FocusHoops WNBL1 Team of the Week (8/9 February 2025)

The standards across D1W remain high, with a three-way race at the top.

FocusHoops' Darren Paul, a writer, commentator, podcaster and more, saw Ipswich, CoLA and Brent all win once again as part of a six-strong D1W line up this past weekend.

With no stats from Brent vs Anglia Ruskin, those players were unable to be selected.

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 

Nina Wallace - Worcester Wolves, guard

13pts/10reb/15ast/2stl/32eff

The Wolves go back-to-back, with Wallace following last week's winner Carolina Marques to D1W POTW honours.

Worcester picked up a valuable 76-63 win over London Cavaliers on Saturday, with Wallace producing the standout stat line with a 13-point, 10-rebound, 15-assist triple-double.

Her output allowed the hosts to lead the contest from almost tip to buzzer, with a double-digit advantage from the second quarter onwards.

Her +/- of +16 was also a game-high, with good things happening for the Wolves whenever she was on the court.

Adaora Dioramma – CoLA Southwark Pride forward

20PTS/11REB/4ast/3stl/25EFF 

CoLA's emerging forward Dioramma continued to go from strength-to-strength this weekend as the young star played a pivotal role in her side's 76-69 win over a dogged Reading Rockets.

A team-high in points and rebounds, nine of Dioramma's points came in CoLA's 28-11 opening frame. The hosts would need that cushion as Reading tried to roar back in the closing stages, but the gap proved to be just too much.

Four assists and three steals further showcased Dioramma's qualities, throwing in a block for good measure.

Louisa Gibbins - Endeavour Ipswich Basketball, forward

15PTS/10reb/5AST/3blk/23EFF

Ipswich managed to scrape past Manchester in the North West on Saturday, coming through as 55-46 winners.

As is often the case in low scoring contests, individual production carries a big impact, and Gibbins' 15-point, 10-rebound double-double certainly fits the bill on that front.

Her 50% shooting on 6/12 efforts ensured an efficient outing, and game-highs in assists (five) and blocks (three) were both valuable contributions as well.

In what could have been a banana skin for Ipswich's regular season title defence, the Suffolk side came through unscathed and have Gibbins to thank for it.

Melissa Leet - Loughborough Riders, forward

13PTS/8reb/4blk/18EFF

Loughborough ran out as 65-55 road winners against Bristol, but that doesn't tell the story of the game as a whole. The Flyers led by as many as 14 points in the game, and were ahead 49-43 going into the final ten minutes.

Riders' forward Leet was a big reason for the turnaround, dropping 13 points on 50% shooting (6/12 FG) to go with a team-high eight rebounds and four blocks.

The visitors took the fourth quarter 22-6, with Leet providing seven points, a block, a steal and an assist in the frame. Three of those points came via her only made triple early in a key Loughborough 13-0 run, turning what had been a two point Bristol advantage with 5:46 remaining into a comfortable Riders victory come the final buzzer.

Loughborough's Melissa Leet (Nathan Green)

Alicia Guerra Rainford - Reading Rockets, guard

26PTS/7REB/3ast/25EFF 

A rare selection from a losing side, but Reading's Guerra Rainford deserves plenty of credit for keeping her side in their contest with title-chasing CoLA this weekend.

Her 26 points against D1W's tightest defence came on an efficient 10/16 (62%) shooting afternoon, with seven rebounds and three assists providing further production.

The Reading standout was one of only three Rockets to make it to double digits on the scoreboard, and going 5/7 from beyond the arc was a big part of her total.

Team basketball

BArking battle to down cobras

Barking Abbey took a crucial road victory from their trip to Cobham, with an impressive 69-53 win, thanks to a huge final period.

Cobham led the contest for the first three quarters, but a 29-10 final period clinched Barking Abbey their second win of the year. Nicole Clancy and Megan Verbeeten led the way in scoring, with 22 and 18 points respectively in the contest, but crucially they both bagged ten points in the fourth. Jess Jolley (8pts) got the scoring in the fourth started with a free throw and led Barking on the glass with six boards alongside Alice Woodward.

Kate Lee led the way for Cobham with 13 points, as the Cobras sit just outside the playoff places with six games to go.

Wolves blunt the Cavs' charge

Worcester Wolves took care of business at home to keep their playoff hopes alive thanks to a 76-63 victory over their playoff rivals London Cavaliers.

Wolves led from early in the first period, running out to a 22-point lead by the half, allowing themselves to manage the second half and take a valuable victory.

Nina Wallace led her side with an incredible triple-double effort (13-10-15) whilst Kacey Cox (15), Shanice Turner (14), and Heather Maxwell (11) all scored double-digits, with Maxwell completing an 11-11 double-double.

Theresa Jackson topped the scoring charts for the Cavaliers with 15 points on 50% shooting as the Londoners remain in an enthralling playoff chase.

Honourable mentions

Heather Maxwell (WOR) - 11P/11R/3S/4B/21EFF

Nicole Clancy (BA) - 22P/2R/2A/15EFF

Kristina Karpova (REA) - 19P/3R/4A/19EFF

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Main image credit - Worcester Wolves