This Sunday’s WBBL Cup Final is one to look forward to if the WBBL All-Star 5 is anything to go by, dominated by stars from East Midlands rivals Leicester Riders and Nottingham Wildcats after both picked up league wins over the weekend.

Chelsey Shumpert – Nottingham Wildcats
The Molten WBBL Player of the Month for December continued her fine form into the New Year, leading Wildcats to a road win at Essex Rebels. The league’s second leading scorer and leading three-point shooter had 16 points, nine assists and four steals, while connecting on 4-8 (50%) of her long range attempts. All of her made threes came in an irrepressible first half in which Nottingham scored 63 points.

Kate Oliver – Leicester Riders
Leicester’s captain turned in a dominant display on the road at Newcastle Eagles on Sunday, recording a big double-double of 22 points and 12 rebounds, while connecting on 4-6 (66%) three-point attempts. Leicester’s defence was impenetrable as they held their hosts to just 39 points and 22% shooting, with Oliver adding three steals, a block and grabbing 10 of her boards at the defensive end.

Jasmine Joyner – Nottingham Wildcats
There’s a return to the All-Star 5 for Jasmine Joyner, making her fourth appearance of the campaign so far which is bettered by only one player. She also posted a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds, with three steals, two blocks and two assists in a great all-round display in the win over Essex. That included five boards, two assists and a block in the opening five minutes as Wildcats established a commanding lead immediately.

Holly Winterburn – Leicester Riders
Winterburn leads all players in All-Star 5 appearances this season, with this week being her fifth in just seven opportunities. In just 24 minutes against Caledonia Pride, she scored 12 points, with five rebounds, five assists and three steals, with half of her points coming in a dominant first quarter in which Riders scored 35 points.

Sara Hinriksdottir – Leicester Riders
The only player making her first appearance of the season, Hinriksdottir was the spark off the bench for Leicester in their win on Saturday. In a game in which they scored 39 bench points, she broke the game open after checking in midway through the first quarter, hitting seven of her game-high 19 points in a decisive six minute surge. She also added five rebounds and four assists as Riders remain unbeaten.

Off the bench: Pollyanna Storie (Caledonia Pride), Alison Gorrell (Newcastle Eagles), Moa Lundqvist (Nottingham Wildcats), Luisa Velazquez (Caledonia Pride), Lucrezia Costa (Essex Rebels), Carla Bieg Salazar (Essex Rebels), Mante Kvederaviciute (Newcastle Eagles).