A look back at Player of the Week performances from across the WEABL

Sharliyah Sutherland went off against HHS Reading Rockets to push her side to a 67-40 win.

Nobody come come close to her 32 points, which included 10/16 from two-point range, and her efforts made up nearly half of Barking's eventual total.

"I'm honoured to be named Player of the Week," said Sutherland.

"This shows that the hard work we are putting in as an academy is paying off. Thanks to my team and coaches for everything, I am very blessed and excited to see what the future holds."

BA head coach Lauren Milligan added: "We’re incredibly proud of Sharliyah for being named the WEABL Player of the Week.

"As a first-year at Barking Abbey, she’s only just getting started, but this recognition is a testament to her hard work, commitment, and the impact she’s already making on the court.

"It’s exciting to see her potential being realised so early in the season."

Knocking off the defending WEABL champs is always going to earn some recognition, and Itchen's Anna Mendez certainly did her part in the 79-69 victory over Copleston.

Hitting 5/7 from beyond the arc, Mendez finished with a team-high 21 points to go with 13 rebounds and five assists, driving her side forward for a statement win.

Mendez said: "The game was a great representation of what we can do as a team and a general positive team performance that I hope we can continue to build on that throughout this season."

Itchen head coach Vicky Milner added: “It was a solid performance from our girls. It was great to see the team come together and compete throughout.

"Anna had a great game, competing on the boards and she shot the ball well throughout. We are looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Oaklands Wolves started their WEABL campaign with a win, beating Itchen 75-50, and a big reason why was the standout play of Holly Welch.

A 21-point, 14-rebound double-double came on 66% shooting, and nine of her rebounds were on the offensive glass.

Providing game-highs in both scoring and rebounding, Welch's efficiency was 19 higher than her next closest team-mate on an afternoon when she really did bring her A-game.

"I'm so happy to start the season off so well," said Welch. "I’m proud of the team for our performance and hope to continue it throughout the season."

Oaklands head coach Shanice Beckford-Norton said: “It was a great performance by Holly against Itchen. She is becoming a real leader in the academy group and she demonstrated that in this game.

"She has really kicked on in her second year and is consistently showing her quality across NBL and SLB teams and we anticipate a big WEABL campaign from her as well.”

The WEABL award was an incredibly close run thing, with four legitimate contenders for this week's pick.

In the end Nottingham's Ophelia Larder-Lee just did enough to get herself ahead, dropping an impressive stat line on MK5D in the Wildcats' 104-41 win.

Going 12/16 from the floor for a 75% shooting day, Larder-Lee finished with 28 points alongside eight rebounds, four assists and six steals, a game-day high across the league.

“I’m very excited to have started my first season at the Wildcats," said Larder-Lee, who did her damage in just 27:13 of action.

"We’ve had a great start to the Academy season so far and I’m really looking forward to playing with this team for the rest of the season and to continue winning."

Nottingham head coach Siobhán Prior added: “Having Ophelia in our programme has really helped to elevate our environment.

"Yes, she is able to score at will and is one of the most elite defenders I’ve seen at her age, but it’s really her consistency, discipline and emotional resilience that is setting the tone for everyone else.

"Her response to mistakes and adversity and her willingness to give everything she has every moment she is on the floor is irreplaceable.”

Tiarna Chambers-Desmond was the taliswoman for the Nottingham Academy Wildcats in their two WEABL North fixtures this week, inspiring them to a pair of victories and continuing their undefeated run.  

Against the Manchester Mystics, she shot 40% from the field, bagging 14 points and taking 15 rebounds for a double-double and a respectful 22 efficiency rating that included two assists and two blocks. 

The following day, she bettered herself, with a double-double against The Sheffield College of 23 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, one steal and a monstrous seven blocks at 37 efficiency.  

Nottingham Wildcats Head Coach Siobhan Prior said: “Tiarna has started the WEABL season really well. We have a team who can share the load both offensively and defensively but it’s been great to see Tiarna starting to put the team on her back, in moments, and be dominant on both sides of the ball. I’m enjoying watching her playing with freedom.” 

Chambers-Desmond said: “It’s an honour to be recognised as WEABL Player of the Week.

"It just shows that hard work does pay off and the hours spent at the arena are benefitting me. The team's ability to share the ball and trust in each other's efforts makes it easier for me to play freely.”

After sealing a historic first-ever WEABL win, there was plenty to celebrate on Wednesday for MK5D. After playing a starring role in that success, it's fitting to provide recognition to Sofia Elnur for helping to make it happen.

The talented guard scored a joint team-high of 23 points on 10/16 FGs (62%), adding 12 boards, three assists and a trio of steals to her afternoon's work.

Elnur scored 12 of MK5D's 18 points in an 18-7 second frame that helped to break the game open for the visitors, providing the spark they needed to pull away to a well-deserved victory.

"I’m really happy and grateful to receive this award," said Elnur.

"The team had a great performance against Birmingham and everyone contributed. We have been working really hard and it felt amazing to get our first win."

MK5D Head Coach Paige Vyse added: "I’m extremely grateful and proud to be coaching this group. Their hard work and dedication is admirable.

"The team cohesion is growing weekly, and in turn they are growing and improving as individuals and as a team.

"They’ve worked incredibly hard to get to this point and we are excited to continue pushing the programme and seeing what else we can achieve."

No award given.

Irene Oboavwoduo - Manchester Magic (19P/9R/7S/26EFF)

Irene Oboavwoduo (19pts, 9reb, 7stl) helped Manchester Mystics to a 62-59 North Conference win over Nottingham Academy Wildcats. 

The GB prospect was the standout in the only women's game of the week with team-mate Carina Costa backing her up (17pts, 7reb) and Nottingham's Sammy Mullock (15pts, 12rbs) making a solid impact.

Tiarna Chambers-Desmond - Nottingham Academy Wildcats (23P/10R/3A/28EFF)

Tiarna Chamber-Desmond paired 23 points with 10 rebounds in Nottingham Academy Wildcats' statement 76-68 win over Charnwood College Riders.

Her performance earned the praise of Wildcats head coach Siobhán Prior, who said: “It’s hard to believe with how much Tiarna has achieved so far, but she is only just scratching the surface of what she can do.

"Her performance against Charnwood is a glimpse into the dominance she can show. Aside from her on-court performance, the real strength in Tiarna’s game is her outlook and the way she approaches each day. She’s a great team-mate and we are all excited to continue to work with her.” 

Chamber-Desmond added: "It’s a great achievement and I’m very grateful to receive POTW. It was a great win for the team and I wouldn’t have achieved this without them. Thank you."

Louisa Gibbins - Copleston High School (16P/16R/5S/21EFF)

Talented forward Louisa Gibbins helped Copleston to a commanding 93-29 victory over Barking Abbey to keep their unbeaten WEABL South record intact.

Everything went right for the defending South champs as they put their opponents to the sword, with Gibbins more than doing her part on that front.

Sixteen points came on an efficient 54% shooting that also included 2/3 from beyond the arc, and a game-high 16 rebounds helped Coach Drane's side win the rebounding battle 73-35.

Add in five steals and an assist, and Gibbins was certainly at her best this past Wednesday.

Speaking about her performance, Gibbins said: "I’m really grateful for receiving Player of the Week. It was a great team win and a really well rounded performance from everyone."

Copleston head coach Nick Drane added: "This was a great performance by the whole team. Louisa has embraced an increased leadership role this season and has made a pleasing start to the season for both academy and club."

Irene Oboavwoduo - Manchester Mystics (13P/17R/3A/24EFF)

Irene Oboavwoduo impressed for the Mystics this week as Manchester made a statement at the expense of last year's North Conference winners Charnwood.

The Mystics came home with a 66-40 victory from their trip to the Midlands, with Oboavwoduo more than playing her part in that success.

With 13 points and 17 boards, the GB talent put up an impressive double-double, adding three assists, two steals and a block to her afternoon's work for good measure.

She said: "I’m glad to have won the award. It was a collective team effort with everyone contributing to the success, always striving to improve each week as the academy season progresses."

Mystics head coach Peter Paraskeva added: "Irene is a special talent and is consistently showing that she can contribute to team success in multiple ways.

"She has an amazing work ethic and hunger to improve and she is the epitome of you get out what you put in."

Louisa Gibbins - Copleston High School (21P/7R/3A/22EFF)

Louisa Gibbins was the lead performer in a balanced team effort that saw undefeated South Conference leaders Copleston down perennial rivals CoLA 82-75.

The GB U20s forward scored a game-high 21 points and excelled on the glass, pulling down seven rebounds for Coach Drane's side to claim her second individual award of the season.

The win was a reversal of fortunes from when the two teams - featuring many of the same players - met in WNBL1 action last Saturday. 

“It was a great way to bounce back after the weekend," said Gibbins. "The whole team stepped up to get the win.”

Copleston head coach Nick: Drane added: “Louisa was outstanding, as were the whole team - as you have to be to compete with CoLA. It was a great win but we know better than anyone that it’s very early in the season.”

Elizandra Costa - Manchester Mystics (25P/8R/3A/23EFF)

Manchester's women also got the better of the visiting Charnwood to stay unbeaten for the season in another competitive game.

The Mystics grabbed a 77-68 win with twin threats Elizandra Costa and Irene Oboavwoduo, the latter recording a 22/13 double-double.

However, it was Costa and her 25 points, eight board and three assists at an efficiency rating of 23, who pipped her team-mate to the individual accolade.

Maisie Keyes - Copleston High School (20P/4R/5A/24EFF)

Keyes gave a composed, efficient performance as Copleston extended their 100% streak to five games by beating Itchen 87-53.

The Great Britain youngster, in her first season with the dominant South Conference outfit after switching from Manchester, hit 20 points with a 46% FG percentage including four of nine threes. She also dished out five assists, grabbed five steals and claimed four rebounds in an all-round effort.

Keyes said: “I’m grateful to have won this award; it was a great team performance with loads of people stepping up.”

Coach Nick Drane said: “Maisie has been getting better and better throughout the early part of the season, both at academy and senior women’s level. She was excellent on Wednesday and deserves this award.”

Cerys Leach - Copleston High School (43P/5R/5A/42EFF)

There were some huge stat lines in the WEABL this week, but none bigger than Cerys Leach's 43-point outing against JMA Reading Rockets.

Leach effectively ended the 111-33 contest in the first quarter as she dropped 17 of her points, including five triples, as part of a 35-6 opening frame.

The Copleston sharp shooter would eventually hit a stunning 12 threes in the ball game (12/20, 60%), adding five rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals to her massive scoring output.

Speaking about the performance, Leach said: “I am grateful for receiving the Player of the Week award. It was a great team performance from everyone, and we'll look to continue that going forward.” 

Assistant coach Harriet Welham added: "It was a great win for our girls, lots a positives and every player played a key role during the game.

"Cerys was amazing, her hard work has really been paying off and it’s great to see, very much deserved."

Nottingham duo Tiarna Chambers-Desmond (20pts, 10reb, 4ast, 5stl, 2blk, 34eff) and Samantha Mullock (20pts, 15reb, 6ast, 2blk, 30eff) were both in the mix for this week's honours, as was Leach's team mate Louisa Gibbins (16pts, 11reb, 8ast, 5stl, 35eff).

Tiarna Chambers-Desmond - Nottingham Academy Wildcats (13P/7R/5S/14EFF)

A repeat winner this season, Nottingham's Tiarna Chambers-Desmond is no stranger to big performances and she produced another one on Wednesday as Nottingham claimed a 61-58 road win against Charnwood College Riders.

In the battle to catch leaders Manchester, Chambers-Desmond's 13 points and seven boards made a big difference in the low-scoring contest. Her point total and rebounds were both in the top two for her team, whilst her five steals were a game-high, providing valuable stops.

Three of her steals came in the fourth quarter as Nottingham looked to close out the game, halting the Riders momentum and sending the Wildcats to their fourth win of the season.

Speaking about the award, Chambers-Desmond said: "It’s an honour to be WEABL Player of the Week. I’m so grateful to be noticed as a top player in the league this week.

"Being able to play to my strengths in tough games like yesterday allows me to develop and become my best self within the game."

Nottingham Head Coach Siobhán Prior added: "Games like yesterday are really important for the team’s development. Not playing at your best and grinding out a win against a good opponent is a real opportunity for growth and we grew yesterday as players and as people.

"I’m proud of all the girls and I’m grateful for the poise, positivity and assertiveness Tiarna continues to challenge herself to bring to the team.

"A very deserving second Player of the Week for T. I’m pleased she’s seeing the success she deserves."

Kaiya Bateman - Copleston High School (15P/5S/2A/16EFF)

Copleston moved to 8-0 on the season this week, thanks in part to a balanced offensive output led from their bench by Kaiya Bateman.

The young guard dropped a joint team-high 15 points on 50% shooting, and was a menace on defence with a game-high five steals.

Bateman added seven of her points plus a steal in the second quarter, which the hosts won 18-14 to enter the half up 47-25, setting the platform needed to ease through the second half.

Adding two rebounds and a pair of assists to her output, it was a solid day at the office for the Copleston guard.

Speaking about the award, Bateman said: "I am thankful to have won this award as it’s a great way to end 2024, and I'm grateful for my teammates as I wouldn’t win this award without them."

Copleston head coach Nick Drane added: "Kaiya has made a great start to her academy career and has developed massively in a very short space of time.

"She has the ability to impact a team in many different ways and this award is great recognition for her hard work."

No award given.

Irene Oboavwoduo - Manchester Mystics (16P/15R/9A/28EFF)

Manchester confirmed themselves as North Conference champions on Wednesday, beating Nottingham 62-53.

Irene Oboavwoduo brought her A-game to the celebrations, and her 16-point, 15-rebound double-double was nearly a triple-double as she dished nine assists for good measure.

Four steals were also a bonus and her 28 efficiency rating was 18 points higher than her next closest team-mate.

Oboavwoduo said: "I am grateful to get the award. We knew the game had high stakes and we kept our composure throughout.

"Our focus now is to keep developing as a team as the season progresses."

Manchester head coach Peter Paraskeva added: "Irene has been working tirelessly to improve and grow her game all year. She was locked in and showed she can impact a game in multiple ways.

"Her ability to lead and contribute in difficult moments helped our group get over the line this week."

Adaora Dioramma - City of London Academy (17P/13R/2B/22EFF)

Providing a high-quality performance in one of the week's biggest games is always going to put a player at the front of the POTW queue, and that was certainly the case with CoLA's Adaora Dioramma.

The talented young forward had game-highs for points (17) and rebounds (13) in the top of the table clash with previously unbeaten Copleston, working hard around the basket and mid-range to shoot 7/15 (46%) for the game.

Two assists, two blocks and a steal were a bonus, and Dioramma was also the most fouled player in the contest (5) as Copleston tried anything they could to slow her down.

Keeping Copleston forward Louisa Gibbins to a relatively meagre stat line (8pts, 7reb, 3/11 FG) was also a big tick on her performance as the young forwards battled it out down low.

Dioramma said: "I was happy with my performance. Missing the first game against Copleston due to injury was frustrating for me, I was glad to get back on the floor with my team, contribute to our win and put in a good all round performance from inside and outside.

"My shot has improved a lot so I was glad to see ball go through the hoop consistently."

City of London Academy - Southwark head coach Jackson Gibbons added: "It was a solid performance from Adaora, she is putting better and better performances together, it was nice to see her so confident in herself.

"She knows her ceiling and is ascending in the right direction."

Louise Fisher - Charnwood College Riders (27P/14R/4A/35EFF)

Manchester may have sealed top spot in the WEABL North, but the battle for the other playoff spots keeps on going.

Charnwood are still scrapping hard in that regard, and Louise Fisher powered the Riders with a quality outing in Wednesday's 91-45 victory over The Sheffield College.

Her 27 points, exclusively from inside, went with 14 boards and four assists, and 35 efficiency was a clear show of just how big an impact she had on the fixture.

Fisher said: "I am really happy and grateful to have received Player of the Week.

"It was a whole team effort, with everyone stepping up and playing their roles within the team to get the strong win."

Charnwood head coach Nick Moodey added: "I’m so delighted to see Louise earn this award. She has worked incredibly hard in her time with us both on and off court and it’s great to see the hard work finally pay off.

"It was a great all-round game that topped off a great team performance.”

Elizandra Costa - Manchester Mystics (22P/11S/6R/29EFF)

Manchester kept their perfect season going for another week on Wednesday as they easily dispatched The Sheffield College 86-39.

Elizanda Costa went off in the big win, putting together a 22-point, 11-steal performance as she constantly made her presence felt on defence, adding six rebounds and an assist.

A 29 efficiency was the highest of the game and Costa more than showed her well-rounded skill set in the win.

Costa said: "I enjoyed the game against Sheffield on Wednesday. It enabled us to do things we’ve been working on in practice, whether they be offensively or defensively.

"Myself and the team put in the hard work and we worked together throughout to give us a comfortable win."

Manchester head coach Peter Paraskeva added: "Eli always brings great energy to every game and Wednesday was no exception. We are all really proud of her continued development and contribution to the team this season.

"We now set our sights on the challenge of the playoffs in the coming weeks."

Caitlin Ryan - Oaklands Wolves (23P/10R/6A/35EFF)

With the race for the playoffs in the WEABL South getting tighter by the game, Oaklands Wolves gave their chances of making the post-season a huge shot in the arm with a 78-55 win against Itchen College.

The biggest contribution of the game came from Oaklands' captain Caitlin Ryan, with a stunning 35 efficiency to show for her efforts.

Her 23 points went with 10 rebounds for the double-double, and six assists, three steals and a block showed her talents at both ends of the court.

Ryan said: "The Itchen game was a must-win for us and it’s really great to come out with a big win.

"As a team we stepped up and committed to each other as well as executing in our own roles. I’m very grateful to get this award and I hope to keep up my performance going into the end of the season."

Oaklands head coach Shanice Beckford-Norton added: “Caitlin is a leader for this group, with the confidence to speak to and for the team. We’ve challenged her to increase her production recently and the game against Itchen was a great example of her showing her capabilities.

"She played with confidence and showed her quality as a shooter, this honour is well-deserved.”

Hannah Gray - Copleston High School (25P/8R/4A/27EFF)

With the WEABL South title on the line, Hannah Gray produced a strong performance to ensure Copleston claimed back-to-back regular season titles.

Gray enjoyed a game-high 25 points on 56% shooting, hitting five of eight from behind the arc to keep the Suffolk programme on track.

The Copleston standout contributed seven points and four assists as part of the South champ's 22-5 opening quarter, setting the stage for their must-win victory.

Eight rebounds, four assists and four steals all added up to the game's best performance, and with the title on the line, it came at the best possible time.

Speaking about the performance, Gray said: “It’s great to win this award, but it’s always a team effort for us.

"I’m pleased to have been able to help our team win the game and secure the one seed. We are really looking forward to the playoffs now and seeing how far we can go.”

Copleston Head Coach Nick Drane added: “Hannah was excellent against Itchen, she is getting better all the time. This recognition is very much deserved and we hope that there is more to come.”

Honourable mentions go to Nottingham's Samantha Mullock (24pts, 19reb, 35eff) in their big win over Sheffield and Charnwood's Emily Taylor (32pts, 6reb, 4ast, 4stl, 28eff) performance against MK5D.

Megan Verbeeten - Barking Abbey (31P/11R/5S/29EFF)

The only upset on Wednesday afternoon came in the Midlands as a Megan Verbeeten-inspired Barking Abbey used a period of OT to see off North #2 seeds Nottingham Academy Wildcats 79-77.

Verbeeten's contribution to the road win was huge, dropping a game-high 31 points, 16 more than her next closest team-mate, and taking 26 of her sides' 81 shots.

Adding 11 rebounds for a sizable double-double, plus five steals and four blocks on defence, the only down side to the standout performance was a team-high six turnovers.

With such a high involvement in the contest, plus a total of 40:47 of action, the turnover numbers are more understandable, and most certainly outweighed by everything else Verbeeten did on a stunning afternoon for her side.

She said: “I'm really proud of the girls, it was a really hard fought win. I’m happy I was able to contribute both ends of the floor to help us secure the overtime win."

Barking Abbey Head Coach Lauren Milligan added: “It was an amazing team effort and such a fun game to coach. Megan has shown all year that she’s one of the best scorers in the country and by leading us to the semi-final, it is evidence of the work and resilience she shows on a weekly basis”

Irene Oboavwoduo - Manchester Mystics (23P/9R/8A/36EFF)

After playing a key role in handing City of London Academy - Southwark a first WEABL playoff loss since 3 April 2019, Manchester's Irene Oboavwoduo is the WEABL Player of the Week.

Contributing a joint team-high 23 points alongside Elizandra Costa in the hard-fought 80-71 victory, Oboavwoduo pulled down nine boards and dished eight assists, flirting with a triple-double as she stuffed the stat sheet for the Mystics.

Shooting 71% from the floor and hitting 10 of her 14 attempts, the GB standout did it all in just 31:46 of action to push the North West programme into their maiden WEABL Playoff Final.

Speaking after the game, Oboavwoduo said: "Coming into the semi-finals we were prepared, and we knew that if we kept to our principles we would be hard to beat.

"I am proud to see our team's effort and dedication being rewarded over the course of the Academy season and I am happy to have contributed on both ends of the court to help in this win."

Manchester Head Coach Peter Paraskeva added: "Irene's impact on the game was felt from start to finish. She is now thriving in difficult moments and is able to contribute to team success in multiple ways.

"We are all very proud of her and our team of amazing people."

Yazmin Edwards - Copleston High School (28P/10S/6R/35EFF)

The WEABL fixtures provided a smaller pool of potential selections, which shrunk further with the absence of one of the games from Live Stats.

Nevertheless, this week's winner was a worthy candidate and put up a stat line that was impossible to ignore.

Copleston's Yazmin Edwards played a big part in her sides 89-24 win over Oaklands College, including dropping a game-high 28 points.

The talented guard was efficient with the ball, going 8/8 from inside the arc and 3-6 from range for a 78% shooting afternoon that included just two turnovers.

Adding six boards and a stunning 10 steals, all in 23:06 of play, combined to make Edwards an easy selection for WEABL's opening POTW.

After her opening performance, Edwards said: "It was good to get up and running in the WEABL this season. It was a great performance by the whole team, and I’m pleased to share this award with them all."

Head coach Nick Drane added: "Yaz was excellent, as were all the girls. It was a great way to start the season, and a good opportunity to ensure everyone got some extended playing time.”

Liv Forster - Copleston High School (18P/7A/6S/5R)

The WEABL fixtures once again provided a smaller pool of potential selections.

As Copleston keep on rolling in the WEABL South, it's no surprise that his week's winner comes from their ranks once again to make it back-to-back weekly selections for the Suffolk programme. 

Liv Forster's efforts in the big 86-24 road win over Barking earned her the plaudits this week, following on from teammate Yazmin Edwards last time out.

Forster picked up six points in her side's 26-2 first quarter that set the tone for the contest, eventually closing with 18 total.

It was her additional contributions that got her the nod this week, chipping in seven assists, six steals and five rebounds as part of a game-long effort to bring the best out of those around her.

She was also careful with the ball when she had it, dishing those seven dimes against just two turnovers, as Copleston enjoyed a great day at the office.

After the game, Forster said: “It’s always great to get a win on the road. The whole team deserves to share this award with me.”

Copleston head coach Nick Drane added: “I thought Liv did a great job controlling the game and showed how she can influence the team in more ways that just scoring.”

Erin Powell - Charnwood College Riders (19P/16R/8A/36EFF)

For the first time this season, the WEABL award strays for Copleston and instead heads up North to a worthy winner from Charnwood.

In their season-opening win on the road in Manchester, Erin Powell did it all for the Riders, falling just short of a triple-double in the 83-62 win.

With 19 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists, the versatile wing helped her team in a number of ways and her +/- of 18 and two steals showed her importance at both ends of the court.

Her standout performance resulted in a final efficiency rating of 36, some way ahead of her peers across the league for week 3.

After the game, Powell said: “It’s always nice to receive recognition, and I want to share this award with my whole team.

"It felt great to get the year started with a road win, now we’ll continue rolling into the rest of the season!”

Charnwood head coach Nick Moodey added: “It was a great team performance to get the win against a talented Manchester team.

"It was clear to see the work that Erin has been putting in over the off-season and it is great to see her get this recognition.”

Erin Powell - Charnwood College Riders (25P/10R/6A/42EFF)

Charnwood are doubling up, stringing together back-to-back impressive performances in the North Conference.

A big part of that has been the play of Erin Powell, last week's WEABL winner, and the talented guard is back for more after the Riders' commanding 115-44 victory over Sheffield.

Just as she did a week ago, Powell dominated the stat sheet in a number of areas to record the highest efficiency of all WEABL players.

Her 25 points only trailed teammate Louise Fisher's 29, but Powell sunk 11/14 from the floor, including 2/2 from beyond the arc for a 78% shooting performance.

Add in 10 boards for the double-double, six assists, four steals and a pair of blocks and it's easy to see how Powell racked up an impressive 42 efficiency rating.

After the game, Powell said: "This was another great team win for us. We bring the energy and support each other and that's why we have so much fun and have been successful so far.

"We help each other grow, hold each other accountable and we're always pushing to develop as a team and as individuals, putting winning first!"

Charnwood head coach Nick Moodey added: "It’s great to see Erin get recognition and receive back-to-back Player of the Week awards. She had a very well-rounded performance against Sheffield and filled the stats sheet.

"Erin, along with the rest of the team, has been working hard the last couple of weeks and we are really starting to show growth both on and off the court."

Elizandra Costa - Manchester Mystics (20P/8A/5S/27EFF)

Charnwood's Erin Powell has had a firm grip on the WEABL accolades so far in 2023/24, and although the Riders' star was still a standout in week five, she was pipped by another North conference player who put in a strong outing.

Helping her side to a 99-75 home win against The Sheffield College, Manchester Mystics' Elizandra Costa has earned the latest WEABL Player of the Week award.

Costa dropped a team-high 20 points on 10/17 shooting, with her 0/6 3pt shooting the only thing to pull down an otherwise fine performance.

With eight assists, five steals and three rebounds, Costa did more than enough to overcome her long range shooting woes, finishing with a solid 27 efficiency rating.

Following the game, Costa said: "Sheffield tested our mental toughness and physical strength as they were tough and aggressive, they constantly found ways to close the gap in the score.

"As the game progressed, we started to play better as a team. We communicated better and raised our intensity defensively, allowing us to get some quick scores which allowed us to put the game out of reach."

Mystics head coach Rob Fairley added: "I'm really happy for Ellie, she's been working hard to develop her skills as a point guard.

"As a quick skilful player, its often tempting to try to take everyone on, but over the recent weeks Ellie has really worked on controlling the tempo of a game, getting her team mates involved and making the right plays.

"This past week's performance, highlighted by eight assists, really shows her improvement in this area.

"I'm looking forward to see her progression as a lead guard over the coming years."

Fernanda Loberto - Itchen College (22P/15R/5A/28EFF)

Itchen College's forward Fernanda Loberto is this week's WEABL POTW, with her high-level double-double of 22 points and 15 rebounds the icing on the cake of a 78-41 drubbing of JMA Reading Rockets.

Loberto shot 9-17 from the field (52%), recorded five assists and three steals, and her efficiency, at 28, was miles ahead of her teammates and her opposition. 

Loberto said:

"We went into the game with a goal and ambition, playing as a team, moving the ball around using our own strengths and giving it our best."

Itchen College Head Coach Vicky Milner said:

"Fernanda is working really hard in all sessions to improve her game, the resilience she is showing through games and training has been refreshing. 

"By no means is she a finished article, but the work rate put in to improve her game is starting to pay off. She worked hard in this game to take care of the ball and be aggressive offensively. It paid off!  A great player and person to coach."

Samantha Mullock - Nottingham Academy Wildcats (39P/18R/3S/54EFF)

It looked like Oboh would be the standout for this week, but Nottingham's Sammy Mullock produced a truly breathtaking performance of her own against The Sheffield College.

The Wildcats blew Sheffield out of the water 99-59, and a large part of that disparity came at the hands of Mullock, who put up a stunning 39 point, 18 rebound double-double.

Two assists, three steals and a pair of blocks were added to her final stat line, and her 54 efficiency rating was the leader across the league for this week by some distance.

Speaking about the win, Mullock said: "The Sheffield game was a really exciting game and a lot of fun to play as our energy was high throughout, which had a big impact on us all.

"I’m very happy of the result and proud of how we played as a team, It was a great win for us."

Nottingham head coach Siobhán Prior added: “I’m really pleased that Sammy has been recognised by the league as the top performer this week.

"Sammy is a kid we can rely on, day in and day out, for the physical efforts she puts forward so consistently. Against Sheffield, she gave us great presence inside both offensively and defensively and showed signs of how she is going to be able to stretch the floor with more consistent perimeter shooting.

"Sammy works hard on all areas of her game and I’m excited to see how her efforts will further elevate her and our team.”

Hannah Gray - Copleston High School (18P/5R/4S/27EFF)

Sometimes box scores don't tell the full story of a game, and a deeper delve is required to acknowledge top tier performance when handing out weekly honours.

This week's WEABL winner is Copleston's Hannah Gray, though it goes without saying that her performance and stat line is more than worthy of the accolade.

Gray played her part in putting JMA to the sword, and her 18 points, five rebounds, four assists and six steals demonstrated her ability at both ends of the court.

Racking up a 27 efficiency rating in just 24:20 of action is impressive, but significantly more so when cast against the backdrop that Gray is only recently returning from a serious knee injury.

The GB prospect suffered a devastating ACL injury two summer ago and a full year of rehabilitation has meant the young guard has missed two chances at potential international action plus the entirety of the 2022/23 WEABL season.

The perseverance and determination to come back from such an injury shouldn't be understated, and performance's like the one produced this past Wednesday are a just reward for Gray's efforts.

Speaking about the game, Gray said: "It’s great to win this award, but it’s all about our team. So many players deserve individual recognition, whether its Yazmin, Liv, Louisa, Christabel or anyone else on our team.

"It’s been a long road to recovery and I’m happy to be back playing and helping my team be successful."

Copleston head coach Nick Drane added: "Hannah was great on Wednesday, and has been getting better and better after such a long layoff.

"It’s great for her to get recognition for the hard work that she has been putting in to get back to full fitness. This award isn’t just about Wednesday, but the last year and a half and all she has been through."

Erin Powell - Charnwood College Riders (20P/12R/10A/28EFF)

Charnwood have risen to the top of the North conference with a perfect 5-0 record and a major reason for that is the production of guard Erin Powell.

The Riders' talent was at it once again this week, dropping a stunning triple-double on Nottingham as Charnwood prevailed 69-56.

20 points came across 35:17 of action, adding 12 rebounds and 10 assists to a great afternoon's work.

Going a perfect 3-3 from the line and netting a triple on top of 7-15 from 2pt range, Powell closed with an efficiency of 28, displaying her impact in the single-digit win.

Speaking about the performance, Powell said: “The game started off rough but we managed to pull it back through hard work and defensive hustle. We played well as a team and our assist numbers as a group showed that.

"It’s great to receive the recognition and get another win, going 5-0 into the well-deserved Christmas break.”

Charnwood head coach Nick Moodey added: “It’s great to see Erin receive her third Player of the Week award this season after a fantastic triple-double performance against a competitive Nottingham team.

"Erin is really expanding her game and it is nice to see her become much more of a facilitator this season. We had 22 assists on 28 makes as a team in the game and sharing the ball is something we have really highlighted throughout the first part of the season.”

No award given.

Erin Powell - Charnwood College Riders (32P/10R/6A/37EFF)

Given their perfect record of 6-0 in the North conference, it's no coincidence that Charnwood College Riders have had plenty of impressive performances this season.

More than a few have come from recent University of Colorado commit Erin Powell, and this week was no exception.

The Riders' talent was at it once again, doing a bit of everything as Charnwood saw off 79-57 for their sixth win in a row.

Powell led all scorers with an impressive 32 points, adding 10 boards for the double-double along with six assists.

Three blocks and a pair of steals at the defensive end also added up, with the talented wing finishing with an overall efficiency of 37, the highest of the week.

Speaking about the performance, Powell said: "This was a big game for us, as the first one back after Christmas I wanted to help set the tone for the second half of the season.

"Being 6-0 is great and I feel like we are getting better at being a team and celebrating each other every single day, preparing us for our playoff run!"

Charnwood head coach Nick Moodey added: "Erin again put in a phenomenal performance in the win against Manchester and put on a great display of scoring and facilitating for her teammates, she impacted the game on both ends of the floor and it is great to see her go from strength to strength each week.

"It was another great team performance against a well-coached Manchester team and we are starting to really put things together heading towards the playoffs."

Christabel Osarobo - Copleston High School (35P/14R/2A/35EFF)

In a top of the table clash in the South conference, Copleston High School took a big step towards securing the regular season title as they handed rivals City of London Academy - Southwark a 75-70 loss, their first of the season.

A big reason for the host's success was undoubtedly the play of guard Christabel Osarobo, with the Gonzaga commit putting together a spectacular individual performance to help her team get over the line.

Her 35 points were the highest amongst any player in the WEABL this week, adding 14 rebounds, a pair of assists and two steals to a great afternoon's work.

That stat line, along with shooting 15/28 from the floor that included 4/7 from 3pt range, meant Osarobo closed with an impressive 35 efficiency.

Speaking about the performance, Osarobo said: “We put in the work for this result, everyone contributed massively and we were rewarded for it by getting the win”.

Copleston head coach Nick Drane added: “Christabel was exceptional in this win, as were the rest of the girls.  You have to be at your best to compete with CoLA at any level and this was a pleasing performance.

"But it is just a regular season game and for anyone to win this competition, you have to beat them when it matters most – the playoffs."

Erin Powell - Charnwood College Riders (31P/9R/5A/33EFF)

With Charnwood progressing to 8-0 in the North and already claiming the conference's top spot, it's no surprise to see the elite play of Erin Powell continue.

The talented guard was at it once again this week, helping the Riders to a 75-65 victory against Nottingham Academy Wildcats.

Powell finished with a game-high 31 points, tacking on nine boards, five assists and five steals for a 33 efficiency outing.

Her +/- of +20 in the ten point win also showcased her influence on the outcome as Charnwood went one step closer to a perfect regular season.

Speaking about the performance, Powell said: “Wednesday's game showed how well we can moved the ball as a team. We had multiple possessions with all five players touching the ball on offence and efficient shooting from my teammates allowed us to capitalise on the space we created.

"It is great to be recognised as Player of the Week again and I want to use this momentum to keep us rolling through our last game of the season and into post season play.”

Charnwood head coach Nick Moodey added: “It’s great to see Erin get recognition again for a well-rounded performance against a competitive Nottingham team.

Erin filled the stats sheet on both ends of the floor and made some big plays at important moments throughout the game. Erin’s ability to be a leader within this group has been a big part of the team’s success and will really help us heading towards the post season”

Yazmin Edwards - Copleston High School (32P/8R/7S/34EFF)

As Copleston continue to march on towards the South conference title, Yazmin Edwards has been a driving force for the Suffolk programme all season long.

Week 14 was no different, with Edwards more than doing her bit as Copleston eased past JMA Reading Rockets 96-35.

Edwards was her usual efficient self around the rim, hitting 13/18 shots from inside to finish with 32 points.

The Copleston product also splashed a pair of triples to go with eight rebound and seven steals, showcasing her value at both ends of the floor.

A 34 efficiency rating displayed her grip on the contest, helping coach Drane's side to a more than comfortable win.

Speaking about the performance, Edwards said: “This was a joint effort from the whole team, where all twelve girls contributed to the win. It’s always about working together and trusting in each other’s abilities.

"It was great to get another win under our belts ahead of the playoffs."

Copleston head coach Nick Drane added: “Yazmin continues to improve and develop and a rapid pace. She has added a reliable three-point shot to her skill set and is getting better all the time – it’s great recognition.”

No award given.

No award given.