With the announcement that Bristol elected to withdraw during the previous pause to the campaign, news emerged this week that reigning National Cup champs Anglia Ruskin have also chosen to call time on the current season.
Like Bristol, ARU plan to re-enter the WNBL in 2021/22 and Basketball England wishes the programme well during the coming months.
After announcing an amended structure that would take the league through to a play-off final in late May, ARU's withdrawal has meant those plans are now being re-examined.
After not playing a game since mid-December, Solent will have a tough return to the court this weekend as they take on table-topping Loughborough.
The Riders are the only team to have played so far in 2021, beating BA London Lions II last weekend 77-62.
American Makana Stone was on fine form in that game, finishing with 18 points, 15 boards and nine steals as she fell just short of an impressive triple-double.
Ranking in the league's top 10 for efficiency, points, rebounds, and steals, it's been a stellar debut campaign from the Coupeville, Wash. native.
Solent have match winners of their own though, including guard Krisztina Velkey, who enjoyed a team high 23 points when these teams met to open the season. The Kestrels won 98-83 that day, with Velkey, Faye Endean and Andrea Kurkowski all playing well.
The Hungarian does it all for the South Coast side, leading her team in every major category bar rebounding and steals, where she's still second.
Stone didn't play when these sides last met, Velkey's match up with the American is sure to catch the eye this weekend.
.
2pm - Team Solent Kestrels v Loughborough Riders - LIVE STATS/LIVESTREAM LOCATION
Main image credit - Luke Simcock
