Durham Palatinates 58-90 B. Braun Sheffield Hatters
Durham Palatinates starting five: Elle Hendershot, Katie Bennett, Harriet Ottewill-Soulsby, Orieoma Chukwu-Etu, Janika Griffith-Wallace.
B. Braun Sheffield Hatters starting five: Carla Drennan, Georgia Gayle, Emma Eichmeyer, Desiree Ramos, Madison Washington.
B. Braun Sheffield Hatters notched their second win of the 2023/24 season after overcoming a strong first-half challenge from the Durham Palatinates. Durham started strong, with exceptional teamwork and ball movement resulting in six early assisted points and a commanding 10-3 lead over the league’s number one side.
Harriet Ottewill-Soulsby made her 2023/24 season debut for Durham, showcasing dominance on the boards finishing with 14 in total. She returns after an outstanding 2022/23 season with the Palatinates, boasting averages of 21.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.
Sheffield, led by Carla Drennan, quickly responded, showing resilience despite Durham’s strong start. Drennan’s court vision and ball-handling played a pivotal role in maintaining Sheffield’s free-flowing offence.
The first quarter ended with a close score of 14-12 in favour of the Palatinates.
Janika Griffith-Wallace was a force for Durham, making four three-pointers and leading their offence in the early minutes of the second quarter.
Sheffield countered with 8 points in the key and multiple trips to the free-throw line, resulting in 21 second-quarter points, nearly doubling their first-quarter tally.
In the third quarter, Sheffield excelled, hitting seven three-pointers, as Georgia Gayle and Drennan found their rhythm from long range. Taking full control of the game, Durham struggled to maintain Hatters’ scoring arsenal, as Madison Washington and Emma Eichmeyer were able to bully their way inside for a combined 20 interior points.
Griffith-Wallace’s continued dynamic play created opportunities for Ottewill-Soulsby and Sophie Klassen inside the perimeter, simultaneously putting Sheffield into foul trouble.
Thanks to a stunning 55-29 second half, the Hatters secured a 32-point victory, maintaining their undefeated season. Despite an admirable start, Durham suffered their second loss of the 2023/24 campaign and will aim to bounce back in their next game.
Player of the Game:
Georgia Gayle was the complete package in this matchup, putting on a shooting clinic, which included 24 points (6-12 3pt), while also being a defensive dynamo, recording three steals and a block.
| Team | Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Durham Palatinates | Janika Griffith-Wallace | 22 | 1 | 3 |
| Durham Palatinates | Harriet Ottewill-Soulsby | 12 | 14 | 1 |
| B. Braun Sheffield Hatters | Georgia Gayle | 24 | 2 | 6 |
| B. Braun Sheffield Hatters | Emma Eichmeyer | 19 | 6 | 6 |
Oaklands Wolves 78-92 Leicester Riders
The opening quarter of the game between the Oaklands Wolves and the Leicester Riders was nothing short of epic, with both teams engaged in consecutive scoring possessions.
Caterrion Thompson’s early contribution of five points set the stage for a steady 9-4 start for the Wolves. However, back-to-back scoring efforts from Sam Ashby brought the Riders right back into the contest.
Oaklands’ Shaquera Wade displayed her efficiency both within and beyond the three-point range. Not to be outdone, Leicester’s Jess Eadsforth-Yates and Ashby delivered crucial buckets, keeping the game neck-and-neck.
Taylor O’Brien showcased her agility, deftly slicing through the Oaklands’ defence for a clutch two-pointer, while Wade knocked down her second catch-and-shoot three of the game.
The first quarter ended with a fiercely competitive tone, as the visiting Riders held a slim advantage, leading 20-24.
The second quarter started with Jorjah Smith sinking a long-range shot, opening the scoring for Oaklands. The Wolves went on a seven-point scorcher. This run was capped off by a wide-open layup from Amy West on a fast break, with Smith collecting her third assist in just five minutes on the floor.
Ashby found an opening for the Riders, logging their first points of the second quarter and reaching double-figure scoring in only 8 minutes of action.
Leicester improved upon their slow start to the quarter, with Rayven Peeples making a strong take to the hoop, turning it into a three-point play and bringing the Riders within one possession at 42-41.
A well-executed baseline play by the Riders came short of securing two critical points just before the halftime buzzer, leaving Oaklands with a slim 44-41 lead.
The score remained tightly contested in the opening minutes of the third quarter, as both teams exchanged baskets.
However, a pivotal 8-0 run by the Riders, highlighted by Marissa Hamilton’s clutch three-point shot, swung the momentum in favour of Leicester.
Oaklands’ Jorjah Smith answered with a pair of three-pointers, including a remarkable step-back effort from beyond the arc.
But, a deep three-pointer from McKenzie Johnston on the other side of the floor helped Leicester maintain their lead, with the third quarter concluding at 62-71.
Leicester continued their strong offensive performance into the final period, with Jessica Eadsforth-Yates nailing two crucial three-pointers that forced Oaklands into an impromptu timeout.
The Wolves intensified their defensive efforts, with Amy West and Allison Day denying consecutive scoring attempts by Leicester. However, O’Brien displayed her prowess by powering through Oaklands’ towering defence.
In the end, Leicester finished strong, securing the victory with a final score of 92-78. The Riders showcased an impressive 30-point performance in the third quarter, while Oaklands fought valiantly but fell short in the face of the Riders’ offensive tempo.
Player of the Game:
McKenzie Johnston delivered a stellar performance in this matchup, leaving an indelible mark on the game. Johnston’s all-around contribution was nothing short of exceptional, finishing the game with 19 points, shooting a perfect 2-2 from beyond the three-point line, grabbing an impressive nine rebounds, dishing out five crucial assists, and swiping the ball three times on defence. Her versatility was on full display, coming just one rebound and five assists shy of a triple-double.
| Team | Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Oaklands Wolves | Shaquera Wade | 14 | 5 | 3 |
| Oaklands Wolves | Caterrion Thompson | 14 | 5 | 2 |
| Leicester Riders | Taylor O’Brien | 21 | 3 | 2 |
| Leicester Riders | McKenzie Johnston | 19 | 9 | 5 |
Nottingham Wildcats 66-93 Essex Rebels
The game began with a hot start for the Essex Rebels, as Katherine Tudor and Dayzsha Rogan combined to score all nine of the visitors’ opening points.
Mari Stewart stepped up for the Nottingham Wildcats, sinking two consecutive shots to get her team back into the contest.
However, Rogan showcased her prowess with layups that seemed unstoppable, leaving the Wildcats’ defence struggling to contain her.
Nottingham responded with determination. A scooping layup by Jessica Wayne injected renewed energy into the Wildcats, followed swiftly by an impressive breakaway layup by Abbey Whitehouse.
A tough baseline jumper by Stewart then gifted the Wildcats with their first lead of the game.
Claire Paxton, however, maintained her composure and sank two free throws, resulting in a seesaw first quarter, with the Rebels holding a slim lead of 15-16.
Rebels began the second period with a barnstorming performance, led by Darcy Rees, who made a tough finish at the basket. Additional points from Paxton and Rogan further extended the Rebels’ lead.
Despite the Wildcats having some great looks, they struggled to convert, allowing the Rebels to maintain their advantage.
Rogan continued to be a driving force, surpassing 10 points in just 10 minutes. A late surge of points from Nottingham, however, tilted the game closer in their favour.
Megan Haines executed a fantastic take for a reverse layup to keep the visitors slightly ahead.
Centre Brooke Bjelko’s mid-ranged shot shortened the gap for the Wildcats, but a series of unfortunate misses allowed the Rebels to maintain their lead, with the score at 33-38 at the end of a pulsating first half.
The second half began with a flurry of scoring, as Valerie Cassidy De Falco of the Wildcats rattled off three quick buckets to provide her team with their second lead of the game.
Essex Rebels were not to be outdone, with Tudor making her presence felt by carving out a comeback with a pair of clutch layups, ensuring the game remained tightly contested.
It was a classic nail-biter, with both teams executing some great scoring plays. Stewart was on fire, accumulating a double-double for the Wildcats with plenty of time to spare, while Claire Paxton’s two quick buckets in succession propelled the Essex Rebels back into the lead.
As the third quarter concluded, the Rebels held a narrow advantage with the score at 52-57.
The Essex Rebels put on a sensational performance in the final quarter, particularly from beyond the arc. They converted an incredible five three-pointers in a row, with Tudor claiming four of them, pushing her total points to 28 for the game.
The Rebels capitalized on this 25-point blitz, securing their largest lead of the game, a substantial 26 points.
The Wildcats, however, did not give up easily. They fought admirably, considering the Rebels’ hot hands around the perimeter. All five Wildcats’ starters registered double-figure scoring, with Stewart and Bjelko both achieving double-doubles in points and rebounds.
In the end, the Essex Rebels emerged victorious in style, with a final score of 66-93. Their sharpshooting and dominant fourth quarter deservedly secured the win, but both teams deserve credit for putting on a thrilling and competitive display of basketball.
Player of the Game:
Katherine Tudor’s outstanding performance deserves special recognition. She displayed exceptional scoring abilities, amassing an impressive 28 points while shooting an astonishing 83% from inside and a remarkable 42% from beyond the three-point arc. Tudor’s ability to sink crucial three-pointers was a game-changer, as she nailed an impressive 4-of-4 attempts in the final quarter.
| Team | Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Nottingham Wildcats | Jessica Wayne | 16 | 9 | 4 |
| Nottingham Wildcats | Mari Stewart | 13 | 13 | 1 |
| Essex Rebels | Katherine Tudor | 28 | 2 | 7 |
| Essex Rebels | Dayzsha Rogan | 19 | 6 | 2 |
Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles 49-90 Caledonia Gladiators
Caledonia Gladiators showcased their dominance and secured a convincing 49-90 victory over the Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles.
The first quarter of the game set the tone for what was to come, with Yehveniia Putra, a standout player so far for Caledonia, immediately causing trouble for Newcastle’s defence by notching up four swift points.
The Gladiators raced to a 14-2 lead, capping off an impressive opening quarter. However, a late layup by Zoe Willis gave the Eagles a glimpse of hope, bringing the score into double digits.
The second quarter continued to be dominated by the Gladiators, as Sokhna Binton Lo Sylla connected on back-to-back layups.
Newcastle’s Courtney Clasen momentarily found her scoring rhythm, nailing a three-pointer off a precise pass from Maria Fernandez Pardo.
Despite outscoring the Gladiators in the final minutes of the first half, the Eagles still trailed by a considerable margin, with the score at 27-46.
Caledonia’s Laken James found her groove from beyond the arc in the third quarter, with Samantha Roscoe and Robyn Lewis providing the perfect assists.
The Gladiators extended their lead with a devastating 15-2 run, creating a significant gap for the Eagles to overcome as they headed into the last quarter, trailing 40-70.
Newcastle made an effort to mount a comeback in the final period, scoring four quick points, with Katie Nolan disrupting Caledonia’s offensive flow.
Nolan added three more points down the stretch, but the Gladiators responded with a flurry of baskets, including deep shots by Chantelle Handy and Hannah Robb, securing a resounding victory.
Player of the Game:
Yehveniia Putra’s outstanding double-double performance made her the Player of the Game in a dominant display for the Caledonia Gladiators. With a game-high 20 points and 12 rebounds, Putra’s contributions were instrumental in the Gladiators’ resounding victory.
| Team | Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles | Courtney Clasen | 19 | 8 | 0 |
| Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles | Katie Nolan | 10 | 12 | 1 |
| Caledonia Gladiators | Yevheniia Putra | 20 | 12 | 0 |
| Caledonia Gladiators | Kirsty Brown | 11 | 5 | 5 |
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