Canada in Clermont-Ferrand - 3x3 Women's Series Report

Canada were back at the 3x3 Women's Series for the first time since the 2024 opener in April. The central French city of Clermont-Ferrand played host to the second European stop of the Women's Tour this year, where familiar faces Katherine Plouffe and Paige Crozon were representing Canada alongside Cassandra Brown and Mackenzie Smith of the SJU Hawks.

Eleven other teams had made the trip to France for one of the most stacked 3x3 fields of the season so far. Day one of the tournament saw them play in pools of three, the top two teams in each progressing to the knockout stage on day two.

Canada opened the tournament against China Under-24, where after they put up an early 5-2 run, Yaling Huang tied the scores with a two-pointer. Canada replied with six points unanswered then added three more to lead 15-8. They then got to within a point of victory but China were still scorching from beyond the arc, closing the gap with four points unanswered.

With a minute left on the clock Crozon drew a foul and hit the game-winning free-throw, getting Canada off to the best start in Clermont-Ferrand with the 21-18 win. Crozon continued her hot streak against Austria in the next pool game, where Canada went in front early on behind low-post points from her and Plouffe.

After Crozon put up three unanswered points herself in just under a minute, the Austrians attempted to close the gap from beyond the arc but had no answer for Crozon or Brown, who had found her rhythm from two-point territory. Crozon hit her eighth basket of the game to bring the pool to a close for Canada

Undefeated on day one, Canada finish first in Pool A and set up a quarter final meeting with Pool C runners-up Puerto Rico the next day. There Crozon and Brown opened the scoring for Canada, together giving their team an early lead of four which Plouffe made into six points but almost instantly the Puerto Ricans made it a single-possession game from beyond the arc.

Crozon responded with two outside baskets of her own, Puerto Rico replied with a 5-1 run ahead of the final minute. With two seconds left Mari Placido drew a foul and hit two from the charity stripe, which tied the scores and eventually sent the game to OT. Brown would be the hero for Canada,

The field was just down to four teams and the competition was heating up as the final was now just a game away for the remaining teams. Canada now faced the Netherlands - who had steamrolled their way into the semi-finals, looking to continue that run against the Canadians.

Katherine Plouffe came out firing for Canada in the low post, giving the team an early lead that Julia Jorritsma and Noortje Dreiseen levelled soon after. Crozon combined with her team mate to put together a run of five points unanswered, she then nudged Canada closer to the 21-point mark.

However the Dutch threatened as time started to tick down in the semi final, but it was Mackenzie Smith who made the shot deep in the last minute to seal the three-point win for Canada which secured their spot in the final.

Canada had once again made the finals of a 3x3 tournament but were to face their toughest task yet. Their opponents were the only other undefeated team in the tournament, France, who could count on plenty of home support in the final battle for the top prize in Clermont-Ferrand.

Plouffe hit three points within a minute early on in the final, but Eva Marie Paget and Hortense Limouzin were quick to respond and give the lead to France. Canada kept it tight but could not contain the low post play of the French, who went seven points without reply, leading 18-10 with two minutes left.

Brown put up a two-pointer for good measure but that was followed by Limouzin making the two plays needed for France to close the game out with a rapturous home victory for France. Canada came close but despite the final loss Paige Crozon had an amazing tournament, third of all players in Clermont-Ferrand with a 6.6 scoring average while Katherine Plouffe was the top rebounder of the tournament.

It won't be long for Canada have a chance to avenge this loss - they begin play in the next tournament in Orleans, which begins on Thursday. Check back here for full coverage of the next stop on the 3x3 Women's Tour and find out more over on the official FIBA website.