, he speaks French very well, which is great for our community and our fan base, and his maturity makes him a great fit with our local guys says Head Coach and Director of basketball Operations, Charles Dube-Brais . The Kebs will open up their training camp on November 22 and will begin preseason play shortly thereafter. They host the Manchester Millrats on Dec. 5 & 6 at the Juvenat Notre-Dame, a local high school located on the south shore of Quebec City, the second game also being the Champlain Cup opener, a season long tournament also featuring the Montreal Sasquatch and Vermont Frost Heaves.

For additional info, please contact the Kebs front office at vbernier@kebs.ca or 418-780-4850, or visit www.kebsdequebec.com



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  QATAR   


Results; Round 1 - Qatari D1 (2008-09) - by Amir Abou-El-Kheir

Scores from the 1st round of the Qatar Clubi D1

Al Jaysh Army SC 71 (29 - 32) Al Wakrah 57
Al Rayyan 69 (34-26) Al Gharrafah 42
Al Arabi Club 58 (36-37) Al Ahli Sports Club 47
Qatar Club 74 (25-27) As Sadd Sports Club 65

Week 1 Leaders

Scoring
Curtis Haywood - 34 (198-G-75, college: Oklahoma City) (As Sadd)
Maurice Hargrow - 30 (195-G-83, college: Minnesota) (Qatar Club)
Aaron Haynes - 26 (202-F-81, college: Boise St.) (Al Arabi)
Ali Turki - 22 (202-F-82) (Jaysh)
Juma Kamara - 20 (198-F-84, college: Portland St.) (Al Arabi)

Rebounds
Michael Okoro - 13 (206-F-89) (Al Gharrafah)
Curtis Haywood - 13
Aaron Haynes - 12
Juma Kamara - 11
Ali Turki - 11

Assists
Boney Watson - 7 (183-G, college: Sam Houston St.) (Al Rayyan)
Fadi Hani - 5
Maurice Hargrow - 5
Zayne Gawanab - 4 (188-G-82) (Al Wakrah)
El Hadji Abdou Corea Sow - 4 (Al Wakrah)

Steals
Boney Watson - 8

Marzouk - 5 (Qatar Club)

Onye Ibekwe - 4 (203-F-83, college: Long Beach St.) (As Sadd)

Zayne Gawanab - 5 (188-G-82)

Maurice Hargrow - 4

Blocks
Michael Okoro - 2

Cheikh Sall - 2 (208-C-84) (Jaysh)

Omar Abdgader Salem - 2 (205-C-83) (Qatar Club)



Standings
D1 Standings
 1. Al Rayyan 1-0 
 2. Qatar 1-0 
 3. Al Arabi 1-0 
 4. Al Jaysh 1-0 
 5. Al Wakrah 0-1 
 6. Al Gharrafah 0-1 
 7. As Sadd 0-1 
 8. Al Ahli 0-1 


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  SERBIA   


Strahinja Dragicevic rejoins Mega Hypo Leasing - by Dragan Jankovski
Participant of Serbian A league as well as BIBL, Mega Hypo Leasing, returned its ex player Strahinja Dragicevic (194-F-86). 22-year old power forward spent previous two seasons with his Mega. In the last one he played 22 games in A league averaging 7.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg and 1 apg. Interesting is that this summer Strahinja was pretty close to join his twin brother Tadija Dragicevic (205-F-86, agency: Beo Basket), who is the captain of Crvena Zvezda, but despite couple of good games during the pre-season that didn't happen. Before Mega HL, Dragicevic used to play for Partizan II as well as Partizan's juniors. He signed the contract with his new-old team until the end of the season.

Crvena Zvezda finally got new management board. After few months current main investors officially accepted their positions. New president of the Belgrade's team will be Serbian businessman Slobodan Vucicevic, who was actually the key person of the entire project. The other high important person in Zoran Drakulic, who will take position of Assembly President. According to the Zvezda's statute, their mandate will last 5 years.
As a reminder, Crvena Zvezda is the team who kept just few players from the last season and agreed terms with many new ones. The team started 08/09 in style registering 5 consecutive wins in Adriatic league. In the last round it faced with first failure and it happened against Croatian Euroleague team Cibona in Zagreb. In the latest EuroCup game (Qualifying round 2) Crvena Zvezda met Gmunden in Austria 82-82. Second leg is scheduled for November 11th and it will take a place in hall Pionir.

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  SOUTH KOREA   


Standings
KBL Standings
 1. Orions 3-0 
 2. Dongbu Promy 3-1 
 3. KCC Egis 3-1 
 4. ET Land B.Sl. 2-1 
 5. Samsung Th. 2-1 
 6. KT&G Kites 2-1 
 7. Mobis Phoebus 1-2 
 8. LG Sakers 1-2 
 9. SK Knights 0-4 
 10. KTF M.Wings 0-4 


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  TURKEY   


Standings - TB2L
TB2L Standings
Group A
 1. Trabzonspor 3-0 
 2. Bornova 3-0 
 3. Akcakoca P. 3-1 
 4. Edirne Genclik 2-1 
 5. Bursa B-bol 2-1 
 6. Vestel 2-1 
 7. FMV Isik 2-2 
 8. Pamukkale 1-2 
 9. Genc Telekom 1-2 
 10. Eyup 0-3 
 11. Orman 0-3 
 12. TED Istanbul 0-3 
Group B
 1. Tofas 3-0 
 2. ITU 3-0 
 3. Yesilyurt 2-1 
 4. Gelisim 2-1 
 5. Duzce Genclik 2-1 
 6. Canakkale 2-1 
 7. Ankara Basket 1-2 
 8. Genc Banvit. 1-2 
 9. Usak 1-2 
 10. Beykoz 1-2 
 11. Pertevniyal 0-3 
 12. Mulkiye 0-3 


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  UKRAINE   


UBL Round: 11 (Regular Season) - by Eurobasket News
DniproAzot - Hoverla 81-84
Hoverla claimed the second win in the UBL season as they eked out an 84:81 win against DniproAzot on the road today. Andrei Lebedev and Patrick Sparks came up with 18 points for the Ivano-Frankovsk team as they improved to 2-8 record in the ladder. DniproAzot answered with 17 points from Jurij Zozulia.

Kryvbasbasket - Polit.Lviv 85-68
Kryvbasbakset got closer to the league leading Cherkasy beating Politekhnika Lviv 85:68 at home today. Kryvbasbaskets climbed at 7-3 record, while sending Politekhnika to 6-4 record. Jarrett Howell paced balanced hosts' offense with 14 points. Dmitri Glebov and Aleksandr Shaposhnikov added 10 points each in the win. Volodymyr Gurtovoy answered with 18 points and 6 blocks for the visitors.

BC Odessa - Ferro-ZNTU 91-77
Odessa experienced little problems against visiting Ferro-ZNTU cruising to a 91:77 victory. Otis Hill entertained the local crowd with game-high 22 points many of them coming from dazzling dunks. Vladyslav Podolyan secured 21 points for the winners. Jason Fontenet answered with 16 points for Ferro in the loss. Odessa remained among the leaders with 7-3 record, while Ferro slipped to 4-5.

Gryfony - Dnipro 72-73
Patrick Beverley scored a go-ahead jumper with just seconds left in regulation to lift Dnipro to a 73:72 win over Gryfony in the round. The hero of the game finished with 19 points. Darnell Lazare paced Dnipro with 21 points. Gryfony replied with 11 points from Anthony Slack.



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  UNITED KINGDOM   


7+7 with Player/Coach Skouson Harker - by George Manousidis
Eurobasket have a litle chat with Skouson Harker the 'Heart and Mind' of Worcester Wolves.

Eurobasket: What did you think about the season 2008-9 of BBL? The teams are better or worse than last year?
Skouson Harker: Teams 1-12 the BBL looks to be tougher this season. As far as the top few from last year, they have got even better. Newcastle, in my opinion, is as good or better than they have ever been. Plymouth, even though they have yet to get rolling, on paper, are the best they have ever been. And Everton are as strong on paper as any team in the BBL in the past five years. After those three teams I think it is an open book. Scotland has started well and will also be tough to beat with Rob Yanders as their point guard.

Eurobasket: You are Player/Coach how difficult is that for you?
Skouson Harker: It is a real challenge. To me it is not so much the basketball side of things but the off court duties that take up your time and make it a full-time job. I have really enjoyed the challenge in Worcester though. I have capable Assistant Coaches in Kirk Dawes and Rob Crump. Kirk is as experienced as they come and he has done a phenomenal job for us, and Rob is also a dependable Assistant Coach. They are starting to take most of the pressure on game day, and I concentrate on playing ball.

Eurobasket: You are in the second year with Worcester Wolves. Is Worcester Wolves the big bet of your career or you want something more?
Skouson Harker: I enjoy Worcester, the potential is here to have a solid BBL club. Roger Clarke (Chariman) and Mick Donovan (former Director and currecnt club Advisor) have the foundations in place for a successful BBL club. With the ongoing partnership with the University of Worcester and our top sponsor npower our entire organisation feels we are just beginning to scratch the surface of what can be accomplish in the community and on the basketball court. I am very ambitious as a young coach though. Even though I am still in my playing prime I plan to continue coaching when my knees ache and I can't run and play ball any more! Right now though my heart and head is in Worcester.

Eurobasket: Tell me your suggestions about BBL league.
Skouson Harker: Three or five game series for the BBL Playoff Championships would be great, which would reward the best team in the BBL regular season as they would hold home court advantage. One offs are exciting for BBL Cup and Trophy Finals, but a Playoff Final Series would be more in line with what other European countries do, and they make sure the best team pulls through with the title.

Eurobasket: What did you think must change if we want to make a better and more competitive league?
Skouson Harker: To be honest I think the BBL is far more competitive then outsiders give it credit for. Guildford would have won a few games last year in ULEB, but unfortunately their leader and point guard Brian Dux (BBL MVP in 2006/07) was injured and the team never recovered form that, as far as ULEB was concerned. In my opinion that would have given the BBL some legitimate European credibility it currently lacks as Paul James did a fantastic job putting that team together. The BBL needs a representative in Euro competitions every year and I think that would up the profile of the BBL as a whole.

Eurobasket:Do you ever wonder why in BBL you don't have so many Bosman players? The countries like Spain, Italy, Greece, Lithuania, France have big markets with very good players.
Skouson Harker: Team is starting to carry one or two in their roster. In reality though the top teams have focused on developing and winning with top British talent, which is great.

Eurobasket: If you compare the style of British basketball with other European countries what major differences you find?
Skouson Harker:The European game on the highest level -ACB, Serie A, Russian Superleague, Adriatic League, Greek A1- etc- is more structured and methodical, and everyone on the floor change shoot the ball at high percentages from inside or out. Teams are deeper and the scoring is very well spread. The bigger players make it a more physical game. The BBL tends to be a bit of a run and gun game, and many BBL teams rely on two three players to score over 20 points.

Eurobasket: And finally a comment about the British National team and the successful qualifying for Eurobasket 2009.
Skouson Harker: It was a superb achievement. Chris Finch and his Staff did an outstanding job. We watched them play at NIA in Birmingham and they were pure class, played very hard and the players new and worked hard their respective roles. They have only come together though and can play even better I believe. The potential is massive for Team GB and I honestly think that by 2012 they will force to be reckoned with on the Olympic stage.


Key Match Ups Spark Weekend Fixtures - by Andy Webb
PAWS London Capital coach Milek Jivens knows that his team will face a tough time when they host the Marshall MK Lions on Saturday evening : I believe the Milton Keynes game will be a physical one . Last time we meet the Lions they did all the little things that kept us on the back foot. They had a good all around team display and their veterans prove decisive. We wore not able to match them for four quarters. At this level you can not afford to fall asleep at any part of the game and expect to win.

Having seen his BiG Cheshire Jets team hammered 109-78 at Sheffield Sharks when the teams last met, Paul Smith is looking for a much improved performance when they teams clash again at Northgate Arena on Sunday:

I know they killed us last time. It was the worst Jets performance I've been involved with. They completely outplayed and out hustled us from minute one to minute 40. Sherman Rivers (185-G-81, agency: Globalsports/Globalevents, college: William & Mary) is an excellent guard and runs the team very well but it was the big guys Gorman and [Chris] Sanders who caused us the most problems. They can step out and shoot it and are very active on the boards. We need to rebound to have a chance in this game.

Marshall MK Lions go in search of revenge against Airwaves Plymouth Raiders when the teams clash at Bletchley Leisure Centre on Sunday. It will be the second meeting in just ten days between the sides, with Raiders having won 77-69 on their own court in late October.

Despite that loss, Lions coach Vince Macauley isnt overly concerned about facing the Raiders again: We dont need to do anything different for Raiders, we contained them very well, our offensive output isnt where we need it to be, defensively we have nothing to worry about. I believe Anthony Martin drives them forward and he and Lasker get a lot of action off transition, that is an area one needs to look at when playing Raiders.

Scottish Rocks coach expects a difficult game when Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders arrive at Kelvin Halls on Sunday: I know that they are a new and much improved team to the past years with a lot of talent both on the perimeter and in the paint. They have had different guys step up on different occasions, which is a sign of a good team, so its hard to key in on one or two guys. We will need to be ready on all points.



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Women News

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  BELGIUM - Women  


Dexia Namur keep perfect in EuroCup - by Eurobasket News
Spartak Noginsk - Dexia 76:93

Spartak Noginsk failed to stop Dexia in their winning run. The Belgian champions earned the third straight EuroCup success beating Spartak 93:76 in Russia. The win allowed Dexia to remain on top of Group L, while Spartak fell to 2-1 record in the ladder. Six Dexia players scored in double digits. Stephanie Dubuc (175-F/G-85) led the winners with 19 points. Pauline Akonga Nsimbo (187-F/C-82, agency: LBM Management) added 17 points and 8 rebounds, while Romina Ciappina (180-F/G-88) had 14 points for the visitors. Tatiana Sergeeva (198-C-82) replied with 17 points and 5 rebounds for Spartak Noginsk in defeat.
Malashenko scored 8 points in the opening term for Dexia as the visitors grabbed a comfortable 31:18 lead. Ciappina and Lisa Wallbutton (183-F-86) stretched the margin to 20 points early in the second frame. Stephanie Dubuc and Lisa Wallbutton soon recorded six straight points and Dexia enjoyed a massive 26 points advantage. However Tatiana Sergeeva and Yulia Khodzayan (173-G-84) gave some hope for the hosts as they trimmed the deficit to 19 points at halftime. Yulia Khodzayan opened the second half with 5 points in a row to cut the distance to 16 points. Spartak found the right rhythm at the moment and capitalized shaving the deficit to just 8 points at the last break. Romanova began the final term with a layup and the recovery did not look improbable any more. But Marjorie Carpreaux (165-G-87, agency: LBM Management) and Romina Ciappina nailed key buckets for Dexia as the visitors restored a safe 17-point distance midway through the quarter. Spartak had little time left to change the complexion of this one and had to surrender at the end.

Spartak Noginsk: Tatiana Sergeeva 17, Yulia Khodzayan 16+11 boards
Dexia: Stephanie Dubuc 19, Pauline Akonga Nsimbo 17, Romina Ciappina 14

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  BULGARIA - Women  


Rivas Ecopolis sneak past Dunav in Bulgaria - by Eurobasket News
Dunav - Rivas Ecopolis 70:75

Rivas Ecopolis eked out a narrow road win over Dunav to improve to 2-1 record in Group C of EuroCup preliminary round. Dunav meanwhile suffered the third straight loss in the tournament. Catherine Joens (180-G-82) was pivotal for the Spanish team as she poured in game-high 26 points. Miljana Musovic (180-G-87) added 13 points for the winners. Daniela Peteva (179-F-89) answered with 19 points for Dunav. Danielle Page (188-F-86, college: Nebraska) secured 18 points and 7 rebounds in the losing effort.
The close game in the starting period saw Rivas Ecopolis grab a 20:18 lead. But Dunav stayed in the race and quickly denied the deficit. They outgunned the visiting team 17:14 in the second quarter to pile up a 35:34 advantage at halftime. However a 10-point tally from Catherine Joens in the third stanza allowed Rivas Ecopolis to be back in the drivers seat. They entered the fourth term ahead by 2 points and held on to the cushion in the tense closing minutes.
Rivas Ecopolis finished the game shooting solid 64% from the field. They also outrebounded the hosts 23:19 to prevail at the end.
Rivas Ecopolis will take on Crvena Zvezda in Serbia next. Dunav will travel to the Group C leaders Elitzur Ramla in the fouth round.

Dunav: Daniela Peteva 19, Danielle Page 18
Rivas Ecopolis: Catherine Joens 26, Miljana Musovic 13, Jelena Dubljevic (192-C-87) 11

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  CROATIA - Women  


Ivana Matovic leads Lotos past Sibenik in Euroleague - by Eurobasket News
Lotos - Sibenik 79:76

Polish Lotos earned the first win in the Euroleague competition as they held off Sibenik in Gorzow. Ivana Matovic (197-C-83) scored 27 points to lead the hosts to the hard-fought victory. Sibenik that entered the game at 2-1 record had all the chances to celebrated the win but the home team proved just better at the end. Veselovski hit a three-pointer to put Sibenik within a single point 76:77 from Lotos. However Alana Beard (180-G/F-82, college: Duke) came up with two free throws to give the hosts a crucial 79:76 lead with 17 seconds remaining. Constance Jinks (170-G-81, college: UNLV) had a chance to force overtime but her three-pointer rimmed out finalizing a tough victory for the Polish side.
The game was pretty tight right from the start. Lotos trailed late in the opening term before Leclejewska and Alana Beard scored five straight points to give the home team a 21:17 advantage at the first intermission. The lead changed hands for several times and Constance Jinks and Luca Ivankovic (201-C-87) sealed the first half outcome at 46:43 for Sibenik. The Croatian team maintained the lead throughout the major part of the third stanza but Magdalena Leciejewska (191-C-86) and Matovic made it 59:56 for Lotos heading into the fourth quarter. The game stayed tense and everything was decided in the drama of the last seconds.
Magdalena Leciejewska finished with 7 points and 15 boards for Lotos. Constance Jinks replied with game-high 30 points and 7 rebounds for Sibenik. Marta Cakic (175-G-82) and Luca Ivankovic had 12 points each in the loss.
Lotos will next host USK Praha, while Sibenik will take on Ros Casares at home on November 12.

Lotos: Ivana Matovic 27, Alana Beard 21, Magdalena Leciejewska 7+15 boards
Sibenik: Constance Jinks 30, Marta Cakic 12, Luca Ivankovic 12

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  ESTONIA - Women  


Botas get things rolling in EuroCup - by Eurobasket News
BC Star - Botas Spor 60:66

Turkish Botas Spor snapped two-game losing skid in EuroCup yesterday. They travelled to Estonia and pulled away with a difficult 66:60 overtime win against BS Star. Marcedes Walker (191-C-86, agency: Merit Sports, college: Pittsburgh) was outstanding with 31 points and 20 boards for Botas. Katja Bavendam (203-C-85, college: New York U.) added 12 points and 12 boards for the visitors. BC Star in the meantime remained at the bottom of the ladder winless. Davineia Payne (175-G-83, college: La Salle) came up with 18 points and 12 boards for the hosts. Ashley Wallace (183-C-85, college: Pace) had 17 points and 7 rebounds in defeat.
BC Star looked better in the first half. Gerly Kostla (177-G-80) and Davineia Payne secured an 8-point lead for the home team late in the starting period. Takmaz and Katja Bavendam cut the deficit but Botas still trailed by 4 points at the intermission. BC Star managed to maintain the lead in a slow second term. Rannaveski scored 9 points in the frame and the hosts enjoyed a 32:25 advantage at halftime. However Botas used a 14:2 rally to open the second half and surged ahead 39:34 midway through the third quarter. Marcedes Walker stepped up for the visitors at the moment as her 5 points late in the period allowed Botas to head into the fourth stanza up by 3 points. Ashley Wallace and Davineia Payne returned the lead to the hosts and BC Star were in front 53:52 with just over 2 minutes left. Katja Bavendam knocked down a jumper to put Botas ahead but Davineia Payne immediately reacted with a layup to ensure a 55:54 advantage for the home side with 42 seconds remaining in regulation. Angela Tisdale (170-G-85, college: Baylor) got fouled and sank one free throw to draw things level at 55. Gerly Kostla then missed both free throws, while Angela Tisdale and Marcedes Walker also came up short on their attempts to see the game into overtime.
Angela Tisdale and Marcedes Walker tipped off the extra period with 6 straight points for Botas and BC Star never recovered.

BC Star: Davineia Payne 18+12 boards, Ashley Wallace 17
Botas Spor: Marcedes Walker 31+20 boards, Angela Tisdale 14, Katja Bavendam 12+12 boards

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  FRANCE - Women  


Mondeville topple Buducnost in Podgorica - by Eurobasket News
Buducnost - Mondeville 64:77

USO Mondeville celebrated the first win in the EuroCup preliminary round campaign as they held off Buducnost in Podgorica. Lenae Williams (186-F-79, college: De Paul) scored 20 points to pace the French team. Jennifer Digbeu (190-F/C-87) added 13 points, while Pauline Jannault (193-F/C-87) had 15 points in the win. Lady Comfort (188-C-86, college: Temple) answered with game-high 21 points and 17 rebounds. Jelena Culafic (174-G-89) knocked down 12 points as Buducnost remained winless at 0-3.
The teams looked well-matched in the opening term and Mondeville led by just 5 points 28:23 after ten minutes of action. Jovanovic, Lady Comfort and Mihailovic squared things up at 30 early in the second period. However Mondeville answered with a 15:0 rally to build a comfortable advantage late in the second term. Milutinovic and Lady Comfort narrowed the gap to 7 points at the start of the third frame but Mondeville did not allow the hosts to come any closer. Jennifer Digbeu, Salagnac and Lenae Williams stretched the buffer to 16 points midway through the fourth quarter and Mondeville never looked back at the dying stages.
Buducnost outrebounded Mondeville 39:36 but sank just 38% from the field. The visitors converted 44% of field goals and forced the home team to 19 turnovers.
Buducnost will next take on Galatasaray in Turkey. Mondeville will travel to Greece to take on Aris.

Buducnost: Lady Comfort 21+17 boards, Jelena Culafic 12
Mondeville: Lenae Williams 20, Pauline Jannault 15, Jennifer Digbeu 13

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  GREECE - Women  


Cesis narrowly defeat Ravenna - by Eurobasket News
Cesis - Ravenna 58:56

Latvian Cesis ensured the second win in the EuroCup season. They dealt with Ravenna Esperides at home court to catch up with their opponents in Group I ladder. Now the teams are tied at 2-1 record in the pool standings. The hosts led throughout the first term before Kyrkopoulou capped the frame with a three-pointer to give Ravenna a 12:11 lead. Davis and Boni stretched the margin to 6 points early in the second quarter. Aikaterina Sotiriou (187-F-83) and Jackie McFarland (191-F-85, college: Colorado) get things rolling for Ravenna as the visitors piled up a 25:23 advantage at halftime.
Stella Kaltsidou (187-C/F-83) nailed 9 straight points for Ravenna early in the third period as the Greek team grabbed a 12-point lead. However Cesis were not distressed and quickly bounced back. Sandra Dijon (195-C-79), Santa Dreimane (176-G-85), Jessica Simmonds (185-F/C-83, college: George Washington) and Ieva Tare (185-F-74) fueled a 14:0 run to close the third stanza with Cesis leading 42:40. Crockett, Babkina and Sandra Dijon kept the hosts in front as Cesis led 56:53 with just over two minutes remaining. Ieva Tare nailed a free throw to extend the margin to 4 points but Aikaterina Sotiriou answered with a three-pointer to shave the distance to one point. Babkina then netted a freebie and sealed the winning outcome for Cesis. Santa Dreimane led the charge with 16 points. Ieva Tare added 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for Cesis in the win. Stella Kaltsidou fired 20 points for Ravenna in defeat.

Cesis: Santa Dreimane 16, Ieva Tare 12, Jessica Simmonds 8, Sandra Dijon 8
Ravenna: Stella Kaltsidou 20, Jackie McFarland 8, Aikaterina Sotiriou 8

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  HUNGARY - Women  


Szeged surprise Solna in Sweden - by Eurobasket News
Solna - Szeged 71:89

Szeged led at every change and deservedly posted the third straight win in the EuroCup competition as they rolled past Solna in Sweden. The Hungarian team remained at the helm of Group D. The Vikings suffered the second defeat and slipped at 1-2 record. Olena Zherzherunova (191-F-78, agency: LBM Management) paced Szeged with 22 points and 13 boards. Szakacz added 17 points, while Bernadett Nemeth (173-G-80) nailed 15 for the winners. A'Quonesia Franklin (160-G-85, college: Texas A&M) answered with 14 points for Solna. Jurgita Kausaite (178-G/F-70, college: Emporia St.) dropped 13 points in the loss.
The teams traded baskets in the opening frame Viktoria Vincze (189-C-87), Bernadett Nemeth and Ildiko Szakacs (187-F-81) gave Szeged a 20:18 lead at the first break. Szakacz opened the second frame with a three-pointer to stretch the margin. The Hungarian side maintained the distance and arrived at halftime ahead by as many as 7 points 44:37.
Bernadett Nemeth, Almind and Furesz made it 55:46 for Szeged midway through the third quarter. Solna looked stunned at the moments and Szeged capitalized deepening the distance to 18 points before the fourth quarter. Olena Zherzherunova was simply unstoppable in the fourth quarter as she accounted for 11 points and Szeged ensured the third win in a row.
Solna will next feature another Hungarian team Foton, while Szeged will travel to Switzerland to take on Neuchatel.

Solna: A'Quonesia Franklin 14, Jurgita Kausaite 13
Szeged: Olena Zherzherunova 22+13 boards, Ildiko Szakacs 17, Bernadett Nemeth 15

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  ISRAEL - Women  


Dynamo Kursk thrash Bnot Hasharon in EuroCup - by Eurobasket News
Bnot Hasharon - Dynamo Kursk 63:102

Dynamo Kursk rallied to an impressive road win over Bnot Hasharon in the third round of EuroCup preliminary action. Marija Eric (164-G-83) and Irena Vizbariene (196-F/C-77) knocked down 18 points each to lead Dynamo Kursk. Anastasia Bocharova (180-F-77) added 14 points and 7 assists for the winners. Charde Houston (185-F-86, college: Connecticut) managed 15 points for Bnot Hasharon in the loss. Dynamo is now at the second spot in Pool B, while Bnot Hasharon are yet to taste the victory.
The visitors got to stunning start as they scored 11 unanswered points to tip off the encounter. Marija Erics three-pointer marked a 19:1 lead midway through the first term. Bnot Hasharon hardly recovered and trailed 14:32 at the first break. Consecutive baskets from Maria Garifullina (196-C-84) and Anastasia Fomina (175-G-83) stretch the gap to as many as 23 points for Dynamo Kursk in the second frame. Irena Vizbariene and Anastasia Bocharova maintained the tempo and brought Dynamo to a 53:30 cushion at the interval.
The intrigue was pretty dead in the third stanza. The visitors looked just better at the moment and easily piled up a 81:47 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. Bnot Hasharon never recovered in the dying stages and Dynamo breezed to the impressive victory.
The Israeli team will play against Challes Basket in France, while Dynamo will face Sf. Gheorghe in Romania next.

Bnot Hasharon: Charde Houston 15, Aizenshtat 11
Dynamo Kursk: Marija Eric 18, Irena Vizbariene 18+11 boards, Anastasia Bocharova 14

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  LATVIA - Women  


Cesis narrowly defeat Ravenna - by Eurobasket News
Cesis - Ravenna 58:56

Latvian Cesis ensured the second win in the EuroCup season. They dealt with Ravenna Esperides at home court to catch up with their opponents in Group I ladder. Now the teams are tied at 2-1 record in the pool standings. The hosts led throughout the first term before Kyrkopoulou capped the frame with a three-pointer to give Ravenna a 12:11 lead. Davis and Boni stretched the margin to 6 points early in the second quarter. Aikaterina Sotiriou (187-F-83) and Jackie McFarland (191-F-85, college: Colorado) get things rolling for Ravenna as the visitors piled up a 25:23 advantage at halftime.
Stella Kaltsidou (187-C/F-83) nailed 9 straight points for Ravenna early in the third period as the Greek team grabbed a 12-point lead. However Cesis were not distressed and quickly bounced back. Sandra Dijon (195-C-79), Santa Dreimane (176-G-85), Jessica Simmonds (185-F/C-83, college: George Washington) and Ieva Tare (185-F-74) fueled a 14:0 run to close the third stanza with Cesis leading 42:40. Crockett, Babkina and Sandra Dijon kept the hosts in front as Cesis led 56:53 with just over two minutes remaining. Ieva Tare nailed a free throw to extend the margin to 4 points but Aikaterina Sotiriou answered with a three-pointer to shave the distance to one point. Babkina then netted a freebie and sealed the winning outcome for Cesis. Santa Dreimane led the charge with 16 points. Ieva Tare added 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for Cesis in the win. Stella Kaltsidou fired 20 points for Ravenna in defeat.

Cesis: Santa Dreimane 16, Ieva Tare 12, Jessica Simmonds 8, Sandra Dijon 8
Ravenna: Stella Kaltsidou 20, Jackie McFarland 8, Aikaterina Sotiriou 8

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  LITHUANIA - Women  


Ibiza shoot down Arvi for the third straight success - by Eurobasket News
Arvi - Ibiza 57:62

Ibiza celebrated the third straight win in the EuroCup tournament. They defeated Arvi in Lithuania to remain at the helm of Group H. Arvi slipped at 1-2 record and stayed at the third spot.
Faeza Bouderra (165-G-82, college: Florida Intern.) scored 11 points to lead well-balanced visitors offense. Sandra Pirsic (195-C-84) had 10 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Tetyana Shchypakina (180-F-85, agency: LBM Management) answered with 18 points for Arvi. Vaida Pacauskiene (176-G-79) had 13 points in the losing effort. Faeza Bouderra and Lopez teamed up for 10 points in the starting period as Ibiza earned a narrow 14:13 lead. The Spanish team began the second frame with a 6:0 rally to stretch the margin to 7 points however Sauliute and Rickeviciute soon tied things up at 23. Murphy and Kinkeviciene scored 4 free throws in the dying minutes of the first half and Arvi enjoyed a 27:25 advantage at halftime.
Tetyana Shchypakina drained two trebles early in the third frame to keep Arvi in charge. Her third three-pointer came just in time late in the stanza to maintain the lead for the hosts. Alyoshkina hit a bunch of freebies late in the frame as Arvi led 40:36 heading into the fourth quarter. But Ibiza took over in the final frame. Sandra Pirsic, Faeza Bouderra and Malagelada lifted the visitors to an 8-point lead and they never looked back en route to another win.

Arvi: Tetyana Shchypakina 18, Vaida Pacauskiene 13
Ibiza: Faeza Bouderra 11, Sandra Pirsic 10+11 boards, Silvia Morales (170-G/F-79) 9

Hemofarm better Lemminkainen in Lithuania - by Eurobasket News
Lemminkainen - Hemofarm 56:72

Serbian Hemofarm grabbed the second win at EuroCup campaign as they defeated Lemminkainen on the road yesterday. The victory marked 2-1 record for Hemofarm, while sent Lemminkainen to 1-2 in the third spot in the ladder. Dajana Butulija (175-G-86) paced the visitors with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Ivana Dojcinovic (189-F/C-81) came up with 11 points for Hemofarm. Egle Zygelyte (166-G-84) answered with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for the hosts. Rita Milieskiene (175-G-78) and Alesia Pushko (-81) had 10 points each in the loss.
Hemofarm got to a sizzling start as they built a 10-point cushion with just 8 minutes gone in the game. Zorica Mitov (189-C-87), Lidija Vuckovic (174-G-88) and Milica Cvetanovic (195-C-86) then secured a 13-point lead for Hemofarm at the intermission. The complexion of the game hardly changed in the second quarter as the visitors maintained the lead and entered the second half ahead by 7 points 37:30. Stojanka Ostojic (178-G-78) and Dojcoinovic quickly made it 41:30 for Hemofarm at the start of the third stanza. Stankovic and Dajana Butulija shone brightly late in the term as Hemofarm stretched the difference to 17 points. Lemminkainen had no chances in the fourth frame and suffered the second loss in EuroCup season eventually.
Lemminkainen will travel to Russia to play against Chevakata next. Hemofarm will face Vagos in Portugal in the fourth round.

Lemminkainen: Egle Zygelyte 20, Rita Milieskiene 10, Alesia Pushko 10
Hemofarm: Dajana Butulija 17, Ivana Dojcinovic 11, Dara Kovacevic (197-C-83) 10

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  LUXEMBOURG - Women  


Standings - Women
DBBL Standings
 1. Etzella 5-0 
 2. Basket Esch 4-1 
 3. Amicale 3-2 
 4. Musel Pikes 3-2 
 5. T71 Dudelange 3-2 
 6. AB Contern 3-2 
 7. Residence 3-2 
 8. Grengewald 0-5 
 9. Schieren 0-5 
 10. Racing 0-5 


Stats Leaders - Women
Luxembourg Women Basketball Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
1. Donovan, Etz 30.2
2. Fisher, Mus 27
3. Lee, Ami 27.5
4. Stowe, Con 26.4
5. Sweere, Gre 25.4
6. Lea, Rac 25.0
7. Dennett, T71 23.6
8. Walton, Sch 21.2
9. Gladden, Esch 20.4
10. Scanlon, Res 19.4


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  MONTENEGRO - Women  


Mondeville topple Buducnost in Podgorica - by Eurobasket News
Buducnost - Mondeville 64:77

USO Mondeville celebrated the first win in the EuroCup preliminary round campaign as they held off Buducnost in Podgorica. Lenae Williams (186-F-79, college: De Paul) scored 20 points to pace the French team. Jennifer Digbeu (190-F/C-87) added 13 points, while Pauline Jannault (193-F/C-87) had 15 points in the win. Lady Comfort (188-C-86, college: Temple) answered with game-high 21 points and 17 rebounds. Jelena Culafic (174-G-89) knocked down 12 points as Buducnost remained winless at 0-3.
The teams looked well-matched in the opening term and Mondeville led by just 5 points 28:23 after ten minutes of action. Jovanovic, Lady Comfort and Mihailovic squared things up at 30 early in the second period. However Mondeville answered with a 15:0 rally to build a comfortable advantage late in the second term. Milutinovic and Lady Comfort narrowed the gap to 7 points at the start of the third frame but Mondeville did not allow the hosts to come any closer. Jennifer Digbeu, Salagnac and Lenae Williams stretched the buffer to 16 points midway through the fourth quarter and Mondeville never looked back at the dying stages.
Buducnost outrebounded Mondeville 39:36 but sank just 38% from the field. The visitors converted 44% of field goals and forced the home team to 19 turnovers.
Buducnost will next take on Galatasaray in Turkey. Mondeville will travel to Greece to take on Aris.

Buducnost: Lady Comfort 21+17 boards, Jelena Culafic 12
Mondeville: Lenae Williams 20, Pauline Jannault 15, Jennifer Digbeu 13

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  POLAND - Women  


Quick Review - by Jordan Losi
Saturday November 8th at 18.00 in PalaBigi in Reggio Emilia will be the fifth game in first round and the team at home,Memar Reggio Emilia,will play against Cantina Sociale Broni.
Memar Reggio Emilia right now has 3wins and 2 lost and wants to continue the good start of season and most of all in front of 2 consecutive game at home,wants to keep inviolated his own court because for the moment is 2 games and 2 wins.
Cantina Sociale Broni has 2 wins and 3 losts and wants to back to victory after the game lost at home by 5 points against Acetum Cavezzo.
Other interesting side of this game is the challenge between 2 polish players.In Reggio Emilia is Magdalena Kozdron (173-F-80, agency: Promotex) (174-G-1980) (16.6ppg,7.4rpg,1.8apg in 29minutes).In Broni is Katharina Fikiel (193-F/C-87)(16.6ppg,8.2rpg,in 30.6minutes).
During the preseason the 2 teams played against in Italy Cup and Reggio Emilia won 72-67 with 26 points of Magdalena Kozdron (174-G-1980),while for Broni Katharina Fikiel (193-F/C-87) scored 19 points.

Ivana Matovic leads Lotos past Sibenik in Euroleague - by Eurobasket News
Lotos - Sibenik 79:76

Polish Lotos earned the first win in the Euroleague competition as they held off Sibenik in Gorzow. Ivana Matovic (197-C-83) scored 27 points to lead the hosts to the hard-fought victory. Sibenik that entered the game at 2-1 record had all the chances to celebrated the win but the home team proved just better at the end. Veselovski hit a three-pointer to put Sibenik within a single point 76:77 from Lotos. However Alana Beard (180-G/F-82, college: Duke) came up with two free throws to give the hosts a crucial 79:76 lead with 17 seconds remaining. Constance Jinks (170-G-81, college: UNLV) had a chance to force overtime but her three-pointer rimmed out finalizing a tough victory for the Polish side.
The game was pretty tight right from the start. Lotos trailed late in the opening term before Leclejewska and Alana Beard scored five straight points to give the home team a 21:17 advantage at the first intermission. The lead changed hands for several times and Constance Jinks and Luca Ivankovic (201-C-87) sealed the first half outcome at 46:43 for Sibenik. The Croatian team maintained the lead throughout the major part of the third stanza but Magdalena Leciejewska (191-C-86) and Matovic made it 59:56 for Lotos heading into the fourth quarter. The game stayed tense and everything was decided in the drama of the last seconds.
Magdalena Leciejewska finished with 7 points and 15 boards for Lotos. Constance Jinks replied with game-high 30 points and 7 rebounds for Sibenik. Marta Cakic (175-G-82) and Luca Ivankovic had 12 points each in the loss.
Lotos will next host USK Praha, while Sibenik will take on Ros Casares at home on November 12.

Lotos: Ivana Matovic 27, Alana Beard 21, Magdalena Leciejewska 7+15 boards
Sibenik: Constance Jinks 30, Marta Cakic 12, Luca Ivankovic 12

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  ROMANIA - Women  


Targoviste victorious against Ruzomberok - by Eurobasket News
Targoviste - Ruzomberok 73:53

Targoviste got to an aggressive start and rolled to a thrashing win against visiting MBK Ruzomberok in the EuroCup preliminary round. The win allowed the Romanian powerhouse to occupy the second spot in the standings at 2-1 record. MBK Euroleasing remained winless at 0-3 record.
Fluker scored the first two points in the game as Ruzomberok surged in front. But Targoviste answered with 12 straight points to gain control. Gabriela Toma (190-C-74) capped the first stanza with a three-pointer to make it 16:6 for the hosts. The onslaught continued in the second frame as Targoviste extended the margin to 17 points at the interval. The Romanian team limited their Slovakian opponents to just 7 points in the third frame and piled up a 56:32 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. Chrissy Givens (180-G-85, agency: LBM Management, college: Middle Tenn.St.) and Gabriela Toma kept on piling up points in the fourth term and though Ruzomberok managed to win the quarter it hardly influenced the game outcome.
Cynthia Valentin (173-G-84, agency: LBM Management, college: Indiana) paced Targoviste with 24 points. Chrissy Givens added 17 points and 13 boards, while Irina Crasnoscioc (190-F-81, agency: LBM Management) had 12 points for the winners. Lucia Kupcikova (184-F-84) nailed 14 points for Ruzomberok. Simona Podesvova (186-F-83) added 12 points and 17 rebounds for the visitors in defeat. Targoviste outrebounded their opponents 41:35 and forced those to 20 turnovers.

Targoviste: Cynthia Valentin 24, Chrissy Givens 17+13 boards, Irina Crasnoscioc 12
Ruzomberok: Lucia Kupcikova 14, Simona Podesvova 12+17 boards

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  RUSSIA - Women  


Dynamo Kursk thrash Bnot Hasharon in EuroCup - by Eurobasket News
Bnot Hasharon - Dynamo Kursk 63:102

Dynamo Kursk rallied to an impressive road win over Bnot Hasharon in the third round of EuroCup preliminary action. Marija Eric (164-G-83) and Irena Vizbariene (196-F/C-77) knocked down 18 points each to lead Dynamo Kursk. Anastasia Bocharova (180-F-77) added 14 points and 7 assists for the winners. Charde Houston (185-F-86, college: Connecticut) managed 15 points for Bnot Hasharon in the loss. Dynamo is now at the second spot in Pool B, while Bnot Hasharon are yet to taste the victory.
The visitors got to stunning start as they scored 11 unanswered points to tip off the encounter. Marija Erics three-pointer marked a 19:1 lead midway through the first term. Bnot Hasharon hardly recovered and trailed 14:32 at the first break. Consecutive baskets from Maria Garifullina (196-C-84) and Anastasia Fomina (175-G-83) stretch the gap to as many as 23 points for Dynamo Kursk in the second frame. Irena Vizbariene and Anastasia Bocharova maintained the tempo and brought Dynamo to a 53:30 cushion at the interval.
The intrigue was pretty dead in the third stanza. The visitors looked just better at the moment and easily piled up a 81:47 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. Bnot Hasharon never recovered in the dying stages and Dynamo breezed to the impressive victory.
The Israeli team will play against Challes Basket in France, while Dynamo will face Sf. Gheorghe in Romania next.

Bnot Hasharon: Charde Houston 15, Aizenshtat 11
Dynamo Kursk: Marija Eric 18, Irena Vizbariene 18+11 boards, Anastasia Bocharova 14

Dexia Namur keep perfect in EuroCup - by Eurobasket News
Spartak Noginsk - Dexia 76:93

Spartak Noginsk failed to stop Dexia in their winning run. The Belgian champions earned the third straight EuroCup success beating Spartak 93:76 in Russia. The win allowed Dexia to remain on top of Group L, while Spartak fell to 2-1 record in the ladder. Six Dexia players scored in double digits. Stephanie Dubuc (175-F/G-85) led the winners with 19 points. Pauline Akonga Nsimbo (187-F/C-82, agency: LBM Management) added 17 points and 8 rebounds, while Romina Ciappina (180-F/G-88) had 14 points for the visitors. Tatiana Sergeeva (198-C-82) replied with 17 points and 5 rebounds for Spartak Noginsk in defeat.
Malashenko scored 8 points in the opening term for Dexia as the visitors grabbed a comfortable 31:18 lead. Ciappina and Lisa Wallbutton (183-F-86) stretched the margin to 20 points early in the second frame. Stephanie Dubuc and Lisa Wallbutton soon recorded six straight points and Dexia enjoyed a massive 26 points advantage. However Tatiana Sergeeva and Yulia Khodzayan (173-G-84) gave some hope for the hosts as they trimmed the deficit to 19 points at halftime. Yulia Khodzayan opened the second half with 5 points in a row to cut the distance to 16 points. Spartak found the right rhythm at the moment and capitalized shaving the deficit to just 8 points at the last break. Romanova began the final term with a layup and the recovery did not look improbable any more. But Marjorie Carpreaux (165-G-87, agency: LBM Management) and Romina Ciappina nailed key buckets for Dexia as the visitors restored a safe 17-point distance midway through the quarter. Spartak had little time left to change the complexion of this one and had to surrender at the end.

Spartak Noginsk: Tatiana Sergeeva 17, Yulia Khodzayan 16+11 boards
Dexia: Stephanie Dubuc 19, Pauline Akonga Nsimbo 17, Romina Ciappina 14

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  SERBIA - Women  


Hemofarm better Lemminkainen in Lithuania - by Eurobasket News
Lemminkainen - Hemofarm 56:72

Serbian Hemofarm grabbed the second win at EuroCup campaign as they defeated Lemminkainen on the road yesterday. The victory marked 2-1 record for Hemofarm, while sent Lemminkainen to 1-2 in the third spot in the ladder. Dajana Butulija (175-G-86) paced the visitors with 17 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Ivana Dojcinovic (189-F/C-81) came up with 11 points for Hemofarm. Egle Zygelyte (166-G-84) answered with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for the hosts. Rita Milieskiene (175-G-78) and Alesia Pushko (-81) had 10 points each in the loss.
Hemofarm got to a sizzling start as they built a 10-point cushion with just 8 minutes gone in the game. Zorica Mitov (189-C-87), Lidija Vuckovic (174-G-88) and Milica Cvetanovic (195-C-86) then secured a 13-point lead for Hemofarm at the intermission. The complexion of the game hardly changed in the second quarter as the visitors maintained the lead and entered the second half ahead by 7 points 37:30. Stojanka Ostojic (178-G-78) and Dojcoinovic quickly made it 41:30 for Hemofarm at the start of the third stanza. Stankovic and Dajana Butulija shone brightly late in the term as Hemofarm stretched the difference to 17 points. Lemminkainen had no chances in the fourth frame and suffered the second loss in EuroCup season eventually.
Lemminkainen will travel to Russia to play against Chevakata next. Hemofarm will face Vagos in Portugal in the fourth round.

Lemminkainen: Egle Zygelyte 20, Rita Milieskiene 10, Alesia Pushko 10
Hemofarm: Dajana Butulija 17, Ivana Dojcinovic 11, Dara Kovacevic (197-C-83) 10

Stats Leaders - 1A women
1A Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
1 VIdovic Rada 25.0
2.Skoric Maja 23.8
3.Vidacic Jela 20.5
4.Butulija Dajana 20.5
5.Jovanovic Tina 17.3
Rebounds Per Game
1.Stjepanovic Biljana 10.6
2.Vidacic Jela 10.1
3.Moraca Marina 10.0
4.Vukovic Dragana 8.8
5.Velisavljevic Mirjana 8.3
Assists Per Game
1.Krnjetin Natasa 7.0
2.Stankovic Biljana 6.3
3.Scekic Maja 5.3
4.Ristic Marina 5.0
5.Mihailovic Ivana 4.5
Blocks Per Game
1.Cvetanovic Milica 1.7
2.Vukovic Dragana 1.5
3.Stjepanovic Biljana 1.3
4.Vucurovic Maja 1.0
5.Jovanovic T. 1.0
Ranking
1.Butulija Dajana 29.5
2.Vidacic Jela 25.0
3.Skoric Maja 23.3
4.Roglic Iva 22.3
5.Krnjetin Natasa 22.0


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  SLOVAKIA - Women  


Targoviste victorious against Ruzomberok - by Eurobasket News
Targoviste - Ruzomberok 73:53

Targoviste got to an aggressive start and rolled to a thrashing win against visiting MBK Ruzomberok in the EuroCup preliminary round. The win allowed the Romanian powerhouse to occupy the second spot in the standings at 2-1 record. MBK Euroleasing remained winless at 0-3 record.
Fluker scored the first two points in the game as Ruzomberok surged in front. But Targoviste answered with 12 straight points to gain control. Gabriela Toma (190-C-74) capped the first stanza with a three-pointer to make it 16:6 for the hosts. The onslaught continued in the second frame as Targoviste extended the margin to 17 points at the interval. The Romanian team limited their Slovakian opponents to just 7 points in the third frame and piled up a 56:32 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. Chrissy Givens (180-G-85, agency: LBM Management, college: Middle Tenn.St.) and Gabriela Toma kept on piling up points in the fourth term and though Ruzomberok managed to win the quarter it hardly influenced the game outcome.
Cynthia Valentin (173-G-84, agency: LBM Management, college: Indiana) paced Targoviste with 24 points. Chrissy Givens added 17 points and 13 boards, while Irina Crasnoscioc (190-F-81, agency: LBM Management) had 12 points for the winners. Lucia Kupcikova (184-F-84) nailed 14 points for Ruzomberok. Simona Podesvova (186-F-83) added 12 points and 17 rebounds for the visitors in defeat. Targoviste outrebounded their opponents 41:35 and forced those to 20 turnovers.

Targoviste: Cynthia Valentin 24, Chrissy Givens 17+13 boards, Irina Crasnoscioc 12
Ruzomberok: Lucia Kupcikova 14, Simona Podesvova 12+17 boards

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  SPAIN - Women  


Ibiza shoot down Arvi for the third straight success - by Eurobasket News
Arvi - Ibiza 57:62

Ibiza celebrated the third straight win in the EuroCup tournament. They defeated Arvi in Lithuania to remain at the helm of Group H. Arvi slipped at 1-2 record and stayed at the third spot.
Faeza Bouderra (165-G-82, college: Florida Intern.) scored 11 points to lead well-balanced visitors offense. Sandra Pirsic (195-C-84) had 10 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Tetyana Shchypakina (180-F-85, agency: LBM Management) answered with 18 points for Arvi. Vaida Pacauskiene (176-G-79) had 13 points in the losing effort. Faeza Bouderra and Lopez teamed up for 10 points in the starting period as Ibiza earned a narrow 14:13 lead. The Spanish team began the second frame with a 6:0 rally to stretch the margin to 7 points however Sauliute and Rickeviciute soon tied things up at 23. Murphy and Kinkeviciene scored 4 free throws in the dying minutes of the first half and Arvi enjoyed a 27:25 advantage at halftime.
Tetyana Shchypakina drained two trebles early in the third frame to keep Arvi in charge. Her third three-pointer came just in time late in the stanza to maintain the lead for the hosts. Alyoshkina hit a bunch of freebies late in the frame as Arvi led 40:36 heading into the fourth quarter. But Ibiza took over in the final frame. Sandra Pirsic, Faeza Bouderra and Malagelada lifted the visitors to an 8-point lead and they never looked back en route to another win.

Arvi: Tetyana Shchypakina 18, Vaida Pacauskiene 13
Ibiza: Faeza Bouderra 11, Sandra Pirsic 10+11 boards, Silvia Morales (170-G/F-79) 9

Rivas Ecopolis sneak past Dunav in Bulgaria - by Eurobasket News
Dunav - Rivas Ecopolis 70:75

Rivas Ecopolis eked out a narrow road win over Dunav to improve to 2-1 record in Group C of EuroCup preliminary round. Dunav meanwhile suffered the third straight loss in the tournament. Catherine Joens (180-G-82) was pivotal for the Spanish team as she poured in game-high 26 points. Miljana Musovic (180-G-87) added 13 points for the winners. Daniela Peteva (179-F-89) answered with 19 points for Dunav. Danielle Page (188-F-86, college: Nebraska) secured 18 points and 7 rebounds in the losing effort.
The close game in the starting period saw Rivas Ecopolis grab a 20:18 lead. But Dunav stayed in the race and quickly denied the deficit. They outgunned the visiting team 17:14 in the second quarter to pile up a 35:34 advantage at halftime. However a 10-point tally from Catherine Joens in the third stanza allowed Rivas Ecopolis to be back in the drivers seat. They entered the fourth term ahead by 2 points and held on to the cushion in the tense closing minutes.
Rivas Ecopolis finished the game shooting solid 64% from the field. They also outrebounded the hosts 23:19 to prevail at the end.
Rivas Ecopolis will take on Crvena Zvezda in Serbia next. Dunav will travel to the Group C leaders Elitzur Ramla in the fouth round.

Dunav: Daniela Peteva 19, Danielle Page 18
Rivas Ecopolis: Catherine Joens 26, Miljana Musovic 13, Jelena Dubljevic (192-C-87) 11

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  SWEDEN - Women  


Szeged surprise Solna in Sweden - by Eurobasket News
Solna - Szeged 71:89

Szeged led at every change and deservedly posted the third straight win in the EuroCup competition as they rolled past Solna in Sweden. The Hungarian team remained at the helm of Group D. The Vikings suffered the second defeat and slipped at 1-2 record. Olena Zherzherunova (191-F-78, agency: LBM Management) paced Szeged with 22 points and 13 boards. Szakacz added 17 points, while Bernadett Nemeth (173-G-80) nailed 15 for the winners. A'Quonesia Franklin (160-G-85, college: Texas A&M) answered with 14 points for Solna. Jurgita Kausaite (178-G/F-70, college: Emporia St.) dropped 13 points in the loss.
The teams traded baskets in the opening frame Viktoria Vincze (189-C-87), Bernadett Nemeth and Ildiko Szakacs (187-F-81) gave Szeged a 20:18 lead at the first break. Szakacz opened the second frame with a three-pointer to stretch the margin. The Hungarian side maintained the distance and arrived at halftime ahead by as many as 7 points 44:37.
Bernadett Nemeth, Almind and Furesz made it 55:46 for Szeged midway through the third quarter. Solna looked stunned at the moments and Szeged capitalized deepening the distance to 18 points before the fourth quarter. Olena Zherzherunova was simply unstoppable in the fourth quarter as she accounted for 11 points and Szeged ensured the third win in a row.
Solna will next feature another Hungarian team Foton, while Szeged will travel to Switzerland to take on Neuchatel.

Solna: A'Quonesia Franklin 14, Jurgita Kausaite 13
Szeged: Olena Zherzherunova 22+13 boards, Ildiko Szakacs 17, Bernadett Nemeth 15

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  TURKEY - Women  


Botas get things rolling in EuroCup - by Eurobasket News
BC Star - Botas Spor 60:66

Turkish Botas Spor snapped two-game losing skid in EuroCup yesterday. They travelled to Estonia and pulled away with a difficult 66:60 overtime win against BS Star. Marcedes Walker (191-C-86, agency: Merit Sports, college: Pittsburgh) was outstanding with 31 points and 20 boards for Botas. Katja Bavendam (203-C-85, college: New York U.) added 12 points and 12 boards for the visitors. BC Star in the meantime remained at the bottom of the ladder winless. Davineia Payne (175-G-83, college: La Salle) came up with 18 points and 12 boards for the hosts. Ashley Wallace (183-C-85, college: Pace) had 17 points and 7 rebounds in defeat.
BC Star looked better in the first half. Gerly Kostla (177-G-80) and Davineia Payne secured an 8-point lead for the home team late in the starting period. Takmaz and Katja Bavendam cut the deficit but Botas still trailed by 4 points at the intermission. BC Star managed to maintain the lead in a slow second term. Rannaveski scored 9 points in the frame and the hosts enjoyed a 32:25 advantage at halftime. However Botas used a 14:2 rally to open the second half and surged ahead 39:34 midway through the third quarter. Marcedes Walker stepped up for the visitors at the moment as her 5 points late in the period allowed Botas to head into the fourth stanza up by 3 points. Ashley Wallace and Davineia Payne returned the lead to the hosts and BC Star were in front 53:52 with just over 2 minutes left. Katja Bavendam knocked down a jumper to put Botas ahead but Davineia Payne immediately reacted with a layup to ensure a 55:54 advantage for the home side with 42 seconds remaining in regulation. Angela Tisdale (170-G-85, college: Baylor) got fouled and sank one free throw to draw things level at 55. Gerly Kostla then missed both free throws, while Angela Tisdale and Marcedes Walker also came up short on their attempts to see the game into overtime.
Angela Tisdale and Marcedes Walker tipped off the extra period with 6 straight points for Botas and BC Star never recovered.

BC Star: Davineia Payne 18+12 boards, Ashley Wallace 17
Botas Spor: Marcedes Walker 31+20 boards, Angela Tisdale 14, Katja Bavendam 12+12 boards

Stats Leaders - Women
TBBL Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
1 Ivory Latta, Ceyhan 30
2 Harper, Besiktas 23.3
3 Quingley, Mersin 22
4 Mc Bride, Samsun 22
5 Penn, Burhaniye 19.3
Rebounds Per Game
1 Larkins, Samsun 13.5
2 Brown, Cankaya 12.5
3 Olanrewaju,Samsun 12
4 Harper, Besiktas 12
5 Vulic, Cankaya 11.7
Assists Per Game
1 Tuncluer, Fener. 7.7
2 Bobbitt, 7.5
3 Yigit, TED İst. 7
4 Alben, Galat. 5.5
5 Hornbuckle, Besik. 4.7
Steals Per Game
1 Alben, Galatasaray 5.0
2 J.Brown, Tarsus 4.0
3 Hornbuckle, Besik. 3.3
4 Penn, Burhaniye 3.0
5 Williams, Mersin 3.0
2FGP
1 Bakirci., Fener. 66.7
2 Kimyac., Galata 66.7
3 Amachree, TED 62.5
3FGP
1 Lovelace, Besiktas 50.0
2 Pinar, Botas 50.0
3 Norman, Burhan. 50.0
Free Throws
1 Lovelace, Besiktas 83.3
2 Vulic, Edremit 83.3
3 Brown, Fener. 80.0


Standings - TBBL
TBBL Standings
 1. Besiktas 3-0 
 2. Fenerbahce 3-0 
 3. Tarsus Bld 2-1 
 4. Mersin 2-2 
 5. Samsun 1-1 
 6. Galatasaray 1-1 
 7. TED Kayseri 1-1 
 8. Botas 1-2 
 9. Ceyhan 1-2 
 10. Cankaya 1-3 
 11. Burhaniye bld. 0-3