Our Belgian Ladies Abroad - The Turkish cup for Ann Wauters

Ann Wauters could already celebrate her first title for the season by winning the Turkish cup. In a game that left no fan unsatisfied in terms of suspense Galatasaray won against Fenerbahce with 74-72, thanks to a buzzerbeater from Sancho Lyttle and a good screening action from Ann. Ann was more than a little help for her team during the game as she scored 14 points and 10 rebounds. On top of a very exciting game, fans could also witness the comeback of Spanish star player Alba Torrens who is finally back on the court after her ACL injury. Gala’s victory was even more surprising knowing the fact that only two weeks ago they lost in the competition against the same undefeated team Fenerbahce with 83-67. In the Turkish competition Gala holds the second spot with a 10-2 record.

Although Ann Wauters (FIBA Europe/Serdar Celebi) had a terrific night in this week’s Euroleague game against CCC Polkowice with 18 points and 10 rebounds, she was unable to prevent her team’s second loss in the competition. Poor freethrow shooting and a terrible threepoint shooting percentage seem to be the main reason for their 51-58 home defeat. Nontheless with a 7-2 record, they stay at the second spot in their group behind Parker’s and Taurasi’s Ekatarinbourg.

After a very poor start in the Euroleague competition with three losses in a row, Wisla, the team of Anke de Mondt has recovered pretty well. They now have a 5-4 record and won also in their last game against Brno. Anke de Mondt (photo: FIBA Europe/ Krzysztof Porebski) contributed with 5 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals to that victory. The most impressive player though was once again Tina Charles with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Wisla holds now third position behind Spartak Moscou and Celine Dumerc’s Bourges. In the Polish competition the team of Anke de Mondt holds a 10-2 record. In their first game of the new year against Gorzow, they won with 74-56. Alana Beard stepped up for Wisla with 23 points and 6 rebounds whereas Anke was also consistent with 12 points in 26 minutes. The leading team of the competition is so far CCC Plokowice with 11 victories and only one single loss.

The Euroleague competition for Familia Schio and Kathy Wambe could hardly be more successful. The team has a 7-2 record and showed its dominancy once again the past game against Sopron with a 89-71 final score. They share the first spot in standings with Good Angles Kosice, the only team they have yet to beat. The game against Sopron saw five Schio players score in double figures and Kathy Wambe (FIBA Europe/Famila Schio) was one of them. She had a very good night with 10 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Jantel Lavender led the hosts with 21 points and 7 rebounds, US player Danielle Mc Cray scored 17 points and grabbed 5 rebounds, Italian star Rafaela Masciadri scored 17 points and dished out 4 assists and Jenifer Nadalin also helped with 11 points. In the Italian competition Familia Schio was almost handed their second defeat of the season but in the end they managed to win a tight low scoring game against Lucca with 47-49. Kathy Wambe played during 39 minutes and was one of her team’s key players with 6 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Familia Schio leads the competition in front of Parma and Lucca. To read also

Also Villeneuve d’Ascq and Emma Meesseman had a very good start into the new year. After a victory against Charleville before the Christmas break they confirmed their upwards trend with a victory over higher ranked Nantes, the team of former Braine player Isis Arrondo. They edged Nantes with 56-55 the past weekend and celebrated their fifth victory so far for this season. For Villeneuve Sanni, Dieme and Williams stepped up with 14, 13 and 14 points respectively. Emma contributed with 4 points and 4 rebounds in 31 minutes to the important victory. Villeneuve stays at the 12th spot in standings with a 5-10 record but Charleville (6-9) and Aix-en-Provence stay within reach.

Caja Rural Zamarat and Kim Mestdagh were off the past weekend and only start back into the competition the upcoming weekend against the undefeated team Rivas Ecopolis. Kim’s team is currently fourth in standings with a 6-4 record. Kim plays on average 18 minutes, grabs 2.6 rebounds and scores 7.9 points. Note also that Zamarat is going to organize the next Copa de la Reina

Also Hanne Mestdagh ’s team the Colorado State Rams have started with a victory into 2013. After losing three times in a row after Christmas, they won their past game against South Dakota Tech. Their current record is 5-9.

Caroline Bourlioux (Lindenwood University) has seen a less positive start of the new year unfortunately. With two losses against Truman State University and Missouri Southern State University they have yet to win a game in the new calendar year. Against Truman State Caroline was not the reason for the loss. In 34 minutes she scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and also against Missouri Southern she was consistent with 18 points and 6 rebounds. In her junior year, her team has a 3-11 record.