The opening weekend of the 2018-19 campaign is in the books and so it’s our first All-Star Five line-up of the season.
Alison Gorrell (Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters)
It was a blistering debut for Gorrell who is no stranger to being named in our fab five after some scorching performances with Northumbria in past seasons. Wasting no time in making an impression with her new club, she led Hatters to a one-sided win against Nottingham Wildcats. She amassed 24 points and 12 rebounds, also missing out on a spectacular triple-double by just a couple of assists.
Sarah Toeaina (Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters)
It was a full WBBL debut for Toeaina as she showed how much of a factor she is likely to be in 2018-19 by catching the eye at the first time of asking. The Hawaii graduate showed why she was an NCAA standout in her four years at College, by matching the 24 points and 12 rebounds of her new team-mate – causing huge problems for the Wildcats’ defence and drawing seven fouls.
Samantha Roscoe (Manchester Mystics)
It was an ideal opening for Mystics as they swept aside Durham Palatinates with considerable ease at the National Basketball Performance Centre, with Roscoe leading the way. Her all-action display showcased her skill-set as she harvested an impressive 10 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks and 2 steals against her North-East opponents.
Diana Voynova (BA London Lions)
It was a welcome return to the WBBL for the popular Voynova as she followed up news of her signing at BA London Lions by underlining how influential she is going to be this season, with a towering debut. In an exciting match-up with Oaklands Wolves, the Bulgarian was a difference-maker, with her double-double of 18 points and 12 boards complimented by 5 assists and 3 blocks.
Kara Bonenberger (Newcastle Eagles)
After taking over the Team Northumbria franchise, it was the start of a new chapter for women’s basketball on Tyneside as Newcastle Eagles chalked an opening weekend win. Fittingly, it was Bonenberger, a Northumbria player last season, who stood out with a super line of 21 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks and 3 steals.
Off the bench – Helen Naylor (Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters, Renee Busch (Sevenoaks Suns), Lauren Milligan (Oaklands Wolves), Steph Gandy (Newcastle Eagles), Luiana Livulo (Westfield Health Sheffield Hatters), Giulia Simioni (Newcastle Eagles), Ta’Yani Clark (Sevenoaks Suns).