Academy POTW: Edwards and Curran shine in Final Fours

The Elite Academy League Finals are set - and a number of players made their mark in both the EABL and WEABL Final Fours.

Charnwood and CoLA will contest the men's showpiece game at the NBPC, Manchester next week, while Copleston and CoLA will fight it out in the women's final.

Have your say on this week's picks and give a shout-out to the players you think deserve recognition using the links below.

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How it works 

Player of the Week will be selected by paying attention to the following criteria:

• Efficiency  
• Stats  
• Team and opposition strength  
• Periods of influence in the game 
• Being on a winning team (exceptional performances from players on losing teams will be considered)

Other players will also receive a shout out as honourable mentions as well.

WEABL

Yazmin Edwards is no stranger to making a big impact for Copleston this season - and doing the same for Ipswich in WNBL1.

She stuffed the stat sheet in Copleston's convincing Final Four victory over Oaklands with a game-high 34 points and 15 steals, and grabbed seven rebounds and dished out three assists into the bargain, for an efficiency rating of 44.

Edwards said: “It was a great team performance. I am really happy to help us get to the final – but the job's not done yet. We know we will need to be better next week against CoLA.”

Coach Nick Drane said: “Yazmin has been outstanding all season. This is a thoroughly deserved award for her – she was unreal. Her performances all season speak for themselves.”

Honourable mentions

Liv Forster, Copleston 26PTS/5REB/9AST/30EFF

Christabel Osarobo, Copleston 10PTS/11REB/26EFF

Violet Stutz, CoLA 15PTS/5AST/22EFF

Deanna Carrington, Copleston 11/PTS/8REB/5AST/22EFF

EABL

Oscar Curran capped his final home game for Charnwood by collecting the Final Four POTW award.

Part of a team effort to see off Barking Abbey by a 15-point margin, Curran will be looking to go out on a high after three years with the EABL programme when they face CoLA in Manchester next week.

His Final Four contribution saw him hit 16 points, dish out eight assists and grab five boards - all with no turnovers - for an efficiency rating of 21.

Curran said: "I am happy that my team were able to get the win! I'm grateful that my last home game for Charnwood was a win against Barking Abbey and to get the player of the week as well.

"I can’t wait for me and my team to carry our momentum to the finals."

Charnwood Head Coach Louis Chamberlain said: "Oscar has worked exceptionally hard over his last three years with us.

"To be the POTW in his last ever home game at Charnwood in a big team win is an awesome moment for him."

Honourable mentions

Lewis Malcolm, Charnwood 18PTS/9REB/3AST/21EFF

Khyle Capanzana, CoLA 18PTS

Edward Onyia, Charnwood 17PTS/9REB/3AST/20EFF

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