FocusHoops WNBL1 Team of the Week (September 28/29 2024)

D1W returns for another season, with FocusHoops' Darren Paul back on the scene to select his Player and Team of the Week.

Paul, a writer, commentator, podcaster and more, made his picks from the opening weekend, including Ipswich's win over Barking Abbey.

Have your say on this week's choices and give a shout-out to the players you think deserve one using the hashtag #NBL2425. Don't forget to tag us!     

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How it works   

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: 

  • Efficiency   
  • Stats   
  • Team and opposition strength   
  • Periods of influence in the game  
  • Being on a winning team (exceptional performances from players on losing teams will be considered for TOTW) 

The FocusHoops Team of the Week 

PLAYER OF THE WEEK 

Louisa Gibbins – Endeavour Ipswich Basketball, forward

21PTS/16Reb/5AST/2stl/2blk/34EFF

Louisa Gibbins was a force to be reckoned with for Ipswich as she took Player of the Week honours after a massive performance against Barking Abbey.

Gibbins finished with a 21 points, 16-rebound double-double, splitting her boards with eight apiece at either end of the floor.

Gibbins has excelled since her opening season in D1W and looks set to be a major piece for Ipswich once again.

Harriet Welham – Endeavour Ipswich basketball, guard

30PTS/6Reb/3ast/30EFF

Another season, another Team of the Week appearance for Harriet Welham, who led all scorers this weekend in the WNBL D1.

Welham shot well for Ipswich as they took down Barking Abbey, finishing with 30 points, hitting 9/20 from the floor and going perfect 9/9 from the stripe.

Ever consistent, Welham, who added six board and three dimes, has truly picked up where she left off.

Erin Caldwell - Loughborough Riders, guard

20PTS/4Reb/17EFF

Erin Caldwell’s 20-point effort for Loughborough helped turn the tide in their come-from-behind win over Thames Valley Cavaliers.

Caldwell scored 15 points in the third, including seven unanswered, in the pivotal period as the Riders mounted their charge.

Caldwell went 6/10 from the floor and hit a perfect 7/7 from the stripe in a great outing that also saw her take down four rebounds and find her teammates with an assist.

Sophie Khalaf – Cobham Cobras, forward

14PTS/11RBS/2ast/2stl/19EFF

Newly-promoted Cobham Cobras got their D1 campaign off to a great start with a victory over Reading, and Sophie Khalaf’s 14 points and 11 rebounds were a huge factor in that.

Khalaf led her side in scoring, shooting 58% from the bench, whilst pulling down six offensive rebounds and registered two assists and two steals as Cobham made a statement on their D1 debut.  

Rehana Khalil – Manchester Mystics, guard

12PTS/9RBS/4AST/6stl/21EFf

Manchester Mystics took down the newly-promoted Worcester Wolves on Saturday.

Rehana Khalil was the pick of the players with a near-double-double performance, finishing with 12 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.

In addition she was a menace on defence, finishing with six steals, a weekend high across D1W.

Manchester's Rehana Khalil (Harry Collins)

Team basketball

Loughborough dig deep to topple tvc

Loughborough Riders opened their account this season with an impressive 78-70 win over Thames Valley Cavaliers on the road.

TVC held a five-point lead heading into the half, but Loughborough and Erin Caldwell excelled in the third, winning the period 28-20, Caldwell with 15 of them. The Riders got to their spot inside and were excellent from two-point range, going 24/40 from inside the arc.

Caldwell and Shaw were the only Riders in double figures, but it was a big team effort with contributions from across the roster.

TVC were led by one of the stars of the WNBL, Kat Goldsby, who finished with a 31-13 double-double.

cobras dominate on debut

Cobham Cobras set out to make a statement from the opening tip-off on Saturday, with a 21-2 opening period on their way to a 66-44 win over Reading Rockets.

Cobham, who have strengthened an already impressive roster over the off-season, had three players finishing in double-digit scoring, with Sophie Khalaf (14pts), Amy Andrews (12pts) and Fran Quinn (11pts) all leading the way.

Cobham made it difficult for Reading, limiting their southern rivals to 51 shot attempts in the 40 minutes.

Despite their limited opportunities, Reading was led in scoring by Millie Day and Jade Blackburn, who both bagged 11 points.

Honourable mentions

Kat Goldsby (TVC) - 31P/13R/4S/26EFF

Jess Jolley (BAR) - 13P/9R/4A/2S/3B/23EFF

Adaora Dioramma (CoLA) - 11P/12R/3A/2S/16EFF

Ayla Habbal (CoLA) - 18P/8R/7A/16EFF

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Team of the Week photo credits - Luke Simcock (Gibbins, Welham, Caldwell), B.East Photography (Khalil)