As a writer, commentator, podcaster and more, Darren saw Solent and Loughborough stay perfect on the season, plus Thames Valley beating reigning champs CoLA as part of five games spread across the weekend.
Have your say on this week's choices and give a shout-out to the players you think deserve one using the hashtag #NBL2223. Don't forget to tag us!
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Darren will pick a Player of the Week and four other selections to round out his Team of the Week, paying attention to the following criteria:
Other players will also receive a shout out as honourable mentions at the bottom of the piece.
Three weeks into the new WNBL season and Alia El Shabrawy is on a tear as she makes it three appearances from three in my Team of the Week, also claiming top billing as my Player of the Week here.
Fresh off a triple-double last time out, El Shabrawy came close to that feat once again with a 25 points and 13 rebound double-double, falling just two assists shy as Loughborough downed Cardiff 80-46.
The talented guard shot well, hitting 47% from the floor and going 7-9 from the charity stripe, all whilst dishing eight assists and contributing with rebounds at both ends of the floor.
It was another excellent all-around performance, leaving many to wonder how long this level of output can continue.
After featuring in every Team of the Week so far this season, Alia El Shabrawy is the standout in week 3 👑#NBL2223 | #GameTime pic.twitter.com/pX73Bip8bx
— NBL (@NBLengland) October 18, 2022
Lindsey Cleary’s move to Reading from Nottingham over the summer looks to be one of the signings of the early season.
Another impressive performance from the American sees her in my Team of the Week thanks to an efficient 18 points on 69% shooting. Cleary pulled down 12 boards, an even six at both ends of the floor, to go with her three dimes and three steals.
The former NTU standout has been a big factor in a solid start to the season for her new team, and deserves the recognition for her output this weekend.
Fatmata Janneh returned to the line up for the London Lions II and goes straight into my Team of the Week as her 21-16 double-double against Bristol helped the Lions pick up their first win of the year.
Janneh did much of her damage inside and at the strip where she knocked down 5-6 freebies and took control of the defensive glass for 14 of her rebounds. Janneh also dished six dimes and snagged four steals in an important victory for the Lions.
London Lions II bagged their first win of the season while there was a second defeat in a row for defending champs CoLA in another exciting round of WNBL action.
— NBL (@NBLengland) October 17, 2022
🗞 https://t.co/N7xu4ACUGh#GameTime | #NBL2223 pic.twitter.com/NOsqGJpJhV
Kat Goldsby’s 13 points helped TVC take down last year’s dominant force CoLA on the road in week three, pushing Goldsby into my Team of the Week in the process.
Goldsby, who was fouled eight times in the contest, made the most of those opportunities to hit 5-7 from the stripe to go with her 40% shooting from the floor, also pulling down six rebounds and dishing three dimes.
The American played disciplined basketball, committing just one turnover and two fouls whilst getting two blocks and two steals in another captain’s performance from TVC’s leader.
A fabulously efficient 22 minutes from Helene Trailin sees her make a debut in my Team of the Week after her 19 points and 16 assists double-double helped TVC down last year’s champs CoLA 69-50.
Trailin hit 80% from the floor and went 3-4 from the stripe on her way to 19 points, cleaning up on the defensive glass to pull down more defensive rebounds (12) than anyone else had total rebounds in the contest!
ANYTHING YOU CAN DO..
— NBL (@NBLengland) October 16, 2022
Watch @ChloeHinett (@FlyersWomen) and Fatmata Janneh (@AbbeyBasketball x @londonlionsw) GO AT each other from distance.
Great advert for WNBL D1. Relive it here: https://t.co/wUcZ05b82g#GameTime | #NBL2223 pic.twitter.com/Tah2vOdYlT
London Lions II picked up their first win of the year thanks in part to the season debuts of Fatmata Janneh and Ruchae Walton. Both enjoyed impressive outings on the road against Bristol, helping to seal a 63-55 victory.
Janneh and captain Walton went for a combined 38 points, with Walton pulling down six offensive boards, three steals and a block to complement Janneh’s 16 boards and six dimes.
Tamara Smith-White was also in on the act for the Lions, bagging 12 points and six boards to see the Londoners bounce back from a tough loss last weekend.
Reading Rockets picked up a huge win this weekend as they downed Worcester Wolves 74-50 on the road.
Reading started hot in the first, winning the period 21-7 and after letting Worcester back into the contest during the second quarter, the Rockets shut things down after the main change. Settling the match up with a 22-6 third frame allowed the visitors to manage the final period and bag a crucial victory.
Reading had five scorers in double-digits, with Cleary's 18-12 double-double leading the way. Maike Meier also finished with a 10-11 double-double as Reading made it back-to-back road wins.
Jasmine Graham (LOU) - 10P/12R/1A/18EFF
Faye Endean (TSK) - 24pts (no live stats available)
Maike Maier (REA) - 10P/11R/2A/17EFF
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Main image credit - Loughborough Basketball
TOTW graphic credits - Loughborough Basketball, Luke Simcock, Graham Hodges, Imagequest
