IBC37 - Everything Thread [Fin]

by **Cassadaigua** » Fri Feb 03, 2023 10:53 am

Cassadaigua hopes for productive IBC,
by Chelsea Dufresne, Concord Heights Times

In their second IBC since returning back to the competition, team Cassadaigua is a notable underdog. It didn't help that the team failed to generate much during IBC 36, and this left them sitting with a mere #73 ranking. This put them in pot 9 of 11, just barely ahead of the unranked teams. For a nation that has won the competition before and continues to have its colleges do well in the NSCAA Tournament, it's likely that other nations were hoping that we would not be the one in their group from Pot 9. With an eleven team group, there is the potential for the nation to have a productive tournament. When I say productive, I mean potentially winning enough games to boost our ranking and improve what pot we come out of for future tournaments. If you are thinking playoffs, then it's time to come to grips with reality or to choose what other country you will be rooting for. Only four teams from the group will made the playoffs, so to climb into that from the ninth pot is very unlikely.

It will not be easy for the Fillies right off the bat, as the team will tip off with Banija. We have a better chance at beating them in the NSCAA, and there is no reason to think that we can beat them here, unless there is a monumental upset. Surprisingly, the Banijans aren't even a Pot 1 or a Pot 2 team, but actually Pot 4. We'll also need to contend with Valanora (#5), Tjorl (#6), and Abanhfleft (#10). Banija is nineteenth. That's why thinking playoffs is unreasonable, to think that we can get ahead of one of those teams is just silly, but even if we do, then we still need to contend with Pemecutan (#25), and the hosts of the tournament, Poafmersia. Having said all of that, you have to wonder if we will even have the opportunity to get wins anywhere. More than likely, we can get a few I believe, but will be in the role of playing spoiler.

There will be no home games in Cassadaigua, as tournament organizers took an unusual approach and chose mini-hosts for each group. The Cassadagan Association for Basketball opted to not place a bid to be a Group B host due to believe that others are more worthy at this time when comparing where their international basketball programs are, and where ours may be. In a normal setting, there would have probably been a bid. Enjoy the tournament and all the basketball that will be played, and have reasonable expectations for the Fillies. If that is the case, then it can be a worthwhile tournament for us to watch.

by **TJUN-ia** » Fri Feb 03, 2023 3:37 pm

After a long break, it's finally time for some more basketball from a team trying to refind their footing. The Hoops-Jaguars of TJUN-ia are back with a team both old and new that is almost dying for a new season of NSCAA to help restock the numbers within the ranks. The last time out certainly stung for many as while we were ranked #4 in the world, we just didn't have the best of times at all and fell in the Round of 16. Bao Zhou certainly knew that things had to get better this time around and while this team is certainly getting on in age, he knew they still had the talent to progress into the deep regions of this tournament...and with enough rotation and depth, who knows what the potential is.

All our group games will go down in Poafmersia (the main hosts of this IBC) and our first game of this IBC would be at Wolves Arena against debutants Benjium, known as the Ballhogs and head coched by Brutus Cato. We were the favourites in this contest, as you would expect, but we were also weary of first game back issues and tried our best to get back into business without too much hassle. Fair play to the Ballhogs, they certainly wanted to show their stuff to the watching world and that is exactly what they managed to do in this game, with both Cassius Montis and Publi Agricola certainly making this contest feel more like a challenge than some might've expected. What about us? Well, the new starting lineup certainly had a bit of fun out there with both Edmund Williamson and Fanis Papaloukas providing the main point-scoring opportunities and it would be through these 2 that we managed to come away with the 10-point win, 70-60 in the end.

That was a good start but with 10 more games to go, things are only going to get more challenging from here and everyone knew that. Up next will be #13 Mytanija over at Katerine Hall and that one will certainly be telling in the battle to make the top 4. GO HOOPS-JAGS!

SCHEDULE (Group A, all games in Poafmersia)
MD1: vs Benjium (UR) - Wolves Arena W 70-60
MD2: vs Mytanija (13) - Katerine Hall
MD3: vs Indusse (27) - Katerine Hall
MD4: vs Katterimunk (UR) - Wolves Arena
MD5: vs Aristian Republic (46) - Wolves Arena
MD6: vs Gatchingerrak Union (41) - Katerine Hall
MD7: vs Quebec and Shingoryeo (4) - Katerine Hall
MD8: BYE
MD9: vs Rastopochje (55) - Katerine Hall
MD10: vs Ko-oren (15) - Katerine Hall
MD11: vs Lisander (31) - Wolves Arena

by **Diarcesia** » Fri Feb 03, 2023 8:46 pm

Map of the Nankrai Archipelago
Location of Ikuyo Dieresis

by **Trolleborg** » Sat Feb 04, 2023 6:39 am

Greetings, compatriots!
This is TTV from Valentine Z, strange but very friendly place, where our basketball national team just finished first game of group stage. We all surprised to the extreme and still somehow we can not realize what happened to the full extent. One of the strongest teams from all over the world came out to play against our basketball players, the finalist of the World Championship two years ago, the owner of the gold medals of the Olympic Games and the crowned champion of his region, and yet the match ended in favor of our lads.

But first things first. Yes, of course, after the phenomenal success of the hockey team (we are preparing a special program dedicated to this, made it sure you do not miss it!), the expectations of basketball fans were very high, and it seemed to be seen in how smoothly and unanimously the drums beat in the stands and how loud and clear sounded the chants of a huge crowd in green, which occupied all the space behind the gates and partially along the two central stands - as if stretching out its arms, open in an embrace, to the opposite ring. But at first it seemed that the case would end as most experts predicted - the defeat of our team. Hannasea confidently took a 7-0 lead after only a minute and a half after the start of the game, but, however, could not further increase the advantage. With a benefit of hindsight, let's say that this was the last time in the game when the favorites were ahead by more than five points. Vladimir Finn spent the first minutes on his feet, constantly moving his basketball players from the court to the bench and back, and for anyone who did not see him in action previously, this would probably give the impression of panic and frantic attempts to find a saving move. And the players of the opponents did everything quite well for themselves. Move to the attack, and the struggle under their own and other rings, passing, throws, passes, in general, almost all elements of the game. Except for increasing the score, as if someone invisible every time prevented them from finishing the attack accurately or making the right pass. Our head coach later explained this phenomenon by the fact that his players got used to it after a couple of minutes, all having been in the fight in turn, and remembered in full the instructions on how to play against which of the Hannasea players, and how to instantly distinguish them by the details of the color of the uniform, since she is individual. By the big break, our team was four points behind, but everyone in the stands got the impression that the game was far from over. And then there was a stubborn struggle throughout the arena, in which more often than we would like, experienced opponents took the upper hand.

However, in the last quarter, when Hannasea took the lead by five points and a minute and a half remained, something broke in the game of our opponents. Ra'eed Coleman missed from a long distance, our return attack ended unsuccessfully, the game rolled into the “green corner”, but Coleman missed again, and here in the counter-attack by our entire team Morten Pesoglavec got three points. There were about forty seconds left while Hannasea quite calmly take the ball and move it around, so that if not to take a few points, then calmly bring the game to the final. And then something straightened up in our team, maybe it’s head coach found some words and moves - the ball was intercepted in our zone, and although the fast attack did not work as planned, the same Pesoglavec again got three points seven seconds before the end, and for the first time in the entire game, Trolleborg took the lead! The final siren caught the opponents in the attack - but the attack was (very fortunately for us, it must be added) inconclusive. 69-70, perhaps, the first sensation of the tournament took place! Vladimir Finn, however, did not rush to celebrate, he went to shake hands with a colleague from Hannasea, said something to him explaining the events as some strange coincidence, and then went to console Coleman.

Fans celebrate whole night, but it was open to doubts if they soon have something to celebrate again, since luck is not often grace our efforts.

by **Srednjaci** » Sat Feb 04, 2023 4:47 pm

INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS 37 -Poafmersia

NEW CAMPAIGN FOR OUR BASKETBALL AT IBC 37
BY
Danijel Grlić

Srednjaci 78
Sky Reavers 75

Dear viewers, welcome to the show dedicated to basketball. Our national team is playing IBC 37, the biggest basketball competition next to the Olympics of course.
As is known, our team is placed in group D. And we played the first match against the unranked team Sky Reavers. In the crowded Sportski Centar Katanija, our basketball players win with a bad and unconvincing game against newcomers in basketball. Our play didn't look smooth and good at all. We had a lot of lost balls, we had a lot of offensive errors and we were quite lukewarm in defense.
This game is not even a shadow of the game when we played the IBC final and won bronze at the Olympic Games. We are lucky that the first game is against an unranked team that is just entering the world of basketball.

SPORTSKI CENTAR KATANIJA- Sport center Katanija - 17 680 seats

@ Sky Reavers 78-75

WHO IS WITH US IN GROUP

Nova Anglicana (1) @ Basketball Coloseum, Katanija - The world basketball leader, defending champions, a very familiar opponent to us. We played against them when we first appeared on the basketball world stage. It was 6 editions of this competition ago. In the first game, we were an equal opponent, we almost had the game in our hands, but Nova Anglicana
came back in the match and won 73-74. In the second away match, we had almost no chances. The host was convincing with 94-65.
Nova Anglicana is the favorite of the entire tournament and will probably enter the medal fights.
We played later in the campaign for IBC 34 South Newlandia, then they inflicted the heaviest defeat in our history, an unreal 56-115!

Chromatika (7) @ Basketball Coloseum, Katanija- Chromatika was the host when we played the finals of IBC32 and lost in the finals to Banija. Chromatika belongs to the very top of the world basketball, they are in the top 10 basketball nations and they certainly want the title. Along with Nova Anglicana, he is certainly the favorite to win the group.

Græntfjall (11) @ Basketball Coloseum, Katanija- There is a thin difference between the fifth team in the world ranking and, say, Græntfjall, which is in 11th place. Græntfjall is a great sports nation that plays great basketball. They have an excellent handball school as well as a basketball school. Græntfjall is certainly one of the favorites for exploring groups. It will be interesting to see that tricolor fight of Nova Anglicana, Græntfjall and Chromatika.

Qasden (20)@ Poseidon Arena, Melarit - also one of our better known opponents. We played against them too. We were in a group at IBC 35 in Quebec and Shingoryeo. Then we won 70-66. Qasden is in the top 20 teams in the world and they certainly have a slight advantage, but I think that with teams from 20 places we can fight for the win.

Magnecia (28) @ Poseidon Arena, Melarit - Magnecia is also a team we know, against whom we had several victories but just as many defeats. However, Magnecia is the team with which we should definitely fight for position number 4 in the group. Magnecia can play a great match but can also fail miserably.

Cardenao (29) @ Poseidon Arena, Melarit- Cardenao is a higher ranked team than us, only one place worse than Magnecio. We have never played against them and we don't know how they play. However, the same applies to them as it did to Magnesia, and the Qasden fight for fourth place is open between us.

Macbon (49) @ Sportski Centar, Katanija - Macbon is ranked worse than us and we hope it will stay that way. We didn't have the chance to play with them before, but we believe that our team is still better than them.

Diarcesia (49) @ Sportski Centar, Katanija - Diarcesia, like Macbon, is a lower ranked team than us. It is the same for them as it is for Macbon, we believe that we are a better team than them. They are known to us from before, so we hope that we will still win and be ahead of them.

Sky Reavers (UR) @ Sportski Centar, Katanija- Although they are an unranked team and are playing in a major basketball competition for the first time, they gave us a hard time. But I believe that we will be much better in the second game. We do not expect any great results from them in the group. It will probably be a below mid-table battle.

Islerum (UR) @ Poseidon Arena, Melarit - Another newbie in our group. Of course, we have never played against them, but these newcomers should be watched very carefully. Let's remember, once we were newcomers too.

At the previous IBC performances, we had big ups and downs.
However, this is our record from all IBC competitions.

P    W   L
60  35   25   4614 : 4554  + 60

by **Hannasea** » Sat Feb 04, 2023 5:05 pm

   Melody Courts, Nexitros Stratuss
   TROLLEBORG 70 – 69 HANNASEA
    (10–16, 23–21, 19–20, 18–12)
Pts: Pesoglavec 16   Pts: Rubin 17
    Rbds: Henning 13   Rbds: Griffin 9
     Asts: Timden 5   Asts: Powell 3

Team update: The Sardines lost a nail-biter to Trolleborg as regrettably familiar failings in the last minute recurred. Morten Pesoglavec sank two three-pointers to overhaul a five-point lead in the closing seconds, while Ra’eed Coleman’s two misses cost bitterly. Nathaniel Rubin led all scorers with 17 points off the bench, including 3 of 5 three-pointers. Tom Powell had 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists with a steal and two blocks, but shot just .294 from the field.

Injury update: Késhaun Cunningham is out with an abdominal strain.

by **Chromatika** » Sat Feb 04, 2023 5:08 pm

Player of the Game: PG Kristie Shaddon-Ysenov - 28 points, 10 rebounds, 18 assists, 6 steals, 2 turnovers

Magnecia - a series of three haikus

Magnecia's first up
Penguins rally late to tie
Overtime needed

Shooting comes alive
Seventeen points five minutes
Magnecia is done

An important start
One more warmup game remain
Before challenges

by **Graintfjall** » Sat Feb 04, 2023 5:51 pm

Selection of articles from Græntfjaller news media.

Super Wolves back to winning ways but sterner tests lie ahead

Diarcesia stay an “opportunity” for expanding diplomatic horizons

News from around the Græntfjaller Commonwealth:

Suicide bombing targeting Sh’ia holy festivals kills 86 in Jabal Akhdar
Kijani flood relief hampered by supply chain disruption as roads washed out
Verdean volcano seen venting gas but no indication of seismic activity, though it might depend how many 0-0 draws we have to write about in World Cup qualifying
Personal ordinariate appointed for Græntfjall, angering Protestants
Rare tiger spotted in Sabujan forest reserve, attracting interest of trophy hunters

by **Pemecutan** » Sat Feb 04, 2023 9:35 pm

OOC: context can be found here, here and here

Chapter 1

Sukra Wage Wuku Krulut, just a week before the official appointment of the new Ratu Hawir Bhuja, Pemecutan Paramount King. The situation in Tegeh Kori Palace is quite hectic. After Rajya Sabha decided to intervene following the neverending protests, the meeting between the Rajya Sabha, representative of the government and representative of the protestors are planned to be held. And today, the Palace, as the headquarter of Rajya Sabha is taking their last preparation before the meeting tomorrow.

Ratu Dalem Penglingsir, the caretaker to the throne check the preparation. It is nothing big. Just for a meeting and probably a meal. He hopes that the meeting would not last long. But no one know. The meeting will attend by less than 10 people. 2 from Rajya Sabha including Ratu Penglingsir himself. Maybe 2 or 3 from the government. And 5 from the protestors. Although he is keen with the meeting but he is still worry. The fact that Patih Madya won't be attending makes him worry. Patih Madya, Ngurah Agung Kusumajaya is on another meeting in Toluiwa capital, Asakote. The government side will be attended by Patih Agung and Minister of Internal Affairs.

"How's everything?" ask Ratu Dalem Penglingsir.
"Oh Your Highness! I'm sorry. I didn't know you are here," answer a woman who is likely the event organizer of the meeting.
Ratu Dalem smile sweetly. He chuckled as the woman is surprise to see him. "No worries. So how's the preparation for tomorrow?" he ask again.
"Everything is under control, Your Highness. The decoration will be finished this afternoon," answer the young woman.
"Excellent. I believe everything is in good hands."

While at a hotel nearby, a group of college students are gathering around. They are the representatives of the protestors. Most of them are from Kanginan, the constituent state at the east of the country. They are talking about what will they say in the meeting.

"Are you sure about this?" ask one of them who is wearing a thin glasses.
"Why not?" answer a tall young man with a high tone. It's likely he is the leader of the group.
"Well, we are just a bunch of college students. We ain't politicians. And our demand could change the country," the glassed young man argue.
"It is because we are a college students that we can do this. We are the face of the future. What we want is for the better future of this beloved country," interrupt the hunk young man.
"That's true," agree the tall one. "It's been a long time that our country is governed by Pamecutan. Their king, their politicians, their economy. They controlled everything. We, the other states are just a spectators. And one mishap by their king can't be generalized and stained the other kingdoms," add him.
"We can be one country but we can't have one Paramount King!" shout a young woman in the group. The other in the group nodded in unison, agreed with what she said. "The position as the face of the country have been stained by their dynasty. We can't let that happened again," she added.
"But it can happen to anyone, right?" the glass young man say his opinion.
"That's true. But do you believe in them again after that?" argue the hunk one.
The glassed young man stay silent.
"We have to remember that Tamba Dynasty have been very controversial right after they usurp the throne of Pemecutan more than 300 years ago. Even inside the kingdom itself, this dynasty is not very welcomed," remind the tall young man.
"Yeah, and they become the Paramount King just because they were a close ally to Terranean Empire. And as we gained independence, they automatically become the leader to all of us," add the young woman.
"And now, we want to change that. Isn't it odd that we use the name Pemecutan and accepted them as our Paramount King despite we don't have a history as their vassal?" the tall young man say it in a firm tone.

Everyone in the room become silent. All of his saying was true. The appointment of Pemecutan as the leader of the union following the independence was because of their closeness to Terranean Empire, their former protector. The empire always saw Pemecutan as superior in the area because of their size. But the 3 kingdoms that made United Pemecutan was always separated. Clashes and wars were happening back then. But never conquered. Pemecutan only have their influence and that influence is stained by their own king's behavior.

by **Cardenao** » Sat Feb 04, 2023 10:47 pm

The members of the Cardenao national basketball team were having a nice shoot around in St. Zabransky square in New Cardonia. They had shown up nice and early, gotten a good stretch in, chatted about their 76–62 victory over Islerum to open the 37th International Basketball Championship, and just generally enjoyed a nice afternoon out in the Cardenao’s capital city.

Of course, word quickly spread about the appearance and free show getting put on by these…superstars and it wasn’t long until a crowd started to form. And form. And form. And it wasn’t much longer till there was a massive crowd seated in conveniently arranged bleachers to watch the game. The truth behind those 1500 seats was down to a stroke of smarts from Jessie Courtois, who had arranged for them to be put in specifically for this event. There were a fair amount of trees lining the court, and it seemed the event was so popular that even the squirrels had showed up to watch, with a scurry of them in attendance as well.

The teams were split up with some level of parity. Coach Courtois had put them together as follows:

Team 1:
Starting Point Guard: Blake D’Aquino
Reserve Shooting Guard: Clemont Lewis
Starting Small Forward: Javier Rose
Reserve Power Forward: Dani Kale
Staring Center: Alexis Wolfe

Team 2:
Reserve Point Guard: Cesc Desuazi
Starting Shooting Guard: Mattéo Bouchard
Reserve Small Forward: Raúl Leblanc
Starting Power Forward: César Sauvageon
Reserve Center: Frequency Vibrations

And they were running it, going hard but not out of control against each other. Back and forth the shooting and the scoring went, with plenty of shit talk in between. On the court, the players were having a blast, playing freely with confidence and knowing that 1500 fans full of total adoration were watching them with stars in their eyes. It was a great time. But they couldn’t help but notice some particularly astute observers.

“Yo,” D’Aquino said to his temporary opponent Matteo Bouchard.

“What’s up Blake? Don’t be pulling any bullshit here.”

“Nah man. You uhhh……you notice those squirrels?”

“Man, I said no bullshit, what the hell are you talking about?”

“Dude…the squirrels. They’re……they’re watching us man. I swear to God I just saw a trio of them go up with chestnuts to one big squirrel and they pointed at one of our teams then handed the nut over. Dude……Bro. The squirrels……they were betting on us man!!!”

“Blake what the fuck are you talking about man, why am I talking to you right now you’re on the other team! We’ve given up two…three baskets in a row during this baked conversation what the fuck man stay off the mushrooms!”

“I’m telling you MattE, just watch them man. Shit is freaking me out but DON’T point at them man, who knows what they’re capable of!”

“Whatever dude, hope we wax y’alls ass here,” said Matteo and the game kept on.

‘That idiot, always thinking he sees something when he doesn’t, love him but Blake has gotta keep his focus on the game and not trip about this stuff!’

The shrillness of a referee’s whistle blew him out of his thoughts and into the present. He shuffled to his spot in the key, bent over with his hands on his knees.

As Wolfe started his free throw routine, Matteo looked up towards the trees, seeing shifting leaves, two lads sitting in the branches for a good vantage point of the game and……and…wait what??

As Matteo looked on in astonishment, a trio of squirrels slinked up to one particularly large squirrel. It had to be the one Blake was talking about earlier, and thus Matteo was enthralled by what happened next.

One squirrel clearly made a Zero sign with his little paw and pushed in a chestnut that was quickly snatched up by the big fella. The next squirrel put his paw up to signify one and pushed in two chestnuts, again grabbed by the large squirrel. The final squirrel hesitated for a second before looking at Wolfe, who was settling in to shoot the first of his two free throw shots. With time winding down, the last lad pushed three chestnuts in and made a clear ‘TWO’ sign with his little paw and the large lad eagerly raked in his nuts.

Swish, went Wolfe’s first shot.

Matteo hardly noticed though as he watched the first squirrel put his paws over his little eyes as the big squirrel took a bite out of the chestnut he had put forth. The other two squirrels who had put up ‘one’ and ‘two’ seemed excited, chasing each other around the tree in frenzied excitement and only coming to a rest as Alexis Wolfe set up his second free throw attempt.

Swish, went Wolfe’s second shot, a statistical anomaly for the typically poor free throw shooting big man.

As Matteo looked on, the third squirrel that had chipped in three chestnuts seemed to freak out with joy, running in circles and chattering like squirrels do while the one that had put forth two chestnuts laid down with his fluffy tail flat looking very sad and dejected. Matteo swore the big squirrel carried an almost annoyed expression on his face as he repeatedly reached into the tree and pulled out nine chestnuts and rolled them to the third squirrel, who then broke off young branches and manipulated them to wrap the chestnuts around himself before carefully slinking off.

“Holy shit, they’re fucking betting on us.”

Matteo couldn’t believe it, he was absolutely dumbstruck. His jaw could only drop further as the successfully gambling squirrel re-appeared sans tied on nuts and it seemed the other squirrels in attendance gave him the hype up treatment like one would a successful horse better at the track.

“What…the…fuck.”

The squirrels were now drinking…Matteo could only begin to guess what, out of hollowed out chestnut shells. As his own basketball game progressed, he could see several more chestnut sportsbetting transactions occur, and a few of the harder drinking squirrels starting crashing into other, non-drinking squirrels and were escorted off by strong looking lads.

“They……the squirrels have drunk drivers.”

“Dude are you alright?”

Matteo snapped back to his reality. Ball. Court. Hoop. We’re playing bassskettttballlll, Bas Ket Ball. Alexis Wolfe was standing aside him with the ball in his hands. Matteo had been so zoned out he got caught up in a screen and switched on to the 7’2 scoring behemoth that was Wolfe, who was starting a scoring attempt

“Alexis, Imma foul the shit out of you”

“You’re gonna what??”

Matteo smacked Alexis’s hands hard, sending the ball out of play as the referee blew her whistle. Alexis went to the line, got the ball and dribbled it.

“What the fuck was that???” He hissed under his breath to Matteo.

“My bad brother but listen, I need you to miss this first free throw.”

“What???”

“Please. I’ll explain before you shoot again.”

Wolfe looked at Matteo like he was crazy, but sure enough he bricked his first shot. Matteo watched as another squirrel who had held up the zero sign broke down in little squirrel tears.

Those little bastards were absolutely gambling chestnuts on Wolfe’s free throw shooting and God knows what else!

“Sorry for the foul but listen…”

And so Matteo quickly told him what he had noticed and said to miss his next free throw and look at this one squirrel in particular he saw make the ‘one’ sign he saw earlier.

Wolfe did his routine, lined up the shot and……fired it hard off the backboard, so hard it went all the way back out of bounds under his own basket.

Sure enough, that one particular squirrel broke out in celebration.

“Holy shit it’s a betting squirrel!!!!” The two of them yelled out in unison, with Wolfe pointing towards the particular individual.

Immediately all squirrel activity paused, with them all looking in the sort of dazed confusion you would expect from a squirrel.

“………what?” said coach Jessy Courtois.

Matteo shot a glance towards Wolfe.

“Nothing coach, just an AUU team reference.”

“Alright get it in gear and give these fans a show!”

Wolfe and Matteo looked up towards the tree but not a squirrel could be seen. In fact, no squirrel could be found in any of the trees, like a coordinated departure had taken place.

And so the game ended with team 2 narrowly winning. As the players trotted off with 1500 fans screaming their names, Matteo and Wolfe looked around for any sign of those gambling squirrels they swore they had seen. Alas, they couldn’t see a hit of them and consigned it to being some sort of weird learned animal behavior and on with their lives.

But the squirrels could see them. They could see them very, very clearly.

As they nibbled on the chestnuts that had seemingly fallen from the sky many suns ago, they gathered and watched the basketball team bus drive down the street, before taking a left and disappearing out of sight.

“Nut’s sake Frank! Running a gambling ring in broad daylight like that in front of the humans, are you trying to get busted???”

Though the sun set on Cardenao, it rose on a new question.

What were the final impacts of the Chestnuttening attack by the Ochre Islands? What else was out there?

by **Raspotochje** » Sun Feb 05, 2023 1:14 am

BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION OF RASPOTOCHJE - official site

Our basketball team started with two wins at IBC 34.
Great opening win against Lisander!

Lisander 65–96 Raspotochje

In the first match at IBC 37 our basketball team played away against Lisander.
Lisander is not a weak opponent and there will be an opponent who will show us with its play how much this team we sent is actually worth.
Raspotochje immediately went into the match very focused and determinante.
From the beginning, our team imposed its game and its rhythm and victory was out of the question.
In first quarters, Lisander players were very equal to us but they were equal only in first quarters.
Our team was dominant in every part of game and in the end of first half we already have a big advantage, 46-28!

The best players in our team were Maja Bokšić with 25 points and Magdalena Gulić with 22 points. The performance of Tina Vargić, who had 15 rebounds, three blocks and 12 points, should also be emphasized.

BENJIUM

Our first home match will be against newcomer Benjium.
We are wery glad that basketball goes further in every corner of multiverse. We don’t know anything about Benjium's team and basketball but also we expect good game of our team in front of our fans.
Kotiga wil hosted this match so we do hope in our win.

DRESS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

In the background of IBC 37, big changes are happening in club basketball. As was previously known, we tried to unite the Dotivijan's league and ours. Negotiations were continued, but we were unable to reach an agreement, so talks were stoped. The main reason was financial and organizational. Both countries had financial difficulties at the time. Today, the finances in our country are stable, we have come out of a deep economic crisis and GDP went from minus 7 to plus 12 at the end of last year.
With that, the leaders of the DRESS group, which consists of the Olympic and sports committees of the countries of Dotivija, Raspotochje, East Slavonia and Srednjaci, met with the idea of a league of champions. The national championships will have their own autonomy and the four best clubs from each country will play in the DRESS Champions League. We don't know how it will all look like yet, but we will certainly follow the development of the negotiations.

by **Ko-oren** » Sun Feb 05, 2023 4:21 am

Part 2

"Welcome everyone, to Santa Teresa!" Marten Zuidveld welcomed the diverse group to Ko-oren. In the few interactions Zeina had with Marten, he was very much the stereotype of a Ko-orenite politician. In government for his entire working life, slowly working his way up, while keeping an immaculate record at the job and outside of it, to eventually be recommended as cabinet member, striving to be as knowledgeable as possible about his field, and without being entirely featureless - the meritocratic 'algorithm' requires not just a clean record but also an inspiring spark to stay recognisable and relevant. In this lavishly decorated room in the provincial palace of Finisterre, though, Martin Zuidveld didn't seem inspiring. And between so many different apparels he was by far the least colourful one.

"I'll briefly talk you through the agenda for this week. Every morning we'll start with a briefing on the day, after which you'll have time to catch up with news from home. At 10 AM every morning, the rest of the programme starts. On day one, we share presentations on the impact of the Constellation on the nations. The rest of the week we'll spend some time on the road and enjoy political discussion or Ko-orenite culture elsewhere. In the evening, we will have dinner together, after which you are free to visit diasporas and cultural gatherings, however depending on timezones I assume that some might want to use that time for work, as your nations will be in the middle of office hours by then."

There it was, ever present in dealings with Ko-oren. 'you are free to visit something, or work on something' was something Zeina often encountered during her studies in Gehrenna, and then made a comeback when she was working for the Irithoreni government. It sounds like you are free to choose one or the other and both contribute meaningfully, but the first choice was obviously the right call. No matter how much she might inconvenience the Council of Elders in Irithoren, she has to spend all nights with the other Constellation leaders.

"And with that, I would like to ask our first speaker to come to the stage - the leader of Irithoren, Zeina Nayla Fizairdah!"

Go time.

"Thank you. My name is Zeina Nayla Fizairdah, and I represent the small nation of Irithoren, and over the next few days I'd like to get to know you all and learn about your local governments in relation to the Ko-orenite government. First of all, Irithoren lies on a small, rocky cape in Esportiva..."

by **Quebec and Shingoryeo** » Sun Feb 05, 2023 4:26 am

OOC: Part 21 will be posted later today, so after the IBC cutoff but before the cutoff after. I will neither confirm nor deny that there exists a possibility of posting two parts - 21 and 23 (with 22 in the WBC) - ahead of the third cutoff due to narrative progression's sake ahead of WCQ.

Dr. Heo and the Portal of Madness

PART 20 - Vampires

Isabel unveiled the map of Quebec and Shingoryeo, pointing to the various points without a single word coming out of her mouth, and then would come to bridge them together in a web.

'The net is bigger than it appears, though it probably wouldn't be able to cover all that's needed to prevent us from breaking apart, or disappearing altogether,' said Isabel, looking back at the surrounding countries of the map. There one could see not only the familiar names of Ko-oren to the northwest and Huayramarca to the southwest, but also relatively lesser known nations of Lacfroid and New Gesem that had over time replaced their once-neighbours of Semarland. 'Do you see where the things have not exactly...gone right?'

Mmm, was all that was on Dr. Heo's mind, as he quickly noticed the direction her extra-regional colleague was intending to point out. This is not a normal map - the surrounding nations look a lot more populated in numbers, and all the routes south of Blood Sea lot more clogged up and tempestuous based on what this is saying.

The man his junior, however, would be quick to point out the problem. 'Yes, why is Andossa Se Mitrin Vega directly confronting Huayramarca? Most maps not from Quebec do not have this version, but the ones here and on the home soil do,' Joon-Gweon said. 'According to here you would go south of Montevicio and then to Baja Calania, where there exist two options. But elsewhere doesn't exactly have that.'

'Correct assessment,' commented Isabel, the time-master whose time had much been spent on 'theories of universal sentience, multiversal suprasentient agency, and exotic mathematics' (a 2021 roleplay by Tequilo was cited for a specific sake). 'I still remember witnessing everything a decade ago from now, of the Foxchester Accords and the Anaian Dawn, not to mention the return of the Licentiapasterra from the fog....but did not take into account the possibilities of a lack of...so-called, proper severance. Let's say.'

'So you are saying that there could only be so many maps from the outer circle, but those are imperfect because something's not done correctly when the Declaration and the Amendments were announced?' asked Joon-Gweon.

'Yes,' Isabel answered, though she had wished the Tamarindian in her would limit herself from saying much beyond what's needed for this purpose. 'There is a common saying back in now-lost lands of Wight that when something that's supposed to be as big as the Declaration itself, or travel to the Tea Party at the End of the Multiverse...time stops becoming time. And when that happens, sometimes you would end up with certain steps not being implemented due to checklists missing a box or two.'

'Okay, okay, okay, stop there for a second, please,' Dr. Heo asked him to stop. 'We all know that Gwangmoo-Twelve and the Cabinet had not noticed the impact the said AOxit would create. Almost as if they had gone without care and brought his friends, the guys to the left shore and the right shore alongside him?'

Isabel would just smile back, as she answered in a light smirk suggesting the level of difference in their understanding (for obvious reasons, duh). 'I do not know the mortal politics, my friend, and would rather speak of logistics and fallouts,' Isabel said, her eyes glowing up a bit. 'But what appears to me is that the plan, while valiant, may have flaws, one that would demand more without adequate preparation or consultation.

'It's like a certain foreign named...Fiktor Vin, whose name dances more like a Coq Au Vin, I don't even know anymore. Notes from the future would suggest that: "But it does not seem that our victory pleased the hockey world. It seems that most hockey powers would be happy to congratulate some other team instead, and since things didn’t work out the way they wanted, they saved their warm words for some other time".'

'Demanding respect when the state representatives would come to make accusatory comments against others without substantial evidence,' Joon-Gweon added. 'How classless. One that I wish I could agree, but cannot, because respect is earned both ways. As we have said for years with our rivals, respect comes in both ways. Like the Ko-orenites on cricket, Sylestonians on handball, Banijans on basketball and Mytanars on volleyball.'

'Okay, back to the actual topic please.' said Dr. Heo. 'So we have some serious fallouts from Foxchester that's causing cracks all over the Quebecois soil, ones that may or may not have caused the...higher above...to send that Sea Monster and have it come at all of us, and Hannah. Correct?'

'Correct,' was all that she said, as Isabel gave the map a light touch. With a single touch, each and every stroke of the map would glow into silver. 'Let me manoeuvre this quickly.' She then quickly gave a hand gesture to swipe over the map, which unlocked all the endpoints and sites from their symbols to a set of smaller, holographic sites with specific incidents occurring in those places.

The crack appears to be worse than indicated, thought Isabel, while Dr. Heo and Joon-Gweon would observe from some distance away. The scenes were a bit too small for her to notice the details, but from the initial impression, it was evident that something was wrong. From the sea monster and the Lounge's flooding, to the arson committed to the Rink of Dream and the rumours of darker, grimmer forces all the way out in the Pronghorn Island over the Blood Sea, everything was happening around them.

And while she didn't have the courage or crosscheck to confirm those suspicions just yet, all of the signs would suggest to the weakness of the barriers between the Spiritual and the Mortal realms over the Quebecois soil. While Isabel knew how to travel through the nearby alternative dimensions and alter minor human decisions in a matter of butterfly effect, something like this would require a different sort of magical practitioner.

Hannah, of course, was one of them, and others could also be procured. But Joon-Gweon, whose ability to rationalise matters with relative ease, was a rare kind. The potency of his magic was evident and perhaps it was inevitable he was going to have to use it.

'Alright, let's have a look at this,' Isabel said, gesturing to Joon-Gweon and Dr. Heo that they should check what is going on. 'Actually, Jang. You are good. You should check up on Hannah rather - I will probably need Dr. Heo's thoughts on this. She's in the guest bedroom.'

by **Atheara** » Sun Feb 05, 2023 4:34 am

OFF THE BALL: Kitra Vallacic

Kitra Vallacic, she is one of the power forwards for Atheara's Guardians within the International Basketball Championship. Whenever she's on the ball, she can often be more than not menacing for any player to face. Quite tall, standing at 196 centimeters and with her blonde hair and black eyes, she's quite the easy player to spot. It's odd to see someone of her caliber to be a PF, considering she's actually rather slow. But more often that not she makes up for it with her strength. So, we know her on the ball, what about off of it?

Well, she is actually a rather nice and open person. Unlike a good part of the team, Kitra is rather communicative and is often the speaker of the group. She's captained her college side before, which is why she is one of the most vocal on the team. A supportive and nice fellow to be friends with. There's also a lot more interest around her than what it seems. Growing up, Kitra actually didn't like basketball. Sure she is now on Atheara's national team, but originally she hated the sport due to the fact that is always reminded her of her father. Who was a great basketball player but never was there for her, according to Vallacic. Bad or no memories at all are understandable.

However, her mother would always encourage her to pick up the orange ball and play. As according to Vallacic, her mother would say that Kitra's father would always spiritually be there when she plays with the ball. As Kitra's mother, Danira Vallacic revealed that Kitra's father was also a power forward. Kitra's journey to playing basketball was started and funded by her mother, who was always there for her when she needed. A friend of Kitra's mother would often fill the role of being the father Kitra never had. She once stated that her favourite memory of his "stepfather" was when they visited the zoo near their old home. It had a lot of different animals, and one animal that interested Kitra was the one horned trecytop.

"I know it's one of the many animals native to Atheara. That one horn is strong and tough. I told to my stepfather, "I want to play like a trecytop!" and he laughed. He believed in me." Kitra said, reciting the exact moment back when she was small. Now, Kitra absolutely loves to play basketball. But it's not the only thing she really loves. From that childhood memory also sparked Kitra's interest and love for animals, as she also has a fundraiser to continuously get stray pets to be adopted. She also works at a local aquarium for part time. "I guess it just... Sparked my love for wildlife, that moment." She once said.

An animal lover and a good player, who's communicative and has captain potential. Kitra Vallacic played an important role when she was substituted on for Atheara against Eire Agus Albion on The Guardian's first matchday victory by a scoreline of 85 - 63.

Next up? Haru Sabagiri.

by **PotatoFarmers** » Sun Feb 05, 2023 8:35 am

Sporting Daily
Commentary: The PBA piggy-backed on a growing sport and shot itself to fame. Now is it trying to eliminate it?

Mancodas - The 37th edition of the International Basketball Championships kickoff in Mancodas, with only one-fourth of the teams currently in Jottim because of the overseas-hosting mechanic. Afterall, expecting all 44 teams to travel to a nation which literally just started regular basketball league competitions around 2 years ago sounds utterly ridiculous. The Poafmersia Basketball Association thought by having open bids for co-hosting, it could be seen as more acceptable for the members to travel. And turns out it worked, with the Poafmersian bid approved. Now, at the hosts will bring another 10 teams into Poafmersia for part of the group stage, and another 8 teams will show up from the remaining 2 groups whose group stage matches are all outside the nation.

The rise of basketball's popularity has gone ridiculously quick, especially after coming up with a radical format for the Professional Basketball League. It literally knocked the popularity of the struggling Volleyball National League off, with the VNL confirming that it would revert to semi-pro status after struggling to get funding for a regular season. With the Poafmersian Hockey League on hiatus, pending the results of the Ice-Field community discussion, the PBL's popularity was definitely looking to chase that of the Apex. And most long-time basketball fans would be glad the sport is getting a second chance in Poafmersia, retracting all the criticism they had raised when the PBL started with such a radical format. No external relegation, but internal relegation system, with a playoff and end-of-season title decider. If any sports purists would look at the format, they would struggle to understand why the league format is as such, and probably raised questions. Now that the PBL has achieved the level of popularity, they would probably shut themselves up and move away.

But there is one entire sport struggling to compete for viewership ever since the PBL started. The sport whose format was copied by the PBL - yes, referring to the Glory Professional League (GPL), is also having one of its majors here in Mancodas. The Mancodas Major, one of the 5 majors in the GPL, is held right now in Mancodas, at the Mancodas Exhibition Centre. While it is heading into its second round robin, its popularity has been on a downward sliding trend. The GPL used to be full house when selling tickets for the live matches. Now its popularity, online or offline, was nowhere near its glory 2 years ago.

Many GPL die-hards have braced for an even emptier convention hall ahead of the incoming IBC, attributing basketball's appeal to newer generation because of the format of the PBL. They argue most of the glamor and excitement has gone to an international tournament being held in Poafmersia, and regardless of whether the Poafmersian team managed to make it to the final 16, Poafmers would likely turn out in waves to watch the tournament. And with the impending clashing schedule as the Mancodas Major's playoff rounds, the GPL fans are calling on the PBA to not "jump on the GPL's popularity" in increasing basketball's popularity. "Its seems strange when the PBA decides to use a GPL format, and then, instead of crediting the GPL for the inspiration, decides to host such a big event in the same city as the GPL with the exact same timetable. That seems ridiculous to us," said Pickle Handsorth, a die-hard fan of the All Champions' Gaming, defending Mancodas Major champions from last year. "We used to find it impossible to get tickets. Since the PBL started, tickets became easier, and starting this year, we start to see lots of empty seats."

While this may all sound like a conspiracy theory, a quick check on the expected IBC schedule saw lots of overlaps. In particular, the group stage was split into 3 time splits, similiar to that of the GPL. With PBL matches typically held at 12 noon and 3pm, the evening timeslot was seen as an unusual change for Poafmers, but many fans accepted it. And it literally fed extra fuel to the theory as a whole. But all these would only be theorycrafting, and until the PBA comes out to explain their scheduling measures, we can't take it for granted.

by **PotatoFarmers** » Sun Feb 05, 2023 8:42 am

Its cutoff again! I would be formalising a 2 hour window for future reference, staying to between 9pm and 11pm SST for MD3 and onwards. I do intend to cut earlier for some of the cutoffs though, so I don't want to shift it to a 10-11pm window. Anyways, here's another prompt:

Building Blocks. Every new thing starts from a small building block. Talk about what this building block is in the context of whatever you choose.

EDIT: Banija's RP below was counted and graded for MD2.

Group A
Gatchingerrak Union 73–85 Katterimunk
Quebec and Shingoryeo 94–83 Indusse
TJUN-ia 69–66 Mytanija
Rastopochje 72–60 Benjium
Ko-oren 78–84 Lisander

 # Group A                   Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
 1 Rastopochje                 2    2   0   168  125  +43
 2 Quebec and Shingoryeo       2    2   0   177  154  +23
 3 Katterimunk                 2    2   0   163  149  +14
 4 TJUN-ia                     2    2   0   139  126  +13
 5 Indusse                     2    1   1   208  167  +41
 6 Lisander                    2    1   1   149  174  −25
 7 Aristian Republic           1    0   1    76   78   −2
 8 Ko-oren                     1    0   1    78   84   −6
 9 Mytanija                    2    0   2   137  152  −15
10 Benjium                     2    0   2   120  142  −22
11 Gatchingerrak Union         2    0   2   146  210  −64

Group B
Banija 84–80 Melbergia
Pemecutan 93–62 Cassadaigua
StrayaRoos 59–81 Poafmersia (Scored by Mertagne)
Eire Agus Albion 65–95 Valanora
Abanhfleft 99–68 Atheara

 # Group B               Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
 1 Valanora                2    2   0   185  127  +58
 2 Pemecutan               2    2   0   175  131  +44
 3 Banija                  2    2   0   168  146  +22
 4 Abanhfleft              1    1   0    99   68  +31
 5 Tjorl                   1    1   0   103   67  +36
 6 Poafmersia              2    1   1   150  141   +9
 7 Atheara                 2    1   1   153  162   −9
 8 Melbergia               2    0   2   147  187  −40
 9 Cassadaigua             2    0   2   128  177  −49
10 StrayaRoos              2    0   2   121  171  −50
11 Eire Agus Albion        2    0   2   128  180  −52     

Group C
Juvencus 66–87 Gran Saguaro
Dod Rava 85–76 Southwest Eastnorth
Drawkland 98–65 HUElavia
Hannasea 100–56 United Adaikes
Valentine Z 123–66 Trolleborg

 # Group C                   Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
 1 Drawkland                   2    2   0   196  126  +70
 2 Gran Saguaro                2    2   0   170  146  +24
 3 Dod Rava                    2    2   0   168  158  +10
 4 Valentine Z                 1    1   0   123   66  +57
 5 Trolleborg                  2    1   1   136  192  −56
 6 Hannasea                    2    1   1   169  126  +43
 7 Juvencus                    2    1   1   144  149   −5
 8 Geektopia                   1    0   1    80   83   −3
 9 Southwest Eastnorth         2    0   2   138  163  −25
10 HUElavia                    2    0   2   147  181  −34
11 United Adaikes              2    0   2   117  198  −81

Group D
Islerum 86–82 Chromatika
Græntfjall 60–72 Cardenao
Nova Anglicana 91–64 Diarcesia
Sky Reavers 70–94 Qasden
Macbon 73–75 Srednjaci

 # Group D                   Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
 1 Nova Anglicana              2    2   0   182  140  +42
 2 Cardenao                    2    2   0   148  122  +26
 3 Srednjaci                   2    2   0   153  148   +5
 4 Islerum                     2    1   1   148  158  −10
 5 Græntfjall                  2    1   1   155  133  +22
 6 Qasden                      2    1   1   170  161   +9
 7 Chromatika                  2    1   1   173  167   +6
 8 Macbon                      1    0   1    73   75   −2
 9 Magnecia                    1    0   1    81   91  −10
10 Sky Reavers                 2    0   2   145  172  −27
11 Diarcesia                   2    0   2   125  186  −61

by **Banija** » Sun Feb 05, 2023 8:52 am

Banija's Triceratops Herd- A short intro!

Let's talk about them! Atlantian Oceania's only(to our knowledge) wild triceratops herd, it is the only surviving species of dinosaur, to our knowledge, in the Kingdom of Banija. They have roamed the central parts of Banija, in the Buganda Region, for millenia, and still survive in decent numbers, although they certainly quantity an endangered speices- around 1,000 between 4 separate areas of Buganda, as well as an estimate of a small population, 50 or so, in interior Kitara.

Human-Triceratops Interaction- Religion

Let's first talk about the history of human-triceratops interaction. For much of the many various Banijan indigenous religions, including the Kasanke, indigenous religions included both the worship of ancestors, and particularly, animals. That was true for the Bokassa people, a minority tribe within Banija who historically were known for worshipping the Triceratops.

Just think of the Bokassa creation story- of course, formed well before Christianity was even conceived in this nation. "The story goes like this. The Sky God, Kagoro, came down from the heavens to observe his creation. Back then, triceratops were ferocious human-hunters, and they like to eat on man for breakfast. But Kagoro saw that they were endangering humanity, and he came down to tame them and turn them into plant eaters. He then established the triceratops as his pets. 'Triceratops should not hurt man anymore, and not hunt them down. These animals are my pets, and man is hereby under my protection'. He then said in the future, that man should honor and respect the Triceratops, as the spirits of the Gods of war would live in the triceratops and protect the Bokassa."

And the three-horned monsters, from that point forward, would not hunt down man again. Or that's how the story goes, anyways. Piss off a triceratops and it'll be probably the last mistake you ever make. But generally, that's how the populations of Banija and this animal have co-existed. Where they pre-dominate, the Bokassa used to worship them. Of course, like the rest of Banija, the Bokassa are primarily Mormons, so the worship is dead. However, there is still a great deal of respect among the Bokassa, particularly the more traditional ones, about the Triceratops.

The Thinning out of the Population

Of course, only having 1,000 of an animal across an entire country isn't exactly a massive population, even if it's the only one. The question is- why so small? They are suffering the same fate that other animals in the country, and across the multiverse in general, are suffering. With explosive population growth in the country, and the pressures to build outward instead of upwards, humanity tends to be encroaching on their land. As cities and suburbs continue to grow, the rise of exurbs encroach on that territory, which means that the populations suffer.

1,000 is not the lowest number it has ever been at - the population has actually been recovering. The lowest recorded number is 750, although admittedly, the Banijan Government never tried to keep an accurate count until after the Banijan-Equestrian War(of WC80), so it's only a modern thing. The maintenance of this population has always been seen as a big priority for Banijan governments in succession, in conjunction with the Big 5 land mammals(lions, leopards, buffalo, elephants, rhinos). "We are stewards of this land- God-given, for ourselves and for all of creations." The Katikkiro, Xolile Lubabalo, has said on this topic. "Part of being stewards is allowing the land to flourish, and all creation to thrive. We have a special responsibility to this animal, the triceratops, because you do not see it elsewhere in Atlantian Oceania."

Putting the animal in captivity

For basically all of history, since independence, Banijan policy has generally been not to put the triceratops in captivity- mostly because, of course, the difficulty of capturing such an animal alive. "These are big, angry creatures, that traditionally have been tough to bring down." Said a zoologist at Northern Moravica University. "As well as resistance over this animal in particular from some populations across Banija, particularly those with Bokassa heritage. And with Banija being a mostly poor country for much of its history, capturing animals to put in zoos has been less of a priority in general."

Generally, Banija would work with other countries to allow some big animals here to be sent abroad, for zoos and safaris and what not- something that Banijans generally consider 'essential' to managing the populations. But they do not apply that to the Triceratops. "The logic, as follows, is this- there is not a known country out there that has a living and breathing triceratops population." Said this same zoologist. "So why would this animal, of all animals, be sent abroad? Just leave it here, manage the population here, and allow Banijans to enjoy it."

Attitudes seem to be changing, although to this day, Banijans have never sent a triceratops abroad for any reasons. "Attitudes may be changing- and the booming human population of Banija seems to be a big factor." Said this zoologist. "To the right place, I feel like the Government would probably be willing to round up a few triceratops and send them elsewhere- but it would surely be the subject of a major political debate. The Lukiiko would surely have its say, not to mention the regional governments of either Buganda or Kitara, wherever you're pulling these from."

Visiting the Dinos

The last question remains- where can you visit them?

The biggest reserve that contains a lot of triceratops is the Ukunda Game Reserve, located on the southwestern corner of Buganda. "It's probably the biggest safari/reserve in the nation." Said that same zoologist from NMU. It is certainly Banija's most popular. Millions of visitors come, every year, to see all sorts of wild animals, and in particular the triceratops. With wealth increasing across the country, it is something that is certainly becoming more and more expensive each year- but it is worth it.

Generally, tour guides drive groups of about 10-15 people through the Ukunda Game Reserve, and they'll off-road to see various animals in the daytime. People are known for getting great photos of the Triceratops, or any of these other big game animals, in action. There are a fewer smaller reserves in Buganda, as well as the North Kitara Reserve, located in the Kitara Region.

Places without access to the Triceratops

Banija, at the cornerstone of its conservation strategy, has places that are known as essentially "no-go zones" for humanity, particularly tourists and other civilians. "These have been in place for a while- strict areas, covering huge amounts of square miles, where basically only zoologists, and other related people, are allowed to enter the land for any reason at all. Wildlife rangers guard the perimeter of a lot of this land, and the penalties are serious for entering- potentially 2 years in jail time, or more."

Those lands are generally managed not by the national government, but the regional governments. Probably around 2/3s of the triceratops population lives on those lands. Scandously, well-connected super political donors have been granted access, via executive order, by regional premiers to land like that, but you've really got to be part of the 1% of the 1% to be able to do that. It's definitely a practice that is looked down upon in general in Banija, but to the victors go the spoils.

by **Gran Saguaro** » Sun Feb 05, 2023 1:12 pm

The Altiplano Pimería — dry, rocky, hot, and sun-scorched. The altitude here is over 6,000 feet above sea level, which leaves the blood of tourists thin and their capacity for exertion quite low. Nevertheless, a tour bus from the west coast megalopolis of San Armando disembarked at the nearby desert town of Wahuai, where the paunchy urbanites began a guided trek up into the mountains...

"To your right: the wonderful, magnificent Ponderosa pine." José, the tour guide, waved a disinterested hand towards a charred black hunk on the top of the ridge. "This tree smells like butterscotch. It can withstand fires — in fact, it needs fires in order to reproduce." The tour group took pictures of the dead tree as their trail curled around it. José stopped to look at the tree again and took a drag of his cigarette. "Actually, I don't know what's wrong with this one. For some reason it's all burnt." The group of tourists went to sniff the tree, but they couldn't detect any butterscotch, for it was not a Ponderosa pine but some other less-fire resistant species.

"I can't smell the butterscotch!" cried a fat man with a tacky "Indian designs"-printed shirt and a backpack.

"Cause it's burnt, dumbass," said José. "I promise it's still a Ponderosa pine. Maybe it got struck by lightning. You can smell a different one later. We're gonna keep walking."

The trail snaked into a skinny ledge, abutted on one side by a sheer wall of rock and on the other was a steep slope, cut by the switchbacks which the group had walked up on. After ten feet, the rock wall cracked into a v-shaped nook, filled with boulders and adorned by geometric shapes, spirals, and simple animals painted on in the 80s to boost tourism. "This is paleolithic rock art," said José. "It's thousands of years old. We don't know the exact age or who painted it, but we do know some of the meanings of what was painted on here."

The enraptured group crowded around, snapping photographs. "This spiral," said José, pointing to a large spiral, "symbolizes water, rain, flowing, you know. The man holding a spear is a guardian. And this one on a horse, um, it's a warrior. It's protecting the people." José drew in a breath from his cigarette, and blew the smoke onto the rock art. "Jagged lines. They represent a journey, a river, a destination, mountains — the canyon, which we're going to see in a second. The jagged lines represent all of those things. Very versatile." He pointed to a wiggly line. "A snake. Danger." Then, a palm with a spiral drawn on it. "This, does anyone recognize this symbol? It's called the 'healing hand'. It's the symbol for the National Medicine Service, the hospital. It comes from the Hopi, apparently, so it's a mystery why the symbol is here. It represents healing and shamans and stuff."

José turned around and continued on, the little red tour guide flag which stuck out of his backpack fluttering in the breeze. The man who couldn't smell the butterscotch waited at the back of the group, then furtively, when no one was looking, he ran his hand over the rock art. "Wow." He ran his hand over it again — a big chunk of paint flaked off. The man turned pale and scurried to rejoin the tour.

The group wandered into a small stand of pines by the lip of the ridge. To the left was a picturesque panorama of the midday desert — the dusty, beige mountains and canyons rose from the ground at random, and a few small settlements could be seen along the road. The tour group took selfies with the view, mouths agape. José blew out a cloud of smoke and pointed at a little cluster of buildings in the distance — "Wahuai." A little kid noticed where he was pointing.

"Is that where we just were?" he asked, his mind blown at how small it looked. José nodded.

"Wahuai. That's the town. What's your name?"

"Waldo," said the kid.

José chuckled. "What, do your parents lose you a lot or some shit?" Waldo gave him a blank stare. "Nevermind. Well that town's almost a thousand feet below us. Look — you can see another bus like yours coming from the road."

José and Waldo watched the bus inch along the thin gray line. A few smaller cars drove behind it — then, two of them accelerated, one on each side of the lumbering bus, and some sort of interaction between them forced it to slow down. The bus pulled to the side of the road and stopped.

"Oh fuck," said José. He scrambled to the very edge of the cliff, a confused Waldo stumbling behind him.

"What's happening?" Waldo asked. José took out a pair of small folding binoculars from his company-branded backpack (adorned with a little red flag so the group could follow him) and focused them on the interaction with the bus. There were four cars — one blocked the road, while the others were parked next to the bus, on the shoulder. Tiny people streamed out of the bus, and lined up; the ones that had been in the cars directed them to turn backward.

"They're getting robbed," José said. He passed the binoculars to Waldo. "That's a tour bus — the ones in the cars were bandits, and they forced the bus to stop. Now everybody is getting out, and the bandits are gonna make them take off all their jewelry and money and everything. I don't know if you'll be able to see that part with the binoculars."

Waldo looked back up at José. "Are they going to be alright?"

"I don't really know, man. Usually the bandits don't hurt anyone. But they're crazy...you can never tell." A rattled José took a puff from his cigarette.

GRAN SAGUARO UPSET JUVENCUS (17) IN BLOWOUT VICTORY

TEAM:               1st              2nd              3rd              4th              Tot.
GRAN SAGUARO -      16               20               25               26               87
JUVENCUS -          22               6                22               16               66

LEADERS             PTS:                          REB:                          ASTS:             
SGU —               Curro - 26                    Tamovalo - 13                 Kendrick - 7                                
JUE —               Constantinescu - 20           Palà - 10                     Maradona - 10

by **Diarcesia** » Sun Feb 05, 2023 3:15 pm

Diarcesian government officials attended the second day of competition in high spirits. The same cannot be said of the Monarchy's basketball team after a decisive loss to Nova Anglicana.

Ikuyo Pretorian Prefect Yúshutei Yanusu (left) receives a gift from Græntfjaller Deputy Foreign Minister Tara Elísdóttir (right), during their meeting in Sirenople^[1], the Ikuyo dieresis's capital.

Mister Yúshutei has met with Miss Elísdóttir, as well as other members of the Græntfjaller government present to discuss trade opportunities between Diarcesia and Græntfjall and common ground on international issues such as climate change. Alongside him are members of the Diarcesian Hypurgeum Exoteric^[2] and its head, Hypurgess Maxence Bone.

^[1]Seiren in Ikuyo's language, Sirenopolis in Diarcesian Latin, Sirenople in Diarcesian English and casual conversation
^[2]Foreign Ministry

by **Magnecia** » Mon Feb 06, 2023 5:40 am

United Republic of Magnecia National Men's Basketball Team

Team Info
Head Coach: Mike Rhoades
Assistant Coach: Jimmy Smith Jr.
Trigram: RMA
Nickname: The Bulls

Squad

Center:
#10 Andrew 'Drew' Manning (25 years)- Sanchago Legends(s)
#1 Joseph 'Joe' Brown(34 years)- Sanchago Legends
#3 Samuel 'Sam' Robson(25 years)- Chester Falcons

Power Forwards:
#5 DeAndre Jackson(31 years)- Bostwaukee Pirates(s)
#8 Donald McKinley(30 years)- Wellesley Warriors
#14 Graham Rose(35 years)- Hopdale Hurricanes

Small Forwards:
#6 David James(33 years)- Marebone Thunders(s)
#3 Danuel Tucker(26 years)- Chester Falcons
#1 Tyrese King (25 years)- Las Orleons Panthers

Shooting Guards:
#11 Jerome 'Jerry' Mahomes(32 years)- Sanchago Legends(s)
#12 Richard 'Shake' Robinson(28 years)- Westwood Lakers
#24 David Austin Jr.(23 years)- Boxnet Eagles

Point Guards:
#45 Jamal Drummond (28 years)- Anver Heats(s)
#36 Kenneth 'Ken' Ford(29)- New Sheffield Knights
#28 Paul Tatum(26 years)- Marebone Thunders

Stadium:

70,000 capacity, David Bird International Stadium, Sanchago, Magnecia

Basketball in Magnecia: Basketball is one of the most popular sports in Magnecia. It ranks either in the second or in the third position, being definitely behind football and tying with baseball in terms of it's popularity. One of the features of basketball in Magnecia is that the sport has traditionally been almost entirely played in the urban areas, thus it falters in front of football in terms of popularity in rural areas. The Magnecian Basketball Association is the governing body for basketball in Magnecia, and it controls the Magnecian National basketball team. The National Basketball League is the top level, independent league for basketball in Magnecia. It is one of the richest leagues in the country( behind the Magnecian Premier League, the topmost league for football), and attracts a sizeable attendance per match. Up till the 34th edition, the MBA has never sent an international team to the IBC, because of strong opposition from the NBL which claims that the clash of schedules between the two tournaments will prove detrimental to it's own cause. Magnecia has participated in the Alesdian(regional) Basketball Championship since it's beginning, winning it the most number of times(7 times). When the 34th edition of the IBC was announced, massive demands from the angry fans, who threatened to boycott the NBL, has lead to the league removing it's objection, thus making way for Magnecia to participate in their first ever IBC in history in the 34th edition. After decent runs in the tournaments, the MBA has once again sent a team to the IBC, but this time there is a catch. The national team chosen for IBC 37 is composed of the very best players of the MBL, unlike the previous times when average or below average players were chosen for the team.

Style Modifier: 0
RP Perms: Anything just don't kill or cripple the players. Contact me via TG before godmodding.
Note: Players with the (s) sign beside their names are the starters.

by **Srednjaci** » Mon Feb 06, 2023 6:39 am

INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS 37 -Poafmersia

TWO OF TWO IN NEW CAMPAIGN FOR OUR BASKETBALL AT IBC 37
BY
Danijel Grlić

Srednjaci 75
Macbon 73

Our basketball players played a tough game away from Macbon. Another one of the not very convincing performances of our players ended in our favor thanks to luck and knowledge.
Although it could have been very easy and the other way around, Matković managed to save the match at the end of the game with a 3-pointer and cut off the attack from the home players in the last second.
This year started with a lot of sports international events. We had to travel to all corners of the world and report on the performances of our athletes.

STONE BY STONE = PALACE, GRAIN BY GRAIN = CAKE

As we have already said, our athletes have returned to the world sport stage again. After we had a big economic crisis at the end of last year and a big depression, our athletes withdrew from the international scene because our sports federations did not have enough funds to finance everything.
Our sports reputation collapsed like a wall of old bricks. It's time to raise it again, bigger and stronger than ever before. Stone by stone, we must restore our sporting reputation.

World Baseball Classic 56-We never had a national team in baseball. It was time to send a young team made up of players who were in the junior team Neptun Taru. Although we did not pass our group, the young players did not completely disappoint. In 30 matches, we won 13 matches and lost 17 of them, a ratio of 116: 154. This will be the first start for our baseball national team on the world rankings.

IBA SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIPS - when you enter the new sports season in such a way that you won a lot of medals, then you have reason to be optimistic about the continuation of the season. At the IBA Sports Championships, its first edition, a total of 27 sports associations competed in 19 sports, and weightlifting had 14 categories. Our sports delegation won 6 gold medals, 5 silver and 7 bronze medals, a total of 18 medals! A really fantastic result! Dear athletes and organizers, thank you!

TENNIS - CENIAN OPEN The new tennis season started with the Cenian Open Grand Slam tournament. Our tennis players performed at this tournament for the first time. They have never played at the Cenian Open until now, because previously the date of the national championship coincided with the date of this tournament. This time, the leaders of our association changed the date of the national championship, so our athletes were able to play in the tournament. Tena Špiričić, our best tennis player in the singles competition, wanted to return to the world top 10 where she was in the middle of last season, and our most successful doubles team Leonid Farkaš and Goran Ibrahimović quietly announced their return to the tennis top. Neither Tena nor doubles succeeded in their plan, Tena at least not in singles competition. However, Tena managed to reach the final in a more competitive double partnering with Alina Koreleva. And in the single competition, Ivan Štimac played in the semi-finals. On the way to the semi-finals, he also defeated the world number 1, the defending champion, Dorotea Granit. Well done team!

HANDBALL WORLD CUP 27- Well, the truth is that we expected better results on the international scene from this sport at the national level. However, the reality was different, until this tournament. For the first time in four appearances, our national handball team placed among the eight best teams. The best result so far was 9th place. Now we are among the top 8!
We have watched a great quarterfinal match between us and Graentfjall. In a dramatic, heartbreaking finish, Graentfjall won in overtime 28-27. Great performance by our handball players who were very convincing in the group with 100% performance. This team definitely did not disappoint us, they were a little short of the semi-finals. Well done!

RTCU18 - This competition is still going on like the basketball one. Our young team has half success. In the first match, they beat the Darmen team with 3-1, but in the second match, in an excellent match, they lost to Independent Athletes from Quebec with 3-2. We still have a match against Juvencus in which we will have to fight to stay in the competition.

IN THE NEXT MATCH WE ARE PLAYING AGAINST QASDEN

We made a small overview of everything that happened for our sport and what is happening right now. And right now we have to go back to the ongoing event, which is IBC.
The 20th team in the world and 20 seed Qasden is coming to Poseidon Arena, Melarit. What do guests from Qasden or anyone else know about the city of Melarit?

HISTORY

The history of Melarit dates back to ancient times. Melarit was an important city for trade.
Trade meant a lot to the city, where in addition to trade, shipbuilding, production of oil, wheat, salt, stone and shellfish also developed.
There are records that the production and export of shellfish was a very lucrative business. Melarit was proud of his navy, they were excellent sailors.
All this leaves a lot of room for the development of the city in education and science.
Melarit has developed over the centuries and today is one of the most beautiful cities on the coast. It is the second largest city in Srednjaci with 4.260,000 inhabitants.
In recent history, Melarit is the largest port in DR Srednjaci and one of the largest in the region. The cargo port carries an enormous amount of cargo. Apart from being a large port, Melarit is also a tourist destination with a large number of hotels and resorts. The rich historical and cultural heritage attracts millions of tourists every year.

by **Raspotochje** » Mon Feb 06, 2023 8:40 am

BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION OF RASPOTOCHJE - official site

Our basketball team started with two wins at IBC 37.
Great second win against Benjium!

Raspotochje 72–60 Benjium

The second victory of our basketball players. In front of our fans, our national team managed to win against Benjium with a superb game.
The visitors had no response to our game. Our players controlled the match from start to finish. At one point we had +16 points advantage.
Absolute dominance resulted in two new points. The tournament is long, demanding and exhausting. There are big basketball and sports nations in the group and every point is important.

THE ORGANIZER SHOCKED US
When we went to look at the table in our group, we were surprised by the organizer's omission. Namely, in the beginning, we didn't immediately find us at all, but some Rastopochje came as number 1 in group?! What the fuck?! Who the hell is that now?! But of course we immediately realized that it was us. It was obviously a typing error by the organizer and it is probably difficult to write our name correctly. Maybe this is a topic for some of our experts to change name of our country ?! Noooot! Or is this a topic for the organizer to gather around him linguists who could write the exact name of a country?! Mistakes happen and they are an integral part of the process. We hope that the organizer will correct its error. But we don't even care as long as our team wins.

by **TJUN-ia** » Mon Feb 06, 2023 9:40 am

After beginning this IBC with a good win over debutants Banjium, the Hoops-Jagaurs of TJUN-ia were back in the IBC groove and ready to try and cause some more chaos as the #8 team in all of basketball. There were certain things that needed to be improved upon from that opening game but considering we were facing a debutant, everyone could understand that we did alright and that our play should get better as the games go on. Bao Zhou was happy at least, but he also knew that things had to improve.

Katerine Hall shall be our 2nd "Familiar Confined" here in Poafmersia and it would host a big game as we took on #13 Mytanija. We knew that Sergej Mitrovic certainly had a good roster under his disposal and with our Top 10 status looking to be defended, we knew we had to be up for a fight. This game would turn into 4 quarters of pure basketball brilliance as both teams certainly gunned for a potential winner wherever they could find one and a group of individuals certainly made their marks, with Peter Klivert and Zelimir Ateljevic slicing through defenses whenever they could while Pedro Alavez and Evgeny Fomin tried their very fucking best to go and be the walls their coaches wanted them to be. This game was very indecisive as to who was the better side, with both teams having at lead 1 period of a lead of 5 points or more, but in the end all we needed was 4.4 seconds before Ali Jaffer pulled in a game-leading 3 with 0.7 to go. That was never going to be enough for an equaliser and in the end, we triumphed 69-66 in a very nice IBC thriller. GGs to Mytanija, they don't deserve their 0-2 start, but we certainly feel like we deserve our 2-0 start.

That's the TJUN-ia we all know and love, the one where the quality is abound and the Zhou Dynasty feels like a true power. We'll come back to Katerine Hall for Game 3 against #27 Indusse, who are currently 1-1 after losing to Quebec and Shingoryeo by 11 points. Should be another tough game and in a group like this, they all count. GO HOOPS-JAGS!

SCHEDULE (Group A, all games in Poafmersia)
MD1: vs Benjium (UR) - Wolves Arena W 70-60
MD2: vs Mytanija (13) - Katerine Hall W 69-66
MD3: vs Indusse (27) - Katerine Hall
MD4: vs Katterimunk (UR) - Wolves Arena
MD5: vs Aristian Republic (46) - Wolves Arena
MD6: vs Gatchingerrak Union (41) - Katerine Hall
MD7: vs Quebec and Shingoryeo (4) - Katerine Hall
MD8: BYE
MD9: vs Rastopochje (55) - Katerine Hall
MD10: vs Ko-oren (15) - Katerine Hall
MD11: vs Lisander (31) - Wolves Arena

by **Nova Anglicana** » Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:30 am

Melody Savoy arrived with two minutes to spare before her conversation with Esther Smetona, the prime minister of Brenecia. She'd been up all night revising the plans for the Brenecian aid package after Haley Kolar, her permanent secretary, had told her that her previous strategy for the package had been all wrong. But in truth, it wasn't the aid package that was the most important topic that day; the topic she really hoped to address was her secret mission to win over Smetona to supporting Arsène Deslauriers, adding another brick to the path for his accession to the prime ministership and ensuring strong relationships and influence for him in Esportiva once he got there. But even more truthfully than that (that is to say, the last part was a lie), the most important topic of the day was getting Smetona to see her as the real powerbroker, to support her and her eventual defeat of Deslauriers and accession to the prime ministership herself. Two powerful women, each wanting the best for the country, and even more, access to power for themselves.

She watched as Sidney Dunn, a SuccDem from Hannasea, walked out of the PM's office and greeted Savoy with a smile, which she returned. "Hope your meeting went well!" she said cheerily, as she inwardly contemplated how much she detested the woman. A busybody, just like Megan McKenzie. Except instead of a genuine concern for the underclass (yechhh), Dunn was always yammering on about trans-EU rail lines. Yes, yes, we all know your party has an unhealthy obsession with trains, but you don't have to flaunt it. She barely paid attention to the woman's response before entering the office. Kolar greeted her, saying, "Good to see you again, Melody! Ms. Smetona's been expecting you. We've got Fiene Koster from the Licentian Isles after you, so I know you've got your presentation down to a tight fifteen! Good luck!" Savoy grimaced inwardly. Kolar had an extraordinary talent of weaponising positivity, or at least she did with Savoy. Fifteen minutes would be somewhat tight, but she'd manage.

The first five minutes went just fine, exchanging pleasantries, congratulating her on the National Civic Union rebrand, and laying out the plan for Brenecian aid. A decent chunk of change, year by year, mostly in grants, with additional loans if things didn't go well, enough that Smetona should be able to splash cash around without too much worry until the tax revenues got back on their feet. She explained that the EU wouldn't just hand over the cash without condition, so she would try to steer the conditions in friendly directions, like security, the military, or economic development. She also explained that Brenecia would probably have to accept buying mostly from Esportivan firms and allow more Esportivan investment, as opposed to relying on, say, Eura, all of which the PM seemed to be fine with.

But then Smetona cut her off. "Look, I'm sure you've given and received enough briefings to cover the basics of the EU aid bill in even less time than you've taken here. You're offering me a big pot of money, so why are you really here?"

Savoy shrugged. "Okay, you got me. You know everything comes with strings attached. Brenecia and Nova Anglicana are both relatively small countries, certainly compared to Tumbra, in Esportiva, but we can and want to punch above our weight. We could do a lot of good working together, wrest control away from the big states and keep in the hands of those who know what to do with it, not just blunder into it by sheer size. But we've got a left-leaning government, kind of like your NPD, only much more capable. Even worse, the PM's a do-gooder who wants to use the EU for human rights or some such high-minded nonsense, and as long as she's in charge, states like yours are going to be targets for social change and aid projects to make her and others like her feel good about themselves. The NCU and the PP have similar goals. You and my leader, Arsène Deslauriers, have a lot in common. You need to rehab your conservative party, draw at least a little rhetorically closer to the EU, bring back your country. Why not do it as a partnership?"

Smetona put her hand to her chin. "Yes, that makes sense. Brenecia could use a partner; I could use a partner. But why should I be trusting this Deslauriers, and more importantly, why did you wince when you said 'leader'?"'

Savoy shook her head. "You're very cunning, just like me. This is exactly why we should be partners. I could give you a lot of claptrap about how Deslauriers' a good manager and a smooth political operator, and he is, but he's thousands of miles away. I'm right in front of you and will be in Esportiva for at least a while longer. Together we can re-orient the EU towards a trade and business club that knows its place in others' affairs, and then when I'm PM, we can expand and deepen our partnership. I'm twice as smart as Deslauriers, didn't have half his advantages, and I know what ambitious women want, so I need you to pretend like you're on board with him, then dump him and promote me as an alternative. I'll figure out a way to engineer that. I just need your support."

Smetona nodded. "Better two vixens than a trickster Reynard. All right, Savoy, I'll pick you - for the moment. But fail to deliver and I'll drop you without a thought. I assume there must be a second phase to this plan, after the aid package is delivered, some way for me to communicate with Deslauriers?"

"Yes, we're going to have the Group of Esportivan Realists put on a conference. Part swanky hobnobbing soiree, part ideological vision for Esportiva. Perfect opportunity to get drunk and talk to other influential members of the group. You'll meet Deslauriers there, and me, of course. I'll arrange it so you give a prominent speech, so you can rehab Brenecia's image. After all, you are a head of government from our group; you should have a place of honor."

Just then, Kolar entered to usher Savoy out. After leaving, she breathed a huge sigh of relief. Step one appeared to be over. Now to get the EU to support her bill and put the rest of the plan in motion.

Nova Anglicana 91-76 Qasden

Stats: 33-70 FG (47.1%) 12-28 3-Pt FG (42.9%), 13-18 FT (72.2%)

Key Players: Clement Villeneuve - 10-18/6-10/4-4 (30 pts) 5 rbds, 1 ast, Félix Dedeaux - 3-5/0-0/3-3 (9 pts), 3 rbds, 7 ast, 2 stl, Marc-Antoine Bolduc - 3-6/2-3/1-2 (9 pts), 5 rbds, 1 ast

Nova Anglicana 91-64 Diarcesia

Stats: 32-62 FG (51.6%) 10-24 3-Pt FG (41.7%), 17-21 FT (80.1%)

Key Players: Simon Moran - 7-14/4-9/3-3 (21 pts) 4 rbds, 3 asts, 1 stl, Greg Lindsey - 6-11/0-2/4-5 (16 pts), 7 rbds, 2 asts, 1 stl, Eli Rose - 5-10/2-4/2-3 (14 pts), 5 rbds, 5 asts

by **Cassadaigua** » Mon Feb 06, 2023 1:09 pm

Basketball struggles again,
by Caitlyn Dufresne, Concord Heights Times

We do not expect much from the Fillies in the 37th International Basketball Championships, and right now we are seeing why. After losing the opener to Banija by the score of 84-66, we were hoping for a better effort against Pemecutan. After all, the Banijans are an elite basketball powerhouse. I don't care if the rankings has them at #19, they are much better than that. We were outplayed from start to finish, but had occasional glimpses during the game of being a good team ourselves. Hailey Randall managed to have a strong game with 25 points, including going 6-for-10 from behind the three point line. We were soundly beaten on the boards, but there seemed to be a lot there that we could build on for the next game.

Pemecutan is not nearly as good as Banija, even though they are a lot closer in the rankings. If you are a fan of Pemecutan, do not take this the wrong way: I am not slighting you, I simply feel Banija is really a top five team in the world. They haven't done a whole lot in the IBC up to this point, and were just 2-3 in the last one. That was better than us, but still: they're no Banija. So, would we build on the opening loss? Hardly. This was a beatdown where we lost by 31 points, with the defense not being able to contain their opponents at any point in time. They had balanced scoring and absolutely crushed us on the boards. The end result is that we are now sitting at 0-2, and not looking like we will be very competitive.

But, things can change! There is still a lot of basketball to play, and chances for this team to build on the results. Maybe the loss to Pemecutan will serve as a massive wake up call. Head coach Kristen Baynes told me that she still believes in this team, and maybe they are better that what they have shown. We're playing StrayaRoos and Eire Agus Albion next and I believe that both of these games are winnable. If we can improve to 2-2, then I'm feeling better at getting into the meat of this schedule. Hopefully!

IBC37 - Everything Thread [Fin]

DROP IT DOWN!: A Nice Way To Come Back

DROP IT DOWN!: Game 2 Is Tight!

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