Canada make 3x3 Women's Series debut in Turin
The northern Italian city of Turin played home to the second stop of the inaugural 3x3 Women's Series, also serving as Canada's debut on the circuit.
Serious about making a splash on their first appearance, a top Canadian team had been assembled: two-time Olympians Katherine and Michelle Plouffe, Utah Utes star Paige Crozon and Brittany Dorsett, formerly of the Johnson C Smith Golden Bulls.
They found themselves in the toughest of the two pools, which also contained the USA, France and the Czech Republic. In Pool B, hosts Italy - featuring 3x3 star Rae Marie D’alie - were to face Serbia, Mongolia and Ireland. The team that finished first in the pool advanced to the semi-finals, while the teams in second and third both enter into a final playoff to remain in the competition.
Canada did not get off to a good start: losing 14-7 to France in the opening game, where they never really got going. They fared better in their second game against eternal foes the USA, trying to get themselves back into it after the USA pulled away and took a six-point lead mid-way through.
Despite their best efforts Canada had too much ground to make up and were resigned to defeat, 18-15, with Michelle Plouffe leading the team with eight points in the loss.
It was then last-chance saloon for Canada, and they rose to the occasion with a 20-6 win over the Czech Republic. Michelle Plouffe once again led the scoring, while Paige Crozon took care of the team’s defence.
This win won them a place in the knockout stage against Serbia, who so far had lost only to Pool B winners Italy on day one. Meanwhile, France defeated the USA to top Pool A, earning them a semi-final berth while USA would have to face Mongolia in the quarter finals.
The next day Canada found themselves in a see-saw game against Serbia, who took the lead early on and went on to lead by six points. Michelle Plouffe performed heroics from outside the arc as time started to tick down - she tied the scores ahead of the final minute, then dropped a floating layup. This turned out to be the last point scored in the game, and the winner for Canada, who moved on to the semi-finals.
It was the opposite story in the next game against France: Canda lead by six points early on, but were undone by France’s work in the field and they watched their lead disappear. Caroline Heriaud gave France the lead with just over 1:30 remaining and Ana Maria Filip put the game to bed from the line.
Despite falling short of the top, Canada put in an impressive inaugural performance in Turin. The Plouffe twins’ experience showed, with Michelle averaging a tournament-best 6.6 points per game as well as 6.8 rebounds, which put her in the top five. Katherine finished the third-highest scorer with 5.4 points per game.
France remained unbeaten and carried their winning momentum into the final, where they completely dominated hosts Italy 19-6, with Laetitia Guapo leading all with nine points. This marked France's first win on the 3x3 Women's Series.
Canada are due to play in the next stop in the series, held in the French city of Poitiers on the first weekend in July. For more information on the 3x3 Women's Series, visit the official FIBA website.
