International Basketball Championship 31 (IC Thread)

by **Rwekazaland** » Wed Feb 10, 2021 7:00 pm

IBC 31 RWEKAZALAND

ABOUT RWEKAZALAND
The Lord help me through 2020 of Rwekazaland is a colossal, efficient nation, ruled by Rwekaza mwijage with an even hand, and notable for its digital currency, sprawling nuclear power plants, and free-roaming dinosaurs. The hard-nosed, hard-working, humorless population of 5.247 billion Rwekazaanns are either ruled by a sleek, efficient government or a conglomerate of multinational corporations; it's difficult to tell which.

The medium-sized, corrupt, pro-business government juggles the competing demands of Industry, Education, and Defense. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Rwekaza City. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 71.6%.

The frighteningly efficient Rwekazalandian economy, worth a remarkable 1,469 trillion rwekaza dollers a year, is broadly diversified and mostly comprised of black market activity, especially in Information Technology, Arms Manufacturing, Uranium Mining, and Automobile Manufacturing. Average income is an amazing 280,089 rwekaza dollers, but there is a vast disparity between incomes, with the richest 10% of citizens earning 2,081,998 per year while the poor average 11,147, a ratio of 186 to 1.

The nation takes the world's poor and tired and the huddled Masses yearning to breathe free, the judicial branch is strongly influenced by major corporations, there's an aura of pseudoscience around academia, and children as young as eight can present logical proofs for the existence of the afterlife. Crime, especially youth-related, is almost non-existent. Rwekazaland's national animal is the Lion, which teeters on the brink of extinction due to widespread deforestation, and its national religion is Jehovah's Witness.

INFORAMATION OUR ABOUT OUR LEAGUE
JERSEYS

PLAYERS:

If my opponent RPs first, they may:
Choose my scorers: Just Don't make it like ONE player scored all the points or most of it. Just Balanced)
Choose other statistics (e.g. rebounds, assists ) for my players: Y (Just Don't make it like ONE player scored all the points or most of it. Just Balanced)
RP injuries to my players: N
Godmode sporting events: N
Godmode injuries: N
Godmode other events: N

After a disappointing season. Rwekazaland is already to lock in and be more focused on basketball with its new squad.

TEAM PICTURE:

by **Omerica** » Wed Feb 10, 2021 7:11 pm

TRENDING IN OMERICA: #PATHETIC

MALCOLM PETERS

@malcolmpeers
Woeful stuff in Charlescourt, you’d think these people had never played basketball before the way they moped about

#OMEUVI | #Pathetic

ALEXANDRE ESPINA

@alex_espina
Les Griffons ont l’air complètement impuissants en ce moment. Pathétique…

Translation: The Gryphons look completely impotent right now. Pathetic…

#Alain | #DesjardinsOut | #Pathetic

STÉPHANE HOUTMAN

@stephoutman
- -@malcolmpeers

Exactly, find me one player on that court who gave a shit. I’ll wait

#IBC | #Pathetic

SARA [LASTNAME]

@chocofriend
My gran could play better than some of these Gryphs and she’s dead!

Sent from my Orange mVII

#Pathetic | #IBC

by **Mapletish** » Wed Feb 10, 2021 7:25 pm

The Sour Kind
"I only know one thing, that is I know nothing"

Random Songs Created by Timothy Jozua

Optimistic Ballers

We also brought our music, and we could not get enough
For our boys IBC
Where we grew up, basketball was our game
If you ever wondered about the crazy life I lived

And for your favorite song
Those college basketball tapes

All aboard for the Dragons!
All aboard for the Dragons!
School days, time didnt change a thing
Bad days. the ball is all you need
Still up on that basketball court

It was when you asked me if I liked basketball
When I, turned my back on what I was living for
And that line in your song, stays with me
Never felt a love stronger than this

Believe me I am man
Football, basketball and rugby!

All aboard for the Dragons!
All aboard for the Dragons!
School days, time didnt change a thing
Bad days. the ball is all you need
Still up on that basketball court

Come in now and wreck the IBC
We lost our balls

All aboard for the Dragons!
All aboard for the Dragons!
School days, time didnt change a thing
Bad days. the ball is all you need
Still up on that basketball court

by **Valanora** » Wed Feb 10, 2021 7:42 pm

The Dragons' wings are folded close as the sun comes over the horizon
Long entered into the slumbering state, the beast has
It slumbers through the turning of the world
Faster and faster does the rotation go and make changes fold
Mountain peaks that once stood as tall as the sky
Now are weathered tops that are lost to all but the keen passers by
As the celestial creature is ever in its rest
The scenery around it shimmers and changes
With many others in the realm reaching out and puffing up
To lay claim to the crown of the kings, to state the intent to be the best
Those who dare enter the sleeping giants kingdom must fear the scouring eye
And the typhoon that should follow if the dragon's rest is disturbed
With wide spread wings that would shake the world
And set the plains and creatures alight with its mighty breath
A world brought to ash and a fiery death
Or set flight from a reforged way
As the king of beasts reclaims the throne
And beckons forth its kin to their long lost home.

by **Delaclava** » Wed Feb 10, 2021 7:44 pm

The halfway point is here! Regardless of your performance, congratulations on making it this far. Time to look yourself in the mirror, tell yourself, "I'm unstoppable...I'm invincible. Yeah, I win every single game." Okay, that last part might not be true, but feel good about yourselves and get ready for a strong second half!

Day 5 cutoff!

(As a reminder, tomorrow is an off day. You have roughly 48 hours from this post to post your RPs from Day 6. See you then!)

Group A
Equestrian States of Poland 74–87 Hebitaka
Pemecutan 65–74 Saint-Domingues
Valanora 74–80 Delaclava

Group A                              Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Delaclava                              5    5   0   423  334  +89
2 Valanora                               5    4   1   369  331  +38
3 Saint-Domingues                        5    3   2   387  376  +11
4 Hebitaka                               5    2   3   376  386  −10
5 Pemecutan                              5    1   4   345  370  −25
6 Equestrian States of Poland            5    0   5   315  418 −103

Group B
Cassadaigua 58–77 Equestria
Crystal Empire 77–97 Kriegiersien
United Vietussia 58–72 Silvedania

Group B                              Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Kriegiersien                           5    5   0   408  349  +59
2 Equestria                              5    3   2   366  322  +44
3 Crystal Empire                         5    3   2   404  402   +2
4 Cassadaigua                            5    2   3   380  403  −23
5 Silvedania                             5    1   4   342  382  −40
6 United Vietussia                       5    1   4   349  391  −42

Group C
Smosh games 79–55 Squidroidia
TJUN-ia 79–74 Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom
Srednjaci 73–74 Nova Anglicana

Group C                              Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom              5    4   1   404  359  +45
2 Nova Anglicana                         5    4   1   416  327  +89
3 Srednjaci                              5    3   2   393  362  +31
4 Smosh games                            5    2   3   335  366  −31
5 TJUN-ia                                5    2   3   363  389  −26
6 Squidroidia                            5    0   5   323  431 −108

Group D
Vangaziland 63–70 Kohnhead
Crilland 71–74 Chromatika
East Lemyone 65–82 Royal Kingdom of Quebec

Group D                              Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Royal Kingdom of Quebec                5    5   0   430  339  +91
2 Chromatika                             5    4   1   437  350  +87
3 Vangaziland                            5    2   3   331  342  −11
4 Kohnhead                               5    2   3   340  377  −37
5 East Lemyone                           5    2   3   330  401  −71
6 Crilland                               5    0   5   318  377  −59

Group E
Drawkland 72–66 Southwest Eastnorth
United Volcano Isles 67–77 Juvencus
Oscioru 73–67 Omerica

Group E                              Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Drawkland                              5    5   0   403  320  +83
2 Juvencus                               5    4   1   388  359  +29
3 Southwest Eastnorth                    5    2   3   350  365  −15
4 Oscioru                                5    2   3   362  367   −5
5 United Volcano Isles                   5    1   4   377  423  −46
6 Omerica                                5    1   4   352  398  −46

Group F
Sarzonia 77–67 Ethane
Nateros Sill 77–94 Filindostan
Hannasea 100–73 Valladares

Group F                              Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Sarzonia                               5    4   1   392  330  +62
2 Hannasea                               5    3   2   416  398  +18
3 Valladares                             5    3   2   392  382  +10
4 Filindostan                            5    3   2   382  408  −26
5 Nateros Sill                           5    1   4   363  398  −35
6 Ethane                                 5    1   4   350  379  −29

Group G
Trolleborg 77–92 Rwekazaland
Khytonya 73–84 Mapletish
Newmanistan 74–63 Xanneria

Group G                              Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Newmanistan                            5    5   0   410  338  +72
2 Xanneria                               5    4   1   362  343  +19
3 Rwekazaland                            5    3   2   388  361  +27
4 Mapletish                              5    2   3   384  386   −2
5 Khytonya                               5    1   4   351  391  −40
6 Trolleborg                             5    0   5   361  437  −76

Group H
Baker Park 61–103 Banija
Maccian 66–70 Græntfjall
HUElavia 75–86 Mytanija

Group H                              Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Banija                                 5    5   0   453  338 +115
2 HUElavia                               5    3   2   394  353  +41
3 Græntfjall                             5    3   2   371  362   +9
4 Maccian                                5    2   3   347  384  −37
5 Mytanija                               5    2   3   342  393  −51
6 Baker Park                             5    0   5   348  425  −77

Group I
Marigred 78–79 United States of the Adirondacks
Acastanha 83–68 Qasden
Lisander 95–58 Hispinas

Group I                              Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Qasden                                 5    4   1   413  376  +37
2 Lisander                               5    4   1   428  357  +71
3 Hispinas                               5    3   2   408  410   −2
4 Acastanha                              5    3   2   391  384   +7
5 United States of the Adirondacks       5    1   4   337  395  −58
6 Marigred                               5    0   5   378  433  −55

Group J
Wizcity 64–85 Abanhfleft
Sannyamathland 75–66 Savigliane
Indusse 74–65 Northwest Kalactin

Group J                              Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Abanhfleft                             5    5   0   424  314 +110
2 Indusse                                5    4   1   411  371  +40
3 Northwest Kalactin                     5    2   3   356  333  +23
4 Sannyamathland                         5    2   3   344  394  −50
5 Savigliane                             5    1   4   346  406  −60
6 Wizcity                                5    1   4   342  405  −63

by **Mapletish** » Thu Feb 11, 2021 2:06 am

The Sour Kind
"I only know one thing, that is I know nothing"

Commentaries| Timothy Jozua

Dragons picks up second W of the IBC Qualifiers

Box Score

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Khytonya	21	17	17	18	73
Mapletish	20	20	22	22	84

The Dragons were on a return tide as they picked up their second win of the IBC qualifiers. Previously, the Dragons were able to pull away a 93-84 victory over 17th ranked Trolleborg. Head coach Kerry Poole was exceptionally ecstatic over the victory. The young coach commented, "The boys have done well against a heavyweight and it is not everyday that performances of such quality is present. I look forward to seeing more of such quality performances from the boys again. With all that being said, we are back to working on ourselves again and we will look forward to see what we can do ahead of Khytonya."

Against fellow unranked Khytonya, the Dragons were unafraid and had nothing to lose. Maybe the only thing they could lose was their pride, having to lose to another unranked side. However, Khytonya were not to be messed with. Although Khytonya lost the tip off in the first period, they were ferocious and utterly annoying in defence. Often trying to cut off the passing lanes of the Maplish players. The Maplish side managed to put 4 3-pointers and 4 2-pointers to round off their offensive in the first period. Point Guard, Rice was able to pull of 2 layups in the period, while Ray managed 2 3-pointers from his favoured left corner, Nichols clocked 2 mid range 2-pointer shots while Quinn was able to pull off 2 3-pointers, as the starting five were all efficient point getters in their own right. Bridges was also relentless at the boards, getting 3 rebounds in the period, while providing 4 assists. Khytonya however were able to outscore the Dragons as they hang on to being a point ahead of the Dragons as the first period drew to a close.

As usual, the second line took over from the starting five in the second period. The second line, too were persistent with their attacking and pesky with their defence as they held Khytonya to only 17 points in the second period while also scoring 20 points in the same period. The Dragons managed to put another 4 3-pointers and 4 2-pointers to rally towards leading by the first half, as they led 40-38 at first half, 2 points ahead of Khytonya. Point Guard Waters also able to put 2 mid range shots for 4 points, while Gregory managed another layup and a dunk to collect 4 points as well, Jennings clocked a 3-pointer to snatch his maiden three for the game, while Moreno and Ross both shot 1 3-pointer and 2 3-pointers respectively to keep the Dragons in the game.

The game tilted towards the Dragons' favour in the 3rd period as they managed 22 points against the home side's 17. The 3rd period recorded 4 3-pointers and 5 2-pointers as Khytonya did not resort to fouling the Maplish players in the paint to stop them. Making this one of the few matches with no free throws awarded as the game went into the 3rd period. Rice recorded 3 2-pointers, while Nichols recorded the other 2 2-pointers with Quinn and Ray sharing 2 of the 3-pointers each. Bridges continued to be the man at the boards, recording 4 rebounds in the game, while clocking 2 blocks in the period as the Dragons kept Khytonya at bay at 17 points.

The 4th period remained very much similar for the Dragons as they recorded 4 3-pointers and 5 2-pointers while the home side picked up an extra point to put their tally to 18 points for the period. The fourth period was the period for the second line to perform and work their magic. Waters clocked 5 2-pointers, tallying 2 mid range shots, 2 layups and a dunk to complete 10 points for the period. Whereas Ross and Moreno shared the honours of clocking 2 3-pointers each to end the period remarkably. On the defensive end, Shooting Guard, Blake Gregory recorded 2 steals as he tipped and forced 2 turnovers against Khytonya, while also recording 2 assists straight from a steal as he fed Waters with the ball on 2 of the 5 2-pointers.

The Dragons will take a mid-qualifier break and face a return trip to Newmanistan, the 2nd ranked in the multiverse in basketball as the Dragons looked to minimise any their loses and keep the scoreline low and prevent the Rockets from running too far ahead. The last time the two sides met, the Dragons lost narrowly to the Rockets in a close 80-75 game. The Dragons will have to hope for a miracle if they were to keep the Rockets on their toes or for it to be nail biter round as the Rockets are expected to make short work of the non-professional and young Maplish side.

The Dragons sit fourth in Group G of the qualifiers, clocking 2Ws and 3Ls as they head into the second half of the qualifiers. For those who are clueless, only the top 2 will make their way to the IBC 31 host country, Delaclava, while the 3rd place team will play off in the Consolation group stage, or a minor rendition of football's Cup of Harmony. Head Coach Poole remains optimistic of his team's chances of attending at least the Consolation Group Stage as he hope to manage a "Floris" turn, with reference to how Floris took the inexperienced Dragons from the football side to the Cup of Harmony.

by **Crilland** » Thu Feb 11, 2021 6:07 am

by **Srednjaci** » Thu Feb 11, 2021 7:16 am

SHOCK IN THE LAST SECONDS OF THE GAME

The players from Srednjaci and Nova Anglicana played an amazing game. In the crowded hall of the "Home of Basketball", the players of Nova Anglicana won with 74:73!
A solid game with good defenses for both.
Defenses were key. Nova Anglicana is a team that is known for its fast and modern game, they have great players but also a team that if they are prevented in their game becomes nervous.
The Srednjaci played well tactically, blocking the fast flow of the ball to the guests.
The first half ended with 36:33 for Srednjaci.

The second half started with a 5-0 series by Nova Anglicana. The first attack from the center and three points were hit, and then the ball was cut, a quick counterattack and an easy lay in the basket.

The Srednjaci were -2 points behind. By the end of the third quarter, that lag was -7.
In the last quarter, the Srednjaci consolidated their ranks, stabilized the defense again and very quickly brought the game to a level. The first advantage of Srednjaci after the first half was 69: 67. They had an advantage of two points until the moment 71:71, Paradinović passes by the block, jumps a shot and hits 73:71, 16 seconds before the end. Nova Anglicana takes the ball, they do the fast flow of the ball, The Srednjacians press and chase the players for Nova Anglicana ,the ball comes to Jimmy Haynes on a shot for three points, Nikola Tomljanović is late on the way out and hits Jimmy Haynes on the hand.
The referee whistles for a foul.
Jimmy Haynes on the free throw line 3 seconds before the end hits all three throws and scores 73:74!
The Srednjaci players try to take the ball, Markovic prepares for the shot, the siren marks the end of the game, Marković hits the basket for two points, but the throw is delayed so the point is not recognized.

After three wins in a row, the Srednjaci experience defeat in one of the better games of the first part of the competition we watched.

Group C
Smosh games 79–55 Squidroidia
TJUN-ia 79–74 Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom
Srednjaci 73–74 Nova Anglicana

Group C                              Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom              5    4   1   404  359  +45
2 Nova Anglicana                         5    4   1   416  327  +89
3 Srednjaci                              5    3   2   393  362  +31
4 Smosh games                            5    2   3   335  366  −31
5 TJUN-ia                                5    2   3   363  389  −26
6 Squidroidia                            5    0   5   323  431 −108

The Nova Anglicana leaves with full booty from Katanija.

by **Nova Anglicana** » Thu Feb 11, 2021 8:27 am

First half of IBC has Lions in good position

The Nova Anglicana Lions national basketball team entered the 31st International Basketball Championships ranked 21st in the world, in a group headlined by 10th-ranked TJUN-ia. By the rankings, TJUN-ia was projected to be in first, with the Lions in second, but you'd think that 35th-ranked Squidroidia might have an outside shot as well. At the half, you'd be surprised. 41st ranked Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom, despite only getting out a media guide to their team after the tournament was well underway, leads the group at 4-1, with the Lions, also at 4-1, behind them on head-to-head results. Unranked Srednjaci has put up an excellent fight so far, going 3-2, while the other unranked, Smosh games, is tied with TJUN-ia on a 2-3 record. Squidroidia has suffered the ignominy of losing all five games they have played, with the closest margin of victory being eleven points. All of their other losses have come by at least twenty. Ouch.

As far as the Lions, they are in the interesting position of being both lucky and unlucky to be 4-1. Three of their games have ended in blowouts: 97-69 over Squidroidia, 83-52 against Smosh games, and most impressively, an 88-58 blowout of top seed TJUN-ia. In their game against Squidroidia, the Lions shot 13-28 from beyond the arc and were led by Jimmy Haynes' 28-point performance, including 6-7 from deep. They pressured the Inklings all over the court and forced them into turnovers or weak shots against the Lions' array of junk defenses. When they went to Smosh games, they forced 19 turnovers and turned them into 35 points. In a balanced effort, Colin Klein led the team with 16 points and all five starters scored in double figures. Finally, when they took on TJUN-ia, it was Jonathan Stephens' night. The team captain was unstoppable, no matter whether it was Mindaugas Karnišovas, Jean-Jacques Mpolando, the Papaloukas twins or anyone else from TJUN-ia trying to guard him. He used hook shots, drop steps, up-and-unders, jump shots from close and mid-range, and showed a remarkable dribbling ability to score 33 points, a career high, as the Lions demolished the Jaguars.

Those three wins resulted in a 3-0 record and a +89 point differential. But the Lions' other two games were incredibly close and could have gone either way. When the Lions and the Zeta Rekans met, each at 1-0, it was a thrilling battle. The two teams were separated by two points at the half, and the Lions couldn't seem to break through the Rekan defense. The Rekans took care of the ball, but couldn't quite pull away either. Finally, with the shot clock winding down, Colin Klein hit a driving floater over Perdrag Milanić to give the Lions a 74-73 lead with 8.6 seconds left. With some time left, the Rekans inbounded, and got it to Milanić, who got a pick from Zoran Wasiljewić, which freed him just enough to hit a mid-range jumper, giving Zeta Reka the win as time expired. A little bit better defense, and the Lions would be 5-0.

But then came Srednjaci. The Slavic team gave the Lions fits again and actually led at the half, 36-33. The Lions broke out in the third quarter, taking a 7-point lead into the fourth. But their opponents battled back, taking a 73-71 lead with 16 seconds to play. The Lions broke Srednjaci's press, and Stephens set a bone-jarring pick for Jimmy Haynes. This left center Nikola Tomljanović as the only player who could contest Haynes' 3-point shot for the win. He closed out late, but Haynes missed the shot, but Tomljanović was whistled for a foul, having struck Haynes on the wrist. Down by two, Haynes needed to hit two free throws to tie, or all three for the lead. With ice in his veins, he calmly drained all three free throws, giving him the team lead with 19 points and the Lions the lead with three seconds to play. Srednjaci inbounded the ball, and got it down the court, but Stjepan Marković's shot came just after the buzzer, and so even though it went in, it didn't count. The replay review confirmed it, and the Lions were 4-1. But just a fraction of a second earlier, and the Lions would have been 3-2.

Looking forward to the second half, the Lions have shown that their Death Lineup/Small Ball/Versatile/Pace and Space offense can completely overwhelm teams that are unprepared for it, but can be stopped if the opponent employs the right scheme. It will be up to head coach Lawrence Roberts and his assistants Mark Long and Brad Walsh to be prepared and make in-game adjustments. Every team has seen the Lions' offense, the question is, who's got the coaching acumen to stop it?

The Lions have put themselves in good position with their strong first half, but they will need an equally strong second half to be sure of advancing to Delaclava. After all, Squidroidia can't possibly lose all ten games, can they? TJUN-ia has got to come back at some point, right? And what if Zeta Reka never comes back down to earth, or Srednjaci finds the bounce they need to advance? The Lions cannot let up. They've got to run everyone else out of the gym or they might find themselves slinking home, tails between their legs.

Group C                              Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom              5    4   1   404  359  +45
2 Nova Anglicana                         5    4   1   416  327  +89
3 Srednjaci                              5    3   2   393  362  +31
4 Smosh games                            5    2   3   335  366  −31
5 TJUN-ia                                5    2   3   363  389  −26
6 Squidroidia                            5    0   5   323  431 −108

by **Saint-Domingues** » Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:10 am

Quiz-off! Delisle versus Duverger
Q: Welcome back to the quiz-off. After Colin Jacquinot defeated Jacques Banza in the last match by a narrow margin, we are going to find out who will be competing against him. This time we have two of the Reps, André Delisle and our wonderful captain, Charles Duverger. We're going to be asking basketball questions about the LLB and the other teams in Saint-Domingue's group, to see who has the best b-ball knowledge. Let's go!

Question 1: Our most recent game was an away match against Pemecutan, as you well know. But how big was the Pemecutan Yowana Mandala Stadium in terms of capacity? Nearest wins.

AD: I think I might have the advantage here, as I was actually a part of the stands whilst he was on the court. I think it was about half the size of the Liberty, about eight thousand.

CD: Damn, that's not an easy start! Well, it was quite a bit smaller than the Liberty. I could say half of it, or try and be a bit more specific as I bet André will say half. How about 6,000?

The Yowana Mandala Stadium is less than a third of the size of the Liberty Arena at 5,000 seats, so Charles wins the first point. Question two: what is the nickname of Valanora?

AD: The Dragons, 100%. It's on the back.

CD: I believe that is the Dragons.

Both of them are right and each take a point. Question three: Can you spell out the name of Pemecutan's head coach, Komang Panca Septiawan?

AD: K-o-m-a-n-g-e P-a-n-c-a S-e-p-t-i-a-w-a-n

CD: K-o-m-a-n-g P-a-n-c-a S-e-p-t-i-a-w-a-n

A slight slip-up by André and Charles can now open up a two-point lead! Question four: What do you get if you add both of your shirt numbers together, times it by the number of David Bain, and then divide it by that of Eustace Naudé's?

AD: Me as eleven, and his is easy as one. David I think is... eight. And Eustace I believe is three. Thirty-two.

CD: Well mine is one, his is eleven. Twelve times eight for David, makes ninety-six. Divide that by three for Eustace and you get thirty-two.

Both of you have your maths on point! Question five: Which LLB team is on the longest Championship drought?

AD: I can with quite some confidence say that it is not us, thankfully. I think that it is the Tarasques.

CD: It's the Le Cap Tarasques.

Both of you are right again! Question six: Who is the head coach of Hebitaka?

AD: Georgey Raven.

CD: Raven. George Raven.

Both of you are right for the third consecutive time, but Charles' answer means that his two-point lead is now unassailable and he will be facing Colin Jacquinot in the next round. Can you both go four in a row with the final question? Let's find out: can you name a member of the squad of the Equestrian States of Poland?

AD: Argh... I can't think of one. Pass.

CD: Dammit, ruined my streak. I have no idea - pass.

Charles falters on the final question but wins by a margin of 6-4. How will he do in the next round? Can anyone name a player from the Equestrian States of Poland? Find out in the next quiz-off!

Question AD CD
Q1 ✖ ✔
Q2 ✔ ✔
Q3 ✖ ✔
Q4 ✔ ✔
Q5 ✔ ✔
Q6 ✔ ✔
Q7 ✖ ✖

by **Delaclava** » Thu Feb 11, 2021 9:18 am

Crilland wrote:ho lee fuk let me win a game xscorinate

As a reminder to you and to all competitors, this thread is for in-character posts only.

Everyone, carry on...

by **TJUN-ia** » Thu Feb 11, 2021 10:35 am

After we made a mockery of ourselves in Londinium, the crying image of Head Coach Bao Zhou perfectly summed up TJUN-ia's IBC31 so far. 1-3 as a Top 10 team is no way to present ourselves and everyone knew it coming into the final game of this terrible first half in Riverside. The homecoming to the Unity Centre was a disaster, losing by 10 to Srednjaci, but today's opponents would be no slouches: Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom, the only undefeated team in the group at 4-0 - a surprising fact to be sure. Two paths were set out in front of Bao Zhou - one where his break is at 2-3 and one where he's at 1-4. No matter which one we had to go down today, it wouldn't be a good look for him as all.

This game would be a tight one in the Unity, as you would expect from this IBC. The fans were in a raucous atmosphere as they tried to will our team to victory against the unbeaten visitors. Mindaugas Karnišovas would play to his strengths in this contest, but Marko Zec was certainly doing a good job as well. Travarius Okuramangawa was as sneaky as you can get, but so was Joel Iwanić. What I'm trying to say is that, for every position on the court, both teams were evenly matched and that definitely explained why we were tied at 43-all at half time.

Once we got out for the 2nd, it was more of the same but a certain Adamo Zamenhofo would be the key to our victory today. La Esperantisto got some more game time off the bench in the 2nd half and used that to full effect, allowing the Hoops-Jags to (slowly but surely) get a gap over their unbeaten opposition - a gap that would stabilise at 5 points until the end of the contest. You could feel the collective sigh of relief once the clock hit zero on this one - we aren't completely fucked just yet. Zeta Reka had fallen for the first time and by TJUN-ian hands as well.

To be fair, considering we were 3-2 after 5 in IBC30, being 2-3 now isn't too bad. But now, the pressure is truly on Zhou's shoulders to make no more mistakes else risking our elimination this early in the competition. We host Smosh games when we return and hopefully, we should get our deserved revenge in these halls. The Zhou Dynasty's climb back to the top begins here. GO JAGS!

SCHEDULE (Group C)
MD1: @Smosh games (UR) L 73-75 (4th)
MD2: @Squidroidia (35) - Mako Arena, Inkopolis W 76-65 (5th)
MD3: vs Srednjaci (UR) - Unity Centre, Riverside L 77-87 (5th)
MD4: @Nova Anglicana (21) - National Arena, Londinium L 58-88 (5th)
MD5: vs Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom (41) - Unity Centre, Riverside W 79-74 (5th/2-3/-26PD)
----------------------------Break----------------------------
MD6: vs Smosh games (UR) - Unity Centre, Riverside
MD7: vs Squidroidia (35) - Unity Centre, Riverside
MD8: @Srednjaci (UR)
MD9: vs Nova Anglicana (21) - Unity Centre, Riverside
MD10: @Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom (41)

by **Drawkland** » Thu Feb 11, 2021 1:20 pm

IBC 31: FLAWLESS FIRST QUARTER
Written By: Emily Jackson and Chuck Paul

Let's get this out of the way first. Through the first half of the first group stage, Drawkland is currently 5-0. Perfect record, near-perfect performance in each of the games, and thankfully Drawkland looks to still be a contender for the later stages of this IBC. The last two IBC group stages for the Net Corps yielded a loss in the first half (both to Kriegiersien, actually), which they avenged in the second half. This time, no games were dropped, and the Corps looks on to hold serve going into the second half of the group stage.

The reason the title is "Flawless First Quarter" is twofold. Firstly, one could argue that this IBC is divided into four quarters of competition. The first half of the first group stage, the second half of the first group stage, the second group stage, and the playoffs. Sure, the first group stage halves are five games each, the second group stage is four, and the playoffs are three games at most, but you could argue that the higher level of competition and the intensity of the matchups make up for the fewer games.

The second reason for the Flawless First Quarter actually relates to the play of the Net Corps on the court itself. In each of the five games played so far, Drawkland's national team has been nearly impossible to beat in the first quarter of play. Cody Morgan's strategy for this IBC has appeared to be playing balls-out, high-octane basketball for the first quarter, to build a fortuitous lead and grab all the game's momentum. For all five of the matchups so far, this has been played to perfection.

vs UNITED VOLCANO ISLANDS
This IBC campaign started in the most convenient way possible. The opening day match was played on home soil against an unranked group bottom-feeder. It not only served as an easy tune-up game for the #4 ranked Corps, but it also proved to be huge for fan and team morale going into the tougher matchups directly after. This game featured the unveiling of the flawless first quarter strategy, in which Drawkland outscored the United Volcano Isles 32-12. With a 20-point lead going into the second quarter, all the Corps had to do was keep their foot on the gas pedal, and the clock would take care of the rest.

The Corps led 50-28 at the half, slowing their offensive production slightly. This wasn't from the shooters growing cold, but rather taking more time off the clock when shooting, and giving the UVI less time to score. Fortunately for the Isles, their shooters started to warm up a bit, capitalizing more often on their chances, but at this point it was already too late. By the time the fourth quarter began, the insurmountable lead had grown to over 30 points, and the Corps refused to miss shots. The 102-66 final score was exactly what Drawkland needed to start off this IBC, and they prayed it would be a sign of things to come.

@ OSCIORU
For the next matchday, Drawkland would not have to travel offworld. A first for the Net Corps, and a rarity in Drawkian sports in general, the Corps only had to travel across the sea to Oscioru. The amount of Sonnel vs Sonnel matchups in sanctioned international competition is enough to count on one hand, and this IBC group stage is going to more than double that count. Oscioru's Tauri maybe seen as the little brothers to their northern neighbors in Juvencus (just like Juvencus could be seen as little brothers to their northern "neighbors" in Drawkland), but this doesn't mean they aren't a power to contend with. Even being fresh off an MD1 loss against Juvencus themselves, the short travel for both the Corps and Tauri meant that both could bring their absolute A game.

Being the first away game of the tournament, even being so close to home and with a still somewhat favorable crowd, this was a tough start for the Corps. The FFQ strategy which was launched against UVI was a little less effective against Oscioru. I Tauri managed to hang on, with their defense being able to hold Drawkland to only 20 points in the first quarter. Sure, Oscioru had only scored 13, but a seven-point deficit is not a backbreaker that early in the game.

As the game progressed, I Tauri refused to go away. Despite a great defensive performance by the Corps that resembled their dominance over UVI, Oscioru's defense also proved to be strong. Forced turnovers, as well as the shooters for Drawkland not sinking as many as they should, resulted in the game coming down to the wire. With a minute to go left in the game, the score was deadlocked at 60. Hoping to squeeze out the rest of the game, the Corps took their sweet time and let the shot clock drain to nearly nothing. Taveon Holland, who'd had the ball for most of the possession, suddenly drove in to try and score in the paint. This drew in the Osci defense, desperate to prevent the easy score. Holland then executed a sneaky bounce pass behind his back, which went directly to Autumn Trallen at the top of the key. Now wide open, Trallen sunk a three-pointer with a second to go on the shot clock, and Drawkland took the lead.

I Tauri weren't done yet, however. They got the ball back and calmly brought it back up the court, clearly intending to use up the shot clock themselves. They had a play in mind, passing and looping the ball around the arc. Despite the Corps' best efforts on defense, the Osci offense perfectly executed a screen with little time left on the shot clock. The 29-year-old veteran of the lineup, Jordan Charles, was popped free on the screen and sank the tying three-pointer.

With 10 seconds left on the clock, Drawkland didn't have a lot of time to score. However, with the score tied, they just needed to keep the ball out of Osci hands to at least ensure they'd go to overtime. Holland got the ball on the inbound and the Drawkians strode up the court quickly. With so little time left and no timeouts remaining for either team, this would be the final sequence of the game if Drawkland scored. Holland passed it to Trallen, who passed it to Brian Campbell, but the Osci defense remained stout on their man. With the seconds ticking, it appeared there would be no open shot ... until Campbell broke sideways, tossed the ball up towards the basket ... where it landed in the outstretched arms of Hailey Rider. Rider jammed the ball down for the alley-oop, and Oscioru's last second full court desperation shot didn't come close. Drawkland had won a close match, 63-65, and kept their momentum going.

vs OMERICA
Once again, Drawkland's trip would not take very long, as they merely flew overseas back home, rather than overspace. This time they'd be taking on the Pot 2 team of the bunch, Omerica. Though the Omericans were theoretically the biggest threat to Drawkland in this group, they'd so far looked very lackluster. Their only win was at home on opening day against minnows in Southwest Eastnorth, and they'd lost to Juvencus at home the next match. Coming out to Drawkland would be their hardest match of the stage, and they were not in good form for it.

The resulting game was a blowout. The FFQ tactic came in spades this time, with Drawkland shooting out to a 27-11 lead by the end of the first quarter. The Gryphons would get their offense in sync in the second half of the match, but the Drawkian shooters were again unstoppable, and the lead proved too much to try and pull back. The final scoreline was 94-62, resembling the opening day blowout against unranked UVI.

With this match in the books, Drawkland jumped to a 3-0 lead, tied with Juvencus at the top of the group, while Omerica fell to 1-2, and 0-2 against Sonnelian opposition. Things continued to look up for the Corps, even with so much left to play.

@ JUVENCUS
It wasn't the home match against Omerica that would be the most anticipated matchup of the first half, but rather the away match against Juvencus. Once again, the Corps only had a short flight across the sea to travel, and they would be in top form for the coming matchup. Similarly, the Juven squad was fresh off a tight home win against Southwest Eastnorth. With momentum on both teams' side, the travel part of the equation being nonexistant, and undisputed power over Group E at stake, it was set to be a hard-fought match between the friendly Sonnel rivals.

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by **Sarzonia** » Thu Feb 11, 2021 1:43 pm

Crilland wrote:ho lee fuk let me win a game xscorinate

[OOC: Number one, if you want a BETTER chance to win, start by roleplaying. Put up a roster and RP.

Number two, ANY solely OOC posts belong in the discussion thread, not here.]

The first half of IBC qualifying for the Sarzonian national basketball team ended rather unsurprisingly. The Stars earned a workmanlike 77-67 victory over Ethane to improve to 4-1, a full match clear of both unranked Hannasea and No. 12 Valladares.

So why was Stars manager Thomas Manningham glowering after the match? For starters, a crowd of only 9,072 braved a snowstorm to show up to support the Stars.

"Woodstock Public Works got the streets clear six hours before tipoff," Manningham said. "This isn't the first time we've had snow in the city. We're in a valley in the mountains. We're used to this shit."

Woodstock Mayor Claudia Alta said that William Clayton, the assistant director responsible for the city's snow removal, was "on his game," and that the city had no need to implement its snow emergency protocols.

"There was no weather-related emergency," Alta said.

The weather wasn't the only issue. The majority of Woodstockers in attendance booed the Stars when they jogged into the dressing room down four at halftime.

"We weren't at our best," said guard Ben Thomas, who scored 14 points and added nine assists. Mike West did not emerge from the dressing room after halftime and scored 11 points.

West was seen jawing with a fan whom he said used a racial slur. The fan was ejected by security and will be banned from sporting events in Sarzonia for the rest of his life. The fan was identified as 45-year-old Taylor Green. He apologized afterward.

"I'm sorry for using a word I know is wrong. I was upset at the team for not playing well, but there's no excuse. I only wanted to get [West's] attention. I'm not racist."

West wasn't having it.

"If you have it in your heart to use that word, you're racist, period," he said.

When asked if a lifetime ban for using a racial slur was an Article VI violation, President Grant Haffner said it wasn't. Haffner attended the match.

"An Article VI violation? That's a decision made by the team as a consequence for using aberrant language," Haffner said. "The Incorporated Sarzonian Government has nothing to do with the decision. It would not hold up in the court system."

Manningham said after the match that West would sit out the start of the away match to Nateros Sill as discipline for violating team rules against interaction with fans. He stressed that it wasn't for what he said to Green.

"Mike had absolutely every right to be angry," Manningham said. "If [Green] said that to me, I would feel the same way." Manningham is Afro-Sarzonian. "Mr. Green was appropriately disciplined by the Incorporated Basketball Federation and I fully support their decision.

[OOC note: Article VI in the Sarzoniann Constitution is the Sarzonian equivalent of the First Amendment in the U.S. Constitution.

Also, the inspiration behind Taylor Green should be obvious to anyone paying attention to news surrounding RL U.S. politics.]

by **Delaclava** » Thu Feb 11, 2021 5:11 pm

DSGN.com Basketball

IBC Qualifying: Phoenixes upset Valanora on road, take control
Healthy Zubić finally emerges, Delaclava slides into driver's seat

As the Delaclava national basketball team made the trip to #5 Valanora, they had a choice to make: did they want to focus on qualifying for the Finals, or did they want to make a statement? The consensus among the locker room was the latter, but they needed every aspect of their game to go right to make it happen, to pull off an improbable victory on the road.

One of the rare things that was going wrong for the Phoenixes thus far was Djordje Zubić - but not tonight.

After a pre-game profession that he was fully fit and "ready for battle", the MVP forward carried his team for all forty minutes of the game, tallying 26 points and 14 rebounds, and the Phoenixes defended a lead that had grown to as much as 12 down the stretch, closing out an 80-74 upset victory over Valanora and taking charge of Group A.

"What a game... they played really well and challenged us, so we did everything we could to match them," Zubić said after the game. "I'm grateful to be healthy, and it's awesome that we pulled this one out."

Coach Jim Levins leaned hard on his starters, with Ranta also playing the entire duration of the game. Simon Rybakov saw 34 minutes of action, Rick Jones 31, and Omar Harris 25. It was the first game of the tournament in which some players never checked in, with Obdulio Herrera, Sifiso Ntenga, and Lorenzo Austin replacing Rybakov, Jones, and Harris at various times. But the starters were well able to handle the pace of the game and their team's fast-break style.

The slower tempo of the first quarter may have helped them, with both Delaclava and Valanora playing slightly more conservatively on both ends of the floor. "We wanted to feel them out first," Ranta explained, "stay tighter with our ball movement and contain them in a zone, before we really started to let loose and press them. And I know they've had some close shaves recently, so I think they wanted to make sure we wouldn't get out ahead too early."

So the first stanza ended all square, 15-15. But it was in the second quarter where the Phoenixes began to feel more confident in running the floor. The Vanorians seemed to struggle the most with containing the quarterbacking of Rybakov, who notched 12 assists on the night and increased the defensive aggression by picking off passes. Aleksander Henriksen had his hands full with Zubić, who scored 13 points on his own in the second quarter, and Levins' decision to remove Harris for the smaller, fleeter Austin gave the Phoenixes a greater ability to outpace the Vanorians. Ranta put the finishing touch on the half with a three-pointer with 0.6 seconds to go, and Delaclava entered the locker room with a 43-35 lead.

"We had a great first half, maybe our best half of the season," Jones said, "but we didn't think they were going to just let us walk out with the win. No, they made it tough."

With Amelia Norberg struggling to contain Rybakov and entering foul trouble, backup Younes Nielsen played most of the second half and made an immediate impact, applying more pressure to Rybakov and breaking up passes between Rybakov and Ranta. Nielsen was better able to keep up with Rybakov in transition, giving the Phoenixes fewer open looks, and the Vanorian defense exposed the weaknesses in the Phoenixes' half-court set and perimeter play. Ian Aadland was finding more ways to physically hinder and trouble Harris in the paint, and Valanora quickly closed the deficit to two.

But Levins responded brilliantly, making a wholesale change of Herrera, Ntenga, and Austin for Rybakov, Jones, and Harris; it was Herrera and Ntenga's first entries into the game. Aadland and Henriksen could not adequately contain the more mobile pairing of Austin and Zubić, while Herrera and Ntenga had the slightly fresher legs and snappier shots to reinforce the Phoenixes game-play. The new rotation went on a 7-0 run in the middle of the third quarter to re-extend the lead, then put on a 9-2 run to close the third frame in the final minute. Delaclava 66, Valanora 54.

For the fourth quarter, it was back on the starting five to close the show. A better-rested Harris was able to contain Aadland down low, but Lars Berg found his stroke early on, cutting loose from Ranta and making three three-pointers in the penultimate five minutes to bring Valanora within six.

"We were tired out at this point," Rybakov admitted, "but we could see the finish line. We weren't going to quit until we actually got there. Even when they were making shots, we knew we were doing the right things, that we could respond to anything they did."

And after Levins called a time-out on the third Berg trey, the Phoenixes successfully ground out the final five minutes, with the lead growing no closer than four. With Harris back out of the game for Austin, the Vanorians targeted Zubić and Harris to go to the line, but the BC Athens star showed his mettle by converting all four foul shots in the final 83 seconds.

"They tested us in every way imaginable," Zubić credited the rivals, "but we were equal to it today. This is what we've worked for, to get over the line against the best teams."

The Phoenixes had previously led the group over Valanora by accumulation of margin of victory, as their rivals had fought through some close contests to make it to 4-0, but now sit a game clear of second place. And with Saint-Domingues defeating Pemecutan 74-65 and continuing to give chase at a 3-2 record, the additional cushion bodes quite well for Delaclava's qualifying chances.

The win closes out a first half of the Qualifying Round in which Delaclava exceeded the expectations of landing in the top two of the group, instead moving to the top of Group A in dominant fashion. Some notes comparing the Phoenixes' performance to the competition:

Delaclava joins Kriegiersien, Royal Kingdom of Quebec, Drawkland, Newmanistan, Banija, and Abanhfleft as the teams with perfect 5-0 runs thus far. Delaclava is the only team in that group currently ranked outside the top 10, and Delaclava and Kriegiersien are the only squads who have notched top-10 victories in their winning streaks.
Delaclava currently ranks sixth in average scoring offense with 84.6 PPG, trailing Banija (90.6), Chromatika (87.4), Quebec (86.0), Lisander (85.6), and Abanhfleft (84.8).
The Phoenixes also rank eighth in average scoring defense with 66.8 PPG, trailing Abanhfleft (62.8), Drawkland (64.0), Equestria (64.4), Nova Anglicana (65.4), Sarzonia (66.0), Valanora (66.2), and Northwest Kalactin (66.6). Only Abanhfleft is superior to Delaclava in both points scored and points allowed.
As a result, Delaclava is tied with Nova Anglicana for fourth in average margin of victory (+17.8), behind Banija (+23), Abanhfleft (+22), and Quebec (+18.2).
With respect to the above stats, it is worth noting that Delaclava has not has any major outliers - with the exception of the 101 points scored against Saint-Domingues, and the relatively narrow six-point victory against Valanora, the Phoenixes have not shown any extremes; rather, they have consistently demonstrated effective fast-break offense and pressing defense without drama or complications.
While the media outlets of most of the top teams do not regularly - if ever - publish game statistics, Pekko Ranta is surely among the leading scorers of the tournament thus far with 20.4 PPG, while Zubic (18.2), Jones (13.0) and Harris (10.8) have also averaged double figures.

While fans around Delaclava are no doubt celebrating - and frantically booking their tickets to Finals games - the players themselves won't be looking too far ahead.

"We have to be careful... We have a unique style that I think can catch teams off-guard," Rybakov told reporters in a post-game video press conference with the Delaclav scrum. "But there are no surprises the second time around... And I think we were pretty well warmed up with regionals not that long ago. Now everyone's in the competition, everyone's focused. We brought our A-game for the first five games, but we're going to need it for five more.

"And I know Valanora will be champing at the bit to get this one back. They're incredible competitors. We're coming back to Athens for that game and I know they'd love to ruin that party for us."

But with good fortune, and given the Phoenixes' current qualification standing, there is reason to believe the Phoenixes may well be qualified by the time that return fixture comes. And the team is on a mission to get it done in emphatic fashion.

"If we qualify, we're set to be one of the lower ranked teams in the Finals," Jones said. "I think if you'd asked the top teams before the tournament, they'd tell you they'd like to face us. Well, we're going to change their minds. We're going to make them worried about drawing us in their group.

"That's the message we're out to send: we're a problem for all of you. We're a problem."

by **Graintfjall** » Fri Feb 12, 2021 4:49 am

Posted on the In Brief section of the GTV Sports website.

Super Wolves record statement win

by **Rwekazaland** » Fri Feb 12, 2021 5:28 am

As in last season. Rwekazaland was 1-9 in the IBC 30.
"We know we needed to improve after that season. We know we had a lot to work on'. ~ Coach
Last game was Trolleborg 77–92 Rwekazaland. As impressive the Rwekazaland team has stepped up and played well that game.
As Hayden Cruz scoring 30 that game and a triple-double

.

by **Hannasea** » Fri Feb 12, 2021 7:16 am

From the rolling news channel SuperBusiness.

good

Brief silence as there’s panic in the news room in response to this unprecedented development. The title graphic cycles quickly through various iterations: “Hannaseans lose”, “Hannaseans suck”, “Hannaseans fail”, “Hannaseans eaten by enormous shark”, “Hannaseans left behind on bus”, before settling on the closest thing they have in their archive for a success story: “Hannaseans don’t win”. An intern hastily strikes through the ‘don’t’ with a sharpie.

Hurried whispering aside.

The strange, unfamiliar word is slightly mispronounced.

* In case you missed it.

by **Srednjaci** » Fri Feb 12, 2021 9:42 am

WORLD ARENA SPORT

REPORTER DARIO VEJIĆ: Dear viewers, welcome to the basketball night on our CHANEL 4!
with us, the guests are Mr. Kurjak, the president of the basketball association and Ivana Deranja, our best basketball player in the women's national team.
Welcome.
Tonight's opponent Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom have already beaten us in the first round and are now slight favorites.

KURJAK: Yes, they are strong, they play great, but TJUN-ia has shown that they are not invincible.

REPORTER: Ivana?

IVANA: I watched the matches and I have to say that our team is not the same as in the first round. The guys are playing far better than that first game and the game against the Nova Anglicana was, in my opinion, the best game I have watched.

REPORTER: which we lost

IVANA: We lost it, but only the best teams can afford such a game.

REPORTER: Are our opponents a little shaken by that defeat?

KURJAK: Hardly, they are in a far better position than us. They know that and they know that the pressure is on us.
He will play smart and try to destabilize us.

REPORTER: What tactics do you think our team will perform?

KURJAK: Well, we will definitely play a strong defense, it is somehow the most logical, strong and solid zone defense.

REPORTER: basketball is terribly popular now in Srednjaci, it would be a shame not to pass, let's just look at the lines for this game in front of the hall.

REPORTER: It was filmed by our film crew, Ivana, what is the situation in women's basketball?

IVANA: We are also preparing for the competition now, it will be interesting. Well we are good, we will have two checks, two friendly matches.

REPORTER: all healthy?

IVANA: Yes, the most important thing is that we are all together and that there are no injuries.

REPORTER: according to you, who has made the most progress in the game in our country.

IVANA: This trio is deadly Tomljanović-Marković-Paradinović, but the 19-year-old boys who are coming are playing better and better.

REPORTER: let’s actually look at greetings from elementary schools where kids increasingly want to play basketball.

IVANA: They are really cute.

REPORTER: let’s hope the guys win because only victory leaves us in the game.
Dear viewers, stay with our program because first follows the review from the Olympic Games in Clayquot and then the match Srednjaci vs Zeta Reka and Hugeltald.

works? · by **Abanhfleft** » Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:18 pm

One thing I've come to realize when I made the jump from playing to coaching is that the more famous you were as a player, the higher the expectations of you when you take charge of a team. Sure, expectations might be tempered a little bit when you take over a team that's not expected to get to the playoffs or in the middle of a rebuilding phase, but generally people expect you to be as great a manager as you were a player when you take the step up.

I gotta say, becoming a coach wasn't high on my list of priorities when I was just starting out. I just wanted to play ball, man. Hell, I even took an "easy" course in college just so I could truly focus on basketball and not worry about academics and such. Only when I was approaching the later stages of my career did I come to realize that I really didn't have much of a plan for what I'm going to do once I retire. Man's can't be a baller forever, no matter how much I want to. There will come a time that my body won't handle playing even as my mind is still craving to play, and that's the part of my life that I hadn't planned for.

The thought of becoming a coach didn't cross my mind until the lockout of 2023, when nobody really knew if the FBA was going to go ahead or not and we the players were just sitting on our asses waiting for the news to come in. I was watching a replay from last season and I just found myself shaking my head at the stupidity of some of the tactics and gameplans being used by some of the teams in the league. I distinctly remember saying "I could probably coach better than this!" and out of nowhere my GF (now my wife) tells me, "Then go ahead and become a coach! At least that'll get you off your ass."

I don't know why, but her words just stuck with me once I heard them. When it became clear that there was not going to be a 2023-24 FBA season, I got in touch with a few clubs from Pridnestrovia and ended up joining BC Admiral Novorossiysk. They were by no means a basketball powerhouse over there, but boy did they have some of the most rabid fans this side of the Coalition. I signed just a one-season contract, banking on the fact that while the FBA was locked out, the new CBA would eventually be ironed out before the start of the 2024-25 season. Also, while I was with Admiral, I asked one of their coaches if I could tag along with them, learn the coaching ropes, so to speak. And I have to say, I learned a lot watching these guys at work. I learned what to do, and what not to do. I'm still learning though, even after maybe five years on the job, but I've also heard that once you stop learning things from whatever it is you're doing, that's the time to call it quits.

Anyway, the lockout was resolved, I went back to the Releinthi Chiefs and played there until I finally decided it was time to hang up my shoes. During that time I also went on those coaching classes where aspiring coaches learn everything from explaining your tactics to man management. It's a bit different from other sports like soccer to get your coaching credentials in basketball. I heard that there's like a system in soccer where you start at the very bottom and make your way upwards by way of badges or something like it. In basketball, once you finish them coaching classes, you just get a diploma and go on your merry way. Where you went was up to you.

And of course, because mainly I had nowhere else to go, I ended up going back to the Chiefs, hanging around learning the ropes a little more. Somehow I managed to get myself a position as the assistant coach in charge of training the guys for offense. And it was here that I realized just where that saying that great players don't always make great coaches come from. So I would be in charge of making sure the guys followed the drills and programs that the coach wanted them to do to prepare for the next game. I would watch the guys do it, and then I would see how they could improve on these drills even further, but no matter how I tried to explain what I saw, the guys just couldn't understand me. They couldn't wrap their minds around what I wanted them to do.

But despite that, I managed to get a full season and then some as assistant coach of the Chiefs. Releinthi didn't get much better in the FBA, but at least we didn't get any worse too. That being said, I didn't really have a reputation as a coach, be it good or bad. Which was why I was surprised when BC Admiral Novorossiysk approached me and asked if I wanted to take their head coach job? I don't know why I decided to take it in the first place even though I've only been coaching one year and then some. Any other day I would've said I was willing to consider and then wait until they forgot about their interest in me. But no, I said yes to the job, and that was how I found myself becoming head coach of BC Admiral Novorossiysk in the Pridnestrovian Basketball Super League.

In a way though, Admiral may have been the best team I could have started my head coaching career. They had a good squad but their goals weren't to challenge for the championship, at least not short-term while I bedded myself in. Getting into the playoffs was the most important thing for this team at the time. The team I got was not the best team, truthfully speaking, but something about this group of players just clicked. They just clicked with what I had in mind for them tactics-wise.

When the wins started rolling in, I was happy, but it was tempered by the knowledge that basketball is a game of streaks. Any team could win five in a row and then lose five in a row. Admiral finished the regular season in 4th place and a 25-9 record. Pretty good for a coach in just his first season, right? But wait. It gets better. For some reason this team that I had was just perfect. Everyone knew what they were supposed to do and they were doing it well. And just like that, we were champions of the Pridnestrovian Basketball Super League. That alone was already impressive, but we won the finals against BC CSKA Tiraspol, Admiral's rivals. They were rivals because Admiral was considered as the team of the Navy while CSKA was the Army's team. Kind of like the Armed Forces derby between Fleftic Army and Fleftic Air Force in soccer. The Admiral fans really enjoyed this win, let me tell you that much.

And then after that came the surprise of my life: an offer from the Samahang Basketbol ng Abanhfleft for me to manage the national basketball team. The freaking Rebolusyonaryos, man. The team that I had toiled for for most of my international career. Ivan Opanasenko had resigned after failing yet again to win the IBC, and the SBA were looking for new blood to "reinvigorate this team." Their words, not mine. I gotta say, I was shocked that they would go to me. Surely there had to be some coaches out there with longer careers and better records than me. Sure, I just won a title in Pridnestrovia, but it's just not the same as winning an FBA title, you know what I mean? But they went after me, and even though I still had two years left on my contract with Admiral, I just had to say yes to the SBA. This kind of opportunity only comes once in a lifetime. I would be a fool, a fool, to turn this one down.

Three years on and things haven't been as great as I envisioned them to be. I haven't won the IBC as a coach, and that's put me under a magnifying glass held not just by the media but also the SBA itself. The SBA want me to succeed. No, they need me to succeed. They need me to succeed because of the shit that went down after Abdul Halim bin Osman was elected president of the IBC. We're still recovering from the fallout of those corruption investigations that got the FBA and the PBSL suspended from participating in the IUBC. Winning the IBC is the only thing that will restore our reputation in the sport, the SBA has decided.

It's not going to be easy. I knew that three years ago. But nothing that I've tried to do to this team has got me believing that we'll be any good outside of the group stage. That blowout loss to Quebec last IBC still stings. But I gotta put that back in the past. We all gotta put that defeat back in the past. We can't change it anymore. What we can do is keep our heads screwed on tight and not loosen up just because we've made it through to the playoffs. It's the old cliche: getting there is just half the journey. Staying in the playoffs is another thing entirely, and so is staying competitive in the playoffs. But man's gotta do what man's gotta do. There's just no two ways about it. Go big or go home.

- Jan Harris, head coach of the Abanhfleft national basketball team

by **Kriegiersien** » Fri Feb 12, 2021 3:32 pm

“I can’t believe we survived the first 5 stages”, Latoya snorted and wiped away the sweat.
“With your shooting skills, really a wonder”, Christin grizzled.
“Your defense isn’t much better”, Cecilia scoffed.
“Not mentioning your movement”, Rogbut grumbled.
“I think controllers are unfair for people without five fingers”, said Ivory.

She hit the Gamepad with her hooves.

“How are you able to handle the ball that good when you fail at a simple controller with 5 buttons?”
“That is something totally different.”

“Ok, we can surely get to Level 7 today without restarting”, Christin said. “If we work together.”
“Must we? When you said we would play a game together I thought we are talking Board Games and not this Shooterjumpthingy”, Rogbut sighed.
“Pirate Booty War 3™. This is an important team exercise.”
“I would prefer playing Basketball. Isn’t there a HBL or DBA Basketball Game?”
“I am happy that we have a bit free time from Basketball.”
“I think we are playing not enough. Only 1 hour training a day? That is new.”
“Oh, just wait. The first loss and I guarantee you, the old days of brutal exercises, fitness and work-out, cardio and hours of game analyses are back.”
“I would like that”, said Rogbut.

Everyone looked at her in awkward silence.

“Anyway, who is getting the chips and drinks for the next round?”, said Christin, putting her forefinger on her nose.
Everyone followed her example, except Ivory.
“Oh, come on, you guys!”, the Pony shouted.
Then she stood up to get more snacks and drinks from the hotel bar.

by **Chromatika** » Fri Feb 12, 2021 4:33 pm

Chromatika in IBC 31
Part 6: Fifth Stanza - Neat Bookend

The First:

A scare on the road...
A timely dagger from far
Makes sure Penguins win.

The Second:

When push comes to shove
It's Park that hits the clutch shot
The captain's on fire.

The Third:

Starting the next leg
A chance for a nice tune-up
With Quebec en route.

by **HUElavia** » Fri Feb 12, 2021 4:39 pm

HUElavia Drop another Match in tough arrival to Midway.

HUElavia 75–86 Mytanija
(Palacio de los Reyes, Curumba)

After the late loss to Banija, HUElavia needed to win to keep pace with 1st Place headed into the Midway Break. Taking on Unranked Mytanija, Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos expected to have an easy victory. Even more so that they were in home court, and still motivated from their toe-to-toe match with the Banijans. Needless to say, it did not go to plan.

Mytanija had the same motivation that the HUElavians had the previous matchday for this match. The offense was hitting on all cylinders, scoring points left and right. Bychkov had the most points during the match, 21 in total, with 11 assists. Fomin also followed with 18 points and 9 assists. For HUElavia, it was Fernandes leading the team with 20 points, and 13 assists. Hui was the next player with points, having an impressive 17 points and 10 assists. Regardless, HUElavia was chasing Mytanija and when it looked like Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos were going to tie and possibly take the game, Jausovec and Lekov came alive to put the game away. At the end, HUElavia lost their 2nd consecutive match, 75-86, and went into the Midway Break needing a much needed rest to regroup and practice.

Now, the second half of Group Stage Qualifiers are coming for HUElavia. They now face off against Græntfjall, who are on a hot streak, and come off a 66-70 away victory at Maccian. Los Amarillos/Os Amarelos will play against the Super Wolves in Palacio de los Reyes in Curumba once again. The team is hoping that with training and studying film of Græntfjall, they can pull another upset and have at least the series sweep on them. It is a tall order of a match, especially with the team being in what looks like a freefall, but they want to take them on just like they did against Banija, and go for the win in what has been an impressive showing of the Basketball team in this International Basketball Championship.

Here's to what can be a grand match!

FORCA HUELAVIA! VAMOS HUELAVIA! GO HUELAVIA!

by **The Royal Kingdom of Quebec** » Fri Feb 12, 2021 7:19 pm

Captains' meeting, the day before Grim Reapers' departure to Kohnhead for Week 6, IBC30 - First Qualifying Round

It was the night before the second half of the IBC30's first qualifying round were about to begin. Both team captains found themselves highly occupied. Heo Myeong-Yoon found herself, only a day after the Hamilton SonicBoom's victory over Fort Lowe, had to fly to Quebec City to brace herself for yet another challenging travels, this time into Kohnhead where she knew the opposition was going to be feisty, persistent and of course energetic. While she knew the Grim Reapers were still heavily favoured, Myeong-Yoon knew that there was no guarantee for the Grim Reapers to win.

Of course, that came even as the Grim Reapers, making up for their relative deficiency in talent with double-squad that somehow the Basketball Quebec were allowed to use for past twenty years, were still undefeated with a 5-0 record. Of course, they weren't the most dominant of sides- the honours would have to go to the Banijans down in GSW- but the Grim Reapers were not really falling apart when it mattered either. Dominant victories over Crilland, East Lemyone and Vangaziland, as well as major overtime victory over Chromatika and the battle of consistencies in the opening triumph over Kohnhead was much to say about that. Regardless of how small the margins may have been seen at times, and how challenging the Chromatika game had looked, fourteen consecutive group stage victories to date and four comfortable victories were more than enough for the home fans to feel satisfied about.

Of course, both the men's and women's teams have done excellent job with galvanising the crowd and each other, finding their strengths where needed and playing to them as asked. While the level of talent was still far from perfect for many, especially those who remembered the legendary 3rd Golden Generation of Quebecois women's basketball, the improvement in teamwork was more than enough to make up for it. The experiment taken in the last IBC, when the retirements of most senior players had coincided with use of U23 talent, was a success and a continuing one at that, as the players to the likes of Bang Se-Woong, Mathieu-Abel Park, Hazel Hanson-Conavacio and Yim Se-Ryeong continued to grow from the third-place finish that coincided with the Grim Reapers' three-match sweep over their Sarzonian rivals. Heo Myeong-Yoon and Kim Hong-Ja, key leaders from the women's team then, were still the anchors, while the men had Matthieu Kabengele and Noh Seung-Hoon who helped to solidify the wet mound that was the Grim Reapers' court performance.

All in all, the frontcourt strengths of women and the backcourt forces of men had combined for something nicely, something that neither coaches nor captains, to be clear, had in mind at all.

'Do you think we can do it?' Myeong-Yoon asked. 'Strong squad, teamwork's better than ever and we may even be able to continue with some strong forms come the second half, figure the opposition out and whatnot.'

'Hard to say, remember how we were so confident back in AOBC with a much smaller squad and then we crashed out against the Delaclavs?' responded Kabengele, his on-court struggles versus the Delaclavs on the regional quarterfinals all too familiar in the face. 'Probably not to bet too much on our chances this time.

'You never know though,' Myeong-Yoon responded, as they started watching highlight footages of Kohnhead's victory over Vangaziland two months prior. 'Of course, the focus is going to be on beating those guys.'

'Can't really let go of our pedals, that's for sure,' Kabengele responded after a thought or two, as he watched the Vangazis, who used to brag themselves too much of their prowess just a decade earlier, getting shredded by lesser-known players from Kohnhead. 'For one though, they do have right mindset for sure. Gonna be a hard game.'

'Who knows- we'll see...'

by **Delaclava** » Fri Feb 12, 2021 7:27 pm

Welcome back, everyone! Hope you had a restful off day... because it only gets harder from here. No more getting warmed up, it's crunch time. There are a lot of teams still in play, but some will eventually fall. This is a competition where there's no wrong or right, rough justice for all.

Day 6 cutoff!

Playoff Scenarios
Teams in red are eliminated (but may still qualify for the Consolation Stage).
Teams in orange cannot win the group, but may still qualify for the Final Group Stage.

Group A
Hebitaka 67–95 Delaclava
Valanora 96–60 Saint-Domingues
Pemecutan 84–65 Equestrian States of Poland

Group A                              Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Delaclava                              6    6   0   518  401 +117
2 Valanora                               6    5   1   465  391  +74
3 Saint-Domingues                        6    3   3   447  472  −25
4 Hebitaka                               6    2   4   443  481  −38
5 Pemecutan                              6    2   4   429  435   −6
6 Equestrian States of Poland            6    0   6   380  502 −122

Group B
Equestria 72–64 Silvedania
United Vietussia 59–75 Kriegiersien
Crystal Empire 89–76 Cassadaigua

Group B                              Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Kriegiersien                           6    6   0   483  408  +75
2 Equestria                              6    4   2   438  386  +52
3 Crystal Empire                         6    4   2   493  478  +15
4 Cassadaigua                            6    2   4   456  492  −36
5 Silvedania                             6    1   5   406  454  −48
6 United Vietussia                       6    1   5   408  466  −58

Group C
Squidroidia 74–95 Nova Anglicana
Srednjaci 84–79 Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom
TJUN-ia 95–84 Smosh games

Group C                              Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Nova Anglicana                         6    5   1   511  401 +110
2 Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom              6    4   2   483  443  +40
3 Srednjaci                              6    4   2   477  441  +36
4 TJUN-ia                                6    3   3   458  473  −15
5 Smosh games                            6    2   4   419  461  −42
6 Squidroidia                            6    0   6   397  526 −129

Group D
Kohnhead 75–83 Royal Kingdom of Quebec
East Lemyone 70–88 Chromatika
Crilland 71–91 Vangaziland

Group D                              Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Royal Kingdom of Quebec                6    6   0   513  414  +99
2 Chromatika                             6    5   1   525  420 +105
3 Vangaziland                            6    3   3   422  413   +9
4 East Lemyone                           6    2   4   400  489  −89
5 Kohnhead                               6    2   4   415  460  −45
6 Crilland                               6    0   6   389  468  −79

Group E
Southwest Eastnorth 63–81 Omerica
Oscioru 81–77 Juvencus
United Volcano Isles 65–61 Drawkland

Group E                              Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Drawkland                              6    5   1   464  385  +79
2 Juvencus                               6    4   2   465  440  +25
3 Oscioru                                6    3   3   443  444   −1
4 Omerica                                6    2   4   433  461  −28
5 Southwest Eastnorth                    6    2   4   413  446  −33
6 United Volcano Isles                   6    2   4   442  484  −42

Group F
Ethane 83–80 Valladares
Hannasea 70–81 Filindostan
Nateros Sill 64–81 Sarzonia

Group F                              Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Sarzonia                               6    5   1   473  394  +79
2 Filindostan                            6    4   2   463  478  −15
3 Hannasea                               6    3   3   486  479   +7
4 Valladares                             6    3   3   472  465   +7
5 Ethane                                 6    2   4   433  459  −26
6 Nateros Sill                           6    1   5   427  479  −52

Group G
Rwekazaland 79–91 Xanneria
Newmanistan 67–66 Mapletish
Khytonya 76–79 Trolleborg

Group G                              Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Newmanistan                            6    6   0   477  404  +73
2 Xanneria                               6    5   1   453  422  +31
3 Rwekazaland                            6    3   3   467  452  +15
4 Mapletish                              6    2   4   450  453   −3
5 Khytonya                               6    1   5   427  470  −43
6 Trolleborg                             6    1   5   440  513  −73

Group H
Banija 79–59 Mytanija
HUElavia 74–77 Græntfjall
Maccian 80–85 Baker Park

Group H                              Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Banija                                 6    6   0   532  397 +135
2 Græntfjall                             6    4   2   448  436  +12
3 HUElavia                               6    3   3   468  430  +38
4 Maccian                                6    2   4   427  469  −42
5 Mytanija                               6    2   4   401  472  −71
6 Baker Park                             6    1   5   433  505  −72

Group I
United States of the Adirondacks 92–90 Hispinas
Lisander 68–81 Qasden
Acastanha 100–85 Marigred

Group I                              Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Qasden                                 6    5   1   494  444  +50
2 Lisander                               6    4   2   496  438  +58
3 Acastanha                              6    4   2   491  469  +22
4 Hispinas                               6    3   3   498  502   −4
5 United States of the Adirondacks       6    2   4   429  485  −56
6 Marigred                               6    0   6   463  533  −70

Group J
Abanhfleft 81–79 Northwest Kalactin
Indusse 79–63 Savigliane
Sannyamathland 79–60 Wizcity

Group J                              Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Abanhfleft                             6    6   0   505  393 +112
2 Indusse                                6    5   1   490  434  +56
3 Sannyamathland                         6    3   3   423  454  −31
4 Northwest Kalactin                     6    2   4   435  414  +21
5 Savigliane                             6    1   5   409  485  −76
6 Wizcity                                6    1   5   402  484  −82

International Basketball Championship 31 (IC Thread)

SHOCK IN THE LAST SECONDS OF THE GAME

DROP IT DOWN!: Nothing Like An Upset At Home!

IBC 31: Flawless First Quarter (part 1)

RWEKAZALAND MAJOR IMPROVEMENT IN IBC 31

WE MUST WIN

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