3x3 Women's Series in Edmonton - Finals Day Recap
For the second day in a row the Ice District played host to first-rate, ultra-competitive 3x3 basketball, continuing on from the day before. Now there was a lot on the line for the teams still in contention as the winners of the 3x3 Women's Series in Edmonton would be decided.
Host nation Canada and the USA had both secured byes to the semi-finals after winning their respective pools. Looking to advance and meet up with them were Germany and France along with Force10 and Exewing, who would face off in the quarter finals for the two spots in the next round.
In the first game of day two, Exewing had the lead before Laetitia Guapo stamped her authority, scoring seven in a row for France, giving them a crucial advantage in the last minute of regulation. France advanced with the four-point win, while there was more drama in the German-Force 10 tie. There was never more than three points between the teams, though Germany's outside shooting kept the lead with them.
With the scores tied at eighteen apiece, Force10's Merritt Hempe drew the foul and brought Force10 to within a point of victory. Kathryn Westbeld followed this up tipping in a missed layup by Alexis Peterson to win the game for Force10. This narrow win for the American team saw them snatch the semi-final spot where awaiting them was the tournament host team.
In their semi-final Canada were immediately put on the back foot by Force10, but kept it close from the outset. When the American team went three points in front, Michelle Plouffe then tied the scores with Kacie Bosch gave Canada their first lead of the game. Michelle increased the lead drawing fouls and hitting from the low post, getting Canada closer to twenty-one points, but Alexis Peterson drew a foul and hit two from the line to tie the scores at 20.
The next score would win the game and Canada turned to Michelle Plouffe who did not disappoint: delivering a turnaround jumper over Peterson for the win. Canada marched on to the final, much to the approval of the home crowds.
In determining who would be joining them, France and the USA kept exchanging baskets throughout, with Guapo keeping the lead with the French. Lauren Cox tied the game with a two, beginning a 6-1 run for the Americans who went in front, though France were quick to prevent them from breaking away further.
Romane Bernies tried to edge France back in front but as the game entered its final stretch Breanna Richardson and Linnae Harper put the lead out of reach, with Harper sinking the game-winning two for the Americans. Once again Canada found themselves facing eternal rivals the USA, only this time there was a lot more riding on it, not just the chance to defeat the USA and win the tournament, but to do it on home soil.
Scoring was scarce at the start until Linnae Harper three from beyond the arc and the Americans suddenly had a 6-1 lead. Finding and helping create scoring chances, Katherine closed the gap to one with Michelle then putting Canada in front with a corner two.
The Plouffe twins continued to maintain Canada's lead from all distances on offence, until another two from Harper and a put-back jump shot by Breanna Richardson tied the scores with just under three minutes on the clock. The Plouffes continued to connect with each other and the basket to return the Canadian lead and, with a final long-arcing two, Michelle brought the tournament to a close with the result the hosts and those at the Ice District all wanted.
The driving force in Canada's success, Michelle Plouffe finished as the tournament's top scorer, with Paige Crozon finishing third behind her team mate and Katherine was one of the leading defensive players. Winning their first Women's Series tournament of 2022 mattered most to the entire team, all the more that it came for them at home in Canada.
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