IBC30 [rosters/RPs/results]

[TJUN-ia]

Bao Zhou's first two games have been...difficult, to say the least. Greater Kamilistan provided a tougher test than expected, but his Jaguars still ended up with the win. Trolleborg was also tight but not in his favour, the Jags falling by 8 points. At 1-1 this early into group play in Graintfjall, more wins are needed if Bao wants to get to the playoffs on debut. And so, on Halloween night, the Jags looked to do just that against fellow 1-1 side West Phoenicia.

The first half saw more close play, an assured thing in TJUN-ia games thus far, but the Hoops-Jags saw more of the ball. The team was balling and the mood was happy. DeMarcus Winston scored 16 points by himself and the Jags entered the half with a 5 point lead. The Phoenixes weren't going down without a fight, however, so they made this game tight in the 2nd half. The 4th Quarter especially was tight to begin with, as both teams scored bucket after bucket but more clutch play from Winston would secure this game. He had 25 points on this spooky night, TJUN-ia had 81 total and the win was secured by 7.

News of Valanora's OT win over Trolleborg before this game must have rallied the team to victory tonight. Qualification is still up in the air with only 3 games played but the Dragons look like the team to beat once again. We will get our first taste of this team in due course, but not before we face Zeta Reka and Hugeltadom on the night after the spooky one. GO JAGS!

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SCHEDULE (Violet Group - All Games @North Wolf Bay Park, Hofvinger)
MD1: @Greater Kamilistan (UR) W 79-78 (3rd)
MD2: vs Trolleborg (=15) L 66-74 (4th)
MD3: @West Phoenicia (UR) W 81-74 (3rd)
MD4: @Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom (UR)
MD5: vs Valanora (5)
--------------------Break--------------------
MD6: vs Greater Kamilistan (UR)
MD7: @Trolleborg (=15)
MD8: vs West Phoenicia (UR)
MD9: vs Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom (UR)
MD10: @Valanora (5)
---------------Super Skill Contest---------------

[Sannyamathland]

Things are getting really messy for the Sannyamathlandian national team.They have suffered three back to back defeats and this time,it was by a margin of just 10 points.Jerry Woodland plays like a beast in the ABL,but when it comes to International Basketball,it seems like he looses his steam.Jerry failed to provide the team the confidence that is very important to succeed in these big competitions.Overall a terrible display from the captain.But new players like Samir Khedira and Garry Thomson,who have no prior experience of playing in big leagues or big competetions,are playing extremelly well,especially Samir.If he continues to play like this,he will soon be drafted in the ALB or any other top league in the world.

[Sarzonia]

With 2.8 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, the Sarzonian national basketball team were deadlocked against ZSeparatists. Overtime was looming. The venue's fans were loudly cheering for their underdogs.

Mike West studied the players on the court, both for Sarzonia and for ZSeparatists. He looked at centre Terry Rutledge, who stood next to the Cassadagan official as she held the ball in her hands. West gave Rutledge a smirk, then quickly looked back over to the rest of the court. Finally, the official handed the ball to Rutledge and blew the whistle.

Rutledge looked at Harold Blevins, hoping to draw attention away from his real target, West. He pump faked toward power forward Trent Klatt, then fired the ball to West. He leaped, caught the ball, then dribbledonce before turning and firing as he fell on his backside. The next thing he knew, he was dogpiled by navy-clad teammates in wild celebration, even as the officials reviewed the replay. The shot counted, and Sarzonia escaped ZSeparatists with an 84-81 victory.

West was largely held in check by ZSeparatists, only scoring 17 points, but he didn't care. Blevins led the way with 22 points and Rutledge was a force in the paint, grabbing 15 rebounds and blocking six shots.

West was the loudest player by far in the Sarzonia dressing room as the team exulted in seeing their record improve to 3-0. They remained one match clear of expected rivals Royal Kingdom of Quebec and unexpected upstarts Central Shaneville, both of whom won.

For Thomas Manningham, the victory came despite his team squandering a 15-point lead late in the third quarter. His team saw ZSeparatists go on a 18-6 run to start the fourth quarter and cut the lead to just three. ZSeparatists had been on an 8-0 run before West hit the dagger as the buzzer sounded.

"We're going to have to do a better job at closing out matches," Manningham said. "They're a good team, but we've got to play better down the stretch." Manningham would later walk back the comments after he watched video of the match. He would give credit to ZSeparatists for playing well, but he still had to get his team ready for their home match against The Grearish Union.

That was a trap match, Manningham would tell his team, repeating a usual warning from Stars managers to their teams ahead of the match before the big one. Manningham knew an away match to Quebec was immediately in the offing after The Grearish Union.

"We can't afford to look past The Grearish Union," he said. "We've got to remain focused."

[Qasden]

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For what could be viewed as their tenth cycle, the Qasden Basketball Organization (QBO) and its national team looked hopeful for a strong performance going to Rushmore for the 30th International Basketball Championship (stylized as IBC30) in the up-and-coming winter wonderland of Græntfjall. In the most recent cycles, the Vans had been strong enough to make consistent playoff contentions, garnering a quarter final finish in IBC28 (Hosted by Lisander) and a Round of 16 birth in IBC29 (Hosted by Equestria, who the Qad basketball community is forever in debt to). With Qasden's other sporting affairs aggressively waning in performance and popularity, fans are hoping to see a beacon once again in the form of Yao Lan and Ishidou Sai, two brilliant coaches from the Golden Lotus who guided the Qad City Capillaries to a surprise semi-final appearance at the IUBC many moons ago. Since their inaugural bout in Lisander, the duo have kept the Vans afloat, though without mentioning the few holes in the ever-aging team.

Drawn into the Indigo Group, the Vans, who appeared as a confident giant, immediately began to crash and burn. Despite being the global #11 (The tourney-wide #9), Qasden dropped early games to newcomers, Vykta, and Southwest Eastnorth, a team that went 0-10 in the last championship. However, the drama only ignited after the third game, in which the Vans again lost, though this time to powerhouse and much more successful GSW side, Banija. Following the match, reports surfaced that both Yao and Ishidou had fled Græntfjall, allegedly to avoid anger from visiting Vans fans, leaving the national team lacking top management at quite literally the peak contest of basketball. In a quick hotel room meeting filled with confused panic and the unruly desire for a PR stunt, veteran forward, Louis Boxton, has ultimately decided to hang up his jersey for the glorious role of head coach, working alongside the team's travelling doctor, Dr. John Mario. In his place, Devin Ransom, a fan and exchange student at the University of Mraz in Crystalline Caverns, was urgently called up to serve on the national team. Does he play basketball? Hell if we know, but with a coachless team at 0-3, we'll take what we can get! Can Boxton and Dr. Mario revive a beaten Qasden and renew faith in Qasdonian athletics? Or will fans have to find another hobby to distract themselves from the imminent horrors of taxes? With only 7 games to go, only skill and sheer luck will be able to propel the Vans further, so stay tuned, stay updated, and stay alert for Qasden updates, live and chilly from the suburbs of Háttmark!

---

Nickname- The Vans (Turkish Vans)
Offense- High-Low
Defense- Zone
Style: +2

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Head Coach- Yao Lan Louis Boxton
Assistant Coach- Ishidou Sai Dr. John Mario (Also the Team Doctor)

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0- Justen Hocks;30;G (PG)
14- Repo Sawyer;25;G
*15- Jefferson St. Lament;20;G
1- Rebecca Tazel;30;G (SG)
6- Icarus Rybrett;29;G
11- Samuel Aksen;33;G
2- Andrew Markins;32;F/C (C)
7- Wendi Frosts;24;F/C
3- Ryu Okasayo;28;F (PF)
*18- Brittany Veloute;20;F
22- Porter King;26;G/F (SF)
**4- Louis Boxton Devin Ransom;19;G/F
Green = Starting 5
*- New Player
**- Due to the impromptu promotion of Louis Boxton, Ransom will be wearing the former's jersey on the court as a new kit could not be formally processed in time.

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Kits

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RP Permissions– All but killing or career-ending injuries are fine, though I highly recommend TGing me first on any other injuries or fouls. Cheers!

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[Newmanistan]

THE ROCKET REPORT

CHECKING UP ON BENNERMAN

By Taylor Larson,

For many players who find themselves in the International Basketball Championships, they knew they were gifted on the hardwood right away. They were the stars of their youth leagues, excelled in high school, and were heavily recruited by many major universities in their homeland. Of course, this is only taking into consideration nations which have those options available for young basketball players. That is something that is true about many of the Rockets players as well, but not Lucas Bennerman.

For Lucas, the road was a little harder, as he always liked playing basketball, but he was never really the best kid around. Growing up in West Penthoria, about 50 miles southeast of Pocono City, Bennerman never really stood out to anyone as being a can’t miss talent. He could shoot the ball, but he was not a long distance shooter, and in Newmanistan, those are the players that are glorified. Lucas was a good jumper, and could grab rebounds, but that seemed to be the best part of his game. In youth basketball, he would get regular playing time, and he would make his high school basketball teams without a problem. However, his first high school coach, Robert Shoreham, may have misjudged his ability. “He told me to pretty much camp out near the paint, and look to pass the ball to the guards unless I was wide open. Otherwise, he just wanted me to grab the boards. He was my coach, so I had to do what he told me,” Bennerman reflected. It wasn’t all bad. Bennerman was widely regarded as being a great rebounder in his first two years of high school, and that could be something to get him a scholarship to play for a decent college. Lucas accepted that, but otherwise was not looking at basketball as something that he would make a career out of. He was an excellent student, with a huge interest in science. In fact, he was even part of the school robotics team. “I still do love it,” he tells me now.

After his sophomore year in high school, Bennerman was told that his coach, Robert Shoreham, would be resigning, and Lucas did not think much more of it. The new coach, Gabriel Rothschild was also the coach of one of the area’s top AAU teams, the Penthoria Pirates. During the summer, Rothschild reached out to all the returning starters on the school team and told them that he would really like it if they all played with him on the Pirates over the summer. Bennerman never played competitive basketball during the summer, as he also had an interest in baseball, and that was the sport he wanted to play at the time. Rothschild did not say the players had to play, but that he really wanted him to play. Bennerman thought about it, and realized that it could help him out, so he agreed to play for the team.

Opening practices started out with a bunch of drills rather than game play, and Bennerman was best when it was time to hit the boards, but showed that he was not able to hit outside shots very well, and his free throw shooting was only so-so. During the first bit of game play in practice, Lucas again showed his primary strength, and his bigger weaknesses. It was afterwards that Rothschild took him to the side and changed him as a player. “I thought he was going to yell at me, but he told me that whoever has been watching me play has not been paying attention,” he began, “I thought that was weird, and I thought that was going to mean that I was going to be kicked off the team. I had not done really well in the shooting drills, and felt that I was done. I was ready to be cut right then and there.” However, Rothschild had different advice, telling Bennerman that his release point was all wrong. It surprised Lucas that it could be picked up on so quickly, and the coach told him that it would not be a quick fix to correct the habit, but that he had to believe in him that he knew what he was talking about, and that he could eventually turn Bennerman into a better shooter.

The remaining part of the summer, and into his junior year, Bennerman gradually saw his offensive production improve, becoming more than a one-dimensional rebounder to a player that could shoot with more accuracy. His free throw percentage showed the improvement, and eventually, he would take some three point shots. College scouts were starting to take notice, and soon it was noticed that bigger schools were beginning to show up. Not the likes of Southport University or Loudon Empire, but better quality than Northeast Pocono Lake College. No offense to Northeast Pocono Lake College, of course.

That progress continued into this senior year, and Bennerman got the call that he had most been hoping to get: from Pocono City Tech. He had thought about going there if he could not get any kind of basketball scholarship, but their tuition is high so it would be hard on his family. They were interested, and Bennerman was interested back. He was able to check out the school, and Pocono City Tech was wise to try and get a commit from him as soon as possible. Now, Southport University scouts were starting to show up, so Pock City Tech, as they are called, offered the scholarship in which Bennerman accepted immediately. “There was no reason to wait, it was my dream school all along, and I was honored to go there.”

Playing at Pock City Tech only allowed Bennerman to develop his skills to an even greater level, and he would be drafted by the Centralia Firebirds in the first round. “Centralia was a perfect fit for me,” Bennerman said, “It’s such a blue collar city of hard working people, those who might not have been the valedictorians of their class, but they perform jobs that are just as important, if not more important, then those in suits. I feel that’s how my life has been as well. I work hard, day after day, and had to do it, or else I would never be here today. I’m playing for the Rockets right now, not bad for a kid that had a coach only think that they can grab boards and nothing else.”

Bennerman still excels on the boards, doing so in the last IBC, which was his first, and that carried into the first three games of this one as well. In the 116-56 rout of Lochario, he grabbed 24 rebounds, which was almost as much as the entire Lochario team. He added 25 points, including being a perfect 8-for-8 from the charity stripe. Newmanistan is 3-0, and has a game now against the team who might be emerging as the second best squad in the Octarine Group in reality, even if the rankings were not that way to begin with. That would be Squidroidia, and of them, Bennerman stated, “Good, hard working side. Do things the right way, so we are going to need to be sure to do that as well. No time to be letting up.”

[Chromatika]

Chromatika in IBC 30
In Haiku Form!
Matchday the Second: @ Abanhfleft

Abanhfleft is next
And in one of the universe's best
The Penguins falter.

Matchday the Third: vs. Ethane

Twenty down early?
No sweat for Swanson and crew.
Prevail in overtime.

[Trolleborg]

Roald arrived at IBC-30 quite late, having acquired ticket only for the fourth game of our team in the championship. But this wave of “troopers” from Trolleborg arrived in Grajntfjall just as country was getting ready to celebrate Halloween. The inhabitants of Trolleborg, being a trolls, have always loved such entertainment, which, judging by the available description, this holiday was. Darkness, screaming at night frightening each other, making sudden surprises, dressing up in fearsome costumes - all this suits our character so much!!

Although this Hallo-Win is usually rumored to not involve costumed processions on the street, the guests from Trolleborg, unable to stay at home in such conditions, decided to join the celebration as best they could. Therefore, a lot of people took from home their traditional outfits for festive and solemn occasions: apart from regional variations and personal preferences, this is a rough-haired loose garment of brown, grey or black color, a hood with ties, that can be pushed to the top of the head or pulled down to the very nose, depending on need, rough pants or a skirt to the ground, a red biomask or a set of red paint on the face (a special one is produced, which gives an uneven background that conveyed the impression of naturalness) plus, of course, a false tail.

Yes, this time, the unloading of fans from Trolleborg from the ferry, ritual already beloved by the locals, looked especially colorful.

Those who arrived in advance did not sit idly by. Having received accurate information about what kind of holiday planned and when, they took their own measures, what they could – some dressed up in the style of the holiday, and another prepared their own entertainment program. The traditional fan camp, albeit modest in comparison to those at football tournaments, also prepared for the holiday properly, showing non-stop on the big screen everything that matched the definition of "horror movies" from the extensive repertoire of Trolleborg filmmaking. True, some films are actually historical, but since films should be terrifying, it does not matter what the background is – such Trolleborgians reasoned.

Many fans went to the game itself in suits, and many liked it so much that offers to go to the IAC in this form were widely distributed on social networks. But it was not clear, if presence of a howling crowd in medieval clothes and with red faces give our lads something.

[Juvencus]

Royal Gardens, Pomena, December 12th, 1983

An unexpected cold surge hit the western side of the country, temperatures dropped extremely low for the standards of the time. It was late-winter and it was time for the temperatures to rise again normally, however, this was unexpected. Along the cold surge, cold winds blew with extreme force, ripping trees and raising waves very high, to the point people from nearby flats had to pick waters from their balconies, 5 storeys up. This didn't seem to phase the nation's Holy Emperor, Paolo IV, who, now in his late 70's was not supposed to be outside in hazardous weather, yet here he was, attempting to ride his horse in the royal gardens. Barely managing to mount the horse, he did successfully make it pace along the gardens.

Suddenly, the Holy Emperor felt a sharp pain on his chest, it was a cardiac arrest. He quickly lost consciousness on top of the horse, which lost control and started galloping uncontrollably, resulting in him dropping from the horse and also being kicked on the neck by the horse, snapping his neck on the spot. He laid lifeless on the floor for a little while until one of the multiple keepers of the gardens found him unconscious next to the wild horse.

The keeper quickly ran back to inform the other keepers and inform the palace about the Holy Emperor's bodily state, which didn't look good. The other keepers managed to successfully tame the horse and get it out of harm's way. When the paramedics arrived on the spot it had already been late, the news spread nationwide like wildfire.

---

Royal Palace, Pomena, the same day

It was 2:56 pm, the personal telephone of prince Nicola, the youngest of 4 princes, the rest of whom had been exiled from the country for corruption and money laundering, rang. It was from the royal gardens.

"Your highness... I do not know how to say this but, your father... well, he's laying on the ground, he was riding his horse unsupervised, we're unsure of his condition, but things aren't looking so good. He may be dead"

Tears ran down Nicola's cheeks, he was enraged, yet calm.

"Where are you going to send him?"

"The Saint Raphael the Archangel hospital, just outside the city, but prepare for a sight you're not used to seeing your highness"

"I'm already on my way."

He speeded to the hospital, escorted by his security. There he was informed about his dad's death, the sight of his body was horrendous, Paolo suffered a cardiac arrest before losing consciousness, he'd normally survive it, however upon falling from the horse he rode, he was subsequently kicked on the neck, resulting in its snapping, an instant death. The now-dead Holy Emperor's neck was disfigured and fully red, a horrible death. Prince Nicola not only had to deal with his father's dead but he also knew he had to make plans for the nation which he had to rule, he didn't have any beforehand, but now he had to rebuild the nation from scratch and knew he had to do it fast.

[Graintfjall]

MD4 cutoff.

Red Group
Equestria 86–59 Nagore
Hispinas 73–69 Northwest Kalactin
Juvencus 74–61 Sannyamathaland

  Red Group                     Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD
1 Northwest Kalactin              4    3   1   311  279  +32
2 Equestria                       4    3   1   330  280  +50
3 Hispinas                        4    3   1   308  313   −5
4 Juvencus                        4    2   2   316  312   +4
5 Nagore                          4    1   3   303  330  −27
6 Sannyamathaland                 4    0   4   260  314  −54

Orange Group
Pemecutan 101–70 Megistos
Lisander 72–64 The Jovannic
Terre Septentrionale 84–76 Omerica

  Orange Group                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Lisander                        4    4   0   325  266  +59
2 Terre Septentrionale            4    3   1   334  307  +27
3 Pemecutan                       4    2   2   335  310  +25
4 Omerica                         4    2   2   289  318  −29
5 The Jovannic                    4    1   3   290  306  −16
6 Megistos                        4    0   4   288  354  −66

Yellow Group
Indusse 66–66 Abanhfleft (70–84 OT)
Ethane 69–65 Kohnhead
Valladares 83–67 Chromatika

  Yellow Group                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Valladares                      4    4   0   332  267  +65
2 Abanhfleft                      4    2   2   327  303  +24
3 Kohnhead                        4    2   2   287  290   −3
4 Chromatika                      4    2   2   308  330  −22
5 Indusse                         4    1   3   281  317  −36
6 Ethane                          4    1   3   285  313  −28

Green Group
Sarzonia 94–61 The Grearish Union
Sylestone 82–82 Central Shaneville (90–91 OT)
ZSeparatists 64–83 Royal Kingdom of Quebec

  Green Group                   Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Sarzonia                        4    4   0   357  275  +82
2 Central Shaneville              4    3   1   345  335  +10
3 Royal Kingdom of Quebec         4    3   1   338  291  +47
4 The Grearish Union              4    1   3   288  336  −48
5 ZSeparatists                    4    1   3   303  319  −16
6 Sylestone                       4    0   4   301  376  −75

Blue Group
Hebitaka 80–55 Tikariot
Drawkland 80–83 Kriegiersien
Delaclava 84–71 Ottomeme

  Blue Group                    Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Kriegiersien                    4    4   0   326  285  +41
2 Drawkland                       4    3   1   338  278  +60
3 Delaclava                       4    3   1   328  298  +30
4 Hebitaka                        4    1   3   290  317  −27
5 Tikariot                        4    1   3   249  310  −61
6 Ottomeme                        4    0   4   269  312  −43

Indigo Group
Banija 91–78 Vykta
Southwest Eastnorth 78–78 Rwekazaland (86–85 OT)
Qasden 70–63 Græntfjall

  Indigo Group                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Banija                          4    4   0   412  272 +140
2 Græntfjall                      4    3   1   308  280  +28
3 Vykta                           4    2   2   332  293  +39
4 Southwest Eastnorth             4    2   2   288  362  −74
5 Qasden                          4    1   3   277  320  −43
6 Rwekazaland                     4    0   4   276  366  −90

Violet Group
Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom 65–98 TJUN-ia
Valanora 83–64 West Phoenicia
Greater Kamilistan 73–83 Trolleborg

  Violet Group                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Valanora                        4    4   0   357  286  +71
2 Trolleborg                      4    3   1   326  299  +27
3 TJUN-ia                         4    3   1   324  291  +33
4 West Phoenicia                  4    1   3   281  309  −28
5 Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom       4    1   3   269  338  −69
6 Greater Kamilistan              4    0   4   291  325  −34

Octarine Group
Newmanistan 87–41 Squidroidia
HUElavia 79–64 Nova Anglicana
Lochario 75–82 Maccian

  Octarine Group                Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Newmanistan                     4    4   0   402  239 +163
2 Squidroidia                     4    2   2   266  284  −18
3 Lochario                        4    2   2   279  331  −52
4 Maccian                         4    2   2   288  328  −40
5 HUElavia                        4    1   3   281  313  −32
6 Nova Anglicana                  4    1   3   295  316  −21

[Squidroidia]

The Inkopolis Times

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SPORTS

PAIN.

The Squidroidian basketball team falls back down to the ground, humiliated by the defending champions

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Everybody knew it was going to happen eventually, but many didn't know when. The Altendalur arena was one where the Newmanistan Rockets, defending champions of basketball, thrived in, and for Squidroidia, although proving they could hang with the big boys at times, they were far off the pace against the taller, deep shooting Newmanistan players. They came into the game 2-1 after the win against Nova Anglicana. They would be shafted by 46 points.

The Squidroidians did try, however, to play against the defending champions, Wruck and Peyton and McGovern orchestrating the Squidroidian offense as the naturally smaller Inklings thrived on jump shots. But Newmanistan, of course, did things much better than these squids did. Warren Peyser's skill was too much for the Inklings to contemplate, and made the Squidroidians look like a bunch of swiss cheese on more than a dozen occasions. The team had a lot of holes, unlike their games against Maccian and Nova Anglicana. They just couldn't recover, and as such Newmanistan won an 18th straight game of basketball.

However there is some light at the end of the tunnel, as Squidroidia currently sit 2nd in the Octarine Group as they prepare for a crucial game against HUElavia, who won against the Lions 79-64. The biggest shock so far in this group? The Ginger Tigers losing to Maccian 75-82 to put themselves at 2-2 along with Maccian themselves who sit in 3rd and 4th respectively. It is not the biggest upset of the tournament so far however, as Central Shaneville's win over the Royal Kingdom of Quebec still holds that distinction. Elsewhere in the IBC:

• Northwest Kalactin drop a game against unranked Hispinas, the 2 of them as well as Equestria tied at 3-1 in the Red Group,
• Pemecutan drop 101 points on Megistos to go 2-2 in the Orange Group, while Lisander stay unbeaten after a win against The Jovannic,
• Indusse lose in overtime against Abanhfeft 70-84 in the Yellow Group, while a woeful Ethane record their first win against Kohnhead,
• Central Shaneville outwit the wacky inflatable arm flailing tube men from Sylestone in overtime 91-90 as they head to a 2nd vs 1st matchup against Sarzonia in the Green Group,
• Hebitaka record their first win of the tournament against Tikariot, while Drawkland lose against Kriegiersien who go to 4-0,
• Hosts Græntfjall lose their first game of the tournament against Qasden, while Southwest Eastnorth edge out Rwekazaland in overtime in the Banijan Buzzsaw group that is the Indigo,
• And in the Violet Group, Valanora beats West Phoenicia and goes 4-0 while TJUN-ia beat Zeta Reka by 32 points.

[Kriegiersien]

Blue group big news

Drawkland 80–83 Kriegiersien

And they have done it. Driven by the only (real) pony playing in a team sport for Kriegiersien, Ivory Fire, the team was able to again win against Drawkland.
The favourite couldn’t cope with the confusing playing style of the Kriegiersiens, Fire dominating the match with crazy passes and tricks.
Even though the commanding force on the field, she didn’t make any points herself until the very end: When scoring the winning points with a three pointer 3 seconds before the final horn.
“You couldn’t make that up. If anyone would write this stuff you would call it bad fiction and studios would reject it”, shouted a cheering Ivory Fire, who was thrown into the air and celebrated by her teammates.


But in the next match against Delaclava the next big hurdle to the play-offs awaits.

“We will play with a mixed team again. And training for the Super Skill Contest stays the main objective”, said Coach Wedgehog, who wasn’t a bit jealous about his female counterpart Larissa Dewy managing the giant upset alone.

[Sarzonia]

Thomas Manningham didn't have to worry about trap matches after all.

Sarzonia easily defeated The Grearish Union 94-61 at The Palestra in Woodstock, improving to 4-0 behind 26 points and eight assists from Mike West. He sat out the bulk of the second half after Sarzonia built a 30-point lead at halftime.

"I just wanted to give our depth players a chance to get some playing time," Manningham said. "We have a huge match coming up against Quebec and I wanted our starters to remain fresh."

Sarzonia will travel to Quebec to face the fourth ranked team in the multiverse in a contest that will certainly provide a barometre for where the Stars are as the first half of qualifying ends. Currently, the Stars would have the No. 3 seed if the knockout rounds began tomorrow, as defending champions Newmanistan and multi-sport rivals Banija both have higher point differentials.

However, West said the Stars were focused squarely on their upcoming match against Quebec.

"That stuff is all well and good, but this is the match everyone in our camp had circled on the calendar. If we lose this one, we'll have two days to stew over it." Event organisers added an additional off day to the schedule for reasons still unclear to Sarzonian supporters.

"Something about an election," centre Terry Rutledge said. "Where? There? Ours isn't for another two years."

Regardless, Manningham reminded the media that the Stars would play their final match of the group stage against Quebec at The Palestra, and he added that match was likely to be critical.

"This one is important, but we also play them back at our place," he said.

Notes: Sarzonia has submitted the following delegation for the all-star competition:

Skills:
1. Mike West
2. Harold Blevins

Slam dunk:
1. Trent Klatt
2. Terry Rutledge

Three-point shooting:
1. Jayne Cruz
2. Kent Bradley

[Central Shaneville]

STRANGE DAY FOR CENTRAL SHANEVILLE ENDS IN OVERTIME WIN
"Central Shaneville definitely know how to keep you guessing throughout a basketball game" was the word on the Central Shaneville streets as many of their fans watched on as the island nation faced one of its strangest opponents to date, the wacky arm inflatable tube men of Sylestone with coach Michael Shane joking around "Shouldn't have we had this match yesterday, I mean it WAS Halloween." this remark was met with a mixed reception in the media room.

On the court though things were tight as Central Shaneville struggled to overcome the tallness of their opponents, despite this the score would be level at 90-90 at the end of the fourth quarter with neither team looking to back down, both sides took to the bench and then overtime began and after around 1 minute of play, Central Shaneville's Jamie Whincup was fouled meaning a free throw which could end the game - up stepped Whincup - the young man's heart pounding as he looked to make a name for himself, he threw the ball it bounced off the backboard and went in which was very lucky, the team got around him and started hugging him as Central Shaneville went to hold on a clutch 1 point win much to the delight of people around the island nation in what has to be (so far) their best performance in a group stage at any tournament.

[Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom]

National Basketball Team of Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom
Košarkaška reprezentacija Zeta Reka i Hügeltaldom

---

Starting rotation
C: Zoran Wasiljewić (4) (age 25) (Ogroven Sportlich)
PG: Jowan Rottmanner (5) (age 26) (Astra AK)
SG: Muhammed al-Hakim (6) (age 24) (AK Stanimir)
PF: Marko Zec (7) (age 21) (Proud Tigers)
SF: Perdrag Milanić (8) (age 27) (Ogroven Sportlich)

Backups
SG: Petar Zimmerling (9) (age 26) (Proud Tigers)
PG: Joel Iwanić (10) (age 22) (Ogroven Sportlich)
PF: Luka Vettel (11) (age 31) (AK Stanimir)
C: Iyad al-Hakim (12) (age 23) (Proud Tigers)
G/F: Wald Lukić (14) (age 28) (Astra AK)
SF: Čadjo Agustyn (15) (age 32) (Topnici KK)
PG: Nikola Bartowić (18) (age 23) (KK Aleiusia)
F: Iwan Djordić (20) (age 19) (Ogroven Sportlich)
Head Coach: Luka Baum (age 54)

---

"Fun" Trivia

• The most popular sport in Zeta Reka is the "Leather Ball Game." A hybrid of Rugby football and Baseball. As far as indoor sports are concerned, Basketball is by far the largest and most famous game.
• In the last domestic season Zoran Wasiljewić set the single game dunk record. Wasiljewić scored Eleven against Proud Tigers. He averages around two and half a match.
• Rumor has it that a long missing political prisoner is buried under the site of Ogroven Sportlich's home arena.
• Three teams have won the national league in the last two decades. Astra AK has won the most titles at ten, defending champs Ogroven Sportlich have won seven, and a hot streak once allowed AK Stanimir to win three titles in four seasons.
• Should his basketball career falter, Nikola Bartowić can always inherit his goulash loving father's restaurant.

[TJUN-ia]

After surviving the Halloween Night match-up against West Phoenicia with minimal damage, the Hoops-Jags were now 2-1 and looking to make it 3-1 in Graintfjall before the big-time match up with Valanora. Everyone knew the Dragons were legit but both TJUN-ia and Trolleborg have made cases in joining them in the playoffs. While that match up with the group leaders was still on a lot of minds in Hofvinger and back home, Bao Zhou didn't think much of it. Basketball is a sport where no game should be overlooked for another so, in his mind, every game is one where the Jaguars can make a statement - and that was exactly what happened against 1-2 Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom.

I'm sure many people feel sorry for opposition head coach Luka Baum after the beatdown his team got in the North Wolf Bay. TJUN-ia were just...dominant, a word you wouldn't really associate with and TJUN-ian team. TJUN-ia doesn't blow opponents out of the water most of the time but here they were, scoring points just for the fun of it. It was as if Bao had found his strategy and was using it to great effect on these poor Zeta Rekans.

Now, don't get me wrong, Zeta Reka didn't just take their beatdown lightly. They actually got some good offence in, with Muhammed al-Hakim being their main man with 27 points and 7 rebounds. It's just that his performance was overlooked by the points the Jaguars were raking up. Travarius Okuramangawa hit 24, including 6 threes, and Christian McHere came off the bench and became a defensive rock. It was an unbelievable performance by a side that doesn't usually produce them and it showed in the scoreline - Zeta Reka 65, TJUN-ia 98. Out of the nowhere, TJUN-ia beat a team by 33 points (or 32, if you use the Squidroidian counting system).

Bao had delivered a great coaching performance and now TJUN-ia had the slightest of something important in this sport: momentum. But a brick wall is on the horizon in the form of our first duel with Valanora. During our debut tournament, we faced the Dragons twice: the first being a beatdown as they torched us in our first ever game and the second being the "Miracle of Riverside", as the "QuickDraw" play helped the Jags shock the undefeated Dragons. No matter how you think TJUN-ia has done thus far, we will see how good we really are when we play next time. GO JAGS!

---

SCHEDULE (Violet Group - All Games @North Wolf Bay Park, Hofvinger)
MD1: @Greater Kamilistan (UR) W 79-78 (3rd)
MD2: vs Trolleborg (=15) L 66-74 (4th)
MD3: @West Phoenicia (UR) W 81-74 (3rd)
MD4: @Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom (UR) W 98-65 (3rd)
MD5: vs Valanora (5)
--------------------Break--------------------
MD6: vs Greater Kamilistan (UR)
MD7: @Trolleborg (=15)
MD8: vs West Phoenicia (UR)
MD9: vs Zeta Reka and Hugeltaldom (UR)
MD10: @Valanora (5)
---------------Super Skill Contest---------------

[Northwest Kalactin]

Kalactanians Jump Out to 3-1 Start
Well, not a bad start for a team that went 5-5 last time. The Kalactanians have managed to get off to a 3-1 start in a tournament that they usually tend to struggle in. One of those 3 wins included one against Equestria, who is number 6 in the world currently and has only lost to the Kalactanian team so far. These wins have certainly been good for the team, but how does it compare to the bigger picture, with the rest of the IBC there.

Sporting News Kalactin Top 20 Power Rankings
1. Newmanistan
2. Banija
3. Valanora
4. Lisander
5. Valladares
6. Equestria
7. Northwest Kalactin
8. Kriegiersien
9. Sarzonia
10. Drawkland
11. Graintfjall
12. Abanhfleft
13. Royal Kingdom of Quebec
14. Trolleborg
15. Hispanas
16. TJUN-ia
17. Terre Septentrionale
18. Squidroidia
19. Delaclava
20. Vykta

These rankings out the Kalactanians relatively high, although when you look at the strength of schedule that they have faced along with the impressive win over Equestria, it all comes together well for them. Teams like Newmanistan and Valanora have been playing very strongly so far, and it will be no surprise if those teams end up being the ones that go and dominate their groups and grab high playoff seeds. Valladares has been a surprising team so far, but they definitely have a good shot at a top seed if they manage to play a good game against Abanhfleft.

---

Northwest Kalactin 90–78 Nagore

Players	       Mins	Pts	Rbd	Ast	Stl	Blk 
Josh Abbott	36	21	3	10	4	0
Rick Garza	29	10	3	9	1	1
Charlie Larson	33	11	6	5	1	0
Jorge Sutton	39	12	8	3	0	2
Michael Hughes	31	21	11	2	2	3
Roy Carter	9	8	2	0	0	1
Steven Stewart	4	0	0	0	1	0
Joe Green	12	5	3	5	1	0
Billy Bell	2	0	1	0	0	0
Chris Parker	5	2	1	1	0	1
	      200	90	38	35	10	8

---

Hispinas 73–69 Northwest Kalactin

Players	       Mins	Pts	Rbd	Ast	Stl	Blk 
Josh Abbott	28	11	2	8	1	0
Rick Garza	31	9	1	5	3	2
Charlie Larson	34	7	5	3	0	0
Jorge Sutton	36	11	7	1	1	1
Michael Hughes	36	19	13	2	0	2
Roy Carter	9	2	4	1	0	0
Steven Stewart	9	0	1	0	1	0
Joe Green	15	10	5	4	1	1
Billy Bell	0	0	0	0	0	0
Chris Parker	2	0	0	1	0	0
	      200	69	38	25	7	6

---

Joe Green starts out first IBC Well
-GOLD COAST, NORTHWEST KALACTIN: The 18 year old Combo Guard Joe Green has put out a very good performance for his first ever International Basketball Championships. Despite the Kalactanians losing their first game against Hispanas most recently, he managed a very solid performance in that game, coming off the bench for 10 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in his 15 minutes of play.

Green may soon replace the aging Ricky Garza at shooting guard soon. Garza has been putting up relatively disappointing performance this edition, compared to the last edition where he was a key Kalactanian defensive player. When we asked if he thought Green would replace him soon, he said this “If anyone ends up taking my place in the starting lineup, I would want it to be Joe. He is a great kid with a bright future, and I hope he goes very far in basketball.”

Green also commented on the matter, by saying that “I hope to break into the starting lineup soon.” Along with “Ricky is a great player, and I am honored to have a compliment from him, he is one of the best players to ever come from Kalactin.”

---

Skills Contest Competitors Announced
Skills
1. Joe Green
2. Rick Garza

Three Point
1. Josh Abbott
2. Charlie Larson

Slam Dunk
1. Michael Hughes
2. Jorge Sutton

[Chromatika]

Chromatika in IBC 30
In Haiku Form!
Matchday the Fourth: @ Abanhfleft

In Valladares
The Penguins are held in check
They were never close.

[Sannyamathland]

Sannyamathland NAtional Basketball Team looses,yet again !
Sannyamathland's humiliation continues as the national basketball team lost 4 out of 4 matches in their debut season in the IBC.With old stars performing remarkably badly,the coach decided to play all the young players in the match against Juvencus.The result didn't changed,but the young players were brilliant.Garry Thompson was a success yet again.But the most startling decision of the coach was to rest Jerry Woodland.Instead Samir Khedira played as the captain.

[Drawkland]

IBC 30: NO TIME TO WASTE
Written By: Emily Jackson and Chuck Paul

---

The big wheels keep turning, folks. We're back again for coverage of the IBC, now in its historic 30th edition. Can you believe Drawkland's been in the IBC for more than 2 decades now? It's crazy! Let's look at a little history first.

Drawkland's entry in IBC 19 was their first foray into the multiversal sports scene. They were drawn into Group D as an unranked squad, alongside the eventual IBC 19 champions of The Andromeda Islands (who we beat 74-79 in group play, by the way!), and some nobodies called "Saint Kanye."* We ended with a measly 2-4 record in second-to-last place.

Our next campaign in IBC 20 was slightly better. We managed to make the playoffs in Ceni thanks to defeating Valanora 88-54 on the final group matchday. Unfortunately, we were the worst playoff seed at 3-2 (only beating out Valanora thanks to the head-to-head win), and thus had to play the #1 seed in the Royal Kingdom of Quebec. What followed was a Round of 16 smashing that sent us packing. The next 4 IBCs had the exact same result: we'd make it into the playoffs relatively comfortably, only to be dumped in the first round. Not even in IBC 21, which we co-hosted, could we break the glass ceiling. It was beginning to seem like we were cursed, or just comically unclutch. Still, the consistent playoff appearances and decent group showings managed to get us up to #5 in the ranks.

That is, until IBC 25. An unassuming tournament hosted by Banija and Filindostan, we managed to scrape through the playoffs despite being grouped with #8 Newmanistan. Newmanistan actually won the group, placing us against the co-hosts Banija in the first round. It seemed like another first round loss was incoming, but against all odds, we sent the Banijans on the "trip" home. We managed to defeat Ethane in the QFs, setting up another rematch against Newmanistan in the semifinals. The game was highly contested until the end, where we ran away with the game and went on to win the title against Quebec in low-scoring but dominant fashion.

After IBC 25, Drawkland changed from the team you'd want to avoid getting grouped with, but definitely want to play in the first round, to being one to actually fear. The Kanyean reign of terror, for better or worse, was over, and the power vacuum that resulted was ripe for Drawkian dominance. Since the title in IBC 25, Drawkland has not yet missed a semifinal appearance, and only once didn't get a spot on the podium. Even the breakneck pace of IBC 28 couldn't stop the Net Corps, and they took home their second title. With the third place title taken in IBC 29, Drawkland has now been a title contender for as long as they were a first-round bust. Something to think about, really.

IBC 30
Now that we've taken a little trip down memory lane, let's focus on the task in front of us now. The Net Corps squad, let's face it, is getting old. Even by Drawkian standards! In Drawkland, most pro athletes can play into their 40s, with 50 being the unofficial retirement age in the pros (across most sports). The average age of the Net Corps is solidly in the 30s, and that number only goes up. Longtime head coach Cody Morgan says that the squad will probably be rotating out soon, and that this will most likely be the last IBC for many fan-favorites. NSCAA stars, pros who've never played on the IBC, and other younger basketball players will be taking up the new mantle pretty soon.

For all intents and purposes, this will be the last ride for the "original" Net Corps squad. Drawkland will probably be alright in the long run, but it'll be sad to see these guys go. We'll talk more about these players in the coming days.

As for the expectations of this tournament, it seems that the group we've been drawn into is relatively easy, though that's pretty common for IBC groups. Do your job, don't get upset, and you'll make it to the playoffs. The ranked nations in our way, Delaclava and Kriegiersien, are nothing to sniff at, however. A playoff berth is likely, but not guaranteed. And beyond that, of course, is simply a matter of luck.

GAMES 1-4
Game 1 was against the unranked newcomers in Hebitaka. While many expected this game to result in a blowout win, it was actually surprising how large of a win the Net Corps pulled off. In an amazing display of defense and unfortunately poor starting play from Hebitaka, Drawkland actually held their opponent scoreless through the entire first quarter of play. Obviously this wouldn't hold for the rest of the game, but that 18-0 deficit to start the game proved impossible for Hebitaka to come back. The dominance continued, and the Net Corps ended the game with a 37-point margin, 94-57. Holland ended the game with a solid 41-point outing.

This strong play couldn't last forever, of course. The next opponent up was our semi-rivals in Delaclava, at least in the World Bowl. Unfortunately, the Delaclavan squad of today is nowhere near their more talented squads of yesteryear, and the Net Corps were able to outlast the Phoenixes. The game itself was relatively close throughout, but the 4th quarter showed Drawkland continuing their pace while Delaclava lost steam. It would end in another display of fire on offense, with a 90-79 final score. This time it was Autumn Trallen coming away with the highest point output, with 37 on the game.

Another unranked matchup would come, this time against Ottomeme. Similar to the Hebitaka game, Drawkland dominated, especially on defense. The offense was not in its usual form though, with a lot of missed opportunities throughout the game. It was never a question who was going to come away with the win when Drawkland started 8-0 in the first quarter, but it was perhaps disappointing to see a relatively lax offense compared to the impressive showings of the last two matches. This one would end 74-59.

Finally, we'd go against the other ranked team in the group for the first time. At this point, both Drawkland and Kriegiersien were undefeated at 3-0, so this match would decide who would be playing on top and who would be fighting to stay in a playoff spot come the second half of the group stage. We lost to them once last IBC, so it wasn't out of the question that we'd falter here. Unfortunately, we lost in crushing fashion thanks to a buzzer-beating tie-breaking 3-pointer from Kriegiersien's Ivory Fire. Obviously this wasn't what we wanted coming into this group stage, but I wouldn't fret too much. After all, you just need to look at the second time we played Kriegiersien after losing the first match to them last IBC.

REMAINING GAMES
Our last game of the first half of play will be Tikariot, the final of the three unranked teams on our slate. If their success in the soccer spheres are anything to go by, this could easily be a trap game. Still though, it'll likely be an easy game, provided mistakes are kept to a minimum.

Through four games, our form has been pretty impressive. While we aren't crushing teams like the defending champion Rockets or the ambitious Banijans, we're still playing pretty well. Aside from the close loss to Kriegiersien, we've been showing offensive aptitude and defensive prowess. There's not much more you can ask of a team. Of course, we'll need to tighten up for the second half as to make sure we don't fall any further. Both our future ranking and our playoff spot (assuming we don't collapse entirely) depend on getting a good group campaign. All our remaining 6 games are easily winnable, we just need to execute. Many of them are losable too, though, so this won't be an easy cruise.

As far as the playoffs are concerned, it's still too early to tell who will be placed where. No teams can be mathematically eliminated until Game 6 when the second half of the group stage starts, and most of the playoff seedings are decided by single game results. We simply aren't far enough along the timeline to be able to accurately predict how things will turn out. Hopefully things will start to fall into place sometime soon! For now though, we just need to take care of business, as always. I know we're excited to see everything come together.

That's all we have time for tonight, though! And fret not, people who are excited to know what our deal with the upcoming skills contest is ... we've been talking with Cody Morgan and will be releasing the official Drawkian submissions for the competition as soon as they're announced, which will be soon. Until then though ... On Corps!

*By the way, that's 9 total IBC titles in one group. Sure, only 2 of those titles existed at the time, but that's still a star-studded group in retrospect.

[Indusse]

LoopHole.net
Unluck prevails!

---

"Unluck!! What else?" says the fans of indusse. the team won their first match against Ethane and is loosing all the successive matches. The last Match, Indusse faced Abanhfleft, who is second in the group. Indusse tied with Abanhfleft till the end of normal time for a score of 66-66. In the extra time given, Abanhleft defeated Indusse for a 14 points margin that is 70-84. While the team is loosing matches, The Indussean squad received their all new kits created in Lisander!



indusse also declares the players participating for skills contest:

Super Skill Contest Entries:
3PT: Chiranjeevi S.G., Krishnvardan
Dunk: Galatina Robinson, Gregor Martinez
Skill: Gurkeerat Singh,Chittranjan Gupt

Yellow Group
Indusse 66–66 Abanhfleft (70–84 OT)
Ethane 69–65 Kohnhead
Valladares 83–67 Chromatika

  Yellow Group                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Valladares                      4    4   0   332  267  +65
2 Abanhfleft                      4    2   2   327  303  +24
3 Kohnhead                        4    2   2   287  290   −3
4 Chromatika                      4    2   2   308  330  −22
5 Indusse                         4    1   3   281  317  −36
6 Ethane                          4    1   3   285  313  −28

[The Royal Kingdom of Quebec]

Royal Kingdom of Quebec U23 National Basketball Team : IBC 30

Nation Name : Royal Kingdom of Quebec
Demonym: Quebecois
Team Nickname: The Grim Reapers
The Supporters: The Bubonic Plague

Team Quebec Jerseys, brought to you by Infiniti of Donnacona


Coaching Staff

Coach              Position            Age    Sex   Team                   Hometown
Jean-Gabriel Watt  Men's Head Coach     44      M   Carleton School        Kingston, Frontenac
Nam Ji-Woo         Women's Head Coach   48      F   CSKA Quebec (W)        Bathurst, Acadie
Arianna Ceciliani  Assistant Coach (M)  43      F   Farrer University      Oshawa, Frontenac
Jeong Sang-Hyeok   Assistant Coach (W)  38      M   Univ. du Saguenay      Sherbrooke, Estrie
Edouard-Noel Halbert Assistant Coach (M)31      M   Montreal Koreana (M)   Montreal, Montreal
Tara McQuilkin     Assistant Coach (W)  53      F   Univ. of Gander        Quebec City, Capitale-Nationale
Alexandre Chen     Team Doctor (M)      75      M   Basketball Quebec/CSKA Levis, Capitale-Nationale       
Kim Bessette-Wolf  Team Doctor (F)      43      F   Montreal Koreana        Chibougamou, Nord-Est

Players

#   Pos.  Player              Height  Weight  Age  Sex   Team                    Hometown
01  SG    Bahng Se-Woong      1.93m   185 lb   20    M   Mount Ester University  Habpo, Acadie
02  PG  Franck Briere-Bourque 1.81m   189 lb   22    M   Universite d'Ottawa     Shawinigan, Mauricie
03   C    Noh Seung-Hoon      2.09m   269 lb   21    M   CSKA Quebec             Levis, Capitale-Nationale
04  PF    Sarah McLatchy      1.87m   180 lb   22    F   Farrer University       Laval, Montreal
05  PG    Elle Allen-Conroy   1.83m   171 lb   19    F   Univ. St. Croix         Winnipeg, Manitoba
06  SF Hazel Hanson-Conavacio 1.91m   170 lb   20    F   Sherbrooke Thunder      Handon, Schottia
07  PG    Yoo Bo-Rahm         1.79m   151 lb   22    F   Mount Ester University  Hampden, Gaspesie
08  PF    Moustapha Niang     2.11m   258 lb   18    M Lake Superior State Univ. Sault St. Henri, Ontario
10  SF    Yang Jae-Woong      1.98m   211 lb   21    M   Carleton School         Prince Eric, Manitoba
11  SG    Nathalie D'Agostini 1.80m   159 lb   20    F   Montreal Koreana        Labrador City, Labrador
12   F    Vaclav Burianek     2.03m   227 lb   22    M   University of Iqaluit   Montreal, Montreal
13   C    Tatiana Zarankina   1.91m   178 lb   22    F   Farrer University       Oakville, Frontenac
14   F   Diane Dunn-Chalifoux 1.92m   194 lb   21    F   Univ. St. Croix         Halifax, Acadie
15   F    Yvette Hannaford    1.86m   183 lb   21    F   Univ. of Saskatchewan   Bongohdong, Manitoba
16   G    Hector Realmuto-Jin 1.88m   180 lb   19    M   Sarnia Tech University  Kingston, Frontenac
17   C    Yim Se-Ryeong       2.01m   210 lb   19    F   Univ. du Saguenay       Chicoutimi, Saguenay
18   C    Yves-Antoine Masson 2.12m   251 lb   20    M   Carleton School         Ottawa, Outaouais
19   G    Michel Descloux     1.92m   197 lb   22    M   Hanyang College         Stanstead, Estrie
20   G    Kenneth Kim-Asfaw   1.84m   185 lb   21    M   Yihwa-Hongyik College   Moosonee, Northwest
21   G    Lauren Kim-Asfaw    1.73m   161 lb   20    F   Northwestern University Moosonee, Northwest
22   F George Callaghan-McKee 2.06m   236 lb   21    M   Mount Ester University  Halifax, Acadie

Entries for Skills Competition

Skills:
1. Franck Briere-Bourque
2. Nathalie D'Agostini

Slam dunk:
1. Noh Seung-Hoon
2. Yvette Hannaford

Three-point shooting:
1. Yoo Bo-Rahm
2. Michel Descloux

RP PERMISSIONS

Do anything but before you go around killing and injuring my players, drop me a TG or PM on discord. Don't be afraid to TG me too if you have any doubts or in need of anything or everything that is related to Quebec.

[Graintfjall]

MD5 cutoff as we reach the halfway point. The tournament will now recess; for IC reasons, this is because of the Græntfjaller election (clearly, the most important election happening in the world).

The main parties running:

Blue-Green Party

• Main party of the center right that formed the majority party in the last government
• "Green" refers to national identity (Grænt literally means "green") not environmentalism; they are in fact replete with climate change skeptics
• Running a platform of "tough on krakens, tough on the causes of krakens"

Liberal-Conservative Alliance

• Alliance of classical liberals and neoliberals who held power in the immediate post-Communist years but have since dwindled in support owing to the unpopularity of their aggressive deregulation and "shock therapy" economic policies
• Were instrumenal in reinstating the monarchy, inviting the exiled royal family to return
• Have privatized this sentence

Left-slate

• Joint list of numerous parties of the left, headed by the Social Democratic Party leader Zóphonías Juliusson, one of the country's leading literary figures
• Pro-feminism, pro-green politics, pro-LGBTQ, pro-disability rights
• Formed the last government and now lead the opposition

Progressive Liberals

• Radical centrist party headed by Kaija Michaelsdóttir, who served as Foreign Minister in the most recent government but pulled out of the coalition, thus bringing about the election
• Was also part of the previous Left-slate government, reflecting the party's centrist credentials
• Strongly in favor of people voting for them, willing to negotiate on all other policy priorities

And some of the minor parties running:

Catholic Democrats

• Leading Christian Democratic party with an aging but resolute voter base
• Socially conservative but to the left of the main parties of the right on economic matters
• Campaigning to recriminalize abortion, gay marriage, cannabis, Sunday shopping, basically everything fun

National Democratic Front

• National conservative bloc advocating anti-immigration politics, isolationism, and protectionism
• Growing popularity in working-class urban districts
• Historic opposition to the restoration of the royal family continues to damage their popular support in the countryside

New Energy Græntfjall!

• Soft-libertarian party emphasizing social liberalism, Rushmori integration, and green politics
• Dani Arhippasbur is the only party leader to use a gender-neutral surname
• Their youth conferences are absolutely off the hook

Socialist Realm

• Cue "splitter!" jokes, yadda yadda, they're the largest party of the left not to join the Left-slate bloc
• Further to the left on economic issues and pursuing a more isolationist, anti-CRC, anti-WA agenda
• Limited political appeal except with bearded folk singers, among whom they poll approximately 104%

Workers Free Party

• Nominally another "splitter" group of the left, but in practice seem curiously well-supported on the extreme right
• Spend far more time talking about IQ bell curves and skull measurements than they do engaging with left-wing economic politics
• Would be incredibly scary, if they had any supporters

Independent Democrats

• Small republican bloc who advocate for electoral reform and the abolition of the monarchy
• Extreme isolationists who are opposed to immigration, involvement in world politics, and pretty much the existence of any other countries
• Agrarian party, in a country where it's far too cold to farm anything, reflecting their limited appeal

Independents

• The Communist Party has been banned and the Left-slate refuses to admit former members of the CPG
• A small number of former regime figures run - and, actually win - as "independents"
• They're really not fooling anyone but are small enough in number to be basically harmless

---

Red Group
Sannyamathaland 74–74 Equestria (81–92 OT)
Northwest Kalactin 75–76 Juvencus
Nagore 73–78 Hispinas

  Red Group                     Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Equestria                       5    4   1   422  361  +61
2 Hispinas                        5    4   1   386  386    0
3 Juvencus                        5    3   2   392  387   +5
4 Northwest Kalactin              5    3   2   386  355  +31
5 Nagore                          5    1   4   376  408  −32
6 Sannyamathaland                 5    0   5   341  406  −65

Orange Group
Omerica 80–56 Pemecutan
The Jovannic 70–70 Terre Septentrionale (73–80 OT)
Megistos 60–92 Lisander

  Orange Group                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Lisander                        5    5   0   417  326  +91
2 Terre Septentrionale            5    4   1   414  380  +34
3 Omerica                         5    3   2   369  374   −5
4 Pemecutan                       5    2   3   391  390   +1
5 The Jovannic                    5    1   4   363  386  −23
6 Megistos                        5    0   5   348  446  −98

Yellow Group
Chromatika 64–84 Indusse
Kohnhead 68–80 Valladares
Abanhfleft 90–60 Ethane

  Yellow Group                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Valladares                      5    5   0   412  335  +77
2 Abanhfleft                      5    3   2   417  363  +54
3 Indusse                         5    2   3   365  381  −16
4 Kohnhead                        5    2   3   355  370  −15
5 Chromatika                      5    2   3   372  414  −42
6 Ethane                          5    1   4   345  403  −58

Green Group
Royal Kingdom of Quebec 100–79 Sarzonia
Central Shaneville 78–68 ZSeparatists
The Grearish Union 75–84 Sylestone

  Green Group                   Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Royal Kingdom of Quebec         5    4   1   438  370  +68
2 Sarzonia                        5    4   1   436  375  +61
3 Central Shaneville              5    4   1   423  403  +20
4 ZSeparatists                    5    1   4   371  397  −26
5 The Grearish Union              5    1   4   363  420  −57
6 Sylestone                       5    1   4   385  451  −66

Blue Group
Ottomeme 66–88 Hebitaka
Kriegiersien 68–65 Delaclava
Tikariot 54–98 Drawkland

  Blue Group                    Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Kriegiersien                    5    5   0   394  350  +44
2 Drawkland                       5    4   1   436  332 +104
3 Delaclava                       5    3   2   393  366  +27
4 Hebitaka                        5    2   3   378  383   −5
5 Tikariot                        5    1   4   303  408 −105
6 Ottomeme                        5    0   5   335  400  −65

Indigo Group
Græntfjall 69–91 Banija
Rwekazaland 70–92 Qasden
Vykta 77–56 Southwest Eastnorth

  Indigo Group                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Banija                          5    5   0   503  341 +162
2 Græntfjall                      5    3   2   377  371   +6
3 Vykta                           5    3   2   409  349  +60
4 Southwest Eastnorth             5    2   3   344  439  −95
5 Qasden                          5    2   3   369  390  −21
6 Rwekazaland                     5    0   5   346  458 −112

Violet Group
Trolleborg 83–65 Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom
West Phoenicia 83–80 Greater Kamilistan
TJUN-ia 69–73 Valanora

  Violet Group                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Valanora                        5    5   0   430  355  +75
2 Trolleborg                      5    4   1   409  364  +45
3 TJUN-ia                         5    3   2   393  364  +29
4 West Phoenicia                  5    2   3   364  389  −25
5 Zeta Reka and Hügeltaldom       5    1   4   334  421  −87
6 Greater Kamilistan              5    0   5   371  408  −37

Octarine Group
Maccian 67–91 Newmanistan
Nova Anglicana 59–96 Lochario
Squidroidia 90–76 HUElavia

  Octarine Group                Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD 
1 Newmanistan                     5    5   0   493  306 +187
2 Lochario                        5    3   2   375  390  −15
3 Squidroidia                     5    3   2   356  360   −4
4 Maccian                         5    2   3   355  419  −64
5 HUElavia                        5    1   4   357  403  −46
6 Nova Anglicana                  5    1   4   354  412  −58

Reminder: tomorrow and the next day are off-days, but please have your Super Skills Contest submissions in by then, for what will (hopefully) be a bit of fun at the end of the group stage.

[Nova Anglicana]

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7

People's Party Wins Plurality, Will Set About Forming New Government

John McAvoy, Political Columnist, Londinium Courier

House of Deputies (100 seats)

Party                Constituencies           PR        Total              +/-          Vote %
People's                         18           18           36               +4           35.04
Progressive Justice              14           14           28              -12           27.55
National                          4            6           10               +3            9.56
Liberal Secularist                5            4            9               +2            8.76
Stewardship                       5            4            9               +2            8.58
Libertarian                       4            4            8               +1            8.05
Equality                          0            0            0               +0            1.07
Socialist Workers'                0            0            0               +0            0.67
Democracy                         0            0            0               +0            0.44
Dominonist                        0            0            0               +0            0.28

Senate (note: # of seats increased from 25 to 30)

Party                             # of Seats       +/-     
People's                           9               +0
Progressive Justice                8               -2
National                           4               +2
Liberal Secularist                 3               +1
Stewardship                        3               +2
Libertarian                        3               +2

The results are in from the Nova Anglicana parliamentary election, and the Nova Anglican People's Party Party has won a plurality of seats, just as the polls expected them to. They won 36 of 100 seats, leading their nearest rival, the Progressive Justice Party, by eight seats. This is the first election the People's Party has won since the founding of the country, and it is largely on the back of the surveillance scandal, where the National Party was illegally surveilled by members of the PJP government. PJP Prime Minister Hal Blackwood successfully passed through a package of surveillance and ethics reforms, and disavowed any knowledge of the surveillance, but the scandal seems to have been the straw that broke the camel's back. Although PP leader Michael Ramsey talked up traditional PP talking points such as tax cuts, immigration reform, more money for the military, and reining in military spending, it appears that the scandal was the motivating factor. Exit polls found that 69% of those who voted for the PP chose the surveillance scandal or "making a change" as their primary reason for choosing that party.

All of the minor parties won between eight and ten seats, with their 36 combined seats representing the largest number held by minor parties in Nova Anglican electoral history. Leading the way was King Voss' National Party. Voss founded the National Party after losing to Ramsey in the PP leadership election; this is their second electoral campaign. He ran on a platform of social and cultural conservatism, but particularly emphasized the "scandal and corruption of the PJP", since his party was the subject of illegal surveillance. Ten seats makes them an essential part of any PP-led coalition, and will give them strong influence. Also on the right were the Libertarians, picking up an additional seat to give them eight. They also emphasized the need for a less overbearing national government that is strictly limited in its powers to surveil domestically. The collective right has 54 seats out of 100, but it remains to be seen what program they will unify around. The Libertarians and the Nationals have little in common except for a desire to reduce government spending, and the People's Party may find it difficult to bridge the gap. This particular parliamentary configuration will test Ramsey's leadership skills. The most likely government is a three-party coalition between the parties of the right, but divvying up ministerial posts and agreeing on a plan of action will be difficult, and any party could collapse such a government.

On the left, the PJP and the Stewardship Party will go into opposition. Although Blackwood refrained from explicitly saying that the PJP won't participate in or support a new government, it's incredibly unlikely that some sort of PP-PJP "grand coalition" will be formed. That's just not smart politics for the PP. The PJP will lick their wounds after their worst-ever result and try to win back its voters next election. Meanwhile, the Stewardship Party picked up two seats in the House of Deputies and the Senate. It appears that left-leaning voters who might have otherwise voted for the PJP quit in disgust over the scandal and gave their votes to the Stewardship Party instead. Together they have 37 seats, which is the lowest total for this long-standing alliance in electoral history. The Liberal Secularists picked up two seats in the House of Deputies and one in the Senate, giving them 9 and 3, respectively. They have not explicitly ruled out support for a new government, but they have made it clear that they will not join or provide confidence to any government that includes the National Party. A PP-LP-LS government would have 53 seats and might be an appealing way for Ramsey to show that the PP aren't extremists and can be trusted to govern, but the Liberal Secularists would demand increases in education funding and more open immigration policies than the PP are likely willing to accept, not to mention the clash over sex education. In addition, not including the National Party could cause Ramsey to lose support among the right flank of his party, who are eager to roll back the PJP's policies after years and years in the wilderness.

Also of interest is how the PJP will go about the question of leadership. Blackwood successfully held the Deputies in check post-scandal, passing the ethics package and preventing a leadership challenge, but he is term-limited at the end of this parliamentary term. He could decide to run for Senate as a way of holding on to his position as leader, but many in the parliamentary party and in the rank-and-file are secretly ready for a new face. While they appreciate Blackwood's leadership skills and while he hasn't been tainted directly by the surveillance scandal, they worry he's too associated with it in the public mind to lead them to victory. Additionally, there is the usual grumbling from the left flank that Blackwood is too moderate. We'll see how it all works out. Ramsey is likely to become the next Prime Minister, and the PJP is likely to have a new Leader, but how each will come to pass and what will result, God only knows.

Please don't think I'm doing an election RP just because you are. This is actually something that I am only just now getting around to finishing from a few years ago and only posting today because of RL complications. I would have loved to have done more with this earlier if I could have.

[Squidroidia]

The Inkopolis Times

---

SPORTS

STICKER MARKED FOR IBC

As IBC groups reach halfway point ahead of Græntfjaller election, which teams should you need to watch out for?

---

Some people thought that the Squidroidian national basketball team wasn't going to be a team of much significance - They were thought to be pushovers in a group with established sides like HUElavia and Lochario and the defending champions of basketball. But as the IBC takes a break ahead of a crucial election in host nation Græntfjall, they have defied expectations and actually won a few games. A 90-76 victory against HUElavia has had Squidroidia on the run of its life, generating interest for basketball in a nation with no professional league and one where football rules as well. You would certainly say that Squidroidia was the biggest shock of the IBC if you only watched the Octarine matches this tournament, but that is just an eight of the story. We here at the Inkopolis Times took a look at all 48 teams in the competition and picked out one from each group that have something to prove heading into the second half of the campaign.

Red Group - Hispinas

Our first featured team who is unranked (But by no means the last), a look at the Red Group table sees all sorts of insanity from top to bottom. Northwest Kalactin are having a tough time in the first half, even though they beat Equestria (Who nearly blew it against a Sannyamathaland team who pushed them to overtime), Nagore are having a hard time against everybody else in their group, and newcomers Hispinas are somehow 4-1. With 0 point differential heading into the break and beating everybody but the aforementioned Equestria, they look destined for a spot in the Round of 16 if they continue their performances against the unranked opponents as well as upset Juvencus and Northwest Kalactin once again. If they somehow beat Equestria, they are even more credible this tournament.

Orange Group - Terre Septentrionale

The Northern Land. Terre Septentrionale have been in the realms of all sports, from their World Cup qualifying squads to their Olympic program, but so far haven't been dominant in any of them (If you don't count their World Bowl XL excursions where they had the 2nd best defense of the 16 playoff teams this campaign). In a group with powerhouses Lisander, however, they have been cruising through the competition whenever they didn't have to see another shade of green. 4-1 after an overtime victory over The Jovannic, if Pemecutan don't go back to their winning ways or Omerica trips them up, they can have a knockout stage berth in the bag.

Yellow Group - Ethane

For our first 2 teams, it was about the winning ways the teams got to in the halfway point. But Ethane are a different beast entirely.

Despite being a top 20 side, they sit last in their group.

Last.

Behind Chromatika, Indusse and Kohnhead.

They only won 1 game so far, a 69-65 game against the last team mentioned out of those 3. For a team in the top 20, they should be challenging for knockout stage berths. But they are just falling. In order for Ethane to even have a chance at the Last 16, they need to blaze through their group.

Green Group - Central Shaneville

If we said Central Shaneville before the IBC, the first thought running through your head was "Who?" But Central Shaneville have been the biggest shock of the IBC so far. After beating the Royal Kingdom of Quebec (Their U23s, but still) in the biggest upset of the tournament then and even now, other than a slipup against Sarzonia they have been neigh unstoppable. They sit 3rd in the Green Group, 4-1 with Quebec (Who just beat Sarzonia 100-79) and Sarzonia. Their biggest test? The rematch against Quebec. If they can beat the Royal Kingdom, they have a chance of making the Last 16. Not bad for a newcomer island nation.

Blue Group - Kriegiersien

The Blue Group, otherwise known as the Group of Death, has produced a definite surprise. It isn't even Hebitaka winning 2 games of hoops. It's the team on top. The undefeated, 5-0, just beaten Delaclava Kriegiersien. Most people were expecting Drawkland to top this group, editors of the newspaper included. But there is something about this Kriegiersien team that confounds even the hardest of hardcore basketball fans. They're only a Top 15 side, but wins against the #2 and #14 teams in basketball is impressive to say the least. If they can get past both Drawkland and Delaclava again, they will have likely punched their ticket to the knockouts, if they haven't already.

Indigo Group - Græntfjall

The Indigo Group has been called by some the "Banijan Buzzsaw" group after the impressive displays Banija had over teams like Southwest Eastnorth and Rwekazaland, both times winning by an excess of 50 points. But the hosts of the entire tournament Græntfjall have been on a run of their own. They sit 3-2 in 2nd place in the Indigo Group, but being host doesn't make you immune to the Banijan Buzzsaw, as the team can prove to you after losing 69-91. Beating Banija isn't likely at all, so if they can have a chance of making the knockout stage on home hardwood, they will need to beat Qasden, the only other team they lost to at the halfway mark, as well as Qasden. Southwest Eastnorth and Rwekazaland should be relatively easy.

Violet Group - Trolleborg

We could have picked TJUN-ia, but to be honest Trolleborg is a better name for a nation. Sorry loyal TJUN-ians, but you have to beat Trolleborg in order to have a chance at the knockout stages.

Octarine Group - Squidroidia

And finally, there we are! There's us! Squidroidia! You know, that one nation who got pantsed by Newmanistan? To be honest, every team in the Octarine has been pantsed by Newmanistan, so making this choice was hard. But with Squidroidia at 3-2 and having proven to produce good results when the team is at their greatest (See the Lochario overtime game if you want to see that in action), they are our pick for the team to watch in the Octarine Group. Their next game against Lochario could determine the 2nd entrant from the Octarine Group in the Round of 16, so who knows? Should be one cracking game of basketball.

[Hispinas]

Kyrkdorf, Græntfjall
After the Nagore game

After the team's latest win over Nagore, the team were preparing to pack up to go back to their accommodation when Cergio Arebalo was approached not by their coach, Alfredo, but their consultant, Walter. He talked to Walter in private, asking him to stay in the court after their practice session. Was it to teach him more on the three point contest where he was registered in? Or was it something else?

Despite being injury-prone, Cergio managed to avoid being injured despite his heavy production, where each victory especially against Northwest Kalactin, he produced at least 20 points per game, which leads the team, as well as a sound three point shooting percentage at 47.2 percent. Was it his selfishness risking injury while slashing into the defense's bucket? Does he need to improve his shot selection? Will he be sent home as it was Walter and not Alfredo who approached him?

His anxiety about the situation showed in practice, as he unusually missed many three point shots in his practice - not particularly good for his bid for a three point crown. The coaching staff offered him ways to improve his handling of the ball and he managed to shelve his anxiety for a bit until the end of the practice session. There, he continued shooting threes as the rest of the team and coaching staff went back to the locker room, until Walter called him. "Cergio, stop practicing for a while, I need to talk to you about something."

"Hi Sir Walter, what do you need me to do?"

"Stop playing in Hispinas."

"What? you want me to go home? We're in contention to make it past the group stage and my production will be needed here."

"I didn't say stop playing for Hispinas, I said 'IN' Hispinas. You have a great future in front of you. The next Hispino team may not include all the players as we will see how the league pans out. But I can't see the league be competitive for the next five years. That's why you need to grow more by playing league basketball outside the Kingdom. You may send a communication to the teams overseas. I'm not pretty sure if teams in Græntfjall would be interested, but you can give it a try. Oh wait. the REBL, the top ranked teams in the IUBC. I think you can ask some of the Equestrian opponents after the game on how you can contact the Equestrian teams."

"Phew, I thought you will send me home, I got it now Sir. I'll try to draft an email and try to copy you on it."

"Sure, just send me the draft before sending it, okay?"

Walter has found the next guy to nurture after Inocencio. He has yet to inform the Kingdom of his plans for Cergio.