EUROBASKET NEWS REPORT - 1/18/2010 1:00:00 AM

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Men News

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  BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS   


George sccores 21 more - by David Edole
ESSEX Pirates were beaten 90-78 at home to Glasgow Rocks tonight.

Pirates were 17-12 in front at the end of the first quarter and 39-34 at half-time.

But Rocks hit back during the third quarter to go 62-55 in front before they went on to extend their advantage to 12 points.

Randy George (200-F-81, college: Henderson St.) again top scored for the Pirates with 21 points while Dean Williams added 12 and Taner Adu and Alan Metcalfe both got 11.


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  RUSSIA   


Interview with Gerald Green - by Eurobasket
Gerald Green (203-G/F-86, agency: Lanshire Group) became a new power addition of Lokomotiv Kuban last December. With Joksimovic, Antic and Capin out, Lokomotiv hopes to improve his position in Russian Superleague by adding new players Gist, Green and Owens. Eurobasket.com continues to interview Krasnodar newcomers. Now it's time for Green to answer some questions.

1. The news of you signing with the Lokomotiv became a real sensation. Why did you prefer little known Russian club instead of others?
Just love the opportunity to get a chance to play in Europe. The competition is Russia is great.

2. You're a NBA Slam Dunk Champion, but I suppose no one will let you make spectacular dunks in Superleague are you comfort with that?
I'm not worried about making spectacular dunks. I'm worried about winning a championship in Russia for Lokomotiv.

3. Tell us about your roles as a player in recent NBA teams Mavs, Wolves, Celtics. Compare the coaches - which one of them used your skills most efficiently?
Well, they all used me differently. Mavs used my ability to score and my energy on the both sides of the court and Celtics used me as a scorer to help Paul Pierce.

4. What does Lokomotiv expect from you? What can you bring to your new team?
I can bring leadership, scoring, defence, energy. Whatever my coach ask me to do, I'm going to try to fulfill it.

5. What about language troubles - how do you solve it, cause only you and Gist are naturally American-english speaking players at Lokomotiv?
It's a bit hard at first but a lot of players on my team speak English well enough for me to talk to them.

6. Your Russian fans are interested in improving their vertical jump. Can you give them some practical advices?
Well I really never did anything to improve my vertical jump. I was just blessed to be able to jump like this.

7. What are your current career plans and aims?
I just want to be the best basketball player that Gerald Green can be. I want to win a lot of championships.


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  UNITED ARAB EMIRATES   


21st Dubai Int'l Tournament - Day 3 - by Eurobasket
* Group A:

Al Wehda Damascus (SYR) 89 : UAE National Team 103
- Best scorers:
Jermaine Bell (211-F/C-84, college: Indian Hills CC) 'Wehda' 35 pts
Ayoub AlBalooshi (190-F-81) 'UAE' 27 pts

Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut (LEB) 85 : Gezira (EGY) 76
- Best scorers:
Nate Johnson (199-F-77, college: Louisville) 'Riyadi' 33 pts
Sherif Gunaidi (183-G-79) 18 pts

Group A Standings:
1- Riyadi 2-0
2- Gezira 1-1
3- Mahram 1-0
4- UAE National team 1-1
5- Al Wehda 0-2

* Group B:

An Nasr (UAE) 63 : Al Jalaa Aleppo (SYR) 76
- Best scorers:
Talal Musabeh 'Nasr' 22 pts
Michel Maadanli (196-G-81, agency: Huss Sport Agency) 'Jalaa' 15 pts
Zendon Hamilton (209-C-75, college: St.John's) 'Jalaa' 15 pts

Group B Standings:
1- Al Jalaa Aleppo 2-0
2- Smart Gilas 1-1
3- Zain 1-0
4- Champville 0-1
5- An Nasr 0-2

21st Dubai International tournament - Day 3:
-Sunday 17/1
'B'- Zain Vs Smart Gilas '13:00 GMT'
'B'- Jalaa Vs Champville '15:00 GMT'
'A'- Wehda Vs Mahram '17:00 GMT'




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Women News

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  ADRIATIC LEAGUE - Women  


Ragusa inks three players, Bozikov moves to Gospic, Demirovic and Anic joins Zeljeznicar - by Zeljko Zule
PGM Ragusa inked Matea Vrdoljak (186-F-85, agency: Promotex) ex Apollon Kalamarias, Ivana Podrug (197-C-84, college: Fairfield) ex Hapoel Tel Aviv and Anja Grgin (180-G-84, agency: Interperformances) ex LKS Siemens Lodz.
Martina Bozikov (188-F-84) joined to Gospic CO. She appeared in 10 games of Adriatic IWBL League with PGM Ragusa this season, averaging 6.7 points (2P 38%, 3P 28%, FT 80%), 3.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.2 blocks in 32.3 minutes per apperance.
Emina Demirovic (186-C-85) and Antonela Anic (177-F-85) has left PGM Ragusa to join Zeljeznicar Sarajevo. Demirovic averaged 36.7 minutes, 13.0 points (2P 47%, 3P 35%, FT 80%), 11.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks in 10 games of Adriatic IWBL League and Anic averaged 35.7 minutes, 12.2 points (2P 55%, 3P 33%, FT 46%), 7.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.3 steals and 0.2 blocks in 10 games of Adriatic IWBL League.


Sibenik secures second place - by Zeljko Zule
Sibenik Jolly JBS secured second place with a 79-62 road win over Merkur Celje in Round 13. AJM Maribor snapped an seven-game losing streak with a 100-82 victory over PGM Ragusa. For the first time in the season, Vojvodina's winning streak reached two games with a 64-60 win over Kranjska Gora.
Merkur-Sibenik Jolly JBS 62-79: Merkur was outrebounded 21-34 and commited 27 turnovers. Nika Baric posted 22 points, but she had 12 turnovers and Rankica Sarenac collected 18 points and 9 rebounds. Sibenik hit 10 3-pointers. Marta Cakic (175-G-82) finished with 26 points and Luca Ivankovic and Neda Lokas added 14 apiece.
Medvescak-Mladi Krajisnik 73-65: Irena Cuncic scored 13 points, Romana Music and Iva Meznaric 12 each, Ivana Badanjak 11 and Petra Peric 10 as Croatian team defeated direct rival for play-off spot. Tamara Kapor led the guest team with 18 points, followed by Milica Deura with 13 points and Andrijana Vasovic had 13 points and 10 rebounds.
PGM Ragusa-AJM Maribor 82-100: Slovenian team outscored Ragusa 30-12 in the third quarter to get their second win of the season. Ljubica Kure scored 35 points on shooting 14-of-21 from the field, Marusa Furman added 14 and Kristina Baltic 11 points. For Ragusa, Matea Vrdoljak in her debut posted 43 points on shooting 18-of-25 from the field.
Vojvodina-Hit Kranjska Gora 64-60: Vojvodina has won back-to-back games for the first time this season. Anja Stupar netted 17 points, Natasa Krnjetin 12 and Dusanka Latinovic 10. Kranjska Gora is still winless on the road. Eva Komplet had 18 points nad 7 rebounds and Natalia Tratsiak-Terglav collected 26 points and 8 rebounds.
Jedinstvo-Gospic CO postponed.
Round 10: AJM Maribor-Jedinstvo 2-0 w.o. Round 12: Hit Kranjska Gora-Jedinstvo 2-0 w.o.


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  BARBADOS - Women  


Garrison reach ninth straight final - by Eurobasket
THE ONLY TEAM to have contested every girls basketball final is returning to the title game again.


Chantal Husbands scored eight of her team-high 22 points in the fourth period, including the eventual go-ahead basket as Garrison reached their ninth successive final in the WIBISCO Shirley Schools Basketball Competition through a thrilling last-second 62-60 victory over Combermere at the Barbados Community College on Friday.


It was the stuff of which legends are made, after the resolute point guard overcame injury and a daunting 11-point fourth-quarter deficit with one of her more resilient, if not attractive, performances.


The plot couldnt have been scripted any better for Husbands heroics, as the star guard watched from the side with a chest ailment while the upset-minded Combermere spearheaded by Makela Walcott, Rhea Holder built a 52-41 advantage early in the last period.


But eight minutes and eight Husbands points later, Garrison held the only advantage that mattered the last one.


The four-time champs were a different side from the previously listless outfit once their seasoned floor general returned to lead the charge at both ends of the floor.


Husbands successive steals upon re-entry led to five unanswered points from Nikita President and Shannon Hackett, before she called her number on two straight transition lay-ups the last capping an 18-6 run that gave Garrison a 59-58 lead.


And the crafty point guard probably would have had another basket in the open court just moments later were it not for Holders spectacular chase down block from behind.


However, Holders tenacious defensive effort failed to mask her teams monumental fourth-quarter collapse at the other end, as Combermere wasted several chances within the final minute to retake the lead.


Holder herself was guilty on three possessions alone missing a short runner while committing successive turnovers along the baseline after a couple of empty trips from the Garrison.


Even after the unlikely Jelisa Harewood had extended Garrisons lead to three (61-58), Walcott still found herself open for a potential game-winner after two Alexandra Haynes free throws reduced the deficit to one point.


But Walcotts last-second, medium-range jumper fell agonisingly short, hitting the front ring before Husbands hauled in the ensuing rebound ahead of the final whistle.


Earlier, Combermere surprisingly built an early double-digit first-quarter lead (18-8), which soon became a 31-17 advantage midway through the second after capitalising on the initial struggles of Husbands and President.


Garrisons early woes were further compounded when that backcourt pair failed to utilise the towering Hackett on the inside, as Holder and Walcott turned each of their subsequent turnovers and missed shots into transition points the other way.


And when Hackett finally got involved, it didnt help matters that she too struggled against the length of Dalia Scantlebury and Thandeka Smith in the paint.


Walcott led all scorers with 27 points and Holder added 25, although just two of those came in that decisive fourth quarter.


Hackett assisted Husbands with 17 points and President scored ten for the Garrison, who will play first-time finalists St Lucy in Fridays final.

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  ICELAND - Women  


Subway Cup - by Eurobasket
Final eight in Subway Cup was played on this weekend.
Three teams from Iceland Express league are in final four and one from Div 1.
Fjolnir (div 1) beat UMFL ( div 1) 86-68 No stats available
Njardvik beat Thor Akureyri ( div 1 ) 83-48 Olof Helga Palsdottir 16 pts for Njardvik. Rut Konradsdottir 16 for Thor.
Snaefell lost to Haukar 61 84. Sherell Hobbs had a good game for Snaefell 28 pts & 11 boards.Heather Ezell again with triple double 23 pts. 15 rebounds 10 assist.
Keflavik made to final four by beating Hamar 86-72 Kristi Smith 29. Bryndis Gudmundsdottir 23 for Keflavik. Julia Demirer (184-F-81, college: Emmanuel (MA)) 21 and 15 rebounds.

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  POLAND - Women  


Energa Torun sign Tyesha Fluker - by Eurobasket
Energa Torun strengthened their roster with addition of 26-year old American center Tyesha Fluker (196-C-84, college: Tennessee, agency: Merit Sports). Fluker played most recently at Dnipro Dnepropetrovsk (Ukraine). While playing 4 for Dnipro this season her averaged: 9.0ppg, 4.3rpg and 1.3apg. Fluker is a very experienced player. She played also pro basketball in France, Greece, Slovakia, Turkey and Ukraine.
By Eurobasket Data Center

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  RUSSIA - Women  


Spartak Vidnoe Moscow Region sign Ekaterina Lisina - by Eurobasket
Spartak Vidnoe Moscow Region signed 23-year old domestic center Ekaterina Lisina (198-C-87). Lisina played most recently at Dobri Anjeli Kosice (Slovakia). While playing 4 for Dobri Anjeli this season her averaged: 1.3ppg, 1.8rpg and 1.3bpg. She had much better season a year ago, when playing for CSKA her stats were: 7.2ppg and 4.0rpg. Lisina had also very successful last summer. She played for Russia at the World University Games in Belgrade (Serbia). They won silver and Lisina was selected to Eurobasket.com All-World University Games 3rd Team.
By Eurobasket Data Center

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  TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO - Women  


Straker Nets drill Academy 70-52 - by Albert-Lee Young
Patrice Edwards scored a game high 20 points and Leslie Ann Francois Bacquain added 19 as Sportworld Starker Nets drilled Brain Chase Academy 70-52 on Wednesday night at the St Paul Street Complex, Port of Spain.

Jamie Jack scored 17 points for Brian Chase who trailed 25-40 at the end of the first half. She was the only player to reach double figures.

With the win Nets led the standings with a 2-0 record while Brian Chase dropped to 1-1 in the Women Division of the National Club Championships.


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  TURKEY - Women  


Galatasaray sign Tamika Catchings - by Baha Kurtulus
Galatasaray Istanbul has signed American forward Tamika Catchings (186-F-79, college: Tennessee) for the 2009-2010 season.
Catchings was a six-time WNBA All-Star and six-time All-WNBA selection.
She was also the only player to ever be officially credited with scoring a quintuple double. ( 25 points, 18 rebounds, 11 assists, 10 steals and 10 blocks )
Catchings was also named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. ( three times , 2005, 2006 and 2009 )

Her overall WNBA averages : 16.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.6 steals.


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  UKRAINE - Women  


Krasnikova is back to Kozachka, Koleva moves to Orlan - by Eurobasket News
Olga Krasnikova (182-F-84) is back to Kozachka. Last month the player moved from Kozachka to Dnipro and played there 4 games. She went to Dnipropetrovsk in order to help the latter in EuroCup, however due to elimination came back to Kozachka.
Gergana Koleva (170-G-82, agency: Promotex) meanwhile debuted for Orlan last night. The Bulgarian player came from Tony 7 where she had a great season last year.In 2008-2009: Tony 7 in 9 games she became the top-scorer of the League averaging 23.1ppg, 4.7rpg, 3.1apg. Moreover she was the top player in Steals Stats having 3.1spg, 2FGP: 36.7%, 3PT: 40.5%, FT: 70.3%