Canada Back in Action for 3x3 Women's Series
The oldest inhabited city in Romania, Constanta played host to the latest tournament of the 2021 3x3 Women's Series, which saw the Canadian team make their first appearance since the Voiron tournament in May. This stop had one of the most stacked fields for a women's 3x3 tournament, with much of the world's best teams taking part with the final in Bucharest looming.
Made up of the Plouffe twins Katherine and Michelle, Paige Crozon and Laura Anne Dally, Canada were drawn into Pool D, where they would be facing host nation Romania and their closest neighbours the USA - but there was only room for the top two teams from each of the four groups in the business end of the tournament.
First up for the Canadians was Romania and after close start to their game, where the teams exchanged a narrow lead early on, Katherine Plouffe hit seven points in a row to put Canada up 11-3 after five minutes played. Her sister Michelle then picked up the scoring slack from outside the arc as Romania, unable to find rhythm or consistency while in possession resorted to slowing the game down. Canada
for their mistakes and allowed them no looks at scoring, rounding off a resounding ten-point win.
Later the same day Canada found themselves in yet another match-up with perennial rivals the USA.(Now Olympic gold medalists, though it was a different team that turned up in Constanta who made history in Tokyo.) They looked to provide much stiffer opposition for Canada with first place in the pool up for grabs.
Paige Crozon put the first points on the board, after which a two-pointer for Blake Dietrick followed by a jump shot by Jordan Reynolds put the USA in front. Michelle Plouffe immediately hit back, tying the scores and after three lead changes the scores were tied at six apiece.
It was Canada who broke the deadlock three points without reply and when the Americans closed the gap to one, the Canadians struck back and re-grew their lead with time winding down. Katherine Plouffe put up a buzzer-beating shot to seal the 12-10 victory over one of the tournament favourites.
Undefeated in the pool Canada moved on to face Poland, who finished second in their group behind Slovakia, on day two. After a slow start to the quarter final, Michelle Plouffe hit two outside shots in a row, which Dally and Katherine followed up to put Canada ahead 8-3. More inside shots kept the Canadians firmly in front until the final stretch, when Poland started cutting down their deficit from beyond the arc.
With a minute to go, Magdalena Parysek-Bochniak made it a one-point game, Michelle responded with a basket for good measure and Canada overcame the late scare and saw out the win, 18-16 over Poland. From there they faced a much bigger threat in the Netherlands, who had saw off Hungary 15-5 in the most one-sided quarter final tie.
Canada opened their semi final with four points unanswered and a further 5-2 run saw them lead the Dutch 9-3 after three minutes played. After which Esther Fokke ate into the Canadian lead and Lisanne De Jonge put the Netherlands in front. The Plouffes both found open looks in the paint to keep it close, with Michelle putting them up by one in the final minute.
Unfortunately Noortje Driessen tied the scores and a last-second foul on De Jonge saw her go to the free-throw line and make the shot that ended Canada's run in Constanta. With 6.8 points per game, Katherine finished as the tournament's top scorer and Michelle was one of the best outside shooters.
The chance at the title for the Dutch was thwarted in the final by Germany, who prevailed through greater stamina and consistency, winning the last game and the title by a single point. Canada will have a chance to avenge coming up short at the next stop on the Women's Series tour, which will take place on familiar ground in Montreal from September 3rd-4th.
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