Both Barking Abbey sides progressed to the Final Fours last Wednesday, and it's no surprise to see the London programme provide a pair of worthy Player of the Week winners in the form of Amarlie Wilkinson and Megan Verbeeten.
With no stats from City of London Academy - Southwark vs Manchester Magic in the EABL and City of London Academy - Southwark vs Charnwood College Riders in the WEABL, those players were unable to be considered for selection.
With #1 seeds Barking Abbey wanting to start the playoffs with a bang, Amarlie Wilkson ensured they did just that with a stunning performance in his side's 99-53 victory against Derby Trailblazers.
Dropping 20 points (second most in the game) on 69% shooting, Wilkinson demonstrated his all round talent to add 10 assists plus six rebounds to what was already a good day at the office.
On defence, he swiped an impressive six steals and batted away a block, providing too much for Derby to cope with at both ends of the court.
Wilkinson said: "Coming into the playoffs we were prepared and ready to fight. Our team produced the exact way we wanted down to the last detail, which gave me the ability to achieve.
"Now we begin to prepare for the next game. Watch out for Barking Abbey!"
BA Head Coach Rikki Broadmore added: "Amarlie showed what a great leader he is for this team as we began the playoffs. He really set the tone, controlling the game from start to finish at both ends of the floor.
"I'm very happy with his performance, but next week is a new challenge. Charnwood is a strong team, and we will need another performance like the one against Derby to advance to the Final. I'm confident that he and the team will rise to the occasion!"
Harry Godwin (MYE) - 23P/5R/8A/27EFF
Ethan Round (JMA) - 25P/6R/3A/28EFF
Ethan Conway (BA) - 18P/7R/5A/3S/28EFF
Jakub Ofman (ITC) - 24P/7R/2S/26EFF
Nektarios Papadopoulos (BMET) - 31P/8R/5A/35EFF
Fin Morgan (COP) - 43P/6R/3A/2S/38EFF
The only upset on Wednesday afternoon came in the Midlands as a Megan Verbeeten-inspired Barking Abbey used a period of OT to see off North #2 seeds Nottingham Academy Wildcats 79-77.
Verbeeten's contribution to the road win was huge, dropping a game-high 31 points, 16 more than her next closest team-mate, and taking 26 of her sides' 81 shots.
Adding 11 rebounds for a sizable double-double, plus five steals and four blocks on defence, the only down side to the standout performance was a team-high six turnovers.
With such a high involvement in the contest, plus a total of 40:47 of action, the turnover numbers are more understandable, and most certainly outweighed by everything else Verbeeten did on a stunning afternoon for her side.
She said: “I'm really proud of the girls, it was a really hard fought win. I’m happy I was able to contribute both ends of the floor to help us secure the overtime win."
Barking Abbey Head Coach Lauren Milligan added: “It was an amazing team effort and such a fun game to coach. Megan has shown all year that she’s one of the best scorers in the country and by leading us to the semi-final, it is evidence of the work and resilience she shows on a weekly basis”
Irene Oboavwoduo (MAN) - 21P/3R/6A/2S/22EFF
Holly Ensoll (COP) 21P/15R/4B/33EFF
Kosi Anyanwu (NOT) - 20P/13R/2S/2B/28EFF
Millie Day (JMA) - 26P/15R/4S/18EFF
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