Manchester Giants 65-77 Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles
Manchester Giants starting five: Brooklynn McAlear-Fanus, Georgia Anderson, Myah Pace, Hannah Shaw, Emilie Black.
Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles starting five: Cherita Daugherty, Chloe Gaynor, Maria Fernandez Pardo, Abigail Lowe, Katie Nolan.
In a thrilling first half of basketball action, the Manchester Giants and the Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles battled fiercely for the win in a match that promised excitement from the tip-off.
The Manchester Giants got off to a roaring start, showcasing exceptional ball movement that resulted in six early assisted points. Their cohesive teamwork allowed them to surge ahead to a 10-3 lead. It was a display of textbook execution that kept the home crowd on their feet.
However, the Newcastle Eagles were not to be underestimated. Katie Nolan, with her keen court vision and effective penetration, managed to keep the Giants’ defence on their toes. Her crafty plays were vital in maintaining the Eagles’ competitiveness throughout the first half.
This surge in the Eagles’ momentum closed the first quarter with a tight score of 14-12, favouring the Giants.
The second quarter saw the Manchester Giants extending their lead with the hot hands of Myah Pace, who drained two consecutive three-pointers. Brooklynn McAlear-Fanus joined the three-point spectacle, as the Giants showcased their proficiency from beyond the arc.
Despite the Giants’ impressive long-range shooting, Katie Nolan continued to dominate inside, using her crafty moves to score crucial points for the Eagles. At the close of the first half, Manchester maintained a slim lead.
The third quarter was marked by a remarkable three-point shooting display by the Eagles, going 4/7 from beyond the arc.
Manchester mounted a late comeback, led by Lauren Thomas-Johnson, who drew a crucial foul off a fierce offensive rebound and sparked an 8-0 scoring frenzy. Thomas-Johnson would finish with a team-high 22 points, going 7/12 from inside the arc.
Despite the Giants’ late resurgence, the visiting Eagles sealed the deal with three consecutive scoring possessions, putting an end to Manchester’s hopes of a comeback victory.
Player of the Game
Katie Nolan of the Newcastle Eagles stood out as the Player of the Game. She contributed a team-high 26 points, accompanied by an impressive 12 rebounds, seven of which were offensive, displaying her dominance on both ends of the court. Nolan’s remarkable performance was instrumental in securing the Eagles’ victory in this thrilling contest.
| Team | Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Manchester Giants | Lauren Thomas-Johnson | 22 | 5 | 2 |
| Manchester Giants | Myah Pace | 16 | 8 | 2 |
| Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles | Katie Nolan | 26 | 12 | 1 |
| Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles | Maria Fernandez Pardo | 17 | 4 | 7 |
B. Braun Sheffield Hatters 104-55 Nottingham Wildcats
B. Braun Sheffield Hatters starting five: Carla Drennan, Nicolette Fairley, Georgia Gayle, Emma Eichmeyer, Madison Washington.
Nottingham Wildcats starting five: Abbey Whitehouse, Jocie Leavold, Mari Stewart, Jessica Wayne, Brooke Bjelko.
In a sensational kick-off to their 2023/24 campaign, the B. Braun Sheffield Hatters left the crowd in awe with a resounding victory over the Nottingham Wildcats, securing a commanding 49-point win. The Hatters displayed an exceptional team effort, with an astounding seven players reaching double-digit scoring figures.
The Hatters wasted no time making their mark, starting the game with a burst of energy that left the Wildcats reeling. In less than five minutes into the first quarter, they had surged to a commanding 20-3 lead, displaying near-flawless shooting accuracy.
Valerie Cassidy De Falco and Jessica Wayne managed to put some points on the board for the Wildcats. However, it was Carla Drennan on her Hatters debut, who delivered the knockout punch with a buzzer-beating lay-up, extending the lead to a formidable 35-12 at the end of the first quarter.
The Hatters continued to pile on the points in the second quarter, leaving the Wildcats struggling to keep up. Nottingham turned to Mari Stewart, who contributed 15 points, and Brooke Bjelko, who added 13 points in their quest to close the gap.
Nottingham fought valiantly into the second half, but Sheffield’s deep roster of scorers, including Georgia Gayle and the unstoppable Madison Washington, proved to be too much to handle. Washington’s phenomenal performance culminated with her reaching a personal total of 21 points, pushing the Hatters past the 100-point milestone.
Player of the Game
Madison Washington’s outstanding performance, featuring 21 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks, made her the clear standout in this electrifying matchup. Her all-around contribution was instrumental in the Sheffield Hatters’ emphatic victory, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
| Team | Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| B. Braun Sheffield Hatters | Madison Washington | 21 | 6 | 4 |
| B. Braun Sheffield Hatters | Georgia Gayle | 15 | 4 | 5 |
| Nottingham Wildcats | Mari Stewart | 15 | 9 | 2 |
| Nottingham Wildcats | Brooke Bjelko | 13 | 10 | 2 |
Caledonia Gladiators 99-44 Durham Palatinates
Caledonia Gladiators starting five: Samantha Roscoe, Hannah Robb, Erin McGarrachan, Sokhna Binton Lo Sylla, Djeneba N’Diaye.
Durham Palatinates starting five: Elle Hendershot, Katie Bennett, Sophie Klassen, Orieoma Chukwu-Etu, Janika Griffith Wallace.
The Caledonia Gladiators showcased a dominating basketball performance, mirroring the Hatters’ prowess, as they opened the game with an impressive 24-3 blitz in the first quarter. The Durham Palatinates faced an uphill battle from the get-go.
Durham showed bursts in the second quarter, with Elle Hendershot and Eva Brault finding opportunities to put points on the board. However, the heavy deficit remained a challenge to overcome.
Notably, Janika Griffith Wallace of the Durham Palatinates had a stellar scoring night, amassing 20 points, the highest in the contest. Her impressive performance was a bright spot in an otherwise challenging game for the Palatinates.
Caledonia’s Yehveniia Putra proved to be a force both offensively and defensively. She was unstoppable inside, causing havoc for the Durham defence, and was a nightmare for them on the defensive end, blocking three shots and completing five steals.
Meanwhile, the Gladiators had a sharpshooting display from beyond the perimeter, with Kian Omer-Jones hitting consecutive three-pointers, further complicating matters for the Palatinates.
In a display of their offensive prowess, Caledonia came tantalisingly close to the century mark, underlining their standing as a formidable force in the Women’s British Basketball League.
Player of the Game
Yehveniia Putra was the standout performer of the game. She contributed 19 points, six rebounds, one assist, five steals, and three blocks in just 22 minutes on the court. Her all-around performance played a pivotal role in the Gladiators’ blowout victory.
| Team | Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Caledonia Gladiators | Yevheniia Putra | 19 | 6 | 1 |
| Caledonia Gladiators | Samantha Roscoe | 13 | 5 | 0 |
| Durham Palatinates | Janika Griffith Wallace | 20 | 8 | 2 |
| Durham Palatinates | Elle Hendershot | 8 | 7 | 0 |
With the new season here, you can get your British Basketball fix by following the League on social media or heading to our YouTube channel to relive all of the best moments from the season so far.