IBC XXIX - Everything Thread

by **Northwest Kalactin** » Wed May 06, 2020 10:08 am

Northwest Kalactin 79–71 Qasden
And there we have it folks! A 79-71 win for Northwest Kalactin over world power Qasden. The Qasdonian defense could not stop the dynamic duo of Michael Hughes and Jorge Sutton on defense as the 2 combined for an amazing 40 points between both of them. The Kalactanian defense had no trouble in stopping qasden from scoring in the final half only giving up 21 points in the 2nd half. Michael Hughes played an outstanding defensive game, only allowing 6 points from his man the entire game, along with grabbing 3 blocks along the way. Josh Abbott in the other hand was not able to work beyond the three point line very well with the lockdown defense of qasden on him. He did however, manage to get 7 assists in the 29 minutes that he was in the game. Charlie Larson like usual, had no trouble living up to his 3 point shooting skill going 3-3 from the three point area.

The game started and the Kalactanian team commanded possession for the first few minutes having the ball 70% of the time. Qasden though, took it out on the Kalactanians through shooting out on the perimeter where Hughes and Sutton would not be able to neutralize them as threats. While the game was tied 12-12 Ricky Garza took a bad foul in the paint- a flagrant foul. It was only a flagrant 1 foul so he was not ejected from the game, however it took a toll on the his affect the rest of the game. Jorge Sutton with his athletic prowess was able to outplay to qasdonians at the rim who were either smaller or slower than him. Hughes meanwhile helped bring the game back into the Kalactanians favor by overpowering the qasdnoians in the paint. At the end of the first quarter the Kalactanians were up 21-17- they were up by 4 but that was still not enough for a team that needed a win. Surprise sub Steven Stewart came out and hit 2 threes for the Kalactanians, which put them up by 10. Abbott was subbed back in later for Stewart. With 5 minutes left in the second half and down by 10 the qasdonian team started to claw back at the kalactanians lead, reducing it to 6 within 2 minutes. Jorge Sutton and Michael Hughes quickly responded to the threat by making it almost impossible for any points in the paint to be scored which greatly hurt their offensive power. In the final seconds if the first half the ball was inbounded to Garza, Garza who hadn’t scored any points at the time took the ball and flung a buzzer beater to extend the lead by three. It bounced on the rim once and then went in! The Kalactanian team went crazy it was a morale boost for a tea that was trying to run away with the lead. The score at the half was 54-50.

The second half definetly was a lot quieter for both teams, as both only managed to score 25 and 21 respectively however, some plays by some stars definitely managed to light up the scoreboard for the kalactanians in the second half. The start of the half was very quiet no points were scored in the first 3 1/2 minutes as the teams went 0-6 in field goals during the first part. The first points were scored by the Kalactanian center, Michael Hughes, who at the time only had 8 points so far but was a deafening force on defense. He scored 5 straight points for the team on dunks and hook shots, which were his specialty. The game was starting to grow out of reach for the Qasdonians as they started to not be able to score on offense due to Hughes and Sutton locking the game down in the paint. So they started taking a different approach, 3 pointers. Abbott and Garza were both racking up a large number of fouls on defense which wasn’t good for the Kalactanians when the Qasdonians started shooting on the perimeter more. It didn’t necessarily work to say the least. The kalactanians just moved Larson outside- who was 3 inches taller than the Qasden guards and they continued to fail to score more points, only scoring 8 in the final fourth. Overall it was a great game for the Kalactanians who managed to pull off a nice upset against a skilled qasdonian team.

Boxscore points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks
Hughes: 22, 10, 3, 0, 3
Sutton: 18, 8, 4, 0, 2
Larson: 11, 4, 4, 1, 2
Garza: 9, 1, 2, 1, 1
Abbott: 8, 2, 7, 3, 1
Stewart: 8, 0, 2, 1, 0
Carter: 3, 2, 0, 0, 1

by **Cassadaigua** » Wed May 06, 2020 11:59 am

(OOC: This RP is setting up a larger theme which will be worked on here and ultimately elsewhere)

In Cassadaigua, the nation is led by Queen Cassie II and we have seen her make many appearances in international events as she leads the nation in a current prosperous state. There is a lot that must go on when leading the country as a monarch, and therefore you have to have an assembly of trusted advisors to surround you. That mostly means family, and the family tree of royal lineage branches out enough to provide coverage of the majority of positions that are needed. Her husband, King Charles, would take over the rule of the nation should anything happen to the Queen, but a male has never held the throne before, amazingly enough. Cassie II and Charles had four children, the oldest being named Cassie (though she liked to buck the tradition of the two Cassie’s before her and only wanted to be called Cassandra), and she would be in line to take over the throne if anything happened to her happens. Next would be Chelsea. Following the daughters come her two sons, Caspian and Chester. Since they were behind the two older sisters, it would be unlikely that either of them would ever have the opportunity to rule the nation. Instead, they would have a leadership role in certain regions of the country.

The Queen chose the Brattleboro area, and the southeastern part of the Matriarchy to be where Caspian would have the ultimate authority. Like his sisters, he was intelligent and eager to learn the ways of the Queen. His shy and reserved nature, while loving technology, seemed to make him a natural fit for the high-tech area and populace of Brattleboro, and so that would be his destiny. The plan would see him make frequent trips to the Royal Palace, but would have his own royal quarters in Brattleboro, and that is where he would spend his time. Prince Caspian was a loyal son, and took all of the advice that his mother gave him. He wanted to be the best leader that he could, and was wise to talk in all of the advice from the right people. The relationships that he had with his sisters were great, although there was always a part of him that wishes he could have been in line to sit on the throne. In Cassadaigua, it would not have mattered if he was born then possible Cassie III, or Cassandra if she wanted to still be called that, if his parents had a daughter at any point, they would have had priority.

The Prince was always a shy one in the social scene while he was a kid. He’d only go to special schools where only members of royalty or the most upper class citizens could go. His role as being a direct son of Queen Cassie II always gave him special treatment among the teachers then, because they cherished the opportunity to have a role in the instruction of a Prince. Of course, they did not have complete control over what they instructed him, as the Queen was sure to thoroughly lay out what the lessons would be, and they would have to report back to her specifically what was done on the given day. For the teachers, they were honored to have that chance, so they happily obliged. Because of this, Caspian was never able to have a normal school experience, or as much as such experience with only high privileged kids could be considered normal to begin with. He was very athletic, and played on both the baseball and the hockey teams for the school. Hockey was by far his favorite sport, and he was pretty good at it. Still, that did not help him with his social status at all. Since he was not one to really initiate a conversation, he did not have many great relationships at all, since people either were hesitant to approach him, or they would only approach him because he was a Prince, and that was something that Caspian had a good feel for. He felt as though they would be fake friends and only wanted to use him as a way of getting up close into the Royal Palace themselves. Alternatively, since they were the sons and daughters of very affluent parents, then Caspian wondered if those kids were told by the parents to get close to him to further any special interests that they would have. This was something that the Queen was sure to warn him about, and he definitely understood the message. Dating in school was something that he could never do. He never felt as though he was able to get close to anyone in such a romantic way. It didn’t really bother him yet at this young age. After all, no one was going to pick on him over it in this school because he was a Prince. At least with that, he could have the upper hand.

He was 17 when the 13th Winter Olympics were held in Electrum. Cassadaigua had sent a delegation to the games, and the Queen would certainly attend. However, on this visit, she invited her three oldest children to not only attend the games, which in the case of the Queen was going to be focused on just the opening and closing ceremonies, but allowed for the kids to remain in Electrum for the duration of the games. For Caspian, this was a tremendous honor, as he immediately made arrangements to attend as much of the hockey games as he could. He’d have some undercover security near him at all times, but once the Olympics began, the general public in Electrum would not recognize him as being a prince, nor would the vast majority of Cassadagans that made the trip. As the opening ceremonies prepared to begin, Caspain walked around an area that was exclusive to national leaders and anyone they chose to brought with him. While looking to pick up a drink, he could not help but admire the beauty of a girl that seemed to be about his age. He looked at her maybe a couple more seconds then he should have, and looked down when she made eye contact at him, never catching her smile back. Though he had to look at her again, and eye contact was made again, and this time he saw her smile. She took a few steps towards him, and this had Caspian take a deep breath prior to walking near her as well.

The girl extended her hand and introduced herself as Christine. Caspain shook her hand and the two of them began to talk but this seemed very relaxing for him; it was a feeling that he never had with a female before. Cassadagan females were too bossy. She was normal, just what he wanted, but was what most soothing to him is that when she told him that she was a Princess; to which he replied he was a Prince. This was going to be different, because she was not someone who was going to be getting to know him just because he was royalty. He felt that Christine might have been feeling the same way. They talked and talked before each of their respective parents had their security check on their well being, because they were each gone far longer then was expected. They’d eventually part, making plans to see each other more as the Olympics went on.

by **Donnacona** » Wed May 06, 2020 12:33 pm

Trevona Prepares For General Strike Amidst IBC

A general strike has been organised around Agosto, Marianne and Auguste du Nord after the election of Air Donnacona CEO Maxim Durocher to the first Presidency of the unified Donnacona and intended for the day before the match against Southwest Eastnorth at Trevona's Arena Elettricagosto. Arena employees are among those expected to participate and there have already been reported issues for the Southwest Eastnorth team making their way into the country on account of the strike starting with employees of Air Donnacona.

Donnacona's largest syndicates have quickly organised the general strike on the heels of the Air Donnacona strikes to protest proposed austerity measures that Durocher ran on. The syndicate leaders are frustrated at what they feel is the Parti Travailliste selling out their bona fides for "Rushmori legitimacy" as part of a desire to regain power within the Common Rushmori Community. Joining the CRC was the main public selling point of Durocher's campaign, and the billionaire CEO spoke often of the "Power of Rushmore to transform our economy", but the syndicate leaders disagree.

"All through our nation's history, be it as Cotdelapoms, as Marianne, and now as Donnacona, we've been functionally a one-party state, and whether the workers are respected or disrespected by the party has determined how long the people in charge of the party stay in charge," said Marc-Antoine Choi-Laberge, general secretary of the Confédération Générale du Travail, "Mr. Durocher may think because he's accumulated a lot of wealth and now a lot of power that he can break us down and sell us out, but he should ask Manny Paris-Brest and everyone old enough to remember the Thermidor Revolution how that went."

Trevona, traditionally a centre of organised labour in Agosto, expects significant participation in the strike, although the national basketball federation and Arena Elettricagosto fully intend to have the game go on as expected, leaving the national team itself in a difficult position. Practice sessions for the day of have been cancelled in order to respect the picket lines, but should the strike go on longer than one day there will need to be difficult decisions made about the game itself.

"I am in full support of the workers, and I do not intend to cross a picket line to play a basketball game. That would disrespect the nation for sure." said Jahjesh Singh, a sentiment echoed by Trevona BC star and teammate Luka Kjaer- "I'm from up north, there's no way I'm going to violate a general strike."

Donnacona are currently 0-3 in the tournament after 3 straight losses to highly ranked opponents. Southwest Eastnorth is the first fellow unranked opponent the team will have faced.

by **Valladares** » Wed May 06, 2020 2:56 pm

State Associations Unable to Decide on New Leadership for the AVB

METROPOLIS (VAP) — No consensus has been reached on the presidential elections of the Asociación Valladar de Baloncesto (Valladar Basketball Association), as the 11 leaders of the country's basketball regional leagues have vetoed the re-election of incumbent AVB President Emilio Muriel due to a pereceived "unwillingness to address key issues to the growth of the sport among the youth and within the federal states", and repeated abstentions from the Arauco basketball league have prevented any of the current two candidates from reaching a majority vote after three rounds of voting.

As of now, the state leagues have to decide on a new AVB president between two candidates: former Carloburgo Knights owner George Martin, from the Mountbatten state and backed by the regional governing bodies of Mountbatten, Antioquia, Westlands, Junín, and Alto Danubio, and former Valladar NT player Santiago Mina, from the District of Metropolis, and backed by the District's league as well as the ones from Eterna, Foix, Chiquito, and Canalave. The Arauco basketball league has openly rejected both candidates, under the argument that "none of them seems really interested in addressing the problems facing the growth and development of the sport in the state."

With the term of current president Muriel being set to end at the end of May, it is feared that should the governing body fail to reach a decision on a new president before the end of the month, the AVB will be plunged into an unwanted scenario of ungovernability that will affect the preparation of national teams and clubs for future events, such as the International Basketball Championships, the Liga Superior de Baloncesto, and the IUBC, in which Valladar clubs have done outstanding campaigns, as well as hindering the steady growth of the sport in the nation.

Meanwhile in the current IBC, the Valladares Blue Jaguars are currently with a 2-1 record in Group E, having regained ground from an overtime loss in the début to hosts Equestria with wins over Delaclava and Donnacona. Next up for Valladares is a return to Carloburgo's Abbey Court to face the group's top seed, Banija (3-0) in a game where a victory would give a huge boost to the chances held by the Blue Jaguars to advance out of the group stage.

Read this article in:

Español | Français | Português

Popular stories now:

SPORTS - Valladar Lionesses ready to keep advancing in VWE
RUSHMORE - IV Valladar-Rio Oscuro summit confirmed to be held in June in Carreño, Foix state
DOMESTIC - Westlands State Delegate and Governor-General reopen Southern Rushmori War memorial in Coulombes after renovations
DOMESTIC - Rivière de Foix under monitoring ahead of the start of the flash floods season
TODAY'S LIFE - Rain coats for dogs expected to be trending during rainy season

by **Trolleborg** » Wed May 06, 2020 4:03 pm

Wim Rieter is almost ordinary citizen from the small town of Maaz Rijn - actually, not even a city as such, but simply a district of the city of Murnau, its natural extension, once settlement on the northeastern outskirts, which eventually acquire status as municipality and are now desperately proud of their ownness. Even the traditional marches on December 1 and other public holidays in Maaz Rijn are held on their main street 100 meters long, and not on the main street of Murnau, as representatives of all other areas around Murnau did. Matches in any kind of sport between city representatives are very important for Maaz Rijn residents - however, not everyone knows about this in Murnau. Basketball in the town is held in high esteem, therefore it is not surprising that on the intended trip Wim Rieter took his favorite hat in the colors of the club, a pipe and a Trolleborg flag with the name of his native locality sewn on it. And the journey was ahead of him is very unusual. Like almost all Maaz Rijn residents, he never visited any faraway countries at all, and, like almost all of them, he reasoned like this: in fact, why I must did this? What exist abroad, which we haven’t not in Trolleborg? We have everything from the tropics and deserts to glaciers and tundra, cuisines and cultural traits of every imaginable sort. Spend your whole life, and you’ll not be able to glance even briefly at everything Trolleborg has to offer. But such days came when the world expanded and turned out to be much larger than even giant Trolleborg continent. In this huge world, our guys, our basketball players, need support – and that’s all, we must go.

And now Wim is sitting in a highly comfortable armchair, heading with a group of fans to the unknown Juvencus, about which he himself knows only that he exists, and even then he does not fully believe until an hour later the ground shows up ahead of the speeding aircraft. And a few minutes later he himself touched the ground in the new country, it’s first. Foreigners are rarely allowed into this country, which bearing the proud Holy Empire prefix, as the hastily and diagonally studied guide book states, so it’s completely unclear what to expect. It is good that many fans in our country have already been to a foreign land and take on the organization of how to be. Therefore, the fans are being amassed in a large crowd and go to the center of the capital Pomena in order to at least briefly examine its beauties, declare their presence and from there, as is usual with guests from Trolleborg, marching to the stadium with songs.

In truth, Wim remembered little from what he managed to see from the column, he was so worried, but all the jim-jams disappeared without the trace when the fans enter the bowels of the stadium where the match was taking place. Everything was clear here - the eighth of the stadium, where support group from Trolleborg rages about, trying to inspire their idols, and the rest of the stadium. This is all familiar, the basketball trip from Maaz Rijn to Murnau looks exactly the same, only people numbered ten times less. It seems that the basketball players felt about the same in their first away match. Our lads play well, and if before the break it was unclear who would take it, but in the second half Trolleborg went ahead and after the siren Wim became almost deaf from the roar of the torcida. And when, after the match, the team lined up and began to bow down to their fans, he even thought that the ceiling would collapse due to the volume of noise.

And when the native lands appeared under the wing the next morning, Wim distinctly felt how big the world was, varied, and promised himself to certainly know more about it in the very near future.

STATISTICAL SUMMARY:
Juvencus – Trolleborg 68:84 (17:18, 38:40, 51:59, 68:84)

In other games Kita-Hinode prove, that it’s not totally invincible, and lost 69–84 to Nova Roma. Newmanistan won the encounter with Puppeted States on their turf 86–79, added another victory to his tally, third in row.

by **Banija** » Wed May 06, 2020 8:11 pm

Setting is the French lesson of the children of the Royal Family at the Mujaguzo Palace, the official residence of the Kabaka

"Bonjour means hello!" The Loro Language Schools instructor said. "Remember that. Now, I have one extra phrase for you today for your French lesson. Repeat after me kids. 'Ko-oren est championne de l'Océanie atlante.'

"Ko-oren est championne de l'Océanie atlante." All the kids repeated. There was only 7 of them there today, including 12 year old Omugabe Ssekamanya, who was the oldest son of the Isebantu. Of course, that day's phrase had to do with Ko-oren winning the AOCAFs in Vilita- that's all the Ko-orenite instructor could talk about the entire week. She was a huge football fan, and of course, the Dragonflies winning their first regional title was certainly a massive deal. But that was the last phrase for the day's lessons. It was a Friday, so they would break early and go for the weekend.

"Hey Ssemanda," said Ssekamanya to his little brother, Ssemanda. "Hey, do you wanna watch Banija v. Delaclava? I see the game's pretty close- 52-52 right now, according to twii.tur, to start the fourth!" He exclaimed.

Omugabe Ssemanda, who was just 2 years younger at 10 years old, turned around and looked at his older brother. "Thanks Ssekamanya, but I'm good. I'm gonna go play some two hand touch football in the yard." And Ssemanda went outside with some of the other kids. And that left Ssekamanya by himself. Even though he liked gridiron, basketball was his favorite sport. He would follow his Lions passionately. As a royal, he of course couldn't get too into college basketball, by picking one school over another, but he was heartbroken when Kizza I College lost in the NSCAA Final Four. But you can always be passionate rooting for your country, right?

And then Ssekamanya pulled out his smartphone, logged onto the Wi-Fi, and then started watching the fourth quarter. It was an incredibly close game, and you could tell. Every single possession simply felt big, even watching on the phone. The crowd was super into the game. They'd go up and down with the fortunes of their team, Delaclava, and they were doing whatever they could to try and will their team to an upset over the Banijans. The two teams were trading punches all the way to the final minute. And not even with a bunch of scoring- it would be hard-nosed, grind it out defense that was winning the day in that quarter. Points were coming at a premium for both teams.

When the Banijans led, 69-67, with around 55 seconds remaining, it'd be Labanzi Nabongo who'd get the ball in the critical situation. The Power Forward was able to pump fake, get his man to leave his feet, and blow by him to make it to the rim. He finished at the rim through contact, getting an and-1 that saw Ssekamanya pound his fist, and the Banijan bench celebrate as well. Ssekamanya kept on watching- they coudl bury this game if they got a stop right here. It didn't take that long, however. Although Delaclava had to work for their shot, they hit a three with around 35 seconds left to make it a 2 point game once again, 72-70. And then the Lions had the toughest offensive possesion of their life. The Phoenixes sticking to Banijan players like glue, almost no daylight between them and their man, and forcing a shot clock violation.

"Gosh dangit." Said Ssekamanya. He looked up, and then looked down again. Delaclava calling timeout to give their coach a chance. And then, as he was waiting for the timeout to finish to watch the game's final play, he decided to scroll through twii.tur really quick. Simply things normal kids his age would do. And then, he looked up at the trending lists for his account, and saw King Jacques IX. "Why is King Jacques trending?" Ssekamanya muttered to himself. And then he clicked it. There were a lot of twiis saying RIP Jacques IX, and pray for Quebec. This couldn't be right- the Quebecois King couldn't be dead, right?

He'd go ask his Dad. OF course, his dead was next in line- if any would know, it would be him, right? Plus, he couldn't exactly knock on his grandfather's door-his grandfather was the Kabaka. He went to his Dad's office. "Son, what are you doing here?" The Isebantu said. "Why aren't you outside with your brother?"

"Oh, Dad, I was watching the basketball game!" Omugabe Ssekamanya said.

"Oh, I forgot we played today." Isebantu Mutungi said. "How'd we do? DId we pull it out?"

"Oh, actually, uhh, I don't know. I just stopped watching. But look at this Dad! Is Jacques IX dead?" The young Omugabe said.

"What? Of course not." Said Isebantu Mutungi.

"But look!" Ssekamanya said. And he gave Mutungi his phone. Isebantu Mutungi grabbed it, and then swore. "Holy... We need to get confirmation on this." And just then, the Isebantu just got up and left the room. No answers for Ssekamanya. But bigger things were going on. He quickly went to the official twitter page of the Olympic Committee of Banija- good, it looked like the Banijans ended up pulling it out. He'd have to watch the highlights of the last play later- for now, he'd see if he could get in on whatever his Dad was doing regarding this crisis...

2 hours later, emergency meeting at Mujaguzo Palace

When the Royal Family wanted to move fast, they almost always certainly moved fast. Kabaka Mwanga was sitting at the head of the table. Isebantu Mutungi was sitting on his right, while Her Majesty Luguba Katrina was sitting on Mwanga's left. A whole host of Royal Family members were in the room. Katikkiro Kizza Makoni, even in the midst of an election season, was in the room as well. It was pure coincidence that he was campaigning in Busukuma at the time- luck would have it, he was needed that day.

Of course, the news was everywhere at that point. The Banijan High Commissioner to the Royal Kingdom of Quebec had called Mwanga about 5 minutes after Ssekamanya told the Isebantu of what happened, to inform him of the news. Kabaka Mwanga had immediately called the Quebecois High Commissioner to Banija to offer his deepest condolences, and told his Secretary to immediately arrange a phone call with Christine II at her earliest convenience. Of course, they weren't sure of when that would be, considering it sounded like her Father just died, but Mwanga would offer his condolences personally.

Kabaka Mwanga called the meeting to order. "Ladies and Gentlemen." He said. "As all of you know, we're here for an emergency reason. His Majesty King Jacques IX, Head of the Commonwealth, Emperor, etc.. etc.., has passed away in his sleep." They all simply looked at Mwanga. They all knew what had happened. "OF course, there's a lot that's to happen here. But some of you may wonder why Ssekamanya is in the room." And everyone turned and looked at the 12 year old boy, the future Kabaka. "Well, I thought he deserved to be here. Yea, 14 is usually the age where we start letting them in, but he was the first to know. How did that happen? How did he find out through twii.tur before I got a call from the High Commissioner?"

"We'll deal with that later." The Kabaka said. "First, of course, we should know this. I've drafted a public statement that I'm going to give right after this meaning. Expressing our sorrow at the death of King Jacques IX, certainly remembering to pray for both him and his successors. You all know I'm going to call him tomorrow. Kizza, normally I'd ask you if the Lukiiko could do anything, maybe pass some sort of resolution, but you aren't in session. Is there anything you can do?"

Kizza Makoni then stood up. "Well, Your Majesty, we can suspend campaigning for a day. I've already talked to the PPM leader and he agreed, and I'm sure the FJP and the CPL will agree too. No campaigning for a day, in honor of King Jacques- a great friend of Banija."

"Good, good." Said Kabaka Mwanga. "Now, of course, who will travel north for the funeral? I'm debating on how many we should bring. I will go myself. Katrina will go. I don't think it's a good idea to bring any of our elected politicians in the middle of campaign season, we don't wanna bring the campaign to Quebec City." Kizza Makoni simply nodded his agreement. "Mutungi- you and your wife should come. Ssekamanya.." And he let the word hang in the air. Should he bring the kid? Ssekamanya, of course, was a future Kabaka- but, Ssekamanya was also 12. "Young man, I'll make a decision on you and your brother later. Anyone else want to go?"

A number of people in the room raised their hands. "We'll take... Immaculate. You and your husband should come. And... Zandaba, you want to come?" She nodded. Some of the younger people in the room giggled- there were rumors she had a crush on Prince Philippe, although something,of course, they'd never dare say out loud in front of Mwanga. "OK, well, you dont' have a plus 1, do you? Hmmm... Ssekamanya, you ready?"

The boy nodded. And then, the Kabaka continued. "That's who we're taking then. 8. Myself and my wife, Isebantu Mutungi and his wife, Omugaba Immaculate and her husband, alongside Omugaba Zandaba and Omugabe Ssekamanya. That's it. That's 8. That's plenty. Oh- one last thing. I'm receiving a copy of the Veritable Annals of His Majesty, Jacques IX. I haven't read the instructions yet, but it's a book that we will keep in this family for a long time. Understood? And that means we will give Christine II a gift in kind whenever we land in Quebec City."

"Any questions?" The Kabaka said. Nobody said anything. "Alright, that's it. I'll see you guys when I see you." And then, they all rose, as the Kabaka got up, taking large strides, and walked out of the room.

by **The Royal Kingdom of Quebec** » Wed May 06, 2020 8:19 pm

The Acadium, Halifax, Acadie, Royal Kingdom of Quebec

It was a quiet, solemn basketball match in Halifax, as the Quebecois national team faced the heathens of ZSeparatists in front of a sellout crowd in Halifax. All the crowd, dressed in traditional mourning clothes made of hemp, sang both the national and the royal anthem, while the players wore black ribbon, headbands, shoes and socks in memory of His Majesty.

Of course, this was not an ordeal that Basketball Quebec, the governing body of basketball in Royal Kingdom of Quebec, wanted to go through in the period of mourning. Unfortunately, it was not of their choice; when they had asked the day before to postpone the match out, the answer from the Prime Minister and the Private Secretary of Her Majesty was a simple no. The reasoning was quite straightforward: His late majesty, an avid sportsman who won Olympic Gold medal in sailing back just thirteen years ago, would not have wanted international sporting events hosted home to be hosted.

Under normal circumstance this would have been overruled, but no one would dare challenging either the PM or the PSHM so the very night after his majesty's passing. Thus the Quebecois national teams, whom were already back in Halifax for the home match, had to come back and play their home game against ZSeparatists. Fortunately the match against unranked ZSeparatists was a simple contest. Led by the first overall pick Hazel Hanson-Conavacio, whose mother ironically comes from a republic who rebelled against another empire in Ossoria many seas away, the Quebecois started off with a 28-10 lead and never looked back, as they rallied onto a clean, clinical 88-57 victory. Still, nobody celebrated. The Grim Reapers, whose demeanour on and off the bench was un-Quebecois in their solemn, quiet attitude, pointed to their fans and then the ceiling as a thank you to the home fans and their late sovereign...

--------

'For Servitude:' King Jacques IX

By KIM SEUNG-YOON

[QBC SPOKESPERSON : This is Quebec City. There follows an important announcement from His Honourable, Kim Seung-Yoon:]

When the death of the late his Majesty was announced to us this morning, there struck a particular note in our lives which, as all sounds turned silent and solemn, grounded the earth and calmed the waters of the mid twentieth-century life in our realms and beyond, and left many hats taken off and held to our hearts. The values that we have left aside, but never forgotten in our hearts, took possession on our bodies, and mortal existence presented itself to all at the same moment in its beauty, and its harshness, in its honour and its weight, in its heart and its soul.

The King was loved by all his peoples alike, equally and understandably. He was respected as a man, a citizen, and a prince well beyond the realms he oversaw. The simple demeanour of his life, the endless pond of his dedication - alike as the ruler and the servant below the High Above - and his calming and understanding nature, his example as son, husband and father in his Royal House, his understanding of when to declare and end the war - all enabled him to set an example of what it means to be on the throne.

We thought of him as a young, diligent student in the Universite St. Croix. We thought of him when unexpectedly, humbly, but understandedly, he assumed the heavy burden of the Crown and succeeded his father whom he promised to carry on with legacies of his short time as the King. We thought of him, so passionate in his study and execution of State and Commonwealth affairs; so strong in protecting the neverending search for the greatness of our country and the Commonwealth; so calm yet humanly in his appreciation of his people and their affairs; reserved yet insightful to the party politics; and setting priorities as of the priorities of our lives.

All of this we saw and admired. His conduct as the monarch, as with that of his grandfather Sylvain IV and great-grandfather Henri VII, continues to embody the ideal model of all sovereigns throughout the World, now and for many centuries. During the last two years of His Majesty's life, he fought and braved through the physical strains with his sense of duty and faith. Walking alongside the eminence grise of his late life, he walked with death without fear, an acquaintance he had long accustomed to from young age. In the end he joined his friend, and after bidding farewell to all his people, he passed quietly in his sleep.

The nearer we stood to him were the facts more apparent. But the distance did not matter so much to our hearts in the end, as this day and age of media and technology enabled us to spread their thoughts and prayers with greater apparition. In this period of condolences and consolation, amidst all bells that toiled, each home and every road may draw calm for tonight and embrace tomorrow with vigour.

There was a tie between King Jacques and his people. It was not only the struggles and the pain they shared. Dear to our homes and fireplaces is the likeliness shared by all happy families. With love all of the turmoils and the irrationalities around the world can be borne and all conflicts be resolved. No family in these tumultuous years was happier or loved one another more than the Royal Family around the King.

There is no doubt that of all the institutions which have grown up among us over the centuries, or sprung into being in our lifetime, the constitutional monarchy is the most deeply founded and dearly cherished by the whole association of our peoples. In the present generation it has acquired a meaning incomparably more powerful than anyone had dreamed possible in former times. The Crown has become the mysterious link, indeed I may say the magic link, which unites our loosely bound, but strongly interwoven Commonwealth of nations, states, and races….

For thirty one years Jacques IX was a king, never did he, whether in public or private, alone or accompanied, timid or delighted, fail in his duties. He deserves universal salute by all his peoples, who owed the late monarch unequalled gratitude of kind.

It is at this time that our compassion and sympathy go out to his consort and widow. Their marriage was an unexpected matter that came with honour, but without pomp or splendour. Upon their marriage, there stood many challenges before them, as the tenuous life of service and servitude awaited them, through the arch and into the march. The denial of a normal life, inevitable yet evitable, was understood and given. Thus, it is with this May I Say that all our hearts go out tonight to the woman, the noble blood of Petrogradian boyars and princes in her veins, who enabled His Majesty through all the straits of storm that awaited them, and brought together two brilliant children who will be taking up on their own sense of service and servitude as well. May she be granted her sorrow.

To Queen Nathalie, the Queen Mother, tragedy again fell upon her as her eldest son passes, following his father's passing three decades prior. There belongs the consolation of seeing how his son, the first of four children, performed admirably in both his grandfather and father's shoes, and of knowing how he never failed his mother.

Now we must leave behind the memories of the Holocene and look towards the Anthropocene. Glorious and unwavering have been the reigns of our queens. Some of the greatest periods in our nation's history, from Elisabeth I to Arlene and Catherine III, have been under our Queens. Now that we have the Queen Christine, ascending to her reign in her Twenty-Second year, our hindsight carry us to her predecessor of the princess who served the nation with unwavering strength and embodied and essentialised the Sense and the Sensibility of the Alexandrian Age (Author's note: Reference to that of Alexandre IV, the Quebecois King and Christine I's elder brother who reigned from 1901 to 1910. His era is commonly remembered for exciting developments in fin-de-siecle art and literature).

Queen Christine II, unlike her predecessors, did not pass her childhood in expectations of the Crown. But in short time of expectations, she learned and passed all expectations of what is to be a Queen. Encouraged by her time as regent in her father's place in recent memory, we have come to know her well and understand why she has been able to command admiration upon all the Realms she has visited. She has already been acclaimed Queen of Acadiana and the Lord-Protector of Ciqi.

And may we join too, as nation and all her peoples. Tomorrow, the proclamation of her sovereignty will bring forth the calls of her homeland, and the unity of the Quebecois Commonwealth, the territory and all its allies. I, whose grandfather came to Quebec as refugee from the Homeland Liberation Campaign of the Catherinian Era, may well feel excitement in bringing back the memories of ancestral past and the anthem, 'God Save the Queen!'

----

This broadcast, broadcasted in 15th of September, 2043, was published by the QBC's [i]Hello-Allo-Annyeong a week later. Single-volume editions were published the very following week by The Taegukgi Publishing Co., and in miniature form by Matousek Publishing, Praga, Norskie Zášoustí, on the region of Rushmore. Reprinted by permission of the copyright holder, His Honourable Kim Seung-Yoon.[/i]

by **Filindostan** » Wed May 06, 2020 8:49 pm

NATIONAL | BUSINESS | PROVINCIAL | INTERNATIONAL | SPORTS | ENTERTAINMENT | SPORTS PORTAL

BASKETBALL
SBF plans to move home games away from San Marco

SAN MARCO - As the events in the Gelora Nasional Pilindo during the Campionato Esportiva unfolded, the Samahang Basketbol ng Filindostan have drafted a plan to move the home games of the national team from Anetta Coliseum to either the Jakultarena, or the Arena Olahraga Yogyakulta in surrounding islands of Kabishawan Island, as a precautionary measure.

Despite the unrest caused by both the fans and the Filindo president Dorigo Dutete, the first two home games of Filindostan against ZSeparatists and Welzat had both been uneventful, aside from the usual shenanigans of home fans trying to smuggle megaphones and bobozelas to the arena, which are noisy enough to distract other fans and players alike. Mkabia will be the next nation to visit San Marco for the fourth match of the Pula Agilas in Group C play.

The Filindos have already suffered a loss, against Chinese Congo, and another loss either against their next opponents or to top seed Quebec have catastrophic consequences to the IBC campaign of the Central Esportivan nation.

Written by FSNA Staff.

by **Equestrian States** » Wed May 06, 2020 8:58 pm

Drawkland 87–66 Petroslovania
Lisander 95–55 North New South Wales
Laeral 81–70 Kriegiersien

  Group A                       Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win %
1 Drawkland                       4    4   0   349  261  +88    1.000
2 Lisander                        4    3   1   358  262  +96    0.750
3 North New South Wales           4    2   2   281  336  −55    0.500
4 Petroslovania                   4    2   2   302  310   −8    0.500
5 Laeral                          4    1   3   275  303  −28    0.250
6 Kriegiersien                    4    0   4   259  352  −93    0.000

Nova Roma 69–84 Newmanistan
Trolleborg 81–69 Puppeted States
Kita-Hinode 91–62 Juvencus

  Group B                       Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win %
1 Newmanistan                     4    4   0   344  276  +68    1.000
2 Trolleborg                      4    3   1   341  308  +33    0.750
3 Kita-Hinode                     4    2   2   326  321   +5    0.500
4 Puppeted States                 4    2   2   285  290   −5    0.500
5 Nova Roma                       4    1   3   291  322  −31    0.250
6 Juvencus                        4    0   4   248  318  −70    0.000

Gekkeom 84–79 Northwest Kalactin
Pemecutan 70–70 Qasden (82–86 OT)
Wielka Rzesza Sealandzka 40–93 Free Republics

  Group C                       Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win %
1 Free Republics                  4    4   0   350  242 +108    1.000
2 Qasden                          4    2   2   315  301  +14    0.500
3 Northwest Kalactin              4    2   2   296  301   −5    0.500
4 Gekkeom                         4    2   2   309  313   −4    0.500
5 Pemecutan                       4    1   3   297  339  −42    0.250
6 Wielka Rzesza Sealandzka        4    1   3   256  327  −71    0.250

Welzat 81–87 ZSeparatists
Chinese Congo 61–77 Quebec
Filindostan 92–77 Mkabia

  Group D                       Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win %
1 Quebec                          4    4   0   348  248 +100    1.000
2 Filindostan                     4    3   1   305  280  +25    0.750
3 Chinese Congo                   4    2   2   292  292    0    0.500
4 ZSeparatists                    4    2   2   291  302  −11    0.500
5 Welzat                          4    1   3   293  328  −35    0.250
6 Mkabia                          4    0   4   271  350  −79    0.000

Valladares 67–84 Banija
Equestria 103–60 Delaclava
Donnacona 78–75 Southwest Eastnorth

  Group E                       Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win %
1 Equestria                       4    4   0   354  271  +83    1.000
2 Banija                          4    4   0   338  285  +53    1.000
3 Valladares                      4    2   2   291  297   −6    0.500
4 Delaclava                       4    1   3   278  307  −29    0.250
5 Donnacona                       4    1   3   284  319  −35    0.250
6 Southwest Eastnorth             4    0   4   278  344  −66    0.000

Jeckland 70–79 Vakolicci Haven & Celeria
North Quadana 59–77 Vangaziland
Crystal Empire 67–84 Andromeda Islands

  Group F                       Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win %
1 Vangaziland                     4    4   0   359  273  +86    1.000
2 Andromeda Islands               4    3   1   314  287  +27    0.750
3 Vakolicci Haven & Celeria       4    2   2   290  291   −1    0.500
4 North Quadana                   4    1   3   281  290   −9    0.250
5 Crystal Empire                  4    1   3   261  300  −39    0.250
6 Jeckland                        4    1   3   287  351  −64    0.250

Xanneria 76–74 TJUN-ia
Sarzonia 62–65 Nouveau Quebecois
Valanora 84–59 Preiva

  Group G                       Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win %
1 Valanora                        4    4   0   338  264  +74    1.000
2 Xanneria                        4    2   2   290  300  −10    0.500
3 TJUN-ia                         4    2   2   275  302  −27    0.500
4 Nouveau Quebecois               4    2   2   289  282   +7    0.500
5 Sarzonia                        4    2   2   274  264  +10    0.500
6 Preiva                          4    0   4   273  327  −54    0.000

U.S. of Nuclear Weapons 64–87 Cassadaigua
Devonta 78–71 Terre Septentrionale
Abanhfleft 67–64 HUElavia

  Group H                       Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win %
1 Abanhfleft                      4    4   0   343  272  +71    1.000
2 Cassadaigua                     4    3   1   317  305  +12    0.750
3 HUElavia                        4    2   2   311  309   +2    0.500
4 Devonta                         4    2   2   298  307   −9    0.500
5 U.S. of Nuclear Weapons         4    1   3   296  308  −12    0.250
6 Terre Septentrionale            4    0   4   283  347  −64    0.000

by **Northwest Kalactin** » Wed May 06, 2020 9:30 pm

Best Teams not to Win a Championship from the Last 5 IBCs

IBC 28- Vangaziland (Finals loss)
Okay so again for IBC 28 it is hard to decide a winner from this IBC due to the low number of matches but we will try our best. Vangaziland managed to go 3-0 in the group stage of this edition. After that they stormed through the playoffs beating their first 2 opponents by 20 and Valanora by 4 in a nail-biter semi-finals. Their first and only loss of the tournament came on a well deserved 30 point loss to Drawkland in the finals.

IBC 27- Banija (3rd place)
After finishing 9-1 out of a challenging group with Northwest Kalactin and Pridnestrovia, the Banija national team upset Valanora in two 3 point games to come back and win the series. After that, they advanced to play the Royal Kingdom of Quebec who they easily took the series against in 2 games. After that however, they struggled against repeat champs Vangaziland and got beat in 2 games and where placed in the third place game. In the third place game they easily beat Ethane to take 3rd place that tournament.

IBC 26- Valanora (Ro16 exit)
This Valanora team during the group stage of IBC 26 was perfect, steamrolling through a challenging group with Cosumar and Devonta. However, the end came very quickly for this team getting stunned in the round of 16 by Ceni who beat them in a huge upset by 2. If they hadn’t lost we could’ve been looking at one of the best IBC teams ever. Three teams went undefeated that edition and 2 of them went to the finals. Valanora though? They lost in the round if 16.

IBC 25- Banija (Ro16 Exit)
This is the second time that Banija made this list. It is also the second time that a team went undefeated and then made a surprise exit in the Round of 16. The Drawkland side that they had a loss to went 7-3 in the group stage, so to say it was a upset was a understatement. They had a challenging Qasden side in their group however they did have a large number of losses.

IBC 24- Abanhfleft (Third Place Game)
The Abanhfleft of IBC 24 was one of the best in their history. They made a 9-1 run in a rigorous double round-robin group stage. In the knockout round they easily beat Spaam. After that, they went out and easily beat West Phoenicia by 15. They played a very close overtime game against Vangaziland but lost and got sent to the third place game. In the third place game they beat a new Banija team by 9 to seal up a good run for the team.

by **Chinese Congo** » Thu May 07, 2020 12:53 am

The Game against Quebec: Rights, Wrongs, and PBP

Rights

This game was a slam dunk back to reality for the Afroasians, but they managed to close curtain with a respectable scoreline. Ning Bookhart was surprisingly not broken down at all, looking completely independent from the support and wisdom of Citrus Chao and unceremoniously for a big man, scored the most 2-pointers for his team. I would have been more surprised had the Chinese Congolese court take the reins and hold a lead for as long as it took to infiltrate the opposition along with being in a position of play to counterattack and swoop up ball to score, the latter already being shown, but the former not being satisfied. Maybe I'm being too greedy for a team that's had their starting V completely changed five times running through a year, Chinese congo - like a sail - need to tensify themselves and use that momentum to brave through uncertain winds in this competition.

Wrongs

This game had absolutely no professionalism in it at all from the media's side of the story, and I would have to say I agree. The scoreline didn't look promising either, the winner Quebec, having the joint forth least-points coming from a winner, the statistics would thankfully speak less so against Chinese Congo, only having the fifth least points for a losing team compared to the curtainpullers of Preiva, North Quadana, Wielka Rzesza Sealandzka, and North New South Wales. Though, out of 24 games this is a compellingly bad one. Maybe it's a case of the teams cancelling each other out, yada yada. There was also a number of fouls that were silly, out of place, and mostly committed by "Mr. American Football", Abdoulaye Laughinghouse. Conventional fans of the sport say that his lifestyle emanates the crappiness of his own surname.

Play-by-Play

00:25 | Missed lay-up by Leonora Bertram
00:25 | REBOUND (DEF) by Citrus Chao
00:38 | MISSED 3 PTR by Aboubacar Lucks
00:38 | REBOUND (DEF) by Leonora Bertram
00:48 | MISSED 3 PTR by Tiago Lesmes
00:48 | REBOUND (DEF) by Citrus Chao
01:14 | GOOD! LAYUP by Ning Bookhart [PNT], Assist by Aboubacar Lucks {2-0}
01:37 | GOOD! 3 PTR by Leonora Bertram, Assist by Clara Bowen-Young {2-3}
02:03 | MISSED JUMPER by Ning Bookhart
02:03 | REBOUND (DEF) by Abigail Corelli
02:13 | GOOD! 3 PTR by Owen McDonagh, Assist by Tiago Lesmes {2-6}
02:33 | MISSED JUMPER by Zedong Barkow
02:33 | REBOUND (DEF) by Tiago Lesmes
02:46 | MISSED 3 PTR by Leonora Bertram
02:46 | REBOUND (DEF) by Citrus Chao
03:08 | GOOD! 3 PTR by Abdoulaye Laughinghouse, Assist by Aboubacar Lucks {5-6}
03:35 | TURNOVER by Owen McDonagh
03:36 | STEAL by Citrus Chao
03:47 | MISSED 3 PTR by Citrus Chao
03:47 | REBOUND (DEF) by Abigail Corelli
04:05 | GOOD! LAYUP by Owen McDonagh [PNT], Assist by Clara Bowen-Young {5-8}
04:22 | MISSED 3 PTR by Citrus Chao
04:22 | REBOUND (DEF) by Abigail Corelli
04:30 | MISSED 3 PTR by Tiago Lesmes
04:30 | REBOUND (DEF) by Abdoulaye Laughinghouse
04:39 | GOOD! LAYUP by Abdoulaye Laughinghouse [FB/PNT], Assist by Citrus Chao {7-8}
05:00 | GOOD! 3 PTR by Abigail Corelli, Assist by Tiago Lesmes {7-11}
05:21 | TURNOVER by Zedong Barkow
05:22 | STEAL by Owen McDonagh
05:25 | FOUL by Zedong Barkow (P1T1)
05:25 | TIME-OUT MEDIA
05:25 | SUB-OUT FOR QUEBEC: Owen McDonagh
05:25 | SUB-OUT FOR QUEBEC: Clara Bowen-Young
05:25 | SUB-IN FOR QUEBEC: Heo Myeong-Yoon
05:25 | SUB-IN FOR QUEBEC: Franck Briere-Bourque
05:42 | TURNOVER by Leonora Bertram
05:43 | STEAL by Abdoulaye Laughinghouse
05:53 | TURNOVER by Aboubacar Lucks
06:12 | GOOD! LAYUP by Leonora Bertram [PNT], {7-13}
06:32 | GOOD! LAYUP by Citrus Chao [PNT], {9-13}
06:50 | GOOD! LAYUP by Tiago Lesmes [PNT], Assist by Abigail Corelli {9-15}
07:20 | MISSED 3 PTR by Citrus Chao
07:20 | REBOUND (DEF) by Heo Myeong-Yoon
07:33 | TURNOVER by Tiago Lesmes
07:34 | STEAL by Abdoulaye Laughinghouse
07:37 | GOOD! LAYUP by Citrus Chao [FB/PNT], {11-15}
07:49 | MISSED LAYUP by Leonora Bertram
07:49 | REBOUND (DEF) by Citrus Chao
08:29 | MISSED JUMPER by Citrus Chao
08:29 | REBOUND (DEF) by Franck Briere-Bourque
08:42 | MISSED LAYUP by Franck Briere-Bourque
08:42 | BLOCK by Ning Bookhart
08:55 | REBOUND (OFF) by Franck Briere-Bourque
08:56 | GOOD! LAYUP by Heo Myeong-Yoon [PNT], {11-17}
09:09 | TURNOVER by Abdoulaye Laughinghouse
09:09 | FOUL by Abdoulaye Laughinghouse (P1T2)
09:29 | GOOD! LAYUP by Leonora Bertram [PNT], {11-19}
09:49 | MISSED LAYUP by Zedong Barkow
09:49 | REBOUND (DEF) by Tiago Lesmes
10:01 | FOUL by Citrus Chao (P1T3)
10:01 | GOOD! FT SHOT by Leonora Bertram {11-20}
10:01 | GOOD! FT SHOT by Leonora Bertram {11-21}
10:13 | FOUL by Leonora Bertram (P1T1)
10:33 | MISSED 3 PTR by Citrus Chao
10:33 | REBOUND (DEF) by Tiago Lesmes
10:47 | GOOD! JUMPER by Franck Briere-Bourque, Assist by Heo Myeong-Yoon {11-23}
10:52 | TIME-OUT FOR REASON OF SPECTATOR INTRUSION
11:12 | FOUL by Heo Myeong-Yoon (P1T2)
11:20 | MISSED 3 PTR by Ning Bookhart
11:20 | REBOUND (DEF) by Franck Briere-Bourque
11:38 | FOUL by Abdoulaye Laughinghouse (P2T4)
11:38 | GOOD! FT SHOT by Tiago Lesmes {11-24}
11:38 | GOOD! FT SHOT by Tiago Lesmes {11-25}
11:52 | GOOD! 3 PTR by Abdoulaye Laughinghouse, Assist by Ning Bookhart {14-25}
12:15 | TURNOVER by Tiago Lesmes
12:15 | TIME-OUT
12:26 | GOOD! LAYUP by Zedong Barkow, Assist by Aboubacar Lucks {16-25}
12:53 | MISSED 3 PTR by Abigail Corelli
12:53 | REBOUND (DEF) by Citrus Chao
13:02 | TURNOVER by Abdoulaye Laughinghouse
13:03 | STEAL by Franck Briere-Bourque
13:19 | GOOD! JUMPER by Heo Myeong-Yoon, Assist by Abigail Corelli {16-27}
13:43 | MISSED JUMPER by Ning Bookhart
13:43 | REBOUND (OFF) by Zedong Barkow
13:45 | MISSED LAYUP by Aboubacar Lucks
13:45 | REBOUND (OFF) by Abdoulaye Laughinghouse
13:47 | TURNOVER by Zedong Barkow
14:15 | GOOD! JUMPER by Leonora Bertram {16-29}
14:48 | GOOD! 3 PTR by Aboubacar Lucks, Assisted by Zedong Barkow {19-29}
15:10 | MISSED 3 PTR by Franck Briere-Bourque
15:10 | REBOUND (DEF) by Ning Bookhart
15:19 | FOUL by Franck Briere-Bourque (P2T3)
15:19 | GOOD! FT SHOT by Abdoulaye Laughinghouse {20-29}
15:19 | GOOD! FT SHOT by Abdoulaye Laughinghouse {21-29}
15:20 | TURNOVER by Tiago Lesmes
15:38 | MISSED 3 PTR by Abdoulaye Laughinghouse
15:38 | REBOUND (OFF) by Abdoulaye Laughinghouse
15:45 | MISSED LAYUP by Zedong Barkow
15:45 | REBOUND (DEF) by Heo Myeong-Yoon
16:13 | MISSED 3 PTR by Heo Myeong-Yoon
16:13 | REBOUND (DEF) by Ning Bookhart
16:21 | GOOD! LAYUP by Aboubacar Lucks {23-29}
16:45 | TURNOVER by Franck Briere-Bourque
16:46 | STEAL by Abdoulaye Laughinghouse
16:55 | GOOD! DUNK by Abdoulaye Laughinghouse, Assist by Citrus Chao {25-29}
17:25 | TURNOVER by Franck Briere-Bourque
17:25 | FOUL by Franck Briere-Bourque (P1T4)
17:36 | MISSED LAYUP by Ning Bookhart
17:36 | BLOCK by Leonora Bertram
17:37 | REBOUND (OFF) by Citrus Chao
17:46 | TURNOVER by Heo Myeong-Yoon
17:56 | MISSED 3 PTR by Leonora Bertram
17:56 | REBOUND (OFF) by Franck Briere-Bourque
18:00 | TURNOVER by Franck Briere-Bourque
18:15 | GOOD! 3 PTR by Aboubacar Lucks {28-29}
18:31 | GOOD! LAYUP by Tiago Lesmes {28-31}
18:52 | MISSED LAYUP by Citrus Chao
18:52 | REBOUND (DEF) by Tiago Lesmes
19:04 | TURNOVER by Heo Myeong-Yoon
19:19 | TURNOVER by Citrus Chao
19:19 | STEAL by Tiago Lesmes
19:43 | MISSED JUMPER by Abigail Corelli
19:43 | REBOUND (OFF) by Abigail Corelli
19:47 | MISSED LAYUP by Abigail Corelli
19:47 | REBOUND (DEF) by Aboubacar Lucks

Second Half

by **The Andromeda Island Group** » Thu May 07, 2020 2:53 am

The Andromeda Eagles Team Airplane
Hours after Game Day 4 against the Crystal Empire
Game Day #4

One of the main sponsors of professional basketball in the Andromeda Island Group is Andromeda Airlines. They provide free flights for each team during basketball season. When the Andromeda Eagles announced their entry into IBC XXIX, Andromeda Airlines provided the national team with their own airplane.

It’s 3:30 am, Eastern Andromeda Time. After a brief in-flight celebration, most of the team is now asleep. There are a few players sitting in the back, discussing Andromeda politics. Leslie Tillis is thinking of retiring from basketball and running for the Assembly this fall. Kelly Waters is a member of the State Council in Syracuse. Tillis asks for her advice.

“Here’s the thing. State Councils are the best training ground for The National Assembly. And you can still play ball.”

“Really?”

“Almost all State Council members have day jobs. Our Governor does most of his work out of his law office downtown.”

Jane Kano is across the aisle, reading a huge textbook. She puts the book down and moves closer to Tillis and Waters to join in the conversation.

“So, are the council meetings as bad as the Assembly?”

“Nowhere near. We meet every Tuesday night, and it’s not really that partisan. All of the council members a stake in the community. It’s nothing like the Assembly.”

Tillis changes the subject, turning to Kano.

“Jane, you really brought it tonight. What happened?”

“You KNOW part of it, Leslie Tillis. Coach benched you. Remember?”

Tillis was involved in a brawl in the Eagles’ previous game. Rosie Johnson also just happened to be under the weather, which left Kano and Odessa Paige at forward.

“Well, you saw the book I was just reading? Well, the Chapter I was reading was about when Bill Todd was first elected President.”

William December Todd was the first President of the Allied States.

“There were other men just as smart, other men just as charismatic, other men just as ambitious. But none had all of these qualities quite like Todd did. Todd just happened to be the right man in the right place at the right time. That’s what happened with me.”

“You don’t give yourself enough credit.”

Kano looks over to see a pair of enormous feet hanging in the aisle. The voice is from Melissa Long. She sits up and joins the conversation.

“You know that the Treaty of Portsmouth, our Constitution, unites our Allied States. Do you know WHERE, in Portsmouth, it was signed?”

Kano knew, but nobody else did.

“It was signed at Bill Todd’s home on September 21, 2000. Do you know why it was signed on THAT day?”

Kano could guess, but wasn’t 100% sure.

“It just happened to be Todd’s 40th Birthday. It wasn’t JUST luck. There was preparation. Just like you were put where you were tonight. You practiced with us for that moment, and you had the hot hand. Some luck. Some preparation. We could all see it. It was meant to be.”

Kano is impressed by how much Long seems to know. As Waters and Tillis continue their conversation, Long takes Kano’s hand.

“Twenty-two (points) and seven (rebounds), love. The numbers don’t lie. You did good for us tonight, Jane. You did good.”

Long lays back down, knowing that she has done a few good deeds tonight. She actually could have gotten more than 30 points tonight, but she knew that it was more important for younger players like Jane Kano to gain confidence in their abilities on the court, especially in the IBC.

----------

PLAYER PROFILE

#31 Jane Kano

Age: 25
Height: 6’1”
Team: Joppa Lady Steelers
2020 Stats: 16.7 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.9 bpg

A three-year starter for the Joppa Lady Steelers, Small Forward Sarah Jane Kano lead the Lady Steelers to the Women’s League Playoffs in each of her three seasons. Kano is the leading scorer and rebounder for the Lady Steelers. She also leads the Lady Steelers in blocked shots.

Kano played basketball at the University of Andromeda. Kano is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Political Science at the University of Joppa.

by **Sarzonia** » Thu May 07, 2020 5:36 am

Under normal circumstances, Thomas Manningham might have lit into his team after a disappointing 65-62 home loss to an unranked opponent, in particular after the Sarzonian national basketball team gave up a 10-0 run starting with 49 seconds remaining to cough up a victory that would have improved the Stars to 3-1.

He would have been seething about Nouveau Quebecois marching to the foul line 24 times to Sarzonia's eight appearances at the charity stripe, and he might have a snarky comment about the technical foul he earned after Mike West got called for a lane violation on a foul shot by point guard Ben Thomas that would have stopped the bleeding.

These aren't normal times. Not when there's a national pandemic that resulted in silence greeting the aforementioned events instead of a cacophony of boos emanating from a restless Palestra crowd. Not when the death toll reached 2,243 Woodstockers and the scuttlebutt was that Woodstock Mayor Claudia Alta might postpone the easing of social distancing restrictions.

Manningham was asked if he could repeat what he told the team after that 65-62 defeat at the hands of unranked Nouveau Quebecois, and he said yes.

"I told them we needed to do a better job of playing a full 40-minute game," he said. "We can't afford defensive lapses, especially against the teams we should be favoured against. I also told the team not to think about the things they can't control and to focus on what they can do."

"Have you gotten any word on whether fans will be able to attend the Prieva match?"

"The Incorporated Basketball Federation is in constant communication with the Mayor and the City Council," Manningham said. "If public health officials determine that it's safe to start letting fans into the venue, then I'm sure Mayor Alta will do it in a responsible way.

"The health and safety of all Sarzonians is of utmost importance to all of us," he said. "This thing is much bigger than basketball."

"Coach, is there any truth to the rumour that your wife is working as a nurse right now?"

"Not my wife, but my sister-in-law Angela was recalled from retirement reserve, which is only used in a major national medical emergency," Manningham said.

According to Sarzonian law, nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals are automatically placed in the reserve upon retirement unless they are at least 67 years old upon retirement unless they retire because of a medical condition or they specifically opt out of the retirement reserve. Angela Wilkins didn't opt out.

As for the game itself, West scored a game-high 26 points and centre Calvin Baker added 11 points and 12 rebounds, but Nouveau Quebecois outrebounded the Stars 57-50 and shot 47 percent from the floor to Sarzonia's 41 percent.

A spokesman for the Woodstock City Council said the city was continuing to monitor hospitalisation and ER admissions and was studying the effects of a vaccine Delaclav scientists developed to determine whether it could be issued widely.

The City Council has deliberated on legislation that would allow it to spend $790 million to distribute the vaccine to the uninsured within Woodstock. A spokeswoman for Alta said she is expected to sign the legislation as soon as it hits her desk.

The Stars dropped to 2-2 and are currently in fifth place in Group G. Delaclava lost its match to IBC host nation Equestria 103-60. They dropped to 1-3 in Group E.

by **Kita-Hinode** » Thu May 07, 2020 7:34 am

THE JIANGSHI
THE HINODEJIN BASKETBALL NATIONAL TEAM

POS.	#	NAME			G	AGE	TEAM				SPECIES
PG	64	Iðunn OMDAHL		F	20	Reishima Drakkar		Cyborg
PG	44	Alita YAMAKURA		F	19	Mashu Wolves			Cyborg
PG	36	KANG Ha-Yun		F	17	Yujin Windbenders		Cyborg
SG	03	CHAN Seo-Joon		M	18	Reishima Drakkar		Human
SG	77	Izrail GAMIZ		M	16	Mashu Wolves			Cyborg
SG	33	Valeri VASILEVA		F	17	Yujin Windbenders		Cyborg
C	54	Kentaro KUMICHIRA	M	18	Mashu Wolves			Human
C	46	Hinata ASANO		F	18	Yujin Windbenders		Human
C	15	Rio UMESHIRABATA	F	18	Penashiga Chiefs		Human
PF	38	CHOI Sung-Hyun		M	17	Reishima Drakkar		Cyborg
PF	98	WONG Yin		M	17	Mashu Wolves			Cyborg
PF	84	JI Aang			M	19	Yujin Windbenders		Cyborg
SF	12	Thór MAGNUSSEN		M	19	Reishima Drakkar		Cyborg
SF	23	Ercwylff TAKAHASHI	M	18	Mashu Wolves			Cyborg
SF	72	Órfhlaith O'HANNIGAN	F	18	Yujin Windbenders		Cyborg
MAN	--	Kaito NAGASAKI		M	37	Reishima Drakkar		Human	[Style: +1]

RP PERMISSIONS
Sorry for arriving late. Don't kill them, it was hard to put (some of) them together as is.

by **Cassadaigua** » Thu May 07, 2020 8:57 am

Queen Cassie II has made the following statement from the Palace this morning:

“My people, I have some depressing news that I wish to share,

A great leader and a great friend has passed away. King Jacques IX of Quebec, a man I have gotten to know very closely over the years died peacefully in his sleep. The King was one of the great ones, a magnificent noble that all can look up too. In order for all nations to thrive, we need truly kind and inspirational people like Jacques IX to lead those nations in an honorable and respectful manner.

King Jacques IX took after his grandfather, Sylvain IV, and great-grandfather Henri VII, learning from them the importance of not only maintaining the family honor in the prestigious duties of leading a great nation, but to also be kind to all people, being fair and just at all times. There is no doubt that Sylvain IV and Henri VII looked down fondly upon King Jacques as he moved the Kingdom forward in his own generation. Now, after 31 years, King Jacques IX will be with them in the Heavens, leaving behind a legacy that all Québécois can be proud of and cherish. Over those years, he was faced with many challenges, both at home and abroad, and he stood up to them, never failing his people, but doing so in a way that historians will only look very fondly upon.

My people, as you know King Jacques IX was more then just a great leader of a nation, but one with particular close ties to our own Royal Family here in Cassadaigua. In my role as your Queen, I have been privileged and blessed to meet many national leaders, and while we might not always agree on certain things, those acquaintances will also become friendships. King Jacques IX was always a friend, but it became more then that when my son, the great Prince Caspain met his daughter, the great Princess Christine. I remember the first conversations that myself and King Jacques IX had when we found out that they had formed the type of friendship they did, which would soon bud into the relationship that it is today. It was an unusual situation for me, and it was King Jacques IX who made me feel at ease over the whole thing, doing so in the same calm manner in which he has led his nation. It was not that I was concerned about the relationship, but it was just something different, a situation that I had never expected to be in, but in speaking to the King, and getting to know his daughter, I could not have been more proud of my son. The same character and integrity in King Jacques IX was present in his daughter, the same in which I value in my own children. There could not be a better match for my son. Thank you, King Jacques IX for all that you did for me. It is because of that you were not only a great leader, but a dear friend.

I will be making my way to Quebec to be with his family at this time, and will be there for all of the services. Going with me will be all of my children, as well as King Charles. Any and all governing and legislative procedures conducted by the Palace will be on hold at this time. I have appointed a court of Nobles to lead the nation during this time, to advise me of any pressing concerns that could potentially be addressed while I am away. At this time, I am ordering the all Cassadagan flags be lowered to half staff in mourning of the loss of King Jacques IX. Please include this great man in your prayers, and may the Lord bless him and his family as the navigate through a difficult emotional time. Thank you.”

In light of the news concerning King Jacques IX, and the statement from Queen Cassie II, the Cassadagan Association for Basketball has announced that the IBC team will be wearing black patches on their uniform in honor of the King.

by **Northwest Kalactin** » Thu May 07, 2020 9:14 am

The Starting Lineup
Today instead of bringing you a game review we will talk about the Starting Lineup of this years team and their strories.

Michael Hughes
Michael Hughes is the best player in Northwest Kalactin. Everyone knows that. He was also the most hyped prospect coming out of high school ever. Hughes was born in the suburbs of Kempsey. Kempsey is a city known much more for its dominant team in the NKSL. Everyone in Kempsey wants to be the next star soccer player. In fact, Michael wanted to be the next best soccer player however, a coach in first grade saw his height and invited him to play on a basketball team after school each day stating that it would help him with his soccer footwork. Hughes developed very quickly and by middle school he was 6-4 and throwing down dunks on kids 2 years older than him. He quit soccer in middle school to focus on his basketball dreams. He was the best high schooler in Kempsey when he was a sophomore and by his junior season everyone in Northwest Kalactin knew the name Michael Hughes. He was drafted with the number 1 pick by the Coffs Harbour Basketball club.

Josh Abbott
Josh Abbott comes from a basketball family. His dad was a point guard who played 3 years in the pros and his uncle, Felix Ders is one of the best guards that Northwest Kalactin has ever produced. Abbott from when he was born loved basketball and wanted to be the best in any game he played. He was one of the best players in the nation, coming out in the same class as Michael Hughes. However, unlike Michael, Josh decided to go to college for 4 years before making his professional appearance. After 4 years at Coastal City College, Josh got the news he was drafted with the number 2 pick in the draft to Murwelldobah. In his pro career him and Rick Garza teamed up to make Murwelldobah the best team in the NKBL.

Jorge Sutton
Jorge Sutton came from humble beginnings. After he was born his family quickly moved from the ghettos of Gold Coast down to Lismore. Lismore was a brand new place, it was a lot nicer than Gold Coast however, the Sutton’s would not last long there. His dad was arrested for trafficking drugs to Pripet Socialist Republic and Jorge and his mom where forced to move back to Gold Coast. One time, Jorge played a sport called basketball with a few other kids from the area and he was good at it. He was more athletic and taller than any of the other kids and he had a great shot. Jorge quickly developed into the dominant power forward he is today and all the private high schools were taking note. The scholarship offers came flying in for Jorge, but in the end he made the choice to go to St. Mikes High School and started a rich tradition of basketball there. In his final 2 seasons the team went undefeated and won national titles and Jorge was hyped up as the best player since Michael Hughes. He went pro and was drafted by Yamba who he recently lead to a NKBL post-season title last year.

Charlie Larson
Charlie Larson was a privileged kid. His dad was a very successful businessman and his mom stayed at home and took care of Charlie. He was an only child and loved sports. He grew up in the rich neighborhoods of Kyater where Hockey and Bandy is king. Charlie played Bandy as a kid but he also played Basketball and soccer. Charlie was by far the tallest kid on his team and had a future in any of the three sports he played. However, a torn MCL during a bandy game kept him out for an entire season when he was back playing sports he never had the same effect in bandy but his shooting touch in basketball allowed him to have a future in that. He would spend hours on end shooting trying to master a three-point shot. He was the best shooter on the entire eastern side of the nation and everyone knew about it. He stayed in public school and was a top 10 recruit. When he was drafted he was only 19 because he stayed only 1 year at college. He was drafted by Lismore who later traded him to Ballina.

Ricky Garza
Ricky Garza or “Rick” as his friends call him was always a great defender. In high school he went 2 games without allowing a single point from his man. Rick was also from Gold Coast, he lived right near the NKBL basketball arena in Gold Coast And was always fascinated by the sport. He was never tall enough to become a NKBL player is what people told him in elementary school. After all, Rick was only in the 50th percentile for height. However, that all changed after a series of growth spurts in middle school that sent him up to 6-4 in his sophomore year. Rick was one of the best defenders ever produced in Northwest Kalactin and after his freshman year he went to St. Mikes high school to team up with Jorge Sutton to produce 2 national titles. He was drafted with a top 3 pick and helped build the Murwelldobah dynasty to what it is today.

by **TJUN-ia** » Thu May 07, 2020 9:46 am

2nd road game in a row for the Hoops-Jags and it was part 3 of TJUN-ia's "Tripple Threat" of Sport. The first was the Kniterten finals, then the TJUN 600 and now this match-up vs Xannaria. The Jaguars were 2-1 heading into tonight, a surprise to many back home, but the focus the coaching staff was that a repeat of the Valanora game must be taken off the cards.

And it certainly was. TJUN-ia actually brought the game to the 23rd ranked team in the IBC and could have won it all. It was the bench that was the star as both Adamo Zamenhofo and Maurice Jones played brilliant basketball off it. But it wasn't to be as Xannaria managed to hold off a late scoring run by the Jags to avoid the upset by 2 points.

Still, not bad for a relatively new team on the international stage. The Jaguars' final game before the rest day will be back in Riverside against the Stars of Sarzonia. The Stars are 2-2 but due to an outbreak of something called "Sars 2" have been playing their home games without fans. This means the game in Riverside will one of 5 they'll play in front of a crowd: a crowd that remembers the Cup of Harmony and that game. Rivalry? I guess, but we'll wait and see how it plays out. GO JAGS!

SCHEDULE
MD1: @Valanora (8) L 54-85 (6th [Point Differencial])
MD2: vs Preiva (UR) - Unity Center, Riverside W 79-77 (5th [Point Differencial])
MD3: @Nouveau Quebecois (UR) W 68-64 (3rd [Point Differencial])
MD4: @Xanneria (23) L 74-76 (3rd [H2H])
MD5: vs Sarzonia (82) - Unity Center, Riverside
---------------------Rest Day-------------------
MD6: vs Valanora (8) - Unity Center, Riverside
MD7: @Preiva
MD8: vs Nouveau Quebecois (UR) - Unity Center, Riverside
MD9: vs Xannaria (23) - Unity Center, Riverside
MD10: @Sarzonia (82) - The Palestra, Woodstock

by **Newmanistan** » Thu May 07, 2020 11:12 am

THE ROCKET REPORT

TOP NATIONS ROLLING THRU

by Taylor Larson,

With the fourth matchday of play now in the books for the 29th International Basketball Championships, the Rockets now sport a 4-0 record. #1 Vangaziland? 4-0. #2 Free Republics? 4-0. How about #3 Drawkland and #4 Banija? They’re each 4-0, too. That also applies to the three top seeds ranked below Newmanistan, #6 Quebec, #7 Abanhfleft, and #8 Valanora are also 4-0. This a pretty remarkable start to the competition by the giants of the sport that we expect to be the biggest contenders to cut down the nets in Equestria at the end of the tournament. Usually, at this point, one game shy of the midway point, you would have expected at least one of the top seeds to have dropped a game, but here we are. The giants have shown up!

So, beyond the top seeds, what are the second seeds in each group doing? In Group A, that’s #9 Lisander, and they sport a 3-1 record and sit in second place in the group. Their lone defeat came in the first day to, of course, Drawkland. Things are a little different in our group for the second seed, Kita-Hinode, as they are 2-2. Sitting in second place in our group is the team from Trolleborg, a dangerous unranked squad heading into the tournament, and they have a record of 3-1. This is a team that the Rockets have not yet played, and we will be welcoming them to Emperor Michael I Arena in Pocono City for the final game of the first half of competition. Trolleborg’s lone loss to this point came to Kita-Hinode in the second matchday. You have to think that within our group, that the Jiangshi are going to greatly regret losing to Nova Roma if Trolleborg continues to emerge as a major contender in this group. That is something that we expect, and you will recall that we said that at the outset of this tournament they were an unranked force to be reckoned with.

Continuing now to look at the second seeds of the competition, #10 Qasden sits at 2-2 in Group C, and they look a little vulnerable to me with a very sharp Northwest Kalactin squad right now looming in that 2-2 tie as well. I know, we have seen Northwest Kalactin in so many different tournaments at this point, and we’re used to them doing mediocre, at best. This current team seems to have a little bit of a spark to them, something we’re not used to, but that can continue to wreak havoc on this group. In group D, the second seeded Filindostan, #16-overall, has a record of 3-1, but that loss was not to the top seed in the group, which is Quebec. Quebec and Filindostan will be having their showdown in the fifth matchday, and you have to think that the Quebec side as an extra bit of motivation and spiritual guidance to do well in this tournament for King Jacques IX. The King died in his sleep, and was a well-respected leader. I will include the statement by Emperor Michael V at the end of the article concerning that loss. On behalf of everyone here at the Rocket Report, our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Jacques IX, and the people of Quebec as they mourn his passing.

Onward now with the look at these pot two teams, Group E is unique because the #2-seed here is also 4-0. The Ponies of Equestria have great ambitions to do well at home and are technically ranked ahead of Banija within the group thanks to defeating the others in the group by greater margins then Banija has. An eye-opening 43-point rout of Delaclava, and unranked nation that was expected to do well, did a lot to score the point differential advantage for the tournament’s host. I look forward to watching the Banija-Equestria showdown as well as I cover the Rockets game with Trolleborg. Group F sees The Andromeda Island Group sitting in second place at 3-1 while the second seed, Vakolicci Haven & Celeria sits at 2-2. I glossed over the fact that the Andromeda Islands were also an unranked in the competition when I talked about the dangerous returnees. In fact, they are probably more dangerous then the others if you look at their history in this tournament. I apologize for not noticing that initially. With that team cruising, Vakolicci Haven & Celeria are going to have a hard team in the group. Andromeda’s loss was to Vangaziland. In Group G, #23-ranked Xanneria is actually the second seed here and they have played well enough to sit at 2-2, leading a cluster of four teams with that record. Sarzonia is the major threat to the Xannerians, but so to is TJUN-ia. Lastly, in group H, an even lower pot 2 team exists with #24 Devonta. They are 2-2, and tied for third. The second place team here is Cassadaigua. You didn’t think they were going to be weak in their return, did you? Cassadaigua is 3-1, and after being humbled by the Fleftics in their opener, have rolled off a three game winning streak. They will meet Devonta in a game that the Devontans better win, or they can probably say goodnight to their chances.

Therefore, you see that while the top seeds are doing their thing, it has not been as predictable after them. In some cases, the second seeds are doing very well to hang with the top seed, but in others, we’re seeing unranked teams looking good for nailing down the second spot. One of them is Trolleborg, our next opponent. This is a nation that has done very well in the competitions that they have been a part of. With soccer’s Baptism of Fire currently in progress, fans of that sport are quick to point that Trolleborg is a reigning Baptism of Fire champion, something that is not easy to win. They have been versatile in their play, hitting from outside as well as playing good on the boards. You can expect that Hendrik Romeijnders, their head coach, has the team prepared for the different style of play that the Rockets use on the court. In a tournament where this game plan is working very well for Newmanistan, the Rockets will have to push the pace of play right from the opening tip off, especially in the friendly confines of Emperor Michael I Arena. Trolleborg has only played one road game so far, and while the fans of Juvencus can be passionate, they have not experienced the type of atmosphere on the road that they can expect to see in Pocono City quite yet.

As I mentioned in the article earlier, the world is mourning the loss of King Jacques IX. Emperor Michael V offered the following statement in response: “On this day I grieve greatly for King Jacques IX, one of the great kings of the world, and a dignified leader, one that could show the world that the imperial structure of governing can be done in a passionate manner for all of the nation’s citizens. I mourn with the people of the nation of Quebec, as does the entire Empire of Newmanistan. You have done a great job, Your Majesty. You’re predecessors can take full gratitude in the dignified manner in which you wore the crown of your nation. The Empire of Newmanistan will look forward to meeting and working with the next in line, Queen Christine II.”

Emperor Michael V is expected to make the trip to Quebec for funeral services.

works? · by **Abanhfleft** » Thu May 07, 2020 11:25 am

"The United States of Nuclear Weapons? What the hell kind of name is that?"

That was Coach Jan Harris' first and candid reaction to the question posed upon him regarding their next opponent. As a former small forward for the Abanhfleft Rebolusyonaryos during his playing career, Harris had been to his fair share of weird and strange places. But never before had he ever heard of a place called the United States of Nuclear Weapons.

"I'm sorry, guys, but I am quite confused about this whole thing," Harris continued. "Are they a union of states filled with nuclear weapons? Or are they sentient nuclear weapons which decided to form a union of states?" Even as the words left his mouth though, Harris knew that he was going to sound stupid. They already had game tape of the USNW's previous games in the IBC and therefore knew that the USNW's players were actual humans. Sentient nuclear weapons wasn't completely out of the realm of possibility though. Harris remembered this place called Firebolt where its citizens were quite literally sentient broomsticks. It didn't take much more brainpower to extend the same logic to nukes.

"I don't know if they've actually got nukes or not," Harris continued. "But if they do, I sure hope that they know about their responsibilities. These are not kids' toys ot anything you can just play around with. I know that this has got nothing to do at all with basketball but I just felt that this was a good opportunity to get this message out in the open."

Abanhfleft eventually strolled to a routine 82-74 victory over the USNW. Up next was a country that had been carving out a presence throughout the multiversal sports scene in HUElavia. The Fleftic Arena once again played host to the visitors, and the home crowd expected yet another easy win, maybe even a blowout. Instead what they got was a nailbiting match where both the lead and the momentum swung like a pendulum. No team ever got a lead larger than five points throughout the game; it was that intense.

In the last few seconds, the game was still very much in the balance. Abanhfleft were up, but only by one point. HUElavia had taken their final timeout in order to be able to inbound the ball in their half. Everyone knew what they were going to do. The Fleftic crowd had turned up their chanting and jeers to full volume to drown out the HUElavian communications. The visitors finally made their move, but Joe Gomez literally threw himself in between the HUElavian players and snatched the ball out of the air before turning on the jets and blasting down the court for the game-securing lay-up.

Abanhfleft was now 4-0 in the IBC. But yet again a few voices were making themselves heard, voices which wondered if a certain troubling pattern was beginning to emerge in the Rebs' games. "You've gotta be kidding me, right?" Jan Harris said when he was asked about this pattern. "You're telling me that after I've given this team, this country, perhaps the best start we could ever hope to have in this tournament, and yet some people still have the nerve to complain? This is completely unbelievable! That's it; I'm out of here. No more questions!"

Jazz Higgs, when asked the same question, had a lot more levelheaded response than his coach. "People see the things they wanna see even if there isn't actually anything there. I think we set ourselves a little bit of a high bar after that big blowout against Cassadaigua. And our other games are being measured up against that. But so what if our margin of victory has been getting smaller? We're still winning games, aren't we? And I don't think that that's too surprising at all. At this point everyone has at least four games' worth of tape to study over. This is just a natural thing in sports. I wouldn't be too fussed about it."

by **Donnacona** » Thu May 07, 2020 2:10 pm

For reference:

Southwest Eastnorth were cannon fodder
Now the contest is done
Hudsonian pride has been reeling
And this tournament hasn't been fun
But this match against Delaclava
I'm sure we'll batter 'em good
Will the ending sound of honking geese
And Luka Kjaer on the throne?

Three pointers rain down the hoop
Of a team bewildered and scorned
They've found themselves in a skirmish
Just to maybe finish fourth
Jahjesh has put the team on his back
And there isn't no going back
Though he's old, old, old
But he'll do it anyway cause he wants to win the double

Are we shooting around from a burning building
Because of a general strike?
Can only hope that the ending
Is more pleasurable than the start
But this match against Delaclava
I'm sure that it'll be great
And it's long, long, long
We can hardly wait

That's right, he won't let her out his sight
Now the shaggers perform
And the daggers are drawn
Who's the crooks in this crime?

That's right, Marchand won't let Jones out his sight
Now the ballers perform
And the daggers are drawn
Will the boys win this time?

That's right, Marchand won't let Jones out his sight
That's right, Marchand won't let Jones out his sight
That's right, Marchand won't let Jones out his sight

He'll be down in the post all the game for the most
Dominant game of all time

You knew that it'd be trouble
Right before the very first swish
Quiet and assuming but you heard
That they were the not quite the best
The Phoenixes won't be taking off
The Apples cannot be stopped
Sorry sweetheart,
I'd much rather beat up on Delaclava

by **Trolleborg** » Thu May 07, 2020 2:55 pm

Rens Leonard living a life that can be envy for everyone. He has a luxurious apartment on top of a skyscraper a stone's throw from the Trolleborg City center, having controlled a serious business, happily married beautiful wife with two children. Nevertheless, he jumped to the ceiling in delight that he received a ticket for the match of the national team of Trolleborg with Puppeted States. He was not being so happy, probably, from the time of his first deals, which opened the way for him to high level business. After all, no wealth and no connections are taken into account when tickets to such events distributed, and Rens did not get to any of the home matches of the football team in the last World Cup Qualification, because the priority right to tickets extended only to people who literally spend their lives in the stands, and the rest were given to people as a result of the random selection.

Although in principle, five people like him could have completely bought the whole Arena, he always acknowledged that wealth at such moments should not give unnecessary advantages. Albeit his money allowed him to visit three away matches of the football team, and in the current draw of the basketball championship to get to the match with Juvencus, but this is his first game on the home turf ever.

Rens's hands trembled with delight and excitement while he was ready to go, looking from his window at the distant Arena dome in the park in the northeast, near the hills. For the sake of the holiday atmosphere, he went to the game on the subway, and chanted and clapped along the rest of the road, and then tore his throat on the podium, inspiring his compatriots to fight for every centimeter of the field and give all their skill and something else above that. Next to him on the stands was a fan of the worst competitors of his beloved club team, but they hugged heartily when a minute before the end of the game the score after 3-pointer almost certainly guaranteed victory. And both sipped their throats, singing the national anthem, while the players after the match bowed in the center of the floor on all four sides. Ah, this is delightful moment of the life, when the hall thunders in 12 thousand sips, and half of the audience has tears in their eyes!

STATISTICAL SUMMARY
Trolleborg – Puppeted States 81:69 (19:17, 39:33, 60:50, 81:69)
Arena, Trolleborg City. Att. 11,991 (12,000).

In our group Newmanistan continued their run to the top with a victory in Nova Roma 84–69, and Kita Honde send Juvencus to despair and last place in group with 91-62 victory. Our next match will be in Newmanistan, and it will be first of the three games away from home in row. But this absense is giving our leaders enough time to prepare their own surprise: last two home games will be played in the 1st December Stadium with a place for a 100,000 spectators.

by **Kita-Hinode** » Thu May 07, 2020 3:54 pm

INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP 29
Nagasaki: "The drama is over"
Written by sports journalist Nanako Ichigo.

EQUESTRIAN STATES - It's well known that Thór Magnussen and Chan Seo-Joon despise each other. In spite of their success in the Hinodejin Basketball League last season, the two indeed admitted in the past that they don't see eye to eye and only cooperate inside the court at seldom times. Of course, when they do, it's good: a slamming of Juvencus showed that very well. But when they don't, things are reasonably rough for the kids from the Hinodejin Empire. The Jiangshi faithful does breathe easily with the news that Magnussen and Seo-Joon chose to put their unfriendly rivalry on the backburner while focusing on the other teams of the tournament.

According to the manager of the Jiangshi, Choi Sung-Hyun (the party that usually angers Magnussen, thus leading to their rather loud spats) chose to propose a sort of temporary truce, claiming that "it's time the Hinodejin do good at something that isn't football and volleyball won't be the one where they'll do well". Kaito Nagasaki's laissez-faire style of play rose some eyebrows after a poor 1-2 start but their recent win against Juvencus does make it look like the Hinodejin still have a shot of qualifying to the next round.

by **Terre Septentrionale** » Thu May 07, 2020 3:59 pm

International News

A fight and a new election candidate raises concern in the Free Republics

Republica, Free Republics - These images from the Free Republics have been around the multiverse: Consul Bolton was making his speech asking his people to buy more stuff and saying some incoherent crap. Consul Nicholls didn't like what she was hearing, she slapped him and they were fighting, culminating with Miss Nicholls kicking him in the nuts. I must admit, I loved watching these images cuz y'all know I never liked Consul Bolton while Consul Nicholls is a role model for women in their 20s like me.

Now in the Free Republics they're already talking about their successor and a controversial figure, Senator Samuel Izmailov, recently announced his candidacy for Consul of the Free Republics. This information would normally go unnoticed here in Terre Septentrionale, but what Izmailov said about the Equestrian States are raising some concerns. Izmailov wants to raise the Republican flag in Canterlot and "put all talking ponies in the zoo". Yes that's what this moron said. If foreigners are still allowed to vote in FFR elections, I can assure you that I'll never vote for him. Anyway, I believe he has no chance to be elected, most experts considers him a long shot. We'll continue to monitor the situation in the Free Republics.

Valérie Destroismaisons,
Foreign correspondent and political analyst in the Free Republics

Québécois King Jacques IX passes away

Québec, Royal Kingdom of Québec - Because Terre Septentrionale is relatively new on the inernational scene, our relations with the Royal Kingdom of Québec has been minimal so far, despite having the same French background. It's with sadness that we have to inform you that His Majesty King Jacques IX recently passed away. He peacefully died in his sleep. Jacques IX strengthened the Québécois commonwealth and their allies. He was also a great diplomat, building ties with many nations in the multiverse. Terre Septentrionale's Chancellor Sheldon Koivu offers his condolenses to Queen Nathalie, Queen Christine II and all the Québécois royal family. Chancellor Koivu has also announced he wishes to attend the funerals with his wife Ginette. They will be accompanied by our Minister of State Włodzimierz Oczkowski and his wife Urszula.

Édouard Kowalewski,
Foreign correspondent in the Royal Kingdom of Québec

by **Free Republics** » Thu May 07, 2020 4:46 pm

Somewhere in Wielka Rzesza Sealandzka

The Free Republics played the Wielka Rzesza Sealandzka basketball team in a mostly empty arena in a nation that was mostly indifferent to their basketball team. The home team did not have a roster while the visiting team was the #2 ranked team in the multiverse and a team that had come a buzzer beater away from winning the IBC a year prior. It was an absolute mis-match on paper but the actual result on the court was even more lopsided. At halftime, the Republicans led the game by a score of 57 to 13. Queen Thibodeau already had a triple double in points, assists and steals and the only reason it wasn't even more lopsided was that Thibodeau was having an off night, making just 8 of 20 shots from the field in the first half because she decided to shoot extremely long 3s in hopes of making one of them. At halftime, Coach Leon Alexeyeva pulled his star point guard aside...

Leon Alexeyeva - Patricia, why are you taking so many bad shots?

Patricia Thibodeau - Why not, coach? We're going to blow them out either way so I might as well practice my long buzzer beater in case I need it down the road.

Leon Alexeyeva - Fair enough but don't try this against an actual basketball team.

Patricia Thibodeau - I won't, coach. I just want to have some fun and put on a show for our fans back home since I can.

Leon Alexeyeva - Since we're going to blow them out either way, I've decided to put the starting lineup on the bench for the entire second half. No point in risking fatigue let alone injury against this opponent.

Patricia Thibodeau - I understand, coach. Might as well save our health for the game in Qasden.

The Republican backups would go on to outscore Wielka Rzesza Sealandzka 36 to 27 in the second half and the Free Republics would leave Wielka Rzesza Sealandzka with a 53 point win over the hapless home team.

Scarlett Nicholls Speech
Consul's Mansion, Republica

My fellow Republicans, I have been asked to speak to you today about what you saw the last time I had planned to speak to our Federation. My actions have been heavily criticized in the press and I've been called a "poor example" for children. Around the multiverse, the video went viral and by now just about everybody who isn't living under a rock has seen how I gave Kyle Bolton exactly what he's deserved for a long time. I have been asked to apologize. Well, I want to apologize that I did not kick him in the balls sooner. I want to apologize that I did not kick him in the balls even harder. I want to apologize for setting a "poor example" for children by tolerating a womanizing drunk co-worker's bad behavior for so long. That is all that I wish to say on that subject.

Furthermore, I feel I need to assure the public that I have been working with my father the Senator Emeritus to produce legislation that will provide relief to those harmed by the recent stock market crash and get our financial system back on track again. I will be unveiling more details about this plan soon.

Moving on, I wish to reassure the people in other nations that have expressed concern to me about the inflammatory comments of Senator Izmailov that he is a fringe candidate who has little chance of winning our election. While he may or may not have won the election 16 years ago, he is much less popular now than he was then and for good reason. Most of our people have no desire to go back to the days of Reino Kulseth and Caleb O'Reilly. The "National Greatness" that Izmailov promises is not greatness at all. It is war without end and the enmity of the multiverse. Other than a few knuckle-draggers, he has little support within our Federation and is unlikely to win our election.

I will speak in more detail at a later time. Until then, thank you and may God Bless the Federation of Free Republics!

by **Valanora** » Thu May 07, 2020 6:58 pm

With a plethora of tourists that arrive in the millions to the Eternal Empire, an often overlooked question is; what can one expect to find to eat in the local eateries in the visit to the Empire? With the news cycle constantly pumping out stories about the nations great athletes or the political ongoings of the Empire at large, the question of its culture is very often left to the imagination of those have not visited the Empire itself. While many know of its notable stance on automobiles and a perseverance of nature, as well as a sporting culture that brings out a very driven sort of athlete, there is not much else the common person from any other nation could tell you of Vanorian culture, of which one would argue that the local cuisine is a huge cornerstone of. While there are some who would quickly dismiss the idea of the high importance of what ones diet might indicate about a certain groups culture, they would be quite wrong indeed, for through the window of cuisine you can gain a vision of what a society values; for if a dish is well served and prepared, it shows a desire in the society for the arts and an attention detail noted for societies with a penchant for more progressive policies and stance. While hastily prepared meals might indicate a rush to complete ones tasks and may even imply poverty in the need to rush to and fro from task to task.

In a traditional Vanorian eatery, one would be quite surprised to see a variety of raw foods being served, not just fruit and vegetables but also fish as well. While not quite one would call sushi, it is common practice, particular in the more rural areas of the Eternal Empire to find people who will prepare their fish raw or very lightly cooked, though in both instances the raw food would be seasoned with a variety of herbs and spices to add a bit of flavor to the meal. Red meat is considered a bit of a luxury good and usually associated with tourist eateries, as many in the empire eat a more vegetarian diet and abstain from meats aside from fish. However Vanorian bakeries are a very popular place, as from the time that the Elves first settled on Arrosia to this very day, those who have lived in the Empire have had quite the fondness for bread goods, particularly sugar pastries. It is not an uncommon sight to see ones local bakery quite packed to the brim during peak business hours, with a variety of those pastries as well as breads being purchased.

Vanorian farms, if one is even allowed to call them such, are usually large orchids with a variety of different fruit trees and plants among them, with apples and cherries being particularly popular. There are also a handful of fields of the vegetables that the populace of the Empire do enjoy but they are small in comparison to farms in different portions of the world where harvesting and rearing animals is more profound. However such farms are rare, even the the more remote portions of the Empire, with instead a preference for seeding the local woods and forests, allowing the foods they do enjoy to grow naturally in the environment rather through a controlled means. It is only because of having such a large population to feed and maintain that such farms are even in existence in the first place and are a rather new bit of infrastructure that has only truly been embraced in the last hundred years or so.

Of course there is the obvious that we have been delaying on detailing up to this point and that of course is wine, of which Vanorians will be quite famous for among the more cultured crowds and consumers of such beverages. Wine is such a prevalent part of the Vanorian cuisine that in places in the Empire where water is either in a short supply or not of a highly pure quality, wine will be served with the lunch course in place of water. Having practiced the craft of wine making for nearly twenty thousand years now, the wine produced in the Empire is of the highest quality and in a surprisingly high quantity as well, as the methods for producing such a good wine have been perfected over time. The result is a slightly lower cost for the consumer compared to comparable qualities of wine, making it one of the largest exports that the Empire has and perhaps something that the world over would know the Empire for, if not for its remarkable amount of talented athletes. Meals in the Empire are slowly made, making sure that the balance of the different herbs and spices produce a savory flavor on top of the fruits, vegetables, and meat. A slow process but one that brings the most out of the food being consumed and for all the guests who visit one of the eateries, hopefully a meal worth remembering upon their return back home.

IBC XXIX - Everything Thread

DROP IT DOWN!: Gave of Everything in Dominica City

Who is online