EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 4/15/2008

Copyright © 1997-2007 Eurobasket
WARNING:
Do not copy, redistribute, publish or otherwise exploit information that you download from the site!
Do not encumber, license, modify, publish, sell, transfer or transmit, or in any way exploit, any of the
content of the report, nor will you attempt to do so.
More info:www.eurobasket.com


Men News

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

ABA LOOKING FOR COLLEGE INTERNS NATIONWIDE -by Bruno Baltazar
The American Basketball Association announced it is looking for interns to work in sports marketing for ABA teams throughout the country. 'With the economy as it is, it is going to be difficult for many college students studying sports marketing and business to find good summer jobs,' said Joe Newman, ABA CEO. 'We believe that the ABA and its teams can fill the gap for hundreds of young people with an interest in sports and business.'

Interns can get an inside look at the operations of a professional basketball team and can earn excellent income also. Positions include sales and marketing of tickets, sponsorships and merchandise as well as community relations, press relations, game day operations, radio/TV, travel, etc.

'In checking with ABA teams, both present and expansion teams, I believe we have about 400 good opportunities nationwide,' added Newman. 'This is such an important program that I am asking all inquiries and resumes to be sent directly to me and I will disseminate them to the teams closest to them and also post the information on the ABA web site. We will get these young people jobs!'

Aside from basic information, please indicate what area of sports management/business is of interest to you. Please send all resumes or inquiries to conniejoenewman@aol.com. You will receive an answer quickly.


FRESNO LEGENDS SIGN FIRST THREE PLAYERS FOR NEXT SEASON -by Bruno Baltazar
The new expansion Fresno Legends are excited to announce the signing of the first three players (legends from Fresno State University) for the upcoming season. They include Terrance Roberson, three time High School All American and one of Fresno State's all time leading forwards. Terrance had a short stint with the NBA New Orleans Hornets and also played in Italy and the NBDL. The team also signed Tremaine Fowlkes (6'7''-F-76, college: Fresno St.), an All American transfer from Cal to Fresno State who was drafted in the second round by the Denver Nuggets and also played for the Los Angeles Clippers and Detroit Pistons where he was on an NBA Championship team.

The third player signed was Hector Hernandez, a former player for the Mexican Olympic team. 'This 6'9' forward with a 40-plus vertical jump can shoot and dribble like a guard,' stated team owner Dominick Young. 'Hector is a three-time WAC Scholar-Athlete and was a 2007 WAC All-Academic. A tremendous addition to our team for sure.'

'We are very excited to have Tremaine, Terrance and Hector on the team to help our organization grow and to be one of the toughest teams in the ABA. Hector has a supporting cast in Fresno from the Latino community. A great win-win situation for us. He played alongside Javance Coleman and Washington Wizard's forward Dominick McGuire. We believe these three guys will be truly a team to watch this summer and in the upcoming season,' added Young.

For more information, email fresnolegends@yahoo.com.

NASHVILLE BRONCS REMINDER - TRYOUT CAMP ON APRIL 18TH -by Bruno Baltazar
The Nashville Broncs are gearing up to hold their third tryout on April 19. The Broncs tryouts are open to all players and for all positions. Camp will be held at Forest High School, 5000 SE. Maricamp Road, Ocala FL 34480.

Registration and athlete check in is Saturday, April 19, 7 am at Forest High School. The workout will run from 9 am to 6 pm. All players will receive a Broncs t-shirt, but must bring their own shoes, towels and refreshments.

The pre-registration fee is $125, while registration at the door will be $150. Scott Lumley, team owner, looks forward to expanding the team's search for new talent. 'There is a rich talent pool of basketball players in the Nashville area,' Lumley said. 'However, with several camps scheduled, we know that we will find even more talent during our upcoming tryouts.'

The Broncs head coach, Oliver Lee, and his staff will conduct the workout and evaluate all prospective players. Le is a former Deland High School star and played for Marquette University.

For more information please visit

*****************************************************
AUSTRALIA

Rod Grizzard joins the Melbourne Tigers -by Eurobasket News
The NBL champions Melbourne Tigers entered the market as they announced the first signing of the postseason. The Tigers inked one of the most spectacular imports of the season Rod Grizzard (203-G-80, college: Alabama). The 27-year-old guard played for the Singapore Slingers and came up with some outstanding stats. He averaged 19.6 points per game and made it to the league Top 20 in steals, blocks and defensive boards. He took part in the NBL All-Star Game and was definitely one of the most impressive imports in the NBL season. Rod Grizzard graduated from Alabama and was drafted by the Washington Wizards in 2002. Grizzard expected to join the Tigers after he completes his current duties with Israeli side Bnei Hasharon.
In the meantime the Melbourne South Dragons announced the signing of NBL star Mark Worthington (202-F-83, college: Metro St.) to a 3-year contract. Mark Worthington was one of the leaders of the title contender Sydney Kings in the past season. He averaged 17.2 points, 6.5 boards and 2.6 assists. He was selected to the All-NBL First Team. The 24-year-old forward can already boast with participation for the Boomers when they clinched Golden medals at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. He was trumped the NBL Rookie of the Year in 2006. Now he will have a chance to play with the 2007 NBL Rookie of the Year Joe Ingles (203-G/F-87). Prior to his signing with the Kings Worthington spent four years at Metropolitan State University, Denver. In his time with the elite college team Worthington was named to the NABC All-American team and named NABC Division II Player of the Year. The South Dragons continued to strengthen their roster after acclaimed coach Brian Goorjian took the spot at the helm.
The Sydney Kings opted for long-time Brian Goorjian 's assistant Bill Tomlinson to step up as the new head coach. After a 6-year Goorjian era in Sydney Bill Tomlinson will try to surpass the last season's result when the Kings played in the NBL Grand Final.

*****************************************************
BERMUDAS

Phillips Sullivan top-scored against the leader -by Eurobasket News
Sullivan Phillips (196-F-79, college: Columbia Union) and his Pardubice is 5th in Czech Republic with 24-18 record. In the latest game Pardubice lost to the third team of the league. Prostejov trimmed the distance to Geofin with a hard-fought 80:70 road win over Pardubice. The hosts piled up a 46:44 advantage at the long intermission however Prostejov raised the tempo after the break and eventually gained a positive outcome. Rashaan Ames topscored for Prostejov with 15 points. Robert Tomaszek and Marton Bader nailed 14 points apiece for the winning side. Levell Sandersstepped up with 24 points for Pardubice.
Earlier in the season Prostejov secured their second spot with a 70:66 win over Pardubice. The visitors dominated throughout the major part of the game and Prostejov were close to suffering the 8th loss in the season however they survived. The hosts trailed 30:37 at halftime and 50:56 after three quarters of action. But Pavel Novak, Jaroslav Prasil and Rashaan Ames scored 6 points in a row for Prostejov midway through the final stanza to surge ahead. The teams then traded baskets before Modibo Niakate sealed the winning outcome for Prostejov from charity stripe. Aleksandar Bojic finished with 19 points to pace the hosts. Rashaan Ames added 13 points in a win. Pardubice responded with 18 points from Jiri Novotny. Sullivan Phillips posted 9 points in defeat.
Before that CEZ Basket Nymburk reached their 40th win in the championship after a road win over BK Pardubice. The favorite and the leader of the league overcame their opponent 79:61 having however some difficulties in the second quarter. CEZ Basket Nymburk opened the game 28:20, but then BK Pardubice reduced it to three points at halftime. Things got better in the third stanza when the leader increased the lead to 57:51. The last quarter provided a good end to the game. Blake Schilb led the winners with 22 points. Radoslav Rancik provided 18, whilst Benda and Lee had 12 each. Sullivan Phillips shined for the hosts with 20 points.
Sullivan Phillips averages 12.1 points per game and recorded 24 points against BK Kondoři Liberec.

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

League 8 - 1TH round -by Elvir Halilovic

Results:
Bosna ASA BH Telecom - Sloboda Dita 86:51
Slavija - Siroki Prima Pivo 76:88
Zrinjski Mik Company - Borac Nektar 79:77
Grude - Igokea Partizan 78:84


Standings:

1. Bosna ASA BHT 1-0

2. Siroki Prima Pivo 1-0

3. Igokea Partizan 1-0

4. Zrinjski MC 1-0

5. Borac Nektar 0-1

6. Grude 0-1

7. Slavija 0-1

8. Sloboda Dita 0-1


Grude - Igokea Partizan 78:84
(19:14, 16:23, 21:20, 22:27)
Grude, SD Bili brig; Att.: 900; Ref.: Kunosic, Jovanic, Okuka
GRUDE: Lovric, M. Vranjes, I. Vranjes, Alpeza, M. Gligora 6, L. Gligora 5, Jelcic 14, Vujcic 16, Bura 2, Lozancic 8, Zitko 7, Perajica 20
Coach: Predrag Mikulic
IGOKEA PARTIZAN: Tosic 15, Patterson 5, Bocka 19, Stazic 6, Djurica, Vucurevic 3, Cup, Wright 2, Lydeka 8, Stefanovic 13, Kovacevic 7, Allen 6
Coach: Zoran Sretenovic

Bosna ASA BH Telecom - Sloboda Dita 86:51
(23:20, 20:7, 22:11, 21:13)
Sarajevo, SD „Skenderija'; Att.: 800; Ref.: Adamovic, Babic, Drmic
BOSNA ASA BHT: Jefferson 12, Sehovic, T. Tomovic, Panic, Djurasovic 11, Zimic, Bailey 6, Rahimic 16, Hajric 15, Pasalic, Jackson 5, Williams 21
Coach: Jurij Zdovc
SLOBODA DITA: Halilovic, M. Milosevic 12, Hrncic 7, Halilbegovic, Albijanic 3, Persic, V. Tomovic 1, Tanasilovic 7, Matic 1, N. Milosevic 5, Jocovic 6, Ross 9
Coach: Senad Muminovic

Slavija - Siroki Prima Pivo 76:88
(22:32, 13:21, 19:21, 22:14)
Istocno Sarajevo, SD Slavija; Att.: 400; Ref.: Kralj, Bijedic, Nenadic
SLAVIJA: Gvozdenovic 12, Stanic 17, Tomasevic, Simeunovic, Mladenovic 14, D. Damjanovic, Vukovic 12, Malovic 8, Grubisic 11, Anderson, Ivanovic 2
Coach: Goran Sehovac
SIROKI PP: Bubalo 3, Grejs 8, Stemberger 12, Dijan 9, Zupic 11, Sola 8, Spralja 11, Naletic, Fajardo 19, Betel 7.
Coach: Ivan Velic


Zrinjski Mik Company - Borac Nektar 79:77
(16:22, 19:24, 25:5, 19:26)
Mostar, SD Bijeli Brijeg; Att.: 500; Ref.: Obradovic, Husaric, Duskaj
ZRINJSKI MC: Filipovic 2, Bisko 4, Sarenac 22, Norac 17, Grbavac 2, I. Petric 2, Oroz, Dzidic 13, Simovic 2, Brecic 1, Vuckovic 14, Buhac
Coach: Nedeljko Zelenika
BORAC NEKTAR: Atanackovic 4, Z. Jovanovic 13, Stupar 6, Rothbart 13, V. Jovanovic, Gemaljevic 11, Djurasovic, Popovic, Milinovic 2, Velimirovic 11, Paunovic 15, Ugrehelidze 2
Coach: Slobodan Nikolic



*****************************************************
CHINA

Xu Yong Has Tumor on Femur -by Arthur Volbert
Doctors have discovered a tumor on the femur of Xu Yong (204-F-89) while investigating a nagging knee injury. The tumor was found during a checkup before Xu reported to the national team.

Doctors have taken a biopsy and will announce results next week. It is likely that Xu will miss the Olympics this summer.

Xu is one of China's most athletic young players and was considered an NBA prospect. He was newcomer of the year in the CBA this past season. In 29 games he averaged 18.2 points, 6.27 rebounds and 3.41 assists for Shanghai.

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

Anagennisi Yermasoigas wins the double in Limassol -by Nemanja Bjedov
After capturing the men's basketball second division title last weekend Anagennisi Yermasoigas adds the cup to its trophy case by defeating Olympos Aglantzias 67-64 on Sunday evening at the Melford Arena in Limassol.

The Limassol team led by four points at the end of the opening period at 15-11, but Olympos managed to reduce their deficit to 31-29 going to the half-time break. The second division champions then increased their lead to seven points at 47-40 with ten minutes left to play and even increased it to 11 at two occasions during the final quarter. However, the stubborn visitors never gave up but they had no strength to turn the things around as Anagennisi snatched the game by a whisker.

Christos Alexandrou scored 17 points and Giannis Ioannides (182-G-84) chipped in with 13 for Anagennisis Yermasoigas, while Dimitris Prokopiou and Loris Hadjivassiliou had 11 and 10 points respectively.

Michalis Hadjifedonos led Olympos Aglantzias and all the scorers with 24 points, while Giannis Kremos added 21. Christoforos Xenofonthos finished the game with nine points all coming from behind the arc.

On the first day of the men's basketball second division cup Final Four Anagennisi Yermasoigas beat Enosi Neon Paralimni 69-64, while Olympos Aglantzias overcame Dighenis Akritas Morphou 60-56.

A1 Stats Leaders
A1 Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
Davis (Omonoia) 16.6
Dalipagic (Enad) 14.8
Papadopoulos (Etha) 14
Ryan Randle (AEL) 13.5
Kitsoulis (Apollon) 13.2
Kandic (AEK) 13.1
Ryan Diggs (Apollo) 13
Rebounds Per Game
Trisokkas (Keravnos) 8.8
Garcia (Apoel) 7.6
Ware (Etha) 7.6
Trepalovac (AEK) 7.1
Aleksic (AEL) 6.9
Dalipagic (Etha) 6.4
Assists Per Game
Aleksic (AEL) 4.2
Wheeler (APOEL) 3.85
Lee (Keravnos) 3.8
Diggs (Apollon) 3.2
Papadopoulos (Etha) 3
Woodward (AEL) 2.8
Steals Per Game
Panteli (AEK) 2.8
Papadopoulos (Etha) 1.9
Burton (AEK) 1.6
Wheeler (Apoel) 1.6
Pilavas (keravnos) 1.5
Blocks Per Game
Trepalovac (AEK) 1.78
Radojevic (Keravnos) 1.5
Ware (Etha) 1
Broxsie (AEK) 2
Radunovic (Apoel) 0.8
2FGP
Tarver (Apoel) 81
Aleksic (AEL) 73.5
Zianveni (AEL) 68.75
Trisokkas (Keravn) 66.7
Radojevic (Keravnos)66
Radojevic (Keravnos) 67
3FGP
Mucic (omonia) 66.67
Aleksic (AEL) 47.37
Kitsoulis (Apollon) 42.86
Lee (Keravnos ) 40.74
Papadopoulos (Etha) 35
Free Throws
Wheeler (APOEL) 92.3
Hart (Keravnos) 88
Kosanovic(Keravnos) 86
Ranking
Stone (Omonoia) 1.13
Garner (Achilleas) 1.12
Trisokas (Keravnos) 1.01
Cuic (AEL) 0.96
Aleksic (AEL) 0.96


*****************************************************
CZECH REPUBLIC

Nymburk supremacy -by Eurobasket News
Nymburk stretched their predominance in the NBL as they posted the 41st win in Round 42. This time the league leaders visited Sadska and pulled away with an 87:74 win. Leading comfortably 46:32 at the interval Nymburk never looked back after the break and routinely registered yet another success. Petr Benda (203-F/C-82, agency: Court Side) and Monty Mack (191-G-77, agency: Interperformances, college: Massachusetts) secured 18 points apiece to lead Nymburk. Blake Schilb (201-G-83, college: Loyola, IL) had 11 points in a win. David Spicka (199-F-72) answered with 17 points and 8 rebounds for Sadska.
Geofin stayed at the second spot in the ladder despite a 77:81 road loss to USK Praha. Geofin denied a 12-point halftime deficit to enter the final stanza ahead by 3 points. But USK Praha made the final push for and stole a narrow victory at the end. Lucious Wagner (194-G-81, agency: Court Side, college: Evansville) came up with 21 points for USK Praha. Murus Andelija (208-C/F-81) provided 19 points for the winners. Joe Chapman (193-G-84, agency: AMI, college: Marquette) dropped 19 points to pace the visitors.
Prostejov trimmed the distance to Geofin with a hard-fought 80:70 road win over Pardubice. The hosts piled up a 46:44 advantage at the long intermission however Prostejov raised the tempo after the break and eventually gained a positive outcome. Rashaan Ames (184-G-77, college: Shaw) topscored for Prostejov with 15 points. Robert Tomaszek (205-F-81, college: Texas Tech) and Marton Bader (212-F/C-80, agency: Laszlo Vinko Services) nailed 14 points apiece for the winning side. Levell Sanders (189-G-75, agency: Stanley International, college: Seton Hall) stepped up with 24 points for Pardubice.

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

D-League Player News -by Surujh Roopnarine
The Seattle SuperSonics re-signed Ronald DuPree (6'7''-F/G-81, agency: Priority Sports, college: LSU) for the remainder of the season.
Dupree, who was originally called-up from the Tulsa 66ers on April 3rd, has appeared in four games for Seattle, averaging 1.0 point and 2.0 rebounds in 4.5 minutes per contest. Then NBA / D-League veteran appeared in nine games with Tulsa this season and averaged 17.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 30.0 minutes.

Player Movement
Ft. Wayne: Re-acquired Rob Griffin (6'6''-F/G-78, agency: Naiditch Entertainment, college: Iowa) and waived Corey Minnifield (6'8''-F-81, agency: Naiditch Entertainment, college: Loyola (LA)) due to injury.
Austin: Signed Jamar Smith (6'9''-F/C-80, college: Maryland). Smith returns to Austin where he spent the 05-06 and 06-07 seasons. Last season in 50 games with Austin Smith averaged 14.1 points, 7.4 rebounds and shot 43.3% from the field. The former Maryland Terrapin played the beginning of this season in Japan with Toshiba Brave Thunders.
Colorado: Signed Derrick Stevens (5'11''-G-80, college: Colorado St.). Stevens, a diminutive point guard out of Colorado State last played in the WBA in 2007 where he won a championship with Mayas-USA as a teammate of Anaheim Arsenal guard Majic Dorsey.

Jones Called Up By Denver Nuggets -by Surujh Roopnarine
Bobby Jones (6'6''-F-84, college: Washington) earned the 28th D-League call-up of the season as he was signed by the Denver Nuggets for the remainder of the NBA season. The Sioux Falls Skyforce guard/forward, played 11 minutes with Denver last night scoring two points and pulling down 2 rebounds as the Nuggets defeated the Houston Rockets 111-94. Jones began this season with Denver, averaging 3.3 points and 9.0 minutes in 23 games before being waived on November 7th. The 36th selection of the 2006 NBA Draft has also suited up for four other NBA teams this season, including a stint with the Memphis Grizzlies prior to his time in Sioux Falls and call-ups to the Houston Rockets, Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. In five games with the Skyforce this season, Jones averaged 12.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 28.0 minutes. Bobby holds NBA averages of 3.9 points and 1.9 rebounds in 45 games this season. Last season, Jones appeared in 44 games with the Philadelphia 76ers, averaging 2.5 points and 1.4 rebounds in 7.8 minutes per game.

*****************************************************
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

SANTIAGO PLAYOFFS! -by Ozell Wells
In last nights' 1st game CUPES triumphed over defending champion SAMEJI 86-83 in a THRILLING GAME! Cupes overcame 12-26 shooting from the free throw line by dominating the rebounding in the game 50-33. Darnell Miller (195-G-82, college: W.Georgia) led CUPES with 31 pts, 7 rebounds and 12 assists plus 4 steals. Fausto Alex Sime (192-G-79) added 14 pts and 12 rebs. Three point shooting king Osvaldo Lopez (189-G/F-83) had 23 pts. Steve Castleberry (214-C-81, college: Rider) chipped in 9 pts and 17 rebounds.
Sameji was led by 29 pts and 4 rebs from Amaury Filion (206-C/F-81), Kei Madison (206-F/G-79, agency: Duran International, college: Okaloosa-Walton CC) added 14 pts, 5 rebs and 4 blocked shots. Joel Ramirez (191-G-81) added 16 pts and 5 assists in a losing cause.
In the 2nd game of the night, GUG defeated CPN 77-70 behind 20 pts from Eric Ferguson (186-G-82, agency: Strategic Sports, college: Arkansas) who scored all of his pts in the second half of the game. 15 pts from Winston Munoz (180-G-83) & Julius Nwosu (207-C-71, agency: Pro Management Agency, college: Liberty) & 13 pts from Felipe Lopez (197-G/F-74, college: St.John's) & Ramon Miranda (197-F/C-76) showed a balanced scoring attack from the team from GUG.
In the losing cause, Eddie Elisma (205-F/C-75, college: Georgia Tech) dumped in 23 pts & Johnathan Polanco (190-G-82) added 18. Poor showings from Luis Martinez (196-F, college: William Paterson) 10 pts & Anwar Coleman (192-G-79, agency: Pro Management Agency, college: Virginia Union) 9 pts led to the downfall of the resurgent team that showed such resolve in last weeks deciding game.

The second round of the playoffs will be this Wednesday as GUG faces Cupes and Sameji plays CPN.

The Playoff Standings: GUG 1-0, CUPES 1-0, Sameji 0-1 & CPN 0-1

*****************************************************
EL SALVADOR

Standings - Liga Superior
 1. ExSAL 4-1 
 2. UTEC 3-1 
 3. San Marcos 2-2 
 4. Denver 2-2 
 5. Nacionales 0-0 
 6. Cosmos 0-5 


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

KORISLIIGA: Kouvot to the Finals -by Rauno Hurmalainen

Korisliiga, Semi-finals, Game 3: Kouvot (Kouvola) will be one finalist this season and spring. Kouvot beat Torpan Pojat (Helsinki) three times
in a row. Tonight Kouvot visited the fifth time this season in Helsinki and defeated ToPo the fourth time at ToPo's home court. So, this means,
that Kouvot is in the finals the sixth time ever. Kouvot has won three Finnish Championships earlier. The last Championship went to Kouvola
four years ago (2004). Tonight's numbers were 68-77 (31-47). Kouvot dominated during the first half, but ToPo came back to the game during
the third quarter Josh Gonner as the spark plug. ToPo tied the game twice (61-61, 63-63) five minutes to go, but Kouvot played smart (5-14) the
last five minutes of the game. Corey Smith (196-G/F, agency: Warren Sports, college: Vanderbilt) scored four out of his nine pts during the last two minutes. Tuomas Iisalo (195-G-82) led Kouvot with 21 pts. Wayne Bernard (190-G-81, college: Davidson) added 18 and Jukka Kataja (197-F-82) 14 pts. Josh Gonner scored 23 and Takais Brown (203-F, college: SE Illinois JC) 21 pts for ToPo. Torpan Pojat - Kouvot 0-3. Kouvot in the Finals, Torpan Pojat will play for bronze.

Torpan Pojat - Kouvot 68-77 (31-47) (Josh Gonner 23, Takais Brown 21, Timo Heinonen 11 - Tuomas Iisalo 21, Wayne Bernard 18, Jukka Kataja 14).



*****************************************************
FRANCE

NM1 Day 29: Charleville loses and has to share place 2 -by Chris Spiesser
Fos and Charleville had difficult games on the road but only the provencals downed their adversary which leads to an overcrowded second place that those two teams share with Blois. If the situation would remain the same until the end of the season, the second place would go to Fos that has the best point average among the three teams. Mulhouse had also an important win over Lievin that allows the alsatians to overcome the nordists with a better point average and put Longwy which lost in Antibes, two wins behind.

Boulogne 92-86 Charleville
The visitors allowed 32 points to Boulogne over the final QT. A defensive nightmare that could cost more than a loss to coach Antic's team. Chez Marks and Diamory Sylla did the job for the locals: 21pts, 4ass and 19pts, 8rbs.

Lille 70-72 Fos
Fos grabbed the win in the final seconds despite Lille's inside domination (46rbs vs 30) and an incredible Akim Defoe (19pts 9/10, 12rbs).

CFBB 65-101 Blois
While its oppponents for place 2 where fighting on the road, Blois had an easy game in the Bois de Vincennes. 6 players scored at least 10 points, the best mark going to Maizeroi with 24 units.

Longwy 71-85 Antibes
The azureans soon secured an easy win as they won the first QT 9-23 and led 25-51 at halftime. Rick Cornett posted 20pts (10/11) plus 7rbs. With a fifth loss in a row, Longwy's situation is becoming critical as Lievin and Mulhouse have now two more wins.

Toulouges 66-96 GET Vosges
No worries for the fifth of the league in Catalunya. For once, George Mdivani wasn't too bothered with fouls and could play 25 quality minutes: 19pts (8/10), 14rbs for 30 ranking points.

Feurs 56-77 Angers
Counting the next week's game versus Toulouges that has already been played, coach Hay's boys secured a fourth win in a row. They are now strongly rooted in the upper part of the league and will, for sure, end the seaon with a positive balance.

Challans 85-78 Bordeaux
Bordeaux led the game during an important part of the game (33-40, 18' or 63-68, 33') but with 7 players at least posting 8 ranking points, Challans came back in buisness. Finally, Wagner netted some crucial baskets (19pts 6/7, 4ass) that made the difference despite Owona's efficiency (19pts, 14rbs).

St-Chamond 82-51 Andrezieux
A look at the shooting percentages gives a tip on the game's scenario: 52% vs 29%. David Denave (193-G-85) took profit to fill a brilliant all-arounder sheet: 25pts, 4rbs, 2stl, 2blk, 8ass for 31 ranking points.

Mulhouse 94-76 Lievin
This game was crucial for the locals who could secure their future with a win. And they did it with style, ending the game with 30 assists and stealing the point average to Lievin (+16). Sanjay Adell collects the most ranking points, 24 with 17pts, 12rbs, 3stl, 4to, 5ass. This is its fourth double-double in a row!

Standings - ProB
 1. Bourg 21-8 
 2. Rouen 20-9 
 3. Poitiers 18-11 
 4. Nanterre 18-11 
 5. Limoges 18-11 
 6. Nantes 16-13 
 7. Maurienne 16-13 
 8. Saint-Etienne 15-14 
 9. Quimper 14-15 
 10. Boulazac 14-15 
 11. Besancon 14-15 
 12. Evreux 14-15 
 13. Brest 14-15 
 14. St.Quentin 12-17 
 15. Chalons 11-18 
 16. St.Vallier 11-18 
 17. Le Portel 10-19 
 18. Reims 5-24 


Standings - N1
 1. Antibes 23-6 
 2. Blois 22-7 
 3. Fos Ouest 22-7 
 4. Charleville 22-7 
 5. Get Vosges 20-9 
 6. Angers 18-12 
 7. St Chamond 17-12 
 8. Challans 17-12 
 9. Lille 16-13 
 10. Boulogne 15-14 
 11. Bordeaux 14-15 
 12. Mulhouse 13-16 
 13. Lievin 13-16 
 14. Longwy 11-18 
 15. Feurs 8-21 
 16. Andrezieux 5-24 
 17. Toulouges 5-25 
 18. Centre Feder. 1-28 


*****************************************************
FYR MACEDONIA

Feni Industri supreme -by Todor Chalovski
Feni Industri beat Strumica 2005 94:86 in the last game from Round 32 in the First Macedonian league. The win confirms their supremecy, reaching their 15th league win at home in as many matches.
Donald Cole had a great game. Not only that he was top scorer with 27 points, but he achieved few very important rebounds and scored crucial points at the death, helping his team to victory.
Feni Industri beat their opponents for the third time in 4 league games, which will give them a 1:0 lead, if both teams make it to the final series.

Fersped Rabotnicki finished fourth, after beating Karpos Sokoli 2000 101:83. Bojan Trajkovski scored 20 points for the winners. Fersped Rabotnicki played in all previous 15 finals, but they will have to try very hard this season, in order to keep this tradition running.

Swisslion Pelister beat MZT FON Univerzitet Skopje 99:89, to finish fifth, earning a quarterfinal draw against Fersped Rabotnicki. Milos Pejanovic, who returned to Bitola, instead the released Bojan Popovic, scored 22 points for the winners.

Amak SP played with its substitute players, but still was able to beat Vardar Osiguruvanje 78:68 in Skopje. Vojdan Stojanovski was not in the team, while american trio O'Neal, Taylor and Frye played briefly in the first half. Captain Angel Tasevski and Damjan Stojanovski scored 14 points each for Amak SP.

Feni Industri and Strumica 2005 are qualified straight to the semis. The quarterfinals start this weekend. They will be played in a 'best of three' series, and will oppose Amak SP and MZT FON Univerzitet Skopje and Fersped Rabotnicki - Swisslion Pelister.

Pop Sport VSA stay on top -by Todor Chalovski
Pop Sport VSA beat city rivals Vardar Centar away from home 98:97 in a thriller game from Round 5 in the First 'B' league. Home team lead 97:85 with little more than 3 minutes remaining. But, they scored 13 unanswered points, home team missed 4 straight foul shots in the last 30 seconds.
Aleksandar Joncevski scored 32, while Bojan Apostolov added 27 for the winners.

Ovce Pole beat Goce Delchev in Stip 79:71, thanks to 22 points from Trajce Karadzov.

Torus, despite playinf without few of its key players, beat Negotino 108:80. Antoniot Dikovski was game's top scorer with 23 points.

Heraklea secured a big win against ABA, beating them 106:103 in Bitola. Goce Anakievski scored 41 points for the winners.

*****************************************************
GABON

THE GABONESE FEDERATION OF BASKET - BALL CHANGE THE FORMULA OF THE FIRST MASCULINE DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP. -by Tim Ndjiki

After a long period of rest the basket ball Gabonese takes with assemblies of clubs, leagues and the last in date are the assembly plain and extraordinary of the Basketball Federation Gabonese (FEGABAB), presided by Mrs. Sylvie KOTHA.
Of big innovation in our basket for this season 2007-2008: The creation of the elite national championship. Composed of 8 clubs, teams are going all to meet in chosen three sites: Libreville, Port-Gentil and Moanda. Teams are going to move all weekends according to a calendar of meetings, matches will be played to go return of it, the first of this championship will be declared champion of Gabon in 2008. The last two teams of the elite Championship will be retrogressed in their leagues. A phase to go up in elite championship will be played between the best teams of every league
Championships of leagues affiliated members are played simultaneously.
February 2, 2008, it is the date foreseen for the launching of the elite National Championship that will regroup 8 clubs:
League of the High Ogooue, 1 team (MANGA BASKET); League of the estuary 3 teams (SOMO B - TOUNGUI BB - AOBB); League of the Maritime Ogooue, 4 teams (STADE MANDJI - CAS 1987 - ASOM - ASCTG).
It is a project that has been approved by the majority the present delegates to the assembly of the 08 to December 09, 2007 to the seat of the FEGABAB. He has been necessary to nine hours of clock to arrive some there. Certain delegate one expressed their scepticism on the financial means, on the notebook of load, on the calendar of the competition, notably the president of the league of the estuary (Aime ENGONE), the representative of TOUNGUI BB (the colonel Flavien MOUSSAVOU) and the president of LAR (Eric MICKALA).
The ministerial Office of the Federation explained extensively favours them of this new formula on the organization of the first Division championship named ' elite ' National Championship; The chairwoman Sylvie KOTHA explained that this project answers to waiting of leaders of clubs and the ministry, it is a formula that increases the number of meetings, it is a manner to popularize the Gabonese basketball; it also permits to unload to leagues the organization of the first Division championship. She also reassured delegates of the adherence of the ministry of sport and the Olympic committee and sponsors, and the hold in charge of the aerial transport lasting all the championship…
The presence of the new president of the Olympic Committee (Leon FOLQUET), the president of Karate Do (Me Paterne DICKA), heightened this assembly plain of the FEGABAB.
We recall you that in the old formula, Leagues organized the first phase and the FEGABAB organized the second phase or final phase.
1st STADE MANDJI (Ogooue Maritime)
2nd MANGA BASKET (High Ogooue)
3rd AOBB (Estuary)
4th CAS 1987 (Ogooue Maritime)
5th BLACK STARS (Estuary)
6th LA REUSSITE (Estuary)
SOMO B and TOUNGUI BB retired of the competition
Ordering of the CUP Federal «DAVID NZOUBOU «Masculine of MOANDA
1st SOMO B (Estuary)
2nd STADE MANDJI (Ogooue Maritime)
3rd MANGA BASKET (High Ogooue) Forfeit at half final
4th TOUNGUI BB
5th CAS 1987 (Ogooue Maritime)
6th ASOM (Ogooue Maritime)
7th ENGONG (Woleu Ntem)
LIBAMA and USTM Forfeit (High Ogooue)

Sylvie Kotha



*****************************************************
GEORGIA

Mikheil Berishvili a crucial for TSU's loss -by Levan Mikeladze

By beating its standings rival, VIta evened with TSU and went ahead on tie-breaker. Mikheil Berishvili (205-F-87, agency: Naiditch Entertainment) made final jump shot on the last second of the match and won the game... He had 25 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals. After a long absence, playmaker Beka Tsivtsivadze (190-G-89) was again in the starting five and his counterpart, Giorgi Markhvashvili (190-G-85) was benched. TSU was without its own captain and leader Shalva Khetsuriani (197-G/F-83, agency: Global Sports Plaza). As for forward Davit Barbakadze (204-F-82), he was 1/8 on midrange jumpers.



Vita - TSU 99:97



Standings - Higher League
Highest League Standings
1. Energy 20-5
2. Avia 15-10
3. TSU 13-12
4. Vita 13-12
5. Dinamo T. 10-15
6. Maccabi T. 4-21


Dinamo played . . . with Maccabi without Shermadini -by Levan Mikeladze
Dinamo - Maccabi 124:90
31:20, 33:17, 26:20, 34:33

Revaz Atanelishvili (207-C-86) scored 30 points, 10 rebounds. 2 steals for his team Dinamo Tbilisi. No comments for Maccabi after Giorgi Shermadini has left from the team. Giorgi's brother Soso Shermadini (208-C-86) made 25 points, 16 rebounds, 2 block shots. Giorgi Nanitashvili (186-G-90) had 11 assists what is his season high this season... Another young player from Maccabi plays pretty much who's name is Davit Ioseliani. He scored 11 points...

Tbilaviamsheni wins thanx to Nikoladze's heroics -by Levan Mikeladze

Avia 77:76 Energy

In the the main game of the leg and probably, of the whole month, Avia won the battle of the heavyweights and beat Energy Invest for the first time.

The first quarter was dominated by David Ustiashvili's team, that cruised to an 11 point lead, only to see it go down in the second quarter, thanx to an inspired play from Avia's Power Forward Vakhtang Minashvili (202-C-79).

The game ended with a missed jumper from Giorgi Gamqrelidze (183-G-86), while Giorgi Nikoladze (188-G-81) again was the hero for Avia, by scoring a jumper, that set the final margin.



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

Regionalliga Notes -by Moritz Korff
North
The P4two Ballers Osnabrueck have finally made it. The team of Coach Dimitris Polychroniadis won the championship in the North-division and thus earned the ticket to the 2. Bundesliga Pro B. After an easy 112:66 home-win over the Itzehoe Eagles - who went to the start without its three Americans - the Ballers cut down the nets. As #2 UBC Hannover fell short 62:66 to EBC Rostock at home there is no team that will be able to push the Ballers from the first place on the final gameday next weekend. Lamar Morinia (183-G-81, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement, college: Montana St.-Northern) led the Osnabrueck-attack once again and scored 21 points, Aaron Fleetwood (206-F-84, college: Delaware St.) and Christoph Loeffler (204-F/C-78) added 15 apiece, while Martin Duggen (185-G-81) answered with 27 points for Itzehoe. On the other end of the table, MBC Weissenfels carried home a victory (88:80) against SC Rist Wedel to make sure to stay in the league. Johnnie Gilbert (203-F-82, agency: Heinrich Sports, college: Oklahoma) and Frieder Diestelhorst (201-F-87) shared topscoring-honors. Both tallied 27 points, while Sven Gaede (190-G/F-85), Paul Owusu (200-F-86) and Malte Schwarz (188-G-89) each put in 17 points for Wedel. In another battle to avoid the drop to the 2. Regionalliga the Aschersleben Tigers topped SG Wolfenbuettel 94:84. Eddie Jackson (183-G-84, agency: Weller Sports - Entertainment, college: Pittsburg St.) was impressive again. The topscorer of the Tigers netted 44 points, Brian Harrison (183-G) followed with 21, while Wolfenbuettel got 22 points from Michael Fleischmann (203-F-86). Peter Van Rij (206-C-76, agency: Court Side, college: Charleston So.) and Bennie Miller (183-G) each had 18 points to lead BG Magdeburg to an 84:76-road win at Central Hoops Berlin. Tommy Thorwarth (194-F-79) scored 17 points in defeat, Stipo Papic (206-F/C-78) added 16.

South-West
After claiming the South-West title last weekend the new champ ASC Theresianum Mainz continued to win and held off TSV Gruenberg in an 109:91-win on the road. The Schwenningen Panthers strenghtend their second place by defeating TV Konstanz 79:67. Marco Schlafke (185-G-82) led Schwenningen with 20 points, Brandon Adair (196-F-85, college: Va.Wesleyan) and Samba Thiam (191-G-76) each had 14. On the other end Lars-Eric Menck (200-F-78) replied with 21 points, Brian Lang (191-G-81, college: S.Nevada CC) netted 17 points and Chris Fantroy (201-F-82, college: Tex.A&M-Comm.) 14. Also BC Weissenhorn secured an away-win. The third ranked team topped TuS Treis-Karden 96:78. A game-high 29 points of Victor Morris (185-G-85, college: Cleveland St.) helped TS Goeppingen to success in the encounter against DJK/MJC Trier (83:77). Markus Bretz (201-F-87) who put in 20 points was another Goeppingen-player to finish the game in double-digits, while Clint Driftmier (208-C-83, college: Central) scored 26 points for Trier, Mario Hubert (198-F/C-80) had 21. TV Rastatt-Rheinau edged SG Heidelberg/Kirchheim 68:67 on the road and was led by player/coach Zoran Seatovic (191-G-72) who drained 4 treys and had 24 points totally. Bernd Huebner (203-C-82) contributed 21 points. Jens Hirschberg (198-F-88) scored 16 points for the White Chocolate, Stefan Natto (190-G/F) collected 15 points. MTV Kronberg was unable to stop Felix Rotaru (200-F-79) as he led his VfB Giessen side to a 69:54-win on the road. Sebastian Koehnert (187-G-83) had 15 points for Kronberg. And finally MTV Stuttgart stormed past TV Lich II (117:69). Philipp Wildermuth (195-F-80) led all scores with 33, Matthias Krieg (206-C-80, college: Abil.Christian) added 21 points, Thomas Wrobel (200-F/C) had 17, while Andreas Tsiminos (192-F-83) netted 19 points in the loss.

South-East
Five players scored in double-figures as FC Bayern Muenchen secured the title by defeating HSB Landsberg 92:63. Josh Mueller (180-G-82, college: S.Dakota) scored 19 points for the champion, Antonio Lang (190-G-86) added 17 and Markus Huebner (198-F-87), Tony Thomason (188-G-85, college: Minn.St.-Mankato) and David Rotim (197-F-85) put in 15 points apiece. Larry Johnson (191-G-79, college: Niagara) answered with 25 points for the visitors. #2 TG Renesas Landshut controlled the action in Jena and topped TuS Jena II 89:46. Jon Simon (180-G-84, college: Colgate) nailed 5 shots from beyond the arc and tallied 24 points for the winning side, Justin Allen (183-G-83, college: S.Utah) followed with 17 points. A great individual performance of Darryl Sommerset (206-F-84, agency: Weller Sports - Entertainment, college: Cent.Missouri St.) who put in 29 points carried SpVgg Rattelsdorf to an 89:75-home win over the COOCOON Baskets Weiden. Tomas Selinger (198-F/C-83) scored 24 points in defeat, Stephen Cramer (188-G, college: Hope (MI)) had 22. The Dresden Titans were without their starting big man Eric Voisin (205-C, college: Hope (MI)) and had no chance as they were beaten by the Wuerzburg Baskets 69:109. The Titans could not control Hrvoje Pervan (203-F-84, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement, college: Mercer) who scored 28 points for Wuerzburg, Mike Moten (203-C-71, college: Rhode Island) and Grant Billmeier (208-C-84, college: Seton Hall) dominated the paint and finished the game with 22 and 14 points respectively. Andre Spalke (190-G-82) had 15 points in the losing effort. The starting line-up did it all, when FC Baunach defeated BC Energie Zwickau 87:78. Only 5 players on the Baunach-squad did the scoring: Andreas Saller (205-C/F-82) had 26 points, Felix Sauer (188-G-83) 23, Bernd Endres (203-C-78) and Angelos Plantzas (176-G-71) each dropped 17 points and Tobias Hosper (189-G/F) had 4. Zwickau was paced by Chris Brown (201-F-83, agency: Profibasketball.de, college: Chattanooga) who scored 23 points, Jeremy McCulloch (212-C, college: E.Washington) added 15. Calvin Wooten (186-G-84, college: Oakland) hit 4 threes and led his Dachau Spurs to an 84:61-road win at Breitenguessbach II. The same did Phillip Hillstock (202-F, college: Barber Scotia) who put in 26 points for the Gotha Rockets as they won 105:99 over BG Leitershofen/Stadtbergen. 32 points, including 7 treys, of Matt Benson (196-F-83, college: Point Loma) were not enough for the host to overcome Gotha.

2. Bundesliga Pro B: Highlights of Gameday 29 -by Moritz Korff
Play of the Day: Seth Engelken (203-F-85, college: Texas A&M - C.C.) - Stahnsdorf: 36 pts, 14/22 FG, 7/9 FT, 12 rbs, 3 st, 2 as

Points: Seth Engelken - Stahnsdorf: 36

Rebounds: Sean Brooks (196-F/C-82, agency: Scorers 1st Sportmanagement, college: Drexel) - Crailsheim: 19

Assists: Coco Cofield (184-G-81, agency: ProSportsCareers, college: N.Dakota St.) - Freiburg: 9

Steals: Goran Petrovic (185-G-77) - Ansbach: 4

Blocked Shots: Andreas Hornig (212-C-80, agency: LimeLight, college: Murray St.) - Kirchheim: 5

Check out all stats and scors on the official website of the 2. Bundesliga: click

2. Bundesliga Pro A: Highlights of Gameday 29 -by Moritz Korff
Play of the Day: David Berghoefer (208-C-83, agency: Interperformances, college: W.Carolina) - Duesseldorf: 19 pts, 7/13 FG, 21 rbs, 3 st, 1 as

Points: Michael Lake (182-G-73, college: Hillsdale) - Nuernberg: 29

Rebounds: David Berghoefer - Duesseldorf: 21

Assists: Ty Harrelson (190-G-80, agency: Worldwide Hoops, college: Wayland Baptist) - Bayreuth: 10

Steals: Brandon Jenkins (190-G-85, college: Louisville) - Lich: 5

Blocked Shots: Alonzo Hird (206-F-83, college: E.Kentucky) - Schalke, Robin Benzing (209-F-89) - Langen, Alexander Starr (196-F-84, college: Centenary) - Heidelberg: 2 apiece

Check out all stats and scors on the official website of the 2. Bundesliga: click

*****************************************************
GREECE

PAOK replace Flevarakis with Korfas -by George Manousidis
The administration of PAOK takes the responsibility to change the Coach Kostas Flevarakis 3 games before the end of the championship. PAOK is in the edge of A2 and wants 2 wins in the last 3 games to stay in the A1. Kostas Flevarakis replaced Tab Baldwin in the middle of the season. The next Coach will be John Korfas and the assistant Christos Konstantinidis. Manager of the team will be Nikos Stavropoulos.

Stats Leaders - A1
A1 Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
Jaaber, Egaleo 22.4
Grundy, Panellinios 22.3
Massey, Aris 18.5
Nikolaidis, Egaleo 14.3
Pinnock, Kolossos14.2
Kiritsis, AEK 14
Wesson, AEK 13.8
Tsiaras, Olimpia 13.7
Rebounds Per Game
1 Wesson, AEK 8.52
2 Bourousis, Oly. 8.2
3 Massey, Aris 8.1
4 Ceranic, AEL 7.8
Assists Per Game
1 Spanoulis, PAO 5
2 Jaaber, Egaleo 4.2
3 Diamantidis, PAO 3.7
4 Kojadinovic, Mar. 3.5
Steals Per Game
1 Jaaber, Egaleo 2.80 2 Massey, Aris 2.35 3 Grundy,Panellinios2.2
Blocks Per Game
Klimavicius, AEL 1.35
Bourousis, Oly. 1.16
Massey, Aris 0.95
2FGP
Dikoudis, PAO 71%
Newley, Panionios 68%
Klimavicius, AEL 65%
Giannoulis Pan 63%
Massey, Aris 62%
3FGP
Kurtovic Olympias 48%
Tsaldaris, Aris 46%
Jasikievicius, PAO 46%
Vasiliadis, Olympiakos 46%
Free Throws
Haralampidis, Marousi 96%
Wright, Aris 87%
Verginis, PAOK 86%
Ranking
Bourousis Oly 0.790
Massey Ais 0.694
Batiste Pan 0.679
Jackson Oly 0.638
Ostojic Pan 0.633
Vougioukas Reth. 0.605
Wesson Aek 0.590
Baxter Panionios 0.589


Division B': Week 26 - Results and Scorers -by Chris Mammides

Lavrio - Milonas 92-74
Quarters: 27-16, 47-35, 63-58, and 92-74.
Lavrio thrashed Milonas and has still some chances for promotion. Top scorers were Nick Psileas (200-F-80) and Dionysios Giannakopoulos (195-G/F-82) with 26 and 25 respectively while from Milonas Theologos Vlavianos (196-G-86) scored 21 and Karababas 18

Alimos - Makedonikos 79-77
Quarters: 27-13, 42-30, 69-50, 79-77
In a game which turned out to be a derby in the fourth quarter where the team of Coach Diktapanides over scored its opponents by 10-27, the host team of Makedonikos (which is already in the third division) lost the game by simply a basket in the best game of Giorgos Samourellis (204-C-84) with his 22 points and Mitsakis 14. From the home team which nearly become just the second team to loose by Makedonikos, top scorers were Giannis Tsolakis (195-F-83, agency) and Tzougarakis with 18 and 16 points respectively.

Near East - Ikaros Kallitheas 71-76
Quarters: 11-12, 32-31, 52-49, 71-76.
A strange score could characterized the road win of Ikaros Kallitheas over the all mighty team of Near East which is giving clear chances to the team of Coach Haritatos to be promoted in A2. Top scorers for the visitors were Vasilis Emmanouilidis (185-G-77), Giannis Tsopokis (178-G-74) and Sotiris Katoufas (206-F-79) with 16, 16 and 15 while Panagiotis Katranas (202-F-85) added 13. From the top seated team of Coach Tolis Karnesis , top scorer was Giorgos Papoulidis (206-C-79) with his 30 points while Michalos added 16

Anagennisi/Floga - Olympiakos Volou 129-88
Quarters: 32-22, 66-41, 98-66, 129-88
Another great loss for the weakest team of the division, this time the team of Coach Touloumis overscored the team of Coach Vlioras by 42 points!! Top scorer for the home team was Spiropoulos with 26 while 17 points were added by Galanidis and 19 by Moisiadis, from the visiting and disappointing site of Olympiakos Volou top scorer was Tsolis with 30 followed by Tsourelis with 22.

Ermis Lagkada - Ikaroi Serron 76-69
Quarters: 18-17, 49-28, 59-43, 76-69.
Another derby took place in Serres where the home team lost a deficit of more than 20 points at the end and nearly looses the game which belonged 100% to them. Top scorer was Troulialis with 27 while Dimitriadis added 15. From the home team of coach Kamarakis, top scorer was Pehlivanis with 16 while 15 points were added by Asimakis and 16 by Topouzis

Komotini - Doukas 87-71
Quarters: 25-16, 39-36, 77-49, and 87-71.
An easy afternoon for Coach Lemonidis team, Komotini beat Doukas with Holevas being in a great shape with his 24 points while another four players followed with double digits, Souflias 14, Dinas 13, Tsakonitis 13 and Deli 11. From the visiting site of Coach Linoxilakis, top scorer was Kritsalos with 16 while Petrakis added 14.

KAOD - Goumenisa 92-66
Quarters: 26-19, 51-35, 64-52, 92-66
Another easy afternoon for Dramas team and Coach Grigoriadis, with Koukouravas and Maslarinos in great peripheral performance witht heir 17 and 16 points and with Bourdanos and Papadopoulous 15 and 17 points together with Daliaris's 14 points and 14 rebounds, KAOD never faced any problem from Coach Nitsis's team with Matenidis and Darakis scoring 12 points per piece.


Amyntas - Aigio 88-71

quarters: 22-14, 39-31, 59-50, 88-71

Top scorers were on behalf of the home team Zoupas and Barbas with 24 and 17 points respectively while from Aigio which lost some vital space for the promotion, top scorer was Stamopoulos with 14 points.


Top scorers after 26 weeks:
Dimitris Prokos (192-G-74) of Aigio 542 points
Nick Psileas (200-F-80) of Lavrio 484 points
Panagiotis Nanis (195-F/G-80) of Olympiakos Volou 462 points (in 24 games)
Panagiotis Tsolis (194-F-81) of Olympiakos Volou 449 points (in 25 games)
Giorgos Tirlas (198-F-80) of Aigio 417 points
Kostas Dinas (189-G/F-80) of Komotini 368 points
Konstantinos Pehlivanis (192-G-79) of Ikaroi Serron 349 points
Giorgos Filiousis (198-G-77) of KAOD 344 points
Sotiris Katoufas (206-F-79) of Ikaros Kallitheas 345 points

Michalis Tanakidis (190-G-81) of Makedonikos 332 points
Dionysios Giannakopoulos (195-G/F-82) of Lavrio 327 points

Tasos Dimitriadis (201-C-82) of Ermis Lagkada 317 points (in 25 games)
Theologos Vlavianos (196-G-86) of Milonas 305 points
Nicos Papakonstantinou (182-G-84) of Ermis Lagkada 303 points (in 23 games)

Nikos Moisiadis (180-G-80) of Anagennisi / Floga 287 points

Tassos Baggi (187-G-75) of Goumenissa 276 points
Nikos Michalos (192-G-77) of Near East 265 points (in 24 games)
Nikos Kritsalos (192-G-77) of Doukas 255 points

Mihalis Ifantis (204-F-72) of Alimos 219 points (in 22 games)
Giorgos Papoullidis (206-C-79) of Near East 220 points

Achilleas Klepkos (206-C-78) of Goumenisa 227 points (in 24 games)

Dimitris Karatzios (202-F-78) of Doukas 203 points (in 19 games)




C' Division: The four champions to be promoted are.... -by Chris Mammides

The four teams from the four groups (from both South and North) are: Arkadikos, OFI, Aias Evosmou and Apollona Kalamarias. In more Analysis their last results which actually sealed mathematically their promotion are the following:
AIAS Evosmou - Filippos Veroias 89-64
The quarters were: 24-24, 42-29, 62-47, 89-64
The scorers of the teams were:
AIAS Evosmou ( Head Coach Dimou): Oxouzis 25, Papapetrou 3, Chrisopoulos 13, Hatzichristos 11, Hatzivretas 8, Marousic 2, Mavros 26(4).
Filippos Veroias (Head Coach Gimas): Tsotsokos 2, Mavridis 24, Tsakiris 12, Hatzikiriakidis 2, Kotsampasis 13, Iosifidis 5, Papadopoulos 1, Homatas 5.

Apollon Kalamarias - Stratoni 76-54
Quarters: 18-21, 34-27, 58-41, and 76-54

The scorers of the teams were:
Apollonas Kalamarias (Head Coach Albanis): Papadopoulos 3, Skoufis 13, Triantafillidis 15, Valavanidis 15, Mavromatidis 9, Moumoglou 6, Gogidis 13, and Kotsiopoulos 2.
Stratoni (Head Coach Hatzoulis): Pipiliaris 10, Markidis 1, Samaras 2Katsianos 3, Tsioundos 2, Dislis 13, Moutsiaras 11, Gotzagiannis 4, Papadopoulos 5, Nioukaris 3 (1).

OFI - Halkida 20-0

The visiting site never 'visited' Crete so the home team won the game in the papers with 20-0

Arkadikos - Peiraikos 100-73

Quarters: 23-22, 46-41, 74-53, 100-73.
The scorers of the teams were

Arkadikos (Head Coach Smyrniotis): Polyzogopoulos 6, Spiliopoulos 2, Giannis Manos (186-G-71) 31, Rekouniotis 2, Kallapanidas 7, Psaltou 17, Papanikolaou 14, Manavopoulos 7, Simeopoulos 8, Koutsos 2, Patriksi 2, Topouzi 1.

Peiraikos (Head Coach Papamarkos): Bouzoukakis 2, Karlaftis 16, Gapkiadis 7, Makridimas 4, Gapkiadis 7, Moukas 6, Papadopoulos 2, Lazaridis 21, Daniel 8, Sivris 3, Tasopoulos 4.




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

Standings - Eredivisie
 1. Amsterdam 30-8 
 2. West-Brabant 27-13 
 3. Eiff.Towers 25-13 
 4. M.Magix 24-15 
 5. Rotterdam 23-15 
 6. Hanzev.Cpt 23-16 
 7. Zwolle 17-21 
 8. Weert 16-23 
 9. Leiden 15-24 
 10. Aris Friesland 8-31 
 11. Den Helder 5-34 
 12. Almere 0-0 


Eiffel Towers Pull Out Clutch Win In Bergen-op-Zoom -by Sanders Jackson

The sleeping giant is coming out of hibernation.

Saturday night in Bergen-op-Zoom, the defending champions Eiffel Towers, who have struggled this season in the FEB competition due to injuries, player dismissals, etc., are starting to get their old swagger back at the right time, coming into the matchup vs. West-Brabant Giants needing a win to have a chance to eventually topple the Giants for 2nd place in the FEB standings and homecourt advantage opporutunity throughout the first two rounds. Eiffel would get the job done, pulling out a close 77-74 win. Damone Brown (204-F-79, college: Syracuse) led the way for Eiffel with 18 pts., including 3 three-pointers. Both Patrick Pope (183-G-81, college: St.Augustine) and Devonne Giles (203-F-83, agency: Worldwide Hoops, college: Texas Tech) led West-Brabant with 20 pts. each. The regualr season for West-Brabant Ginats is over, and with two games remaining, Eiffel has a chance to overtake the Giants with wins.

Rein van der Kamp extends contract with two years at Aris Friesland -by Fred Roggen
Forward Rein Van der Kamp (202-F-79, agency: R.H.Consultancy) has extended his contract with two years at Aris Friesland. Rein Van der Kamp stood on the list of players with whom Aris Friesland wants to go further in the future.
Van der Kamp average this season 13.7 points by game, the experience forward can look back on a very good season. Van der Kamp:' It is possible my last eredivisiecontract. At this moment I consider it that those two years are the last of my career'.

Good Start Helps Rotterdam Challengers Coast To Win Over Aris Friesland -by Sanders Jackson

In the Topsportcentrum on Saturday night, Rotterdam Challengers continue to keep the heat on the 4th place occupants in the race for homecourt advantage in the 1st round of the FEB playoffs, making no slipups vs. Aris Friesland, getting out to a good start and winning 73-55. The Rotterdammers led 18-9 at the end of the 1st quarter and 39-25 at halftime. While both teams shot the ball horrible in more ways than one (Rotterdam only 30.8% FG, 31% 3FG, 14 of 24 FT's, Aris only 35.5% FG, 6 of 25 three-pointers, only 15 of 30 FT's) , the Rotterdammer's tough D forced Aris to cough up the ball 25 times. Chaz Twan Briggs (201-F-80, college: W.Virginia) led Rotterdam with 18 pts. and 10 rebounds, while Sullivan Sykes (193-G/F-81, college: St.Joseph, IN) added 17. Dillion Sneed (203-C-84, college: E.Tenn.St.) led Aris with 18 ts. and 19 rebounds. The win helps the Rotterdammers keep pace with Matrixx Magixx for the 4th spot in th FEB standings, remaining a half-game behind Matrixx and a half-game ahead of Hanzevast Capitals.

Upstairs Weert Win Easily Over Den Helder Seals -by Sanders Jackson

Saturday night in Weert, Upstairs Weert continue their stellar play as of late for the hunt for the last playoff spot, taking control of the game tempo in the 1st half, raising their play to a higher level in the 2nd half, rolling to a 97-75 blowout win. The Limburgers extended their halftime lead from eight points to 22 at the end of the 3rd quarter and it was all-she-wrote from there. Upstairs leading scorer Ashley Champion (198-F-81, college: Chattanooga) led the way with 28 pts., 11 rebounds and 6 assists, Trey McDowell (188-G-85, college: Louisiana Tech) continued his stellar recent play with 22 pts., and Latece Williams (203-F-79, agency: Court Side, college: Marshall) added 17 pts. The Limburgers took very good care of the ball, commiting only 5 turnovers. The win keeps Upstairs ahead of idle ZZ Leiden, with both teams having one regular season game remaining. ZZ has a +4 tiebreaker advantage in he head-to-head matchup, but in order to move ahead of Upstairs in the final playoffspot, must win next Saturday in Zwolle and Upstairs lose in Leeuwarden.

Landstede Basketball Bounces Back, Win 3OT Thriller Over Matrixx Magixx -by Sanders Jackson

Landstede Basketball has Matrixx Magixx's number this season.

In the Horstacker on Saturday night, Landstede Basketball bounced back from a disappointing Thursday night home loss to Upstairs to win a triple overtime thriller over Matrixx Matrixx by the score of 98-92. Landstede overcame poor shooting by turning defense into offense, scoring 28 pts. off turnovers, getting 22 2nd chance points vs. the bigger Matrixx squad, and outscrapping the more athletic Matrixx team on the glass. No one epitimized this scrappy play more than FEB leading scorer Darnell Wilson (198-F-85, college: Canisius), who in 54 minutes scord a season-high 35 pts., pulled down 14 rebounds, had 7 steals, 3 bocks and 3 steals. Wilson had plenty of help from PG Alexander Sa (184-G-83) (19 pts.), Gerad Punch (193-G/F, college: Furman) (15 pts., 13 rebounds) and Robby Bostain (191-G/F-84, agency: Sports Plus International, college: Furman), who despite poor shooting (only 3 of 19 total), gave back to his team in other ways (10 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals in 54 minutes). Chris Copeland (203-F-84, agency: 540 Sports, college: Colorado) led Matrixx with 30 pts. The win clinched a playoff spot for Landstede, who can help themselves remain in 7th place with a home win next Tuesday vs. MyGuide Amsterdam and/or next Saturday vs. ZZ Leiden, but do not hold a tiebreaker advantage over Upstairs (-4 difference).

Hanzevast Capitals Gain Revenge On MyGuide Amsterdam, Win In Strong 2nd Half Effort -by Sanders Jackson


Saturday night in the Sporthallen-Zuid, Hanzevast Capitals kept their hopes alive for moving up a FEB playoff position, gaining revenge on MyGuide Amsterdam and vindicating themselves in their Thursday road loss to Eiffel Towers, winning convincingly 94-79. The last time these two teams played on February 23rd, MyGuide won convincingly in the Martiniplaza by the score of 106-93.


In last Thursday's disappointing loss to Eiffel Towers, the Hanzevast team failed to capitalize on a strong start, eventually folding in the 2nd half. But this time the tables were turned, with Hanzevast's strong 2nd half effort making the difference, outscoring MyGuide 48-32 after halftime. Both Alton Mason (185-G-77, agency: Court Side, college: Arizona St.) and Dwayne Archbold (198-F/G-80, agency: CAA Sports, college: Siena) had strong scoring performances, scoring 26 pts. each, with Archbold making 11 of 12 free throws. Sergerio Gipson (193-G/F-80, agency: 540 Sports, college: Arkansas) led MyGuide with 19 pts. With the win, Hanzevast remains a half-game behind Rotterdam Challengers for the 5th playoff spot.



*****************************************************
HUNGARY

A Division Stats Leaders
A Division Stats Leaders
Points Per Game
1. Mills, Dombovar 23.22
2. Gulyas, ASE 22.04
3. Blair, Univer 22.00
4. Lesko, Sopron 21.71
5. Kalman, Falco 20.91
Rebounds Per Game
1. Freeman, Bodrogi 9.88
2. Hendlein, KKK 9.22
3. Horvath, ASE 9.00
4. Aliakseyeu, Falco 8.65
5. Ocitti, Körmend 8.52
Assists Per Game
1. English, Dombovar 8.96
2. Savic, NYKK 7.54
3. Kalman, Falco 7.24
4. Simon, Albacomp 6.00
5. Meszaros, ASE 5.75
Steals Per Game
1. Savic, NYKK 3.79
2. English, Dombovar 3.17
3. Doyne, Falco 3.13
4. Drahos, Bodrogi 2.92
5. McClendon 2.73
Blocks Per Game
1. Wiley, Dombovar 1.85
2. Gulyas, ASE 1.52
Hendlein, KKK 1.52
4. Aliakseyeu, Falco 1.35
5. Vavra, 0.96
Ranking
1. Mills, Dombovar 30.00
2. Kalman, Falco 29.38
3. Gulyas, ASE 28.96
4. English, Dombovar 28.33
5. Blair, Univer 27.50


Standings - A Division
 1. Falco 20-5 
 2. Dombovar 18-7 
 3. Pecs 16-9 
 4. Atomeromu 15-10 
 5. Albacomp 15-10 
 6. Szolnok 15-10 
 7. Nyiregyhazi 14-11 
 8. Kormend 13-12 
 9. ZTE KK 11-14 
 10. Soproni 11-14 
 11. Univer KSE 11-14 
 12. MAFC 6-19 
 13. Kaposvari 6-19 
 14. Bodrogi Bau 4-21 


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

Play-offs games. -by Siggi Hjorleifsson
Grindavik 90. Snaefell 71. Grindavik save their chance of makint it to the finals with this win.
Top scorers for Grindavik. Thorleifur Olafsson 20. Helgi Jonas Gudfinnson 14. Jamaal Williams 14. For Snaefell. Justin Shouse 16. Next game tonight.

IR 79 Keflavik 97. Keflavik closer to make it to the finals with this win.
Top scorers for IR. Nate Brown 17 + 11 assist. Sveinbjorn Claessen & Tahirou sani 14 each.
For Keflavik. Tommy Johnson 28. Throstur Johannsson 19. Bobby Walker 16

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

From Hollywood to Bollywood - Anish Sharda is putting India on the basketball map -by Kristian Santiago

In a time where people associate India with' Bollywood' ,'Tandoori Chicken' and the sport 'Cricket', the rising of a young man in the basketball world could be changing things hopefully soon on the sub-continent and maybe attract more young Indians to participate in the sport. Growing up in Simi Valley, California, young Anish watched like millions of other kids the NBA and its star-player Michael Jordan.
'When I saw Michael Jordan crying after they beat the LA Lakers (I'm from LA) the passion in which he had for winning a championship is what made me fall in love with the game, 'tells Sharda from his current home in Mainz, Germany.

It was also his mother that decided to put him into a basketball camp even though Anish wasn't fascinated with the idea, 'but she forced me to go as I was a very shy kid and I am thankful for that today, because I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her.'

After successfully trying-out for the local high school-team, the 'Pioneers' (he didn't make the team until he was 14 years-old), the point guard set higher goals.' He lived in the gym this summer working to improve his overall game,'' his former high school-coach Christian Aurand knew to tell about Anish who missed several opportunities to visit his parents home-country.

'With basketball in my life, there have been a couple of occasions where everyone in my family would go to India but I would have to stay in the states because of a tournament or something like that,' the polite Indian-American reminisces.

It would eventually pay off for him as he cracked the starting-five in his senior-year and did well for the Marmonte League top-team from Simi Valley (Which is in the northwest of L.A. and minutes away from Hollywood).

Anish added around 7 points and 4 assists per game in his senior-year for a team that included Branduinn Fullove (195-F/G-80, college: UCSB) (UC Santa Barbara; now in New Zealand) and Dustin Villepigue (206-F-83, college: UNLV) (Gonzaga and UNLV ; now in Bosnia).

After two strong years at Moorpark CC where he was named to the All-Western Conference ('It was ten minutes away from our house'), Anish took his game away from home to Bismarck, North Dakota where he attended a small catholic university named Mary with around 3.000 students. There once again, he proved to be a leader and scored 935 points in only two years (He is still one of the all-time scoring leaders at Mary) and was of course an all-conference player and an honorable All-American. 'I had to grow up on my own for the first time and endure some
tough winters and when you want to go workout at six in the morning and
its 30 below zero outside it could only make you stronger', he remembers vividly.

With his steady improvement on and off the court ('I graduated from
college and earned my degree which is one of the best accomplishments
in my life'), he made it to the pro basketball circuit and ended up in the troubled ABA with a team in Indiana, the Anderson Champions.
He also played in Ireland for a team in a local tournament, but it wasn't until last year, that the talented guard made strides on a professional level when he joined ASC Mainz in Germany.

When he arrived and practiced, the word on the web was going around that Mainz brought in some pretty good player in. The season went on, and he carried his team with his 23 points per game (74 made 3-pointers) straight to the title.
I had the chance to attend the game that led to the championship last week and I was amazed.
Knowing that the league has some talented players and ambitious teams which are desperately trying to win by investing a lot of money, Mainz, and especially Anish made it all look really easy for them to seal the season.
'To be part of a championship and have a great coach with great teammates is all I could ever ask for, 'Mentioned the 25 year-old proudly who should be earning the MVP-title as soon as the season is over as well.

But there is also another goal set for the Hindu from Cali: He is eager to represent his country internationally and he could be ending up soon on the national-team if the coaches of India's national-team recognize his talent.

That's why Anish planning to return to India within the near future:
'We had a very traditional Indian vibe in our household and they would tell me a lot about religion which is still a big part of my life. I was able to go (to India) when I was 12 years-old.
From what I remember the country was beautiful but being a skinny kid from Los Angeles it was a complete cultural shock, however I plan on going back to India again soon.'

Asked about the fact that there are not many known Indian ball players out there, he responds: 'The Indian culture places a lot of emphasis on school and getting a good job and I definitely went against that in a lot of ways, but I do have my degree in business and value that greatly.
But Indians never try and pursue athletics some maybe do not believe they are athletic enough which is horrible because I feel if your passionate about something and have good people around you and work at something you could do it.'

Learning so much about the life of Anish, someone hopes that he can get the chance of playing for the country his parents emerged and emigrated from.
Growing up in the U.S. basketball-system and with a season in Europe under his belt, the next obvious step would be Asia.
His story of success may also be crucial in opening of the Indian market for basketball and for the NBA as well.

I am definitely going to follow his career and keep you updated at times, and I hope Anish is celebrating the recently won championship Indian style….with a big dance show like Indian Bollywood-actor Shakh Rukh Khan (Just to feed the stereotypes of you guys...).

Anish Sharda (191-G-82, college: St.Mary)



Champions upset by Kottayam -by Anil Kumar
Defending champion Malappuram lost to Kottayam 53-63 in a Group ‘A' league match of the 32nd State junior basketball championship at the Municipal Stadium here on Sunday.

Thrissur, among the front-runners for the title here, marched to the boys' quarterfinals after its second successive victory in Group ‘B' while Kozhikode made the grade after winning both its matches in Group 'C'.

The results (league):

Boys, Group A: Pathanamthitta 48 (Richard Baby 10, S. Dileep 10, Nithin Paul Stephan 9, Somon Jose 9) bt Thiruvananthapuram 26 (Ahandhi Aloysius 12); Kottayam 62 (Aby Sony 20, Maheshdas 11, Praveen Lal 10, Justin Mathew 10) bt Malapuram 53 (Basil Philip 14, Sainu 13). Group B: Thrissur 59 (Amal James 24, Amit Sebastian 13) bt Kannur 44 (M. Rajith George 11, Lijo Mathew 9); Thrissur 40 (Amal James 20) bt Wyanad 27 (Sanil 8, Shan 8); Kannur 58 (Lijo Mathew 20, Sarath Chandran 13) bt Kasargod 52 (Dinu V. Thampi 20, Joice Joseph 12). Group C: Kozhikode 25 (Abin Mathew 9) bt Idukki 4; Kozhikode 31 (Abin 18, Joe J. Kainadi 8) bt Kollam 14.

Group D: Ernakulam 42 (Nithin George 8) bt Palakkad 22 (Shyam 11).

Girls: Group A: Pathanamthitta 40 (Theresa 16, Anu Thomas 10) bt Idukki 12. Group B: Ernakulam 36 (Leena 14) bt Kozhikode 8; Kollam 32 (R.K.Smruthy 11) bt Kozhikode 2; Kollam 17 bt Ernakulam 7. Group C: Kannur 46 (P.R.Surya 11, M.J.Lisha 11, Anusha Anto 10) bt Wayanad 18); Malapuram 44 (Arya 14, Anjali 12, Kavitha 11) bt Thiruvananthapuram 30 (R.Arathy 12). Group D: Alappuzha 35 (Hima 9) bt Palakkad 4; Alappuzha 22 (Sangeetha Rajan 9) bt Kasargod 20; Thrissur 34 bt Palammad 18.

Indian Pro League dates in Oct 2008 -by Anil Kumar
The staging of the Professional League for men from October 10 to November 22, 2008 will, hopefully, bring in more professionalism and money into the game, said A.N. Dyaneswaran, Chief Patron & Chairman, Tamil Nadu Basketball Association, at a press briefing here on Thursday.

Mr. Dyaneswaran said issues like sponsorship, venues and other modalities for the Professional League will be discussed in the Basketball Federation of India's general council meeting to be held in Punjab on April 19.

The top six teams in the last Nationals — Uttarakhand, Railways, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Services — will participate in the league. Each team has the option of hiring two foreign players and a foreign coach.

Robinson free to play


Former India hoopster, S. Robinson, who was serving a suspension for more than a year for 'anti-TNBA activities', appeared relieved after TNBA said it had revoked the ban.

Mr. Dyaneswaran said the general council had decided to reinstate Robinson with effect from April 8 with specific conditions that he should be loyal to the club (Indian Overseas Bank) in which he is still registered and to the State association (TNBA).

Robinson, who has given an unconditional apology to TNBA, must prove his loyalty and his conduct should be above board. If not, stringent disciplinary action will be taken. With Robinson's ban being revoked, the chances of him being taken back into IOB fold look bright, given his impressive record. Robinson said he was grateful to TNBA. 'Half the hurdle is crossed. I hope IOB takes a favourable decision,' added the 27-year-old.

Referees' clinic


With the international basketball body, FIBA, approving the three-man umpire system, TNBA, in an effort to familiarise the new system, conducted a referees' clinic on April 6. Thangaraj, the chief of referees, TNBA, conducted the clinic.

The forthcoming all-India basketball tournaments at Periyakulam, Karur and Coimbatore will have the three-man umpire system.

Kerala State Junior Championships set to start -by Anil Kumar
With many seniors leaving for greener pastures last season, Kerala's basketball fans and officials will be watching the young talent with anxious eyes during the 32nd State junior basketball championship which begins at the Municipal Ground here at Allepey on Saturday evening.

With professional colleges and banks, mostly from Tamil Nadu, luring its young men with attractive offers, Kerala failed to figure among the top six at the last senior National. But youngsters like Ashin Xavier, Amal James and Arjun Krishna now offer hope.

Malappuram, virtually thriving on borrowed stars, won the boys title last year but this time it is expected to face a strong fight from Alappuzha, Thrissur and Kottayam.

The girls event is also likely to be a four-horse derby between Kottayam, Kollam, Thrissur and Kannur.

K.S. Manoj, MP, will inaugurate the six-day championship tomorrow evening.

The groupings: Boys: Pool A: Malappuram, Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta; Pool B: Wynad, Kasargod, Thrissur, Kannur; Pool C: Kozhikode, Idukki, Kollam; Pool D: Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Palakkad.

Girls: Pool A: Kottayam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta; Pool B: Kollam, Kozhikode, Ernakulam; Pool C: Kannur, Thiruvananthapuram, Malappuram, Wynad; Pool D: Thrissur, Alappuzha, Kasargod, Palakkad.

Rain plays havoc at Kerala State Junior meet -by Anil Kumar
Samju A. Joy was in good touch as host Alappuzha defeated Ernakulam 53-37 in the Kerala State junior basketball championship opener at the Municipal Stadium here at Allepey on Saturday evening.

Six matches were fixed for the opening evening at two venues — the Alappuzha YMCA being the other court — but heavy rain played havoc with the schedule. K.S. Manoj, MP, inaugurated the six-day event.

The result (league):

Boys (Group D): Alappuzha 53 (Samju A. Joy 18, P. Akhil 12) bt Ernakulam 37 (G. Jacob 11, Clint Jose 10, Jacob Sebastian 10).

NRI Indian Basketball League gets underway at Sharjah -by Anil Kumar
Two month long Indian Basketball League 2008 was inaugurated on Friday at Al Theeqa Club for Handicapped in Sharjah. Dr. Mohd. Basheer, former captain of the Indian Soccer Team inaugurated the league tournament organised by Indian Basketball Society, U.A.E.

In the inaugural match of the tournament, last year's boys under 13 runners up Dubai Modern High School came back from behind to beat New Indian Model School, Sharjah. At half time NIMS were leading by a margin of five points. Modern scored thirteen points against six points in the third quarter to overtake NIMS, Sharjah. Munif scored all the thirteen points for Modern High in the third quarter. NIMS couldn't stop Munif from his scoring spree and went down 22 against 27 points.

The under 13 girls division which included in this year's league attracted a huge crowd, especially the parents of the U13 division players. In an entertaining match Millennium School overpowered DPS, Dubai 20 against 11. Geethanjali top scored for Millennium School with 8 points.

In the men division match defending champions Hoofbeatz Hustlers, Dubai played like the champions and beat the new entrants Titans, Dubai by a margin of 24 points. At half time Hustlers led 45 against 18 points.

The two month long tournament will be played on weekends. On Thursdays the matches will be played at Etisalat Academy Stadium at Ghusais from 8:00 p.m. onwards. On Friday from 3 p.m. onward the matches will be played at Al Theeqa Club, Sharjah. The under 13 boys & girls matches will be played on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. at Dubai Cambridge Int'l School, Garhoud, Dubai.

Dr. Sunny's Medical Centre, Sharjah, UAE Exchange Centre, Sharjah, J Mart, ETA, Dubai, Dhanya Group of Companies, Sharjah, Giordano Fashions, Blade Watches, National Trading & developing Est. (VITAENE C) and Eiffel Printing Services, Sharjah are the supporting sponsors of this year's league tournament.

Results; U13 Boys (Dubai Modern High School: 27 (Munif 20, Sai Krishna 3, Shann 2, Kevin V 2) beat NIMS, Sharjah 22 (Imran 3, Joshua Paul 19, Muneer 5, Riyas 1, Adam Abraham 4)

U13 Girls: Millennium school, Dubai 20 (Geethanjali 8, Aishwarya 4, Shreya 2, Sindhu 2, Katyani 4) beat DPS, dxb 11 ( Sonali 4, Namrata 2, Anvita 2, Swati 1, Shifali 2)

Men Division: Hoofbeatz Hustlers, Dubai : 70 (Deepak 9, Beslin Saju 8, Viswanath 11, Deepu 2, Rijo 2, Jim 2, Ben 4, Rohan 4, Jean Manaloor 6, Vinod 1, Arafat 11 and Shankar 10) beat Titans, Dubai: 46 ( Niyas 4, Shafeeque 4, Anas 6, Abubacker 6, Sinan 7, Siju Zachariah 9)

NRI Indian Basketball League results - Day 2 -by Anil Kumar
Dubai Modern High School edged out Emirates National School, Sharjah in extra time to register their second consecutive victory in the Under 13 boys division of 3rd Indian Basketball League Tournament played on Saturday. Modern took an early lead in the first quarter 10-5 and at half time by a two point margin, 13-11. Both the teams scored eight points each in the third quarter. The fourth quarter saw a nail biting match as both the teams fought for the lead. ENS scored 14 points against 12 to tie the match, 33-33. In the extra period Modern scored 7 points against 4 to win the match, 40-37. Munif once again top scored with 29 points for Dubai Modern. Amir top scored for ENS with 18 points.

NIMS Sharjah once again lost their match after leading comfortably in the first three quarters against DPS, Dubai. At half time NIMS, Sharjah led 17 against 11 points and at the end of the third quarter 21 against 17 points. In the last quarter DPS scored 13 points against 5 to win the match. Score 30-26.

Our Own, Al Warqa overpowered Millennium School, Dubai, 40-9.George Jacob top scored for Our Own, Al Warqa with 14 points.

In the U13 girls match Dubai Modern beat DPS, Dubai in a low scoring match.

Results:
Under 13 boys
Dubai Modern High School: 40 (Munif 29, Kevin 2, Sai Krishna 6, Akash 2, Shaun 1) beat Emirates National School, Sharjah 37 (Amir 18, James 5, Obaid 5, Sanjay 7, Dylan 2)

DPS, Dubai: 30 (Reynold 5, Jerry 13, Malcolm 8, Nishman 2, Steven 2) beat NIMS, Sharjah 26 (Imran 4, Joshua 4, Rishad 2, Muneer 4, Shuaib 2, Riyas 3 and Adam 7)

Our Own Al Warqa: 40 (Raymond Cruz 5, Akshay 10, Robin Cruz 4, George Jacob 14, Raymond Anthony 2, Shravan 3, Talha2) beat Millennium School, Dubai 9 (Chandilya 3, Gagandeep 2, Anuj Dalal 4)

U13 Girls:

Dubai Modern 7 (Donnah 6, Azraa 1) beat DPS, Dxb 6 (Sonali 2, Sharon 2, Shifali 2)

*****************************************************
INDONESIA

Play-off Indonesian Basketball League -by Ronald Purba

Bhinneka Solo does not want to lose again playing against CLS Knights in the play-off A Mild IBL, 12-15 April 2008 at GOR Sahabat, Semarang. In their last meeting I Made Sudiadnyana and friends lost at Surabaya.
Bhineka Solo has prepared well for this game. Anticipate hot weather in Semarang, Bhinneka Solo had their practice in day time. Bhinneka coach, Ateng, will still put their old and experienced players like I Mada Sudiadnyana, Anang Sulistyawan, and Danny Harahap.
On the other play-off game, Garuda Bandung will playy against Kalila 19-22 April 2008 at GOR C'Tra Arena, Bandung.
The winner in the game Bhinneka Solo against CLS Knights will play against last year Champion Satria Muda Britama and the winner in the game Garuda against Kalila will play against XL Aspac, in the final four.


*****************************************************
ISRAEL

Standings - Premier League
Premier L. Standings
1. Macc.T-A 15-6
2. Hap.Holon 15-6
3. Bnei Hash. 14-7
4. Nahariya 10-11
5. Ashkelon 10-11
6. Ramat Gan 10-11
7. Jerusalem 10-11
8. Hap.G.Elyon 8-13
9. Gilboa/Afula 7-14
10. Rishon LZ 6-15


*****************************************************
ITALY

Standings - Lega 2
 1. Carife 21-6 
 2. Pepsi 19-9 
 3. Trenkwalder 18-10 
 4. Banco Sard. 18-10 
 5. Carmatic 17-11 
 6. Fastweb 17-11 
 7. Vanoli 17-11 
 8. Fileni 15-13 
 9. Coopsette 14-14 
 10. TDShop.it 12-14 
 11. Edimes 12-16 
 12. Aget 10-18 
 13. Prima Veroli 10-18 
 14. Indesit 9-18 
 15. Agricola G. 7-21 
 16. Ignis 5-23 


Standings - B1
B1 Standings
Group A
 1. Venezia 18-7 
 2. Casalpuster. 18-7 
 3. Forli 16-9 
 4. Ticino 15-10 
 5. Lumezzane 15-10 
 6. Vigevano 14-11 
 7. Treviglio 13-12 
 8. Fidenza 13-12 
 9. Omegna 12-13 
 10. Ozzano 11-14 
 11. Riva del Garda 8-17 
 12. Asti 8-17 
 13. Vado Ligure 8-17 
 14. Modena 6-19 
Group B
 1. Brindisi 19-6 
 2. Trapani 18-7 
 3. Siena Virtus 18-7 
 4. Osimo 16-9 
 5. Latina 16-9 
 6. Matera 13-12 
 7. S.Antimo 13-12 
 8. Fossombrone 11-14 
 9. Potenza 11-14 
 10. Ferentino 11-14 
 11. Patti 11-14 
 12. Firenze 8-17 
 13. Gragnano 7-18 
 14. Porto Torres 3-22 


Lega2-28th Day -by Gabriele Fioretti
Winning at home against Novara (Martin 23 and Brandon Bowman (204-F-84, college: Georgetown) 22), Caserta (six players in double figure) keeps on putting pressure on Ferrara, that wil play tonight at Fabriano. Reggio Emilia leaded by Young (25 pts) won at Imola (Parker and Pickett at 13 scored) and Soresina (seven players between 8 and 10 pts scored) lost surprising at home against Montecatini (Rogers at 23 pts). Rimini (Thomas scored 19+9) still running to the playoff and won against Livorno (Ostler at 21 scored). Casale (Bell 22 and George 19+13) defeated Pavia (five players in double figure). Sassari won easily against Veroli (Carter 21 pts): up by 25 at halftime, the game finished with 119 pts scored by the team coached by Cavina. 23+7 by Davis led Pistoia to success aginst Jesi (Maggioli 17+10).
Vanoli Soresina-Agr.Glo.Mont. 70-76
Aget Imola-Trenkwalder RE 59-80
Coopsette RN-TDShop.it LI 82-77
Fastweb Casale-Edimes PV 92-82
Pepsi Caserta-Ignis Novara 80-71
BancoSardegna-Prima Veroli 119-81
Carmatic PT-Fileni Jesi 80-68
Indesit Fab-Carife Fe 14/04 20:30
See complete boxscores at www.legaduebasket.it

Ferrara promoted to Serie A -by Gianni Pascucci

Led by Harold Jamison (204-C-76, agency: Strategic Sports, college: Clemson), who scored 27 points and grabbed 6 rebs, Carife Ferrara defeated on the road 81-74 Indesit Fabriano in the postponed game of Lega 2 28th Round. This allows Ferrara to be arithmetically sure of the final 1st place in the Lega 2 standings, and to play in Serie A in 2008-09. The other best performers were Andre Collins (183-G-82, college: Loyola, MD), who scored 18 pts and dished 5 assists, Fabio Zanelli (196-G-76), who added 16 pts and Daniel Farabello (194-G-73), who ended the game at 14 pts. With 19 points, Antonio Meeking (203-F-81, college: Louisiana Tech) led Fabriano, and Alessandro Piazza (175-G-87) added 16 pts in losing effort.
See complete boxscore at www.legaduebasket.it



*****************************************************
JORDAN

Asia-Basket.com All-Excellent League Awards 2007-2008 -by Mohammed Malas
#s#
#e#6


Thomas


Campbell


Johnson


Idais


Strickland


MVP of the Finals: John III Thomas (175-G-76) of Zain


1st Team
John III Thomas of Zain
Chris Campbell (194-G/F-81) of Orthodox
Nate Johnson (199-F-77, college: Louisville) of Zain
Ayman Idais (205-C-78) of Orthodox
Mark Strickland (208-F/C-70) of Arena Amman

2nd Team
Wesam Sous (181-G-83) of Al Riyadi/Aramex
Josh Cooperwood (193-G-80, college: Tennessee St.) of Arena Amman
Mohammad Hamdan (201-F-84) of Zain
Zeid Abbas (203-C-83) of Arena Amman
Torraye Braggs (203-F/C-76, college: Xavier) of Orthodox

All-Domestic Players Team
Wesam Sous of Al Riyadi/Aramex
Naser Bassam (198-G/F-76) of Orthodox
Mohammad Hamdan of Zain
Zeid Abbas of Arena Amman
Ayman Idais of Orthodox

All-Imports Team
John III Thomas of Zain
Chris Campbell of Orthodox
Nate Johnson of Zain
Torraye Braggs of Orthodox
Mark Strickland of Arena Amman

Player of the Year: Nate Johnson of Zain
Guard of the Year: Chris Campbell of Orthodox
Forward of the Year: Nate Johnson of Zain
Center of the Year: Mark Strickland of Arena Amman
Newcomer of the Year: Ali Jamal (204-F/C-88) of Al Riyadi/Aramex
Most Improved Player of the Year: Mohammad Hamdan of Zain
Import Player of the Year: Nate Johnson of Zain
Domestic Player of the Year: Ayman Idais of Orthodox
Defensive Player of the Year: Wesam Sous of Al Riyadi/Aramex
Coach of the Year: Nenad Hrvoic of Arena Amman



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

Standings - LBAL
Austrumi 1-4
 1. Valmiera-2 11-1 
 2. DU/Hansabanka 7-5 
 3. Maksis/LTI 5-7 
 4. Madona 1-11 
Austrumi 5-7
 1. Jekabpils 5-3 
 2. Preili 5-3 
 3. Ezerzeme 2-6 
Centrs 1-4
 1. ASK Kadeti 5-1 
 2. Keizarmezs-2 3-3 
 3. Jurmala 2 3-3 
 4. Ogre/Sonora 1-5 
Centrs 5-8
 1. Kursa/MRU 4-0 
 2. Turiba 3-2 
 3. LU 2-3 
 4. VIA Riga 0-4 
Centrs 9-12
 1. VEF Riga 4-0 
 2. Ridzene 89 1-1 
 3. Salacgriva 1-2 
 4. Saulkrasti 1-4 
Centrs 13-16
 1. I.O.S. 3-1 
 2. Ridzene M. 2-2 
 3. ASK Kadeti-2 2-3 
 4. 3.BJSS 2-3 
Centrs 17-20
 1. DSN 2-0 
 2. Ridzene 91 1-1 
 3. LNSF 0-2 
Rietumi 1-4
 1. Liepajas Papirs 8-4 
 2. Kandava 6-6 
 3. Variants 6-6 
 4. Dartija 4-8 
Rietumi 5-9
 1. Perkons 11-2 
 2. Zemgale/Juniors 11-3 
 3. Talsi 5-7 
 4. Baldone 3-10 
 5. Olaine 3-11 


*****************************************************
LEBANON

Riyadi-Beirut 2007-2008 Cup Champions -by Asia-Basket Lebanon
Once again Riyadi and for the third consecutive season have retained the Cup Title after beating in the final Champville on the score of 107-81.

The game had a good start from both teams and it was full of intensity throughout the first 20 minutes of the game , Ismail Ahmad had a big show and he scored from everywhere and gave his team the lead from the first minute, on the other side Champville was answering through Jonathan Jones, and lot of comebacks were made but sometimes they were stopped by the quick decisions on the offense which resulted easy fast break points for Riyadi .The score at the half was 47-36.

In the third quarter the same tempo continued dominance from Riyadi . come backs from Champville , in the fourth Coach Sarkis rested his second Import and riyadi never look back since that minute and cruised to an easy win in the end at the score of 107-81.

On Wednesday the play offs will be starting with two series , Riyadi against Anibal and Sagesse against Feytroun.



Best Performances :

Riyadi : Ismail Ahmad (31pts) , Ace Custis (23pts)

Champville : Jonathan Jones (27pts)

Q1 : 25-18 Q2:22-18 Q3:29-22 Q4:31-23

*****************************************************
LIBERIA

Pythons, Flames back on course -by Numennie Williams


Pythons, Flames back on course -by Numennie Williams
NPA Pythons and Sensational Flames are back on course for the Liberia Basketball Federation championship. NPA Pythons on Sunday dragged Uhuru Kings 89-50 points in their Big Six qualifier. Python's Willie Prout and Alphonso Kuiah were outstanding for Pythons while Richelieu Allison put up a splendid performance for Uhuru, but could not help his side. Earlier in the day, female champion K-Deltas crushed formerchampion Phoenix 52-48 points. Flames got her piece of the cake on Saturday when she defeated LPRC Oilers 73-71 points.

*****************************************************
LIBYA

Gamma Kemaldin averages 9.5 points per game abroad -by Eurobasket News
Kemaldin Gamma (206-F/C-80) and his Pardubice is 5th in Czech Republic with 24-18 record. In the latest game Pardubice lost to the third team of the league. Prostejov trimmed the distance to Geofin with a hard-fought 80:70 road win over Pardubice. The hosts piled up a 46:44 advantage at the long intermission however Prostejov raised the tempo after the break and eventually gained a positive outcome. Rashaan Ames topscored for Prostejov with 15 points. Robert Tomaszek and Marton Bader nailed 14 points apiece for the winning side. Levell Sandersstepped up with 24 points for Pardubice.
Earlier in the season Prostejov secured their second spot with a 70:66 win over Pardubice. The visitors dominated throughout the major part of the game and Prostejov were close to suffering the 8th loss in the season however they survived. The hosts trailed 30:37 at halftime and 50:56 after three quarters of action. But Pavel Novak, Jaroslav Prasil and Rashaan Ames scored 6 points in a row for Prostejov midway through the final stanza to surge ahead. The teams then traded baskets before Modibo Niakate sealed the winning outcome for Prostejov from charity stripe. Aleksandar Bojic finished with 19 points to pace the hosts. Rashaan Ames added 13 points in a win. Pardubice responded with 18 points from Jiri Novotny.
Before that CEZ Basket Nymburk reached their 40th win in the championship after a road win over BK Pardubice. The favorite and the leader of the league overcame their opponent 79:61 having however some difficulties in the second quarter. CEZ Basket Nymburk opened the game 28:20, but then BK Pardubice reduced it to three points at halftime. Things got better in the third stanza when the leader increased the lead to 57:51. The last quarter provided a good end to the game. Blake Schilb led the winners with 22 points. Radoslav Rancik provided 18, whilst Benda and Lee had 12 each. Sullivan Phillips shined for the hosts with 20 points. Kemaldin Gamma netted 8 points that time and made 13 rebounds.
Kemaldin Gamma averages 9.5 points per game and recorded 20 points against BK Usti n.L.

*****************************************************
LIGA CENTROAMERICANA

Last game details -by Gianni Pascucci
Thanks to Victor Padilla and the Sat-Cybertech staff, we are able to supply the some stats of the last game of Group B of Liga Centroamericana, played two nights ago in Guatemala City:
Final Score: Icevic 74 - Sat-Cybertech 65
Top scorers:
Jerry Echenique (201-C-79, college: High Point) 16 pts (Icevic)
Selvin Connor (200-F-74) 15 pts (Icevic)
Enrique Huie (191-F-73) 13 pts (Icevic)
Ricardo Amaya (191-G-84, agency: Tank Sports) 27 pts (Sat-Cybertech) - his highest for the tournament
Oscar Rivera (186-G-80) 13 pts (Sat-Cybertech)
Game pivotal stats: Sat-Cybertech produced 25 turnovers. Icevic outrebounded the Guatemalan team on the second half 17-9, for a total 34-30 at the end of regulation.

*****************************************************
LITHUANIA

Lithuanians in NCAA -by Evaldas Ceilytkas
After season in NCAA is over lets check out the stats of Lithuanian players who played in NCAA first division in 2007-2008 season.

Seniors:
T.Janusauskas - 23games 3,1mpg 0,7rpg 0,9ppg;
P.Morkeliunas - 10games 3,5mpg 0,4rpg 0,5ppg;
V.Volkus - 28games 8,0mpg 1,6rpg 1,2apg 2,1ppg;
P.Packevicius - 18games 31,4mpg 9,8rpg 1,3bpg 11,1ppg;
P.Ritter - 28games 13,9mpg 3,7rpg 2,7ppg;
A.Lidzius - 24 games 8,0mpg 0,8rpg 1,4ppg;
A.Valeika - 30games 29,8mpg 10,2rpg 1,2apg 1,2bpg 9,9ppg;
L.Kisielius - 32games 29,1mpg 3,4rpg 2,5apg 11,3rpg;

Juniors:
G.Knysas - 30games 19,4mpg 4,1rpg 4,5ppg;
M.Pocius - 4games 8,0mpg 2,3rpg 1,0apg 4,0ppg;
D.Petravicius - 30games 11,4mpg 2,2rpg 3,1ppg;
M.Griskenas - 18games 17,3mpg 2,4rpg 4,9ppg;
Z.Sestokas - 29games 9,7mpg 1,1rpg 2,1ppg;
A.Urbutis - 19games 13,2mpg 3,2rpg 3,9ppg;
D.Kvedys - 27games 6,9mpg 2,5rpg 3,2ppg;
T.Jasiulionis - 28games 11,0mpg 1,8rpg 0,6bpg 2,0ppg;
L.Mikalauskas - 20games 17,6mpg 3,5rpg 7,1ppg;

Sophmores:
V.Sirutis - 27games 11,2mpg 1,6rpg 1,2ppg;
T.Skripkauskas - 2games 1,5mpg 0,5rpg 0,0ppg;
K.Petrukonis - 9games 3,4mpg 1,1rpg 0,4ppg;
M.Leonavicius - 1game 3,0mpg 0,0ppg;
A.Lazdauskas - 26games 17,6mpg 3,3rpg 1,1apg 0,8bpg 4,5ppg;
A.Adomaitis - 29games 12,0mpg 3,0rpg 3,9ppg;
E.Baniulis - 28games 19,1mpg 2,2rpg 0,8apg 5,4ppg;

Freshmans:
V.Sulskis - 30games 24,1mpg 4,4rpg 2,0apg 9,0ppg;
D.Visockas - 23games 8,5mpg 0,9rpg 0,5apg 3,1ppg;


*****************************************************
MALI

Niakate Modibo played 7 games for BK Prostejov -by Eurobasket News
Modibo Niakate (185-G-81, college: Cleveland St.) and his Prostejov trimmed the distance to Geofin with a hard-fought 80:70 road win over Pardubice. The hosts piled up a 46:44 advantage at the long intermission however Prostejov raised the tempo after the break and eventually gained a positive outcome. Rashaan Ames topscored for Prostejov with 15 points. Robert Tomaszek and Marton Bader nailed 14 points apiece for the winning side. Levell Sanders stepped up with 24 points for Pardubice.
In one of the best games of Modibo Niakate Prostejov secured their second spot with a 70:66 win over Pardubice. The visitors dominated throughout the major part of the game and Prostejov were close to suffering the 8th loss in the season however they survived. The hosts trailed 30:37 at halftime and 50:56 after three quarters of action. But Pavel Novak, Jaroslav Prasil and Rashaan Ames scored 6 points in a row for Prostejov midway through the final stanza to surge ahead. The teams then traded baskets before Modibo Niakate sealed the winning outcome for Prostejov from charity stripe. Aleksandar Bojic finished with 19 points to pace the hosts. Rashaan Ames added 13 points in a win. Pardubice responded with 18 points from Jiri Novotny.
Modibo Niakate averages 2.1 points per game and recorded 8 points against BK Sadska.

*****************************************************
NBA

Scoring frenzy in Milwaukee -by Eurobasket News
Milwaukee and Chicago came up with one of the most impressive performance in the season as they teamed up for 286 points as the Bulls outgunned the Bucks 151:135 at the Bradley Center. Luol Deng had 32 points and Ben Gordon notched 29 as Chicago fell just short of the franchise record for most points. Chris Duhon tallied 22 points and 15 assists and the Bulls fell 5 points short of their record of 156 points scored on March 16, 1984 against Portland. Milwaukee were hapless defensively allowing Chicago to convert 67% from the field. The hosts still got their hero in Ramon Sessions. The 22-year-old guard scored 20 points and dished out franchise-record 24 assists. Andrew Bogut finished with 25 points in defeat.
Meanwhile there were no available playoff spots left. Golden State wasted their chance of making it so far losing to Phoenix in Arizona yesterday. Amare Stoudemire knocked down 11 points in the fourth period and doomed the Warriors. He crafted 28 points to pace the Suns, while Steve Nash was helpful with 13 points, 14 assists and 9 boards in a winning effort. Stephen Jackson had 16 out of his 23 points in the third period when the Warriors denied a 17-point deficit to revive the intrigue. Baron Davis was sidelined by Don Nelson in the second half after going 2/13 from the field in the opening 17 minutes. The loss meant Denver clinched the final 8th playoff spot in the West.
The Indiana Pacers could not deal with the Washington Wizards away from home and allowed Atlanta to book the final spot in the East. It would be the first playoff appearance for the Hawks in 9 years. The Pacers were beaten 110:117 at the Verizon Center. Roger Mason came off the bench to nail 31 points for the Wizards propelling them to the 5th overall spot in the East. They will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the opening round of playoffs as the Cavs secured the spot downing Philadelphia 91:90 yesterday. Danny Granger provided 35 points and 9 boards for Indiana.


Standings
NBA Standings
1. Boston C. 65-16
2. Detroit P. 57-23
3. Los Angeles L. 56-25
4. N.Orleans H. 55-25
5. San Antonio S. 55-26
6. Houston R. 54-27
7. Phoenix S. 54-27
8. Utah J. 54-27
9. Orlando M. 50-30
10. Dallas M. 50-31
11. Denver N. 49-32
12. Golden St. 48-33
13. Cleveland C. 45-36
14. Washington W. 43-38
15. Toronto R. 41-40
16. Portland T.B. 40-40
17. Philadelphia 40-41
18. Sacramento K. 38-43
19. Atlanta H. 37-43
20. Indiana P. 35-46
21. New Jersey N. 33-47
22. Chicago B. 32-49
23. Charlotte B. 31-49
24. Milwaukee B. 26-55
25. Los Angeles C. 23-57
26. New York K. 23-58
27. Memphis G. 22-58
28. Minnesota T. 21-59
29. Seattle S. 19-62
30. Miami H. 14-67


*****************************************************
NCAA1

Team USA wins the Nike Hoop Summit -by Eurobasket News
Team USA - World Select Team 98:78

USA celebrated yet another impressive win in the annual Nike Hoop Summit held at the weekend at the Rose Garden in Portland. It was the 11th edition of the event with USA team gaining their 9th win. The game was established as the competition between the best high school athletes from the USA and the world's top U19 basketball players. The USA Team used an 11:0 run early in the third period to clear off for good in the game. They built a 54:42 lead and never looked back afterwards. The teams entered the game pretty evenly. USA youngsters jumped to a 12:6 lead but the World Team answered with 9 straight points to grab a 15:12 advantage. Scotty Hopson (6'5''-F), who intends to play for Tennessee in future, scored 4 points to fuel another run from the USA Team as they claimed a 21:17 lead after the starting frame. The American players added 8 straight points to open the second stanza and enjoyed a 29:19 cushion. World Select trimmed the margin to 38:41 at the interval. But the USA got to a flying start of the third period notching 11 points in a row. Torgrim Sommerfeldt (6'5''-G-89) hit from downtown to cut the deficit to 9 points but the USA Team held off World Select for the reminder of the encounter. Demar DeRozan (6'6''-F) paced USA with 17 points. The forward will play for USC next season. Drew Gordon (6'8''-F) who would head for UCLA next autumn delivered 15 points and 7 boards for the winners. French youngster Alexis Ajinca (7'1''-C-88) produced 13 points and 9 boards for World Select. Samardo Samuels (6'9''-C-89) from Jamaica and Canadian talent Devoe Joseph (6'4''-G-90) dropped 10 points apiece in defeat.

USA: Demar DeRozan 17, Scotty Hopson 15, Drew Gordon 15
World Select: Alexis Ajinca 13, Samardo Samuels 10, Devoe Joseph 10

*****************************************************
NIGERIA

Premier League: Comets, Union Bank secure win -by Olusegun Ikuesan
Ebun Comets basketball club starts the 2007/ 2008 Nigeria Premier league season on a winning note with a 58-50 points victory over Customs basketball club.

The match, the first in the Atlantic Conference saw the Ayo Bakare tutored Cocoa boys as the Comets is also known going all the way from the first quarter.

In the second match of the conference played at the Sports Hall of the Lagos National Stadium also on Sunday Union Bank basketball club defeated Dodan Warriors basketball club by 61-52 points.

The Star-studded Banker coached two former Nigeria senior national team players, Ayinla Johnson and Gboyega ‘Tilo' Vidal were in a class of their own just as they apply occasional caution in the clash with the Adeka Dauda and Peter Ahmedu coached Warriors.

Niger Potters playing its first match of the season recorded a 78-63 points victory over visiting Yelwa Hawks basketball club of Bauchi at the Sports Hall of the Minna Township Stadium.

Kano Pillars put behind it last week 70-67 lose to Plateau Peaks to go past visiting Tapgun Rockets of Jos 86-50 points for a 1-1 record at the Sports Hall of the Abacha Stadium, Kafa mata, Kano.

Plateau Peaks make mince meat of home side Bauchi Net basketball club when it went to Bauchi to post an emphatic 67-36 points win over the home team.

With the victory in Bauchi last Saturday the Jos-based Peaks now leads the Savannah Conference with a 2-0 record.

AHIP will today (Monday) begin the season first road trip game to the Atlantic Conference when it confront out of favour Delta Force basketball club at the Asaba Township Stadium.

The match we gathered may not hold as the Delta Force management have threatened to pull the team out of the league citing financial constraint as the main reason.

The Kano-based AHIP Giant will visit Lagos Tuesday and remain until Saturday for a five-match duel against Customs (Tuesday), Ebun Comets (Wednesday), Dodan Warriors (Thursday), Union Bank (Friday) and Islanders (Saturday).Michael Ohiero (188-G-88, agency: Heinrich Sports, college: Customs)

Standings - Premier L.
 1. Niger Potters 1-0 
 2. Ebun Comets 1-0 
 3. Plateau Peaks 1-0 
 4. Union Bank 1-0 
 5. Ahip Giants 1-0 
 6. Bauchi Nets 1-1 
 7. Kano Pillars 1-1 
 8. Delta Force 0-0 
 9. Islanders 0-0 
 10. Customs 0-1 
 11. Warriors 0-1 
 12. Yelwa Hawks 0-2 
 13. Rockets 0-2 


*****************************************************
NORWAY

Sooommerfeldt! -by Kaare Vangen
He is the first Norwegian ever to be selected for Nike Hoop Summit. And he showed the world that Norwegian players can step up and compete at an international level. Torgrim Sommerfeldt (196-G-89) had 8 points and 3 rebounds in 12 minutes for the World Select Team. The US guards put a lot of pressure on the World Team and the Americans could run over the bigger World Team to a 98-78 win. But our man did his job in a good way so this may be the start of an international career. Norwegian basketball needs players that go for international basketball and bring back what they have learned.

*****************************************************
NPBL

West Virginia Wild removed from NPBL -by Gianni Pascucci
The Elmira Bulldogs have come to terms with the NPBL over the issues stemming from Saturday's canceled game in which the West Virginia Wild did not show up. The NPBL officials denied having any previous knowledge of West Virginia Wild owner Daniel Andrew Hicks trouble with the law and has awarded the Elmira Bulldogs with a forfeit win. Also, as it was easy to forecast, the NPBL has removed the West Virginia Wild from the NPBL.
The NPBL has also offered the Elmira Bulldogs some financial support to help get passed the financial hit that team suffered in the wake of the no-show pulled by the West Virginia Wild. Since the NPBL seems to be making a substantial effort to do the right thing, the Elmira Bulldogs decided to stay in the league. Their next game is on the road, the next saturday, vs. the Hudson Valley Hawks.

Standings
 1. MD Bayraiders 4-1 
 2. Alexandria A. 3-1 
 3. NY Strikeforce 3-2 
 4. Elmira B. 3-3 
 5. NY Monarchs 1-2 
 6. HV Hawks 1-5 


*****************************************************
POLAND

Logan a trouble-maker got injured seriously -by Michal Falkowski
Official website of the club PGE Turow Zgorzelec announced the information that the member of the team - American combo guard David Logan (184-G-82, college: Indianapolis) got bammed at night two days ago. But actually the official website had included not all parts of situation...
In the night between 12th and 13th American player, together with his two friends - Shyra Ely and Alvine Mendeng (representatives of Woman Polish Basketball League team - Finepharm AZS KK Jelenia Gora), directed to the disco in Jelenia Gora. After some hours of partying Logan with two sportswomen started to behave very noisy and aggresively. When the security considered this bad behaviour, the grouped did nothing. In this case the security decided to poured the water on them (such a way of treating aggresive people in this disco) and showed the door. In the moment when the foreigners were outside they continued to behave very badly. They were throwing the stones towards the door and the wall of the disco. Moreover Shyra Ely behaved aggresively and tried to attack the security who had no choice and used power to tone her emotions. All these events were fully eyewitnessed by the people who were partying there and the disco had a system of monitoring,
After the police arrived Americans didn't decide to carry in the accusation and request the medical help. In addition, in the next day Ely returned home because her contract with the club expired while Logan backed to Zgorzelec where he admitted what had happened. He said he had been attacked by the security and heard many racist abusive language. But this version is not accordant with the police protocol including witnesses' statements. Despite it the board of the club PGE Turow made a decision to inform a district attorney the the crime had been committed.
Furthermore this is no the worst effect of this situation. American star of DBE failed the medical examinations - his left hand bone is cracked (Probably Logan hit his hand to the door). The pause in play will last minimally about 2 weeks but in the most pesimistic assumption Logan may not play this season anymore! It would be a horrible loss in the face of forthcoming play-off round. It means also that the very high chances of achieving the golden medal by PGE Turow dramatically decreased.

*****************************************************
PORTUGAL

Francisco Rodrigues leave Vagos -by Bruno Baltazar
The Guinea-Bissau PG Francisco Rodrigues (192-G-78) is no longer part of Vagos ,team says he got fired with justifie cause,he won't play for Vagos during the playoffs.
Considered a leader in the court and off the court ,he bringed playoffs experience more then anything else to Vagos a rookie team in the league.
Without him the team will have only 2 guards - Tiago Barreiro and Nuno Perdigao.
Earlier in the season he represented Lusitania playing 5 games after he joined Vagos.

Standings - Proliga
 1. Vitoria 25-2 
 2. Benfica 24-3 
 3. Queluz 20-7 
 4. Illiabum 19-8 
 5. Fisica 17-10 
 6. Academica 15-12 
 7. Esgueira 14-13 
 8. Sampaense 12-15 
 9. Sangalhos 12-15 
 10. Angra 11-16 
 11. Seixal 11-16 
 12. Atletico 9-18 
 13. Galitos FC 8-19 
 14. Maia 6-22 
 15. Aguiar 0-27 


LIGA UZO first games of quarter finals -by Bruno Baltazar
In the opening of portuguese playoffs all home teams grabbed the win and showed they like to play at their own arenas.

Ovarense grabbed a close win in a great game with a good athmosphere as always in Dolce Vita arena,the 8th place in regular season ,Barreirense fighted alot in the game ,could win but a dramatic end of game where Chris Alexander (186-G-83, agency: Profibasketball.de, college: Southern) missed a 3pt shot that would give Barreirense the win .
In the first half Ovarense got many leads(many times their lead was by 9 pts) but Barreirense fighed back.
Graham Brown (205-C-84, college: Michigan) with a ofensive rebound in the last 20seconds and 2pts was the hero (13pts,7rebounds) for Barreirense the usual suspects - Darrell Harris (208-C-84, agency: Worldwide Hoops, college: Rhode Island) (17pts,10rebounds),Deforrest Riley-Smith (198-G/F-84, college: Southern) (24 pts and 6 rebounds), E.J. Drayton (204-F-82, agency: Strategic Sports, college: Charlotte) (204-F-82, agency: Strategic Sports, college: Charlotte) (20 pts and 9 rebounds), Chris Alexander with 12pts.

Ginasio smacked at home CAB due to many injuries didn't played as good as they should be and was a easy game by Ginasio , CAB shot 3-26 from the 3pts line,Joao Reveles (187-G-80) (13 pts, 10 assists , 7 rebounds),Brandon Voorhees (201-F-84, agency: Strategic Sports, college: Park) (18 pts , 6 rebounds).For CAB Rob Summers (213-C-84, agency: Worldwide Hoops, college: W.Virginia) 13pts and 11 rebounds.

Porto against Belenenses teams of great rivalities played a good game,Porto got leads of 11pts but Belenenses always fight back ,Paulo Simao missed a 3pts shot that could send the game to overtime.
Nuno Marcal (205-F-75) (20 pts , 8 rebounds)seems to be Porto leader this season carrieng them to important wins,Joao Figueiredo (183-G-79) (17 pts, 8 asssts) , for Belenenses Lance Soderberg (206-F/C-82, college: Azusa Pacific) (19 pts, 9 rebounds).

Vagos got their first win in the LIGA UZO playoffs history,a expected win after all we may say,in this game many injured players return for both teams,a early 1st period where Vagos ended with a lead of 31-16 decided the game,Ricardo Hill (27 pts and 6 rebounds) for Vagos and Omari Peterkin (204-F/C-83, college: Boston U.) (13 pts and 9 rebounds) for Lusitania.

Proliga round 29 -by Luis Rocha


Proliga round 29 -by Luis Rocha
A good round withn some surprises that made the next (last) decisive for 3 clubs to get to the playoffs, and 2 or 3 more to get a better place in the brackets. A weak Benfica fustigated by injuries went to Queluz and lost 73-64. Without their most experienced players Benfica plays with a lot og good young kids, but they're not up to the job, at least not yet. Galitos FC was the biggest surprise of the round, they beat Illiabum at home (88-79) and now their opponent lost the third place in the chart. Esgueira went to Maia and was very near a defeat, they save the game winning 71-70, but the great effort of Maia should granted them the win. Nice game performed by Sangalhos worth them the win over Academica (86-58) and still provides them the chance to achieve the playoffs, at least the dream is still there, untill the last round. Vitoria's Tommie Eddie (201-F/C-82, college: Mississippi) was once again the best player of the round, helping his team sering the first place of the regular season. In this game he scored 27 points, get 10 boards, giving 3 assists and 2 blocks.

*****************************************************
PUERTO RICO

Boricuas Abroad -by Alessandro Fontana

BORICUAS ABROAD
In Bosnia, Siroki won against Slavija Sarajevo 88-76. For Sharif Fajardo 19 pts.

In Germany, Paderoborn was defeated by Koeln 89-78, Nathan Peavy played 13 minutes with 3 points (1/3 2pts, 1/2 FT) with 3rebounds and 1 steal.
In Italy, Caserta won against Novara 80-71, for Guillermo Diaz a good game, with 10 points (4/8 2pts, 2/2 FT) 4 rebounds, 3 steals and 5 assists in 35 minutes.
In Turkey, Besiktas will play tomorrow with Alpella due to the Uleb Cup Final Eight of this week-end and also Andres Rodriguez with his Turow will start on 16th April the Polish Play-offs against Kotwica, for the same reason.
In Spain, Malaga will play on 16th April against Girona who was active in the Uleb Final Eight of this week-end.
In NBA, Orlando Magic won against Chicago Bulls 104-84, for Carlos Arroyo 22 minutes with 6 points (1/3 2pts, 0/1 3pts, 4/4 FT) 1reb and 2assts.

A. Fontana



Watson is back, Lee Benson "el Rey of the rebounds" and BSN boxscores -by Alessandro Fontana

Santurce came back to win in the BSN against Guayama, without Larry Ayuso. MVP of the Cangrejeros was Michael Watson with 21 points, finally a convincing game for the american who did not start very good the season with Los Cangrejeros.
Bayamon won an important game with San German, Bayamon had a great Lee Benson with 18 pts+15 rebs for the best rebounder of the League, It was also worth to mention the game of Dan Langhi, one of the most intelligent and complete players of this BSN, Dan can score, defend with a lot of intensity and He has a great intelligency to play not only for himself but for the whole team.
Caguas won again, this time against Carolina thanks to his 'Three estrellas' Melendez, Redhage and 'Snoop Dogg' Ramos (72 points in three), Caguas will be more dangerous when los Criollos can count on Andres Rodriguez who is now still active in the Polish League.

Fajardo defeated Mayaguez, worth to mention Tanoka Beard, the 'new Cariduro' who played good and He scored 15 points.
BSN BOXSCORES
GUAYAMA- SANTURCE= 66-80
G= Solano 18, Lopez 16, Oliver 11, Parillon 9, A. Rivera 4, Melendez 4, Herrera 2, Brignoni 2, Aponte 0, N. Rivera 0, Soto 0
S= Watson 21, Falcon 11, O. Santiago 11, E. Santiago 9, Narvaez 8, Berdiel 6, Rivas 6, Dalmau 4, Traylor 4, Melendez 0
SAN GERMAN-BAYAMON =63-83
SG= Avila 17, Caro 10, Lugo 8, Dyer 8, Lazor 7, J. Villegas 5, Alvarado 3, S. Villegas 3, Torres 2, Andino 0, J. Andino 0, De Jesus 0, Mendez 0
B= Benson 18 (15 rebs), Langhi 14, Vega 14, Hinson 12, Guevara 10, Western 7, Perez 4, Lopez 2, Valencia 2, Anderson 0, Valenzuela 0, Morales 0, Gonzalez 0, Salgado 0
ARECIBO-CAGUAS= 91-99
A= Rosa 18, Figueroa 13, White 12, Cortes 11, Hatton 10, Rivera 9, Cruz 7, Jourdon 6, Rodriguez 5, Ricardo 0
C= Melendez 27, Redhage 24, Ramos 21, Bryant 11, Rosas 8, Garcia 6, Ortiz 2, Alamo 0, Martinez 0, McSweeney 0
FAJARDO-MAYAGUEZ= 79-65
F= Mojica 19, Agbai 15, Beard 15, Pellot Rosa 11, Gonzalez 10, Salgado 7, Arroyo 2, Colon 0, Collazo 0, Rivera 0, Vazquez 0
M= White 21, Smith 15, Caballero 13, Venzen 5, Jimenez 4, Zayas 4, Erazo 3, Caraballo 0, Crispin 0, Acevedo 0, Lopez 0, Rosa 0
A. Fontana



*****************************************************
QATAR

Al Arabi and Qatar SC to meet in basketball league final -by Eurobasket News
Doha, April 14, 2008—Al Arabi and Qatar SC qualified for the final match of Qatar Cup for joint Basketball League to be held on Wednesday at the indoor hall of Qatar Basketball Federation at Al Gharaffa SC. The qualification of Al Arabi came when they won over Al Rayyan 65-50 while Qatar SC qualified to the final match after defeating Al Gharaffa 68-66.
Courtesy of of Qatar Olympics


*****************************************************
SERBIA

Superleague: Road win for Partizan Igokea against Vojvodina -by Dragan Jankovski
Reining Serbian and Adriatic league champion, Partizan Igokea started the Serbian Superleague with win. The black and white team was better than Vojvodina Srbijagas in Novi Sad 66-60. It was more than obvious that Partizan's players were very tired because of three tough games in Euroleague quarterfinals against TAU Ceramica.

After almost equalized first quarter, Partizan went on the half time with plus 5. In 23rd minute Black and whites made double digit advantage. Five minutes later Vojvodina made couple of shots coming closer on 42-46. Last period was crucial as Partizan made another run 14-2 setting the score on 60-44 and registering first win in the Superleague. It seemed that Partizan gave showed just necessary minimum in order to win in this game.

Milton Palacio (190-G-78, college: Colorado St.) added 11 points and 5 assists for the winners while Nikola Pekovic (210-C-86, agency: Beo Basket) and Novica Velickovic (205-F-86) had almost the same digits, 10 points and 8 rebounds (Velickovic 7 rebounds). Goran Bajic (207-C-83) and Ivan Paunic (194-G-87) netted 12 points each for the Tulips.


Vojvodina Srbijagas - Partizan Igokea 60-66
(17-16,11-17,16-18,16-15)

Vojvodina: Bajic 12 (6 rebs), Paunic 12 (4 st), Ivanovic 10 (4 rebs)
Partizan: Palacio 11 (5 as), Pekovic 10 (8 rebs), Velickovic 10 (7 rebs)

*****************************************************
SPAIN

Cherry out, Noel in? -by Robert Mayor
- Cajasol Sevilla guard Carlos Cherry (184-G-79) will remain sidelined for the remainder of the season due a scaphoid fracture.

- According to sports newspaper El Punt, DKV Joventut could be interested in american forward David Anthony Noel. Player could sign with Badalona club this week. Ex Milwaukee Bucks player could be the sustitute forward that Aito was looking during the season in order to complete team.

Standings - ACB
ACB Standings
1. Real 25-4
2. Joventut 22-7
3. Barcelona 22-8
4. Tau 20-10
5. Pamesa 18-11
6. Lagun Aro 18-12
7. Akasvayu 16-13
8. Unicaja 16-13
9. G.Canaria 16-16
10. Menorca 12-18
11. Murcia 12-18
12. Fuenlabrada 11-19
13. Grupo Capitol 11-19
14. Ricoh Man. 11-19
15. Cajasol 11-19
16. Granada 10-18
17. Estudiant. 9-21
18. Leon 7-21


*****************************************************
TPBL

MIDLAND HEAT RUN AWAY WITH GAME 1 : 2008 TPBL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES -by Chris Cardenas


Midland , Tx -- Charles Tatum , the 2007 TPBL MVP and guard of the Midland Heat , refused to let the San Angelo Chaparrals come into their gym and take game 1. Tatum and the Heat came out firing on all cylinders in game 1 of the TPBL championship series winning 103 - 86. Tatum ended the game with 26 points and went 5 for 8 behind the 3 point arch. Ray williams and Chauncey Ephraim were also big scoring threats against the short handed Chaparrals. The Chaparrals were led by 6'7 forward Adam mobley who finished with 18 points 11 rebounds.
GAME 2 (san angelo,tx ) - Saturday April 19 7:00 pm tip off - Carl Ray Johnson Recreation Center -

for more information on the TPBL championship series call the league phone line at : 325-763-6630
** all tpbl stats , 1st team tpbl, and tpbl mvp information will be posted following the TPBL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

*****************************************************
TURKEY

Standings - TBL
TBL Standings
 1. Besiktas 21-6 
 2. Efes P. 21-7 
 3. Fenerbahce 19-8 
 4. T.Telekom 18-10 
 5. Galatasaray 17-10 
 6. Antalya 17-11 
 7. Karsiyaka 16-12 
 8. TED Koleji 12-16 
 9. Banvit 12-16 
 10. Mersin 12-16 
 11. Kepez Bld 11-16 
 12. Oyak Renault 11-17 
 13. Selcuk Uni. 9-18 
 14. Darussafaka 9-19 
 15. Alpella 8-19 
 16. Beykoz 8-20 


*****************************************************
U.KINGDOM

Standings - BBL
BBL Standings
1. Newcastle E. 27-4
2. Plymouth R. 22-8
3. Guildford H. 21-8
4. Milton Key. 19-11
5. Scottish R. 17-13
6. Sheffield S. 15-15
7. Everton T. 13-16
8. Worcester W. 13-17
9. London C. 9-20
10. Cheshire J. 9-21
11. Leicester R. 9-21
12. Birmingh.P. 5-24


*****************************************************
UBL

Standings
UBL Standings
Northern Division
 1. Arkansas W. 2-0 
 2. Okl.City O-P 0-0 
 3. N.Missouri H. 0-0 
 4. Dallas O. 0-0 
Southern Division
 1. SanAntonio S. 2-0 
 2. S.Texas S. 0-0 
 3. Texas W. 0-0 
 4. San Marcos 0-3 


Weekend #2 Update -by Mac Claire
Weekend number two in the history of the UBL will show that the road teams ruled.

On Satruday Afternoon, the Central Texas Stars visited the San Marcos Knights who will be playing some home games in San Antonio.
At the Boys & Girls Club, the Stars won, 126-106.

The Arkansas Warriors didn't protect home court either. Satruday Evening, the Texas Wranglers escaped with a 102-98 win.

The Warriors had no time to feel sorry for themselves as they traveled to Temple, TX for an afternoon date with the Stars.
CenTex shoul have had an advantage having easily won the day before, but the Warriors manned up and won in foreign teritory, 114-107.

Finally, the San Antonio Soul took advantage of the Wranglers who were weary from their trip back home from Little Rock.
The Soul won in Dallas, 98-93.

The correct up to date standings: UBL North - Arkansas 1-1; N. Missouri 0-0; OK City 0-0; Dallas 0-0
UBL South - San Antonio 2-0; CenTex 1-1; Texas 1-1; San Marcos 0-3

*****************************************************
VENEZUELA

Standings - LPB
 1. Trotamundos 16-4 
 2. Gatos 12-7 
 3. Guaiqueries 11-6 
 4. Cocodrilos 9-7 
 5. Dep.Tachira 9-8 
 6. Gaiteros 9-10 
 7. Marinos 8-10 
 8. Guaros 7-13 
 9. Panteras 6-13 
 10. Gigantes 5-14 


Nembhard did it again. -by Antonio Gomez
Ruben Nembhard (191-G-72, college: Weber St.) appeared again and Gaiteros del Zulia defeat Cocodrilos de Caracas 91-90 on sunday's game at the Jose Beracasa Arena. The guard scored two free throws, with seven seconds left, and the musical team took the ninth victory of the season.

In total, Nembhard made 27 points. The two games series culminated with a victory for each team. Previously, on saturday's game, Cocodrilos defeat Gaiteros 102-82.

Now, the zulian team will play next wednesday, at the Pedro Elias Belisario Aponte Arena in Maracaibo, against Guaiqueries de Margarita, current champion of the Liga Profesional de Baloncesto (LPB).



*****************************************************

Women News

*****************************************************
CROATIA - Women

Sibenik remained undefeated in the league for Champion -by Eurobasket News
Sibenik remained undefeated in the league for Champion finishing it with 10-0 record. The most important win was achieved in the last but one round when the defending champions overcame Gospic. The latter has 6-2 record and will have two more games.
Sonja Kireta (198-C-76) and her Bourges had unlucky Final Four in Brno. At first having 27:13 after the opening quarter Bourges lost an overtime battle to the hosts. Gambrinus Brno and 3500 their spectators came back to the game and needed an overtime to triumph. The Bourges players were excellent for most of the game but weren't able to close out the victory. Zuzana Zirkova led the winners with 28 points. Eva Viteckova nailed 17, while Jana Vesela collected 12 points and 9 rebounds. Belinda Snell top-scored for the French team with 29 points and 7 rebounds.
Zuzana Zirkova sent a bomb for 3-0 in the opening tip and then Whitmore made the score 7:3. Celine Dumerc brought the guests the first lead with 7:8 and it became a disaster for the hosts in the next five minutes. Ndongue closed the 10-0 run as Bourges had 27:13 lead after the first 10 minutes of the game. Celine Dumerc was the last to score a three in the quarter and then it was her again from the arc to give Bourges the biggest, 30:13 advantage. With no panic in the team Gambrinus Brno started to reduce. Maiga drove a lay-up for 19:33 with 7 minutes to play in the half. Sonja Kireta scored for Bourges for 25:36, but then Maiga again answered for 27:36. Belinda Snell sent the teams to the lockers with a bomb from the arc, 42:34.
Bourges played better in the third quarter and increased to 60:51 by the end of it. All the best the spectators saw in the fourth quarter, not the last. Trailing 54:63 Gambrinus Brno cut the deficit to 64:65. Eva Viteckova laid the ball up and in to level the scores at 75:75. Sonja Sonja Kireta drew a foul from Machova after time out called but the latter took the inbounds pass and dribbled the length of the floor before drawing a foul from Sonja Kireta as she went up for a lay-up.Machova made both free throws to tie the contest at 77:77. The game went to overtime where Gambrinus Brno had no chance to lose. Zuzana Zirkova with a three made the final, 90:81 margin.
UMMC Ekaterinburg clinched third place in Euroleague in a dramatic game versus Bourges Basket. Russian team won the battle due to the French Caroline Aubert who scored a buzzer-beating three-ball. Russian team won the bronze with 70:69. Another French player Sandrine Gruda and Svetlana Abrosimova led the winners with 13 points. Deanna Nolan followed them with 10 and Caroline Aubert had 7. Sonja Kireta top-scored for Bourges with 20 points and 7 rebounds.
It was unlucky Final Four for Bourges that could even win two games. As you remember in the first one, the team lost in overtime and now another story. Leuchanka opened the game with a jump-shot and Sandrine Gruda led UMMC to 7:2. Melain tied the game at 13 for both teams and then Deanna Nolan gave Russian team 21:16 after the opening period. Taylor lifted UMMC to 32:20 but Belinda Snell was the last to score at the first half, 34:26.
After 22:11 in the third quarter for the French team the things had changed in the court. Bourges Basket led 48:45 after 30 minutes of the game and dominated the court. Deanna Nolan however gave UMMC 51:50 in the early of the last quarter as the teams started a back-to-back period. Belinda Snell brought French team 68:65 with 14 seconds to play and then Caroline Aubert scored two free throws for 67:68. Belinda Snell scored again, but now from free throw line to give her team two points advantage. Caroline Aubert nailed a buzzer-beating three-ball for 70:69 win and the third place in Euroleague.

*****************************************************
CYPRUS - Women

Standings - women
 1. AEL 14-0 
 2. Keravnos 12-2 
 3. Anagennises 8-6 
 4. Achilleas 8-6 
 5. Etha 4-10 
 6. ENAD 4-10 
 7. Apoel 3-11 


*****************************************************
FYR MACEDONIA - Women

Favorites convincing in the semis -by Todor Chalovski
Vigor Skopje and Izgradba Komerc Mladinec achieved convincing victories in the opening semifinal ties it the playoffs from Vardar Osiguruvanje First Macedonian basketball league.
Vigor Skopje beat Biljana 006 81:33, to take a 1:0 leat in a 'best of three' semifinal series. Zorica ackovska scored 24 points for the winners.

Izgradba Komerc Mladinec made the first step towards the final, beating Pelister 77:44. Natali Georgievska was top scorer of this game, scoring 24 points.

Game 2 of the semifinal series will be played next weekend.

*****************************************************
GERMANY - Women

2. DBBL: Semifinals are set -by Moritz Korff
No surprises so far in the North: The Wolfenbuettel Wildcats, who finished the regular season on the top of the table, will take on DJK Koeln-Nord. The second finalist will be found in the series between Union Opladen, runner-up in the regular season, and SC Rist Wedel, that went into the play-offs as the third best ranked team.

In the South-division regular-season champ TSV Noerdlingen is going to meet TG Sandhausen in the round of the last four teams, while ASC Theresianum Mainz faces KuSG Leimen. So just in the North the Top 4 of the regular season have made it to the semis. Only the winner of the finals will earn the ticket to the first league.

*****************************************************
GREECE - Women

Standings - Women
 1. Esperides 22-4 
 2. Panionios 21-5 
 3. Athinaikos 17-8 
 4. Aris H. 16-9 
 5. Apollon 16-9 
 6. Panathin. 15-11 
 7. Kastoria 13-12 
 8. Siemens 12-13 
 9. Sporting 11-14 
 10. M.Aleksandros 11-14 
 11. Paghiakos 10-15 
 12. Asteras 7-18 
 13. Iraklis 3-22 
 14. Aias Evosmou 3-22 


*****************************************************
ISRAEL - Women

play-off round 4th results -by Gil Goshen

What serieses We have in Israel !!!!!!!

The two serieses are 2:2 after the 4th round !!!!!

The results tonight:

Ramat Hen - Bnot Hash 64:75
Elizur Ram. - Ramat Hsharon 87:74 .

The winners on 17/4 will play on the final !!!!

Ramat Hen - Bnot Hashron 64:75

For Bnot Hsharon:
Mistie Williams 28pts, 8 rebs
Tanisha Wright 21 pts, 11 rebs, 8 ast
Abiola Wabara 2 pts, 8 rebs
Chen Nusel 11pts
Katia Levisky 7 pts
Neda Djuric 2 pts, 5 ast


Maccabi Ramat Hen :

Shiri Sharon 15pts, 5 ast
Chen Shtain 6 pts
Sharon Zeevi 2 pts
Taj McWilliams 12 pts 11rb.
Edwina Brown 13 pts.
Armintie Price 10 pts, 8 rb.

Elizur Ram. - Ramat Hsharon 87:74

For Ramla:


Shay Doron 23 pts,
Katia Abramzon 6 pts.
Laine Selwyn 5 pts.
Sherill Baker 14pts
Michelle Snow 10 pts,
Jackie Johnson 18 pts

For Ramat Hsharon:

Monique Coker 9pts,
Jia Perkins 23pts
Dada Vilipic 16 pts, 8 rebs
Nomi Kolodny 10 pts.





Mistie Williams (191-C-83, college: Duke)

Liron Cohen in Spain -by Gil Goshen

On the 24th round :

CLUB BALONCESTO SAN JOSE - EBE PROMOCIONES SANTA EULALIAI 70 :72
Liron Team CLUB BALONCESTO SAN JOSE has lost vs. EBE PROMOCIONES SANTA EULALIAI 70:72.

Liron had 12 points 4 rb, 7 ast.

Liron team is ranked now 4th, Salamanca 3rd and EBE PROMOCIONES SANTA EULALIAI 2nd.


CLUB BALONCESTO SAN JOSE CAN LOSE ONE GAME OUT OF THE 2 THAT LEFT UNTIL THE END OF THE SEASON AND STILL PLAY ON THE FINAL-FOUR !!!!!


Liron Cohen in Spain -by Gil Goshen

On the 24th round :

CLUB BALONCESTO SAN JOSE - EBE PROMOCIONES SANTA EULALIAI 70 :72
Liron Team CLUB BALONCESTO SAN JOSE has lost vs. EBE PROMOCIONES SANTA EULALIAI 70:72.

Liron had 12 points 4 rb, 7 ast.

Liron team is ranked now 4th, Salamanca 3rd and EBE PROMOCIONES SANTA EULALIAI 2nd.


CLUB BALONCESTO SAN JOSE CAN LOSE ONE GAME OUT OF THE 2 THAT LEFT UNTIL THE END OF THE SEASON AND STILL PLAY ON THE FINAL-FOUR !!!!!


Standings (W)
Upper Playoffs
 1. Ramat H. 18-5 
 2. Bnot Hash. 17-6 
 3. Elizur Ram. 16-7 
 4. Ramat Hen 13-10 
 5. M.Ashdod 10-11 
 6. Elitzur Holon 8-13 
Lower Playoffs
 1. B.Yehuda 8-12 
 2. M.Tel Kabir 4-14 
 3. Hap.T-A 3-18 


*****************************************************
ITALY - Women

Venezia joins semifinal -by Carlo Grilli
Playoff, quarterfinals, game-3:

Umana Venezia - Acer Priolo 66 - 51 (2-1, Venezia won the series)
(20-10, 35-23, 49-30)
UMANA VENEZIA: Sottana G. 7 (1/2, 1/3), Modica F. 10 (1/2, 2/8), Johnson S. 10 (4/6, 0/5), Nakia Sanford (193-F/C-76, college: Kansas) 10 (5/7), Andrade M. 11 (2/2, 1/2), Nadalin J. 6 (3/7), Giauro E. 8 (4/5), Romagnoli A. , Vujovic A. 4 (2/2, 0/2), Zampieri A. (0/1). Coach Riga Massimo
ACER PRIOLO: Gianolla A. 13 (2/3, 2/3), Bonfiglio S. dnp, Palie S. 10 (3/7, 1/5), Milazzo O. (0/1), Fabbri E. 3 (1/2), Seino T. 10 (1/6, 1/3), Sciacca B. 6 (3/6, 0/4), Pascalau F. 7 (3/6), Meneghel R. 2 , Phillips T. (0/5). Coach Coppa Santino

Playout, first round, game-3:

Gescom Viterbo - Banco di Sicilia Ribera 61 - 65 (1-2, Ribera won the series)
(24-17, 36-40, 48-57)
GESCOM VITERBO: Danzi D. (0/3), Kouznetsova S. 2 (1/2), Santucci L. (0/1), Brunelli G. dnp, Smith B. 7 (3/11, 0/1), Maslowski M. 24 (11/21), Limoura L. 4 (2/5, 0/1), Siccardi V. 8 (4/7, 0/3), Gorla L. 4 (1/5, 0/2), Crepaldi C. 12 (1/2, 2/3). Coach Agresti Claudio
BANCO DI SICILIA RIBERA: Farris S. dnp, Megan Duffy (170-G-84, agency: LBM Management, college: Notre Dame) 12 (1/6, 2/2), Favento S. 1 (0/2), Bona G. dnp, Kajdacsi J. 4 (2/4), Riccardi E. (0/2), Montagnino J. 13 (3/5, 2/4), Perfetti C. (0/1, 0/3), Pys'Mennik O. 23 (9/16, 1/4), Razmaite D. 12 (6/11). Coach Anselmo Paolo Francesco

*****************************************************
LATVIA - Women

TTT grabs the lead against Cesis -by Gunars Gailitis
Latvian Woman`s League

Final. Game, 1

SK Cesis - TTT Riga 50-75 (6-13; 13-18; 14-23; 17-21) Series 0-1 (best of five)

Jessica Moore (191-C-82, college: Connecticut) 13+8reb, Cinite 11, Krumberga 10+6reb, Jekabsone 9+7reb; LaTanya White (170-G-82, college: Mississippi St.) 21+6as, Riley 14+11reb, Tare 13+6reb+6as, Kityzina 8+6reb

For 3. place. Game, 1

Avantis/Turiba - Liepajas metalurgs 78-51 (30-9; 18-12; 16-13; 14-17) Series 1-0 (best of five)

Anda Eibele (170-G-84) 22+8reb, Vitola 14, Vorma 12, Lapsina 12; Viktorija Nazarova (179-C-84) 17, Niedola 14+11reb, Cirsa 8

*****************************************************
LEBANON - Women

Antranik - Beirut on the road of a new title -by Asia-Basket Lebanon
After retaining the Lebanese Championship Title for the 06th consecutive season Antranik - Beirut is aiming a new title which is the WABA Women's Champions Cup.

Antranik - Beirut in Aleppo - Syria have started its quest for the West Asian Title by beating in the first game Slemanieh from Iraq on the score of 95-15 .

In the second game Antranik met the home team Yarmouk and won the game on the score of 69-49 .

The draw of the championship divided the teams into two groups .

Group A joins : Jalaa (Syria ) , Orthodixy (Jordan) , Zanan(Iran)

Group B : Antranik (Lebanon) , Yarmouk (Syria) , Sleimanieh (Iraq) , Del Salle (Palestine)



Antranik next game will be tomorrow against De La Salle at 16:00.



Antranik - Seimanieh : 95-15

Best Performances :

Nayla Alameddine (17pts) , Chada Nasr(12pts) , Tamara Khalil (12pts)

Q:35-05 Q2:52-12 Q3:83-15 Q4:95-15


Antranik - Yarmouk :69-49

Best Performances :

Chada Nasr(20pts,6ast,7stl) ,Nathali Mamo (19pts),Nayla Alameddine (9pts,7rebs,6ast), Tamara Khalil (8pts,10rebs), Cherine Cherif(7pts,13rebs)

Q:24-12 Q2:38-27 Q3:58-37 Q4:69-49

*****************************************************
LUXEMBOURG - Women

Standings - Women
DBBL Standings
1. Basket Esch 15-4
2. Musel Pikes 12-7
3. T71 Dudelange 11-9
4. Residence 11-9
5. Amicale 8-12
6. AB Contern 6-14
7. Etzella 5-0
8. Racing 5-1
9. Grengewald 4-2
10. Black Frogs 1-4
11. Les Esperants 1-5
12. BC Mess 1-5


Catherine Scanlon leads Residence past Basket Esch -by Eurobasket News
Catherine Scanlon (180-G/F-83, college: Drexel) tallied 28 points and 10 rebounds to propel Residence past DBBL leaders Basket Esch yesterday. Residence snapped Basket Esch 7-game winning streak rolling to quite unexpected road victory. Walferdange outfit stunned their opponents in the opening frame rolling to a 21:13 lead. Basket Esch relied on Leah Metcalf (173-G-83, college: N.Carolina) and American import guard adjusted the scoreline for the hosts at 25:29 at halftime. But Basket Esch failed to prevail after the long break. Residence kept the home team at bay with some extra class defense and Catherine Scanlon played unmistakably to carry the visitors to a surprising 60:55 success. Kaatje Claes (182-C-81) and Sally Debra (176-G-80) finished with 10 points apiece for Residence. Leah Metcalf answered with 22 points for Basket Esch. Gaelle Pousseur (182-F/C-82) dropped 12 points in a losing effort.
Musel Pikes did not manage to narrow the gap on Basket Esch as they were beaten 66:70 by Amicale away from home. Musel Pikes never looked like losing this one as they biolt a 6-point cushion before the final frame. But Amicale fired a 21:11 fourth stanza to get away with the victory. Lisa Lee (183-F-84, college: Charleston So.) notched 29 points and 14 boards to pace the hosts. Jill Bausch (168-F-87) had 15 points and 8 boards for the winning side. Amanda Stowe (186-F/C-79, agency: Next Level, college: Wisc.-Green Bay) answered with 19 points and 8 rebounds for Musel Pikes. Cathy Schmit (169-G-90) accounted for 15 points in defeat.
Katie Donovan (183-F-82) narrowly missed a triple-double and her T71 edged Contern 80:71 on the road. She produced 23 points, 14 boards and 9 assists to secure the win despite some desperate comeback efforts from Contern in the final period. Rachel Wagener (167-G-86) drained 18 points for Dudelange. Carrie Bacon (183-F-80, college: Wyoming) led all scorers with 31 points for Contern.

*****************************************************
MALI - Women

Maiga tastes silver -by Eurobasket News
Hamchetou Maiga (185-G/F-78, college: ODU) celebrated second place in her native Brno last night. Spartak Moscow Region however became the best team of the European world for the second time in a row. In a Final game in Brno the defending champions beat hosts Gambrinus 75:60. It was another hot night of Australian Lauren Jackson who shined with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Sue Bird posted 14 points and made 7 rebounds, Diana Taurasi scored 14 and Tina Thompson collected 12 points and 8 rebounds. Zuzana Zirkova top-scored for the hosts with 16 points. Hamchetou Maiga scored 4 points and made 2 rebounds.
Spartak Moscow Region was stronger than Gambrinus Brno in two previous games between the teams this season. So, there was nothing surprising when Tina Thompson opened the scoring list and Spartak Moscow Region started to increase. Lauren Jackson nailed a three for 12:2 lead int he opening tip of the game. Machova and Kulichova brought Brno back to the game, but Diana Taurasi made it 24:12. Shchegoleva gave the defending champions plus 15 in the second quarter for 31:16. Tina Thompson made it plus 18, but Zuzana Zirkova set up the first half at 43:27.
Hamchetou Maiga tried hard in the beginning of the third quarter and her lay-up saw 50:31. Diana Taurasi's jump shot in the end of the third probably answered all the questions in the game. Jana Vesela (194-F-83) closed the period from the arc for 60:42. From the start of the last quarter Gambrinus Brno was on the way to create a miracle. With 11-3 run the Czechs reduced to 63:55 with 6 minutes to play. Beres kept Brno closer at 67:60, but there were last points for the hosts in the last three minutes of the game. Spartak Moscow Region used a 8-0 run to close the game at 75:60.

*****************************************************
NORWAY - Women

NT candidates -by Kaare Vangen
Players meeting in Oslo May 6 - 8
Nanna Sand, Asker/Bærums Verk
Ingvild Knudsen, Ullern
Kristina Tonheim, Ullern
Tori S. Halvorsen, Ullern
Guro Nyquist, Ullern
Emilie Ravn, Ullern
Tina S. Moen, IPWF (USA)
Therese Hager, IC (USA)
Anette Johansen, 08 Stockholm (Sverige)
Caroline Hannisdal, Asker/Bærums Verk
Anna Hammer, Asker/Bærums Verk
Tine Martinsen, Ammerud
Kristi Strøm Lie, Ullern
Kristine Flyvholm, Ullern
Tina Nesse, OSI
Oda Marie Austheim, Elite Nord
Torunn Ytrehus, Elite Nord
Cecillie Wetter, Sodertalje (Sverige)


Players meeting in Bergen May 13 - 15
Kjersti Marie Brekke, Gimle
Marianne Hella, Gimle
Sigrun Eskeland, Gimle
Kristina Tattersdill, Gimle
Birte Hegrenæs, Gimle
Mia Spasowska, Humboldt State (USA)
Tonje Milde, Gimle
Katrine Fjærestad, Gimle
Brita Øyjordsbakken, Gimle
Stephanie Johannesen, Hop
Rebecca Tyssøy, Hop
Anita Grimstad, Hop
Lise Johannesen, Hop
Maren Hoff Austgulen, Hop
Henriette Ellingsen, (USA)

*****************************************************
PORTUGAL - Women

Liga Feminina quarter finals days 3 and 4 -by Luis Rocha
ESSA, Olivais, Alges and Vagos step up to play the final four of this season Liga Feminina. ESSA won at Madeira beating CAB that finally played with Stacy Stephens after injury 71-59. It was a easier game than the expected. Olivais also won at Madeira but in the home of Uniao 71-53, all normal here Olivais was stronger and had a deeper roster. Alges lost in day 3 against CPN 77-75, but in day 4 taking advantage on their defense work step to the final four, winning 73-54. Strangely CPN collapse when things seem to go their way. Alges was superb in their defense and made all the game of CPN get nervous and weak, that provides the reason for a good victory. Vagos won at Acores in day 3 and also in day 4, in the first day they won 58-55 ina very close game, and in the second 67-62, but as I always said when it comes to a second game two days in a row, all get's worse for B.Viagem because of the not so deeper roster that they have. Vagos was very consistent and strong in their game specially when it comes to get rebounds and score inside the painted area. Good weekend for Fernanda Beling (180-F-82) and Millene Machado (183-F/C-79) in Vagos.

Quarter finals recap -by Bruno Baltazar
The first round of playoffs in portuguese league showed the regular season standings exist for something and the homecourt teams advanced to the semis where we will wait for tight battles for the 2 places for the finals.

ESSA won 3-0 against CAB without the americans they counted earlier the season, ESSA with their 2 americans got the win in this series really easy,unless the first game where things were balanced.

Olivais dominated the league in the regular season and dominated Uniao in all the games beating 3-0,they are the favorites to win the champ.

Alges surprisly had many dificulties against CPN and they needed 4 games to close the series but the last game was a complitly show for Alges .

Vagos advanced aswell but having a hard time against Boa Viagem,the more balanced series in the 1st round,didn't surprised because Vagos finished in the 4th place and Boa Viagem in the 5th in the regular season ,still Vagos needed 4 games to advance closing the series in Boa Viagem court.



*****************************************************
SERBIA - Women

Hemofarm Stada grabs the Cup -by Eurobasket News
Hemofarm Stada triumphed in the Serbian Cup and added another trophy to the wonderful season. The Final against Crvena zvezda was a good game the spectators could enjoy.
The quarterfinals saw Spartak defeating Vojvodina 74:72. Jovana Rad (187-F/C-87) led the winners with 22 points. Partizan advanced with the win over Proleter 86:82 in overtime. Biljana Stjepanovic (189-C-87) top-scored for the winners with 20 points.
At first in the semifinal Hemofarm Stada beat ZKK Partizan 86:60. It was an easy road to the Final, but Partizan did not give up until the end of the game. Crvena zvezda's road was much more difficult as the team luckily survived in the semifinal. Crvena zvezda overcame Spartak 69:67 and got the second ticket to the Final.
In the Final Hemofarm Stada looked as if they had to as the team stayed undefeated in the regular season. Hemofarm Stada won over Crvena zvezda 74:67 and lifted the Cup. Dara Kovacevic (197-C-83) led the winners with 13 points. Dajana Butulija (175-G-86) and Stankovic followed her with 12 points apiece. Nina Bogicevic (178-G-89) top-scored in the game with 19 points.

Hemofarm Stada - Crvena zvezda 74:67
Hemofarm Stada: Radocaj 8, Jankovic 9, Rizvic, Dojcinovic 4, Stankovic 12, Dosen, Dara Kovacevic 13, Savic 5, Cerina, Ostojic 3, Mitov 8, Dajana Butulija 12.
Crvena zvezda: Popovic, Vukoje, Zupancic 2, Nina Bogicevic 19, Velinovic 16, Sy 4, Grujic, Dunja Prcic (180-G-87) 10, Musovic, Iva Prcic, Roglic 2, Kendrick 14.

*****************************************************
SPAIN - Women

Untamed Ros Casares remains on top -by Eurobasket News
Ros Casares posted their 21st win in the LFB regular season. They overcame Real Vigo 76:66 at home to remain at the sole position on top of the ladder. The hosts built a decisive lead in the opening stanza outscoring their opponents 25:15. Later on the league leaders wisely kept Vigo team at bay maintaining the advantage. Delisha Milton-Jones (186-F-74, college: Florida) finished with gam-high 24 points for Ros Casares. Katie Douglas (183-G/F-79, college: Purdue) notched 15 points, while Erika De Souza (197-C-82) scored 12 for the winners. Maja Erkic (182-G/F-85) answered with 19 points for Celta Vigo as they fell to 13-11 record.
EBE Promociones stayed tied with Perfumerias at the second spot after they drove to a difficult 72:70 road victory over San Jose. Promociones dominated in the first half and accumulated a 9-point cushion before the second part of the encounter. But a bunch of trebles from Allison Feaster (181-F-76, college: Harvard) ignited San Jose to a fierce comeback effort. The hosts almost denied the deficit but still fell short of win at the end. Silvia Martin netted 20 points and dished out 6 assists for EBE. Sancho Lyttle (193-C-83, college: Houston) added 17 points and 15 boards for the winners. Allison Feaster scored 19 points for San Jose.
Perfumerias proved strength against Rivas Futura away from home. They overcame an 8-point deficit after the starting frame to pull away with a 76:73 victory. Ana Montanana (186-F-80, college: George Washington) secured 22 points and 6 assists to pace Perfumerias. Anke De Mondt (180-F-79) notched 16 points in a win. Catherine Joens (180-G-82) topscored with 26 points for Rivas Futura.
Extrugaza relied on 21 points from Sara Ferreiros to knock down Olesa 86:85 at home court. Katia Da Silva (187-C-77) provided 14 points and 6 caroms in a winning case. Lecoe Le'Coe Willingham (183-C-81, college: Auburn) canned game-high 30 points and 12 boards for Espanyol.

Standings - LFB
LFB Standings
1. Ros Casares 21-3
2. Perfumerias 18-6
3. EBE Promoc. 18-6
4. Acis-Incosa 16-8
5. Rivas Futura 15-9
6. Real C.Vigo 13-11
7. Extrugasa 12-12
8. Hondar.-Irun 9-15
9. Olesa 9-15
10. Cajacanar. 9-15
11. Cadi la Seu 9-15
12. Badajoz 7-17
13. Mann Filter 7-17
14. Burgos 5-19


*****************************************************
WNBA - Women

2008 Liberty Season Includes First Regular Season Outdoor Game In Pro Basketball History -by Bruno Baltazar
Game to Be Played at the Home of the US Open -- Arthur Ashe Stadium


The New York Liberty of the Women's National Basketball Association will make its mark on the professional basketball landscape when it will play in the first regular season outdoor game in the sport's history. The Liberty Outdoor Classic, between the New York Liberty and the Indiana Fever, will take place at the home of the US Open -- Arthur Ashe Stadium, located in the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens on Saturday, July 19 at 7:30 p.m.
'The New York Liberty is extremely proud to once again make history as a franchise with the first regular season outdoor game in the history of professional basketball,' said Carol Blazejowski, president and general manager, New York Liberty. 'The Liberty Outdoor Classic will be an extraordinary experience for everyone in attendance - - it will bring all of us back to our roots, celebrate the enormous growth and interest in the women's game and provide an opportunity to gain unprecedented exposure for Liberty basketball and the WNBA. That the game is taking place in a venue named after one of the greatest pioneers in women's sports makes the event particularly meaningful.'

In addition to making professional basketball history, the Liberty Outdoor Classic, sponsored by American Express and The Hallmark Channel, will be the first non-tennis sporting event to take place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, which is the largest public outdoor tennis facility in the world.

'It is very appropriate that a trailblazing team like the Liberty play this historic game at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, recently renamed for our sport's greatest trailblazer,' said Arlen Kantarian, CEO, Professional Tennis, USTA. 'As the home of the US Open and the largest public tennis facility in the world, we are thrilled to welcome New York's greatest basketball fans to experience the stadium in such a unique way.'

Additionally, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), an independent 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer, will serve as the beneficiary of the Liberty Outdoor Classic. A portion of the proceeds from the game's ticket sales, as well as various fundraising activities throughout the evening, will benefit the BCRF. This will be the second year that the Liberty has partnered with the BCRF for its annual Breast Health Awareness Night.

Individual game tickets for the Liberty Outdoor Classic as well as the Liberty's 2008 regular season are on sale beginning Thursday. The Liberty will tip-off its twelfth season at Madison Square Garden against the Connecticut Sun on Sunday, May 18 at 4:00 p.m. The month of June begins with a three-game home-stand with heated Western Conference play. New York native Sue Bird along with fellow All-Stars Sheryl Swoopes, Swin Cash (6'2''-F-79, college: Connecticut), Lauren Jackson and the Seattle Storm hit The Garden on Tuesday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m.; followed by Tina Thompson and the Houston Comets on June 5 at 7:30 p.m.; and Rutgers alumna Chelsea Newton with the Sacramento Monarchs on Sunday, June 8 at 4:00 p.m. WNBA legend Lisa Leslie will make her return to New York with the Los Angeles Sparks on Friday, July 25 at 7:30 p.m. The regular season will close at home against Bill Laimbeer's Detroit Shock on Sunday, September 14 at 4:00 p.m. For the full season schedule, click here.

Tickets for the 2008 New York Liberty season, including the Liberty Outdoor Classic, can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, on-line at NYLiberty.com, through the WNBA Ticketmaster charge-by-phone number 877-WNBA-TIX, all Ticketmaster outlets and at Ticketmaster.com. The ticket prices are $10.00, $15.00, $34.50, $39.50, $64.50, and $85.00. To score a Liberty ticket plan - starting at just three games, call 212-465-6073 to purchase. Group ticket orders of 20 or more can be purchased by calling 212-465-6080.