International Basketball Championship 38 - Everything Thread

by **Sarzonia** » Sun Jul 02, 2023 4:40 pm

The final horn signaling Sarzonia's 88-84 defeat to Gran Saguaro left Joy Knight, the Sarzonian national basketball team manager disheartened.

She'd preached the importance of this match almost from the moment she woke up after the team's rout of Græntfjall. She'd made the team run its passing drills even more intensely than previously. She blew the whistle hanging around her neck at the slightest hint of lost concentration.

And yet, there Sarzonia was, sitting at 2-3, essentially risking elimination from the knockout rounds because the team lost two matches Knight knew they had to win.

As soon as the players emerged from the weight room to the gymnasium, Knight greeted them with a loud blast from her whistle.

"Team, we can't afford to lose concentration out there," she said. "The next one who loafs on us isn't playing against Valentine Z."

"Coach," reserve guard/forward Kent Bradley said, "we play Benjium after Nordic Airland."

"I know, Kent," she said sharply. "Not playing against Nordic Airland or Benjium might not register with you, but if you don't get playing time against Valentine Z or Græntfjall, that might get somebody's attention."

"You'd bench a key player against Val Z or Græntfjall for not playing or training hard?"

"You're Goddamn right," Knight said, casting her glance at the only player she knew she had nothing to worry about, a man who was all about earning his preeminent place on his team. Knight knew if she benched Mike West against Valentine Z or Græntfjall, or even both, she'd send a message to the team and to everyone who gave a shit about Sarzonian hoops.

West didn't need the reminder. He had a coach on his heart he missed more than any player possibly could. Disappointing Knight was one thing. So was upsetting Thomas Manningham. The one coach he never wanted to let down was the man whose picture he kept in his wallet, in his game shoes, and on the nightstand everywhere he went.

"Dad," West said as he looked at the photo of legendary Sarzonian manager Henry West on the nightstand as ot blurred through his tears. "Help me. Help us. We need this."

by **Kamijiro** » Sun Jul 02, 2023 7:11 pm

Bad Week Gets Worse for Kamijiroan Sports, as Lightning Decimated at IBC

Article by Rui Nomura, Senior Correspondent for Kamijiroan Sporting Times & KBC3

Well, it's been one hell of an ugly week for Kamijiroan sports. Not sure if that even covers it. Just one week ago, Kamijiro was sitting atop their groups in both the IBC and the footballing World Cup, dominating their opponents and looking like the state of Kamijiroan sports would continue its momentum following the Baptism of Fire win. One week later, and both teams have fallen off of a cliff. The fact of the matter is that neither team has performed anywhere close to the standard expected of them - and nobody can figure out why. Neither Akito Miura (the senior football manager) nor Glen Richmond Sr. (the senior basketball manager) has changed their tactics. Neither team has suffered an injury, neither team are playing opponents drastically better than them. They just can't win right now.

These things happen in sports sometimes, we all know that. But the first time it happens is always the hardest - and the fact that both teams are facing the same difficulty right now has compounded the feelings of anxiety among the sports-inclined in Kamijiro. After the demoralizing loss to Muralos, a result that saw Kamijiro's spot at first in the group tumble, Crown Prince (and team captain) Kaminari Xanthus I took a press conference on in the Thunderdome's tunnel. A lot of hard feelings came out from the Crown Prince. He understands that turning things around is a process, but he also feels that he alone takes the blame for the team's failure to win the past two games.

"I didn't play well enough for us to win the games, I didn't lead us as a unit well enough to win the games and I take full responsibility for that. This isn't on anybody else on the team. It's on me to be better as the team captain and on-court leader of the team. Hopefully we can turn this ship around, but it's on me to step up and lead from the front. I'll do better for sure."

Hopefully, for all of Kamijiro's sports programs, the basketball team and football team can turn their slumps around, fast.

As always, Ave Fortuna and Go Lightning!

Quick match recaps:

Matchday: 5
Opponent: Abanhfleft (12th ranked)
Result: Kamijiro 75 @ Abanhfleft 85

-- Stat Leaders for Kamijiro --
Points: Michael Silva (16 points)
Rebounds: Gino Francis (6 rebounds)
Assists: Christopher Jackson (5 assists)
Blocks: Kaminari Xanthus I (2 blocks)
Steals: C. Jackson, R. Kitamura, R. Nakajima, E. Watanabe (1 steal)
Threes: Eijiro Watanabe (4 threes)
Free Throws: Michael Silva (8 free throws)

Matchday: 6
Opponent: Muralos (24th ranked)
Result: Kamijiro 58 vs. Muralos 91
(Yes, that is the real score)

-- Stat Leaders for Kamijiro --
Points: Kaminari Xanthus I (26 points)
Rebounds: Phil Purdom (9 rebounds)
Assists: Leonardo Prince (7 assists)
Blocks: M. Francis, P. Purdom, K. Xanthus I (1 block)
Steals: E. Kitamura, L. Prince, M. Silva, J. Vieira, K. Xanthus I (1 steal)
Threes: Eijiro Watanabe (1 three)
Free Throws: Kaminari Xanthus I (10 free throws)

Player                   PTS | REB | AST | BLK | STL | 3PM | FTM
Kaminari Xanthus I       102 |  46 |  17 |  15 |  8  |   5 |  18
Eijiro Watanabe           78 |  16 |  19 |   1 |  8  |  18 |   3
Leonardo Prince           48 |  29 |  27 |   1 |  8  |   6 |   7
Eddie Kitamura            49 |  15 |   9 |   0 |  2  |   4 |   9
Michael Silva             68 |  13 |   8 |   0 |  3  |   5 |  17
Phil Purdom               21 |  20 |   5 |   3 |  4  |   5 |   2
Christopher Jackson       16 |  14 |  16 |   0 |  8  |   0 |   8
Ryō Nakajima              30 |  12 |   6 |   0 |  1  |   2 |   8
Gino Francis              24 |  30 |   5 |   0 |  0  |   1 |   3
Mickael Francis           17 |  13 |   2 |   3 |  1  |   0 |   7
João Vieira                7 |   5 |   1 |   0 |  1  |   0 |   0
Ryuji Kitamura             0 |   3 |   1 |   0 |  1  |   0 |   0

(O.O) · by **TJUN-ia** » Mon Jul 03, 2023 2:58 pm

After a tight win finished the 1st half, the Hoops-Jaguars of TJUN-ia were 4-1 and looking to keep rolling in this tight old competition. Bao Zhou's team has certainly gotten better as things have gone on, and sharing the lead in this group seems fair, but the Zhou Dynasty couldn't assume shit...and had to keep on going.

Up first for this 2nd half was a chance of revenge against Lisander, the only team who managed to beat us in the first half, and we certainly knew what we were up against this time. Lisander certainly tried to make it 2 on the bounce. with Luan Villanova and Hadley Castres providing most of the points, but the prospect of revenge was too great to conquer and we ended up grabbing the steamroller across this game. Mohammad Alawi was just too quick, Chenrop Rueangthanarot was everywhere and that was all we needed to record a 20-point response - 77-57. Job done.

So yeah...TJUN-ian basketball is feeling better and better, but we still have 4 games left in this group. Torisakia is up next, hoping to be the next team to knock us off. GO HOOPS-JAGS!

SCHEDULE (Group D, Stellar Center, Chedo City, Katterimunk)
MD1: vs Lisander (29) (H) L 67-75 (4th/0-1)
MD2: vs Torisakia (UR) (A) W 92-64 (3rd/1-1)
MD3: vs Ealdracaland (UR) (H) W 80-62 (2nd/2-1)
MD4: vs Trolleborg (13) (H) W 72-66 (1st/3-1)
MD5: vs Southwest Eastnorth (37) (A) W 69-62 (1st/4-1)
MD6: vs Lisander (29) (A) W 77-57 (2nd/5-1)
MD7: vs Torisakia (UR) (H)
MD8: vs Ealdracaland (UR) (A)
MD9: vs Trolleborg (13) (A)
MD10: vs Southwest Eastnorth (37) (H)

by **Trolleborg** » Tue Jul 04, 2023 4:09 am

Greetings, compatriots!
It's TTV from Katterimunk, where the second half of the Basketball World Championship began.
Of course, we all looked forward to the first match after the break with some trepidation. In past years, it often happened that after a pause between matches, stages or halves of the tournament, our athletes lost concentration and showed a completely different game. Just recall the debut World Cup for our youth football team.

Southwest Eastnorth, although he lacks something in this tournament, is a strong opponent, highly capable of bringing unpleasant surprises. This time, since the tournament is played in two rounds, we had the opportunity to measure the quality of the team's work on the example of two games with the same opponent. In the first round, our basketball masters won by ten points, and everyone considered this a good result, but not excellent. Yesterday the team went out to the already familiar and as if native Stellar Center parquet to the roar of the fans, many of whom go here as if to work, and began to act in a collected and methodical manner. The team that day worked, let's say, without much brilliance, but each player looked like he was in his place and acting in accordance with the general plan. It seemed to us that the head coach had finally finished the experiments and developed some kind of strategic concept for this tournament, but we must remember that both our specialists and foreign ones were surprised by his ideas many times, and maybe we will see some other innovations. As for the game itself, in all its time, SWEN has never managed to come out ahead. By the first break our basketball players were leading by +5 points, but at the last moment Morten Pesoglavec added three more points. The teams went to the break at +11, and by the end of the game the scoreboard highlights score 75 to 55. The result of the first game is surpassed thus exactly two times. This, in general, still does not say anything, but only the final table of the group stage will tell. Albeit such numbers look nice and amuse the soul.

As for the rest of the matches of the group stage, TJUN-ia rushes forward, taking advantage of the opportunity and evened with Lisander for the defeat in the debut match of the championship, and with a vengeance. Although for the time being, surprisingly, we are keeping ahead - due to the slightly better difference in points. And we have the only group in which two teams have a 0.833 percent of victories. Ahead, however, is a rather slippery area, where basketball players are in danger from complacency and pleasant numbers in the table, but where the cost of mistakes is very high, and fans will inevitably measure and compare the team's performance with its form in the first round.

by **Katterimunk** » Tue Jul 04, 2023 7:18 am

Matchday 7

Group E
All games held @ Aurora Arena, Inaspolis City

Valanora 66–74 Rwekazaland
Pemecutan 75–68 Diarcesia
Cardenao 77–81 Kharakia

  Group E                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
1 Pemecutan                  7    6   1   562  545  +17    0.857
2 Rwekazaland                7    5   2   553  530  +23    0.714
3 Valanora                   7    4   3   561  492  +69    0.571
4 Cardenao                   7    3   4   551  533  +18    0.429
5 Kharakia                   7    2   5   529  589  −60    0.286
6 Diarcesia                  7    1   6   517  584  −67    0.143

Group F
All games held @ Eclipse Pavillion, Acrehull

Græntfjall 105–83 Nordic Airland
Valentine Z 93–69 Gran Saguaro
Benjium 60–95 Sarzonia

  Group F                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
1 Valentine Z                7    7   0   632  479 +153    1.000
2 Sarzonia                   7    4   3   583  534  +49    0.571
3 Græntfjall                 7    4   3   568  535  +33    0.571
4 Gran Saguaro               7    3   4   543  554  −11    0.429
5 Benjium                    7    2   5   485  566  −81    0.286
6 Nordic Airland             7    1   6   494  637 −143    0.143

Group G
All games held @ Galaxy Arena, Ancehaul

Macbon 73–64 Sinyal
Eraman 64–80 Qubec and Shingoryeo
Equestria 66–70 Delaclava

  Group G                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
1 Qubec and Shingoryeo       7    7   0   618  481 +137    1.000
2 Delaclava                  7    6   1   582  495  +87    0.857
3 Macbon                     7    4   3   539  529  +10    0.571
4 Equestria                  7    2   5   479  537  −58    0.286
5 Eraman                     7    1   6   492  562  −70    0.143
6 Sinyal                     7    1   6   478  584 −106    0.143

Group H
All games held @ Prism Court, Stritstead

Cassadaigua 74–75 Qasden
Libonesia 75–79 Kronbia
Nova Anglicana 79–72 Juvencus

  Group H                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
1 Nova Anglicana             7    7   0   595  456 +139    1.000
2 Juvencus                   7    5   2   552  527  +25    0.714
3 Cassadaigua                7    4   3   548  521  +27    0.571
4 Kronbia                    7    3   4   534  591  −57    0.429
5 Qasden                     7    2   5   499  557  −58    0.286
6 Libonesia                  7    0   7   508  584  −76    0.000

Next cutoff is on 06/06/2023 at 9-11 AM UTC

by **Banija** » Tue Jul 04, 2023 9:45 am

Part I- Election Basics
Part II- The Issues

The Busukuma Post
Covering All of Banija, All of our News, All of the Time

Banijan Elections Part 3- Who are the Parties?

BUSUKUMA, NATIONAL CAPITOL REGION- Election season is in full swing! We've got many people campaigning for the 600 elected seats to the Lukiiko, to see exactly who will hold political power within Banija for the next 5 years. We debated- do we talk about what people will be voting on- or what the parties stand for? At least, which one do we talk about first? The editorial room actually tied at this newspaper(11-11), so we flipped a coin, and it landed on heads- issues first.

But we've talked about that! Now, let's talk about each of the political parties.

Lukiiko Standings from the last election

Party	Popular Vote	Popular Vote Percentage	Current Seats	Seat Percentage
Collective Resistance Union	19,715,000	36.85%	210	42.00%
People's Protection Movement	17,588,000	32.87%	173	34.60%
Banijan People's Congress	6,932,000	12.96%	52	10.40%
Latter-Day Alliance	8,328,000	15.56%	63	12.60%

Collective Resistance Union
Leader: Xolile Lubabalo(F)
Current Status(Government or Opposition): Senior Coalition Partner

Of course, we'll start with the current party in power- the CRU. With Xolile Lubabalo at the helm, their implementation of healthcare reforms might make the last government election the most consequential in a generation- IF, of course, they can hold onto power and really solidify the reforms, as opposed to the PPM taking power and quite likely repealing universal healthcare.

Of course, they are a party of the center-left. Of course, Banija's entire political spectrum is to the right of most countries- but this is the major left-wing party, who describe themselves as 'Christian Left'. They are becoming more and more left-wing economically, but many social issues see much more of a right-wing consensus, and the CRU generally subscribes to that.

While immigration politics are rather inverted in Banija (whole spectrum very welcoming of migrants, but right-wing Banijans seriously hate on emigrant groups outside the country) the CRU is proposing also two previously seen as radical changes to the Banijan system- one, allowing Banijan citizens living abroad and physically abroad to vote in elections back home (which is currently banned), and two, allowing the citizenship test to be taken in English- also known as Terrenean.

Presently, the citizenship test can only be taken in Olusanke- Banija's major vernacular language. With Banija's largest migrant group being Farves, of course, who learn languages at crazy rates, it has never been a huge problem. But with Banija's economic miracle taking us to first world nation status, and more migrant communities being established here, it has become more of a fight.

The local Farf migrant community are massive supporters of the CRU.

People's Protection Movement
Leader: Iyoas Asambe(M)
Current Status(Government or Opposition): Opposition

Asambe's party has spent 5 years in opposition, and is looking to re-gain power at the ballot box. They are running on a 'full and complete repeal of Lubabalocare', which is their nickname for her big-time healthcare reforms. But this is the big tent center-right political party in Banija. While more nationalist elements generally don't enter this party, you have big parts of religious right wing elements, but mostly the party is dominated by pro-business, small government types.

Of course, that is how things to work around here. Kobe Azizi, their previous Katikkiro, ending up mostly losing his political position because of his investment into the NYK Civil War- one that backfired spectacularly. So there's not a ton of foreign policy adventurism around here. But the general pro-business element means that they are generally going to try to cut spending, and try to cut taxes.

One noteable issue is that the PPM tend to be extremely pro suburban development, especially at the local level- and will introduce legislation to make it far easier to build housing in the suburbs, as opposed to city-based development we currently have.

Local migrant communities from Yuezhou & Graentfjall tend to support the PPM, due to a hard anti-communist stance.

Banijan People's Congress
Leader: Lucille Nyong'o(F)
Current Status(Government or Opposition): Junior Coalition Partner

The hard left-wing party in Banija (hard left for Banija, anyways), is also led by a woman- a tough negotiatior, Lucille Nyong'o. While she's a big supporter of healthcare reforms, what she generally supports are nationalization of multiple industries- in particular, she believes that the government should have a public stake in Banija's largest company, the Regional Transit Corporation. As well as nationalization of some other key industries, including, but not limited to, the financial sector (banks!)

The BPC is also, by far, Banija's most secular party. At the BPC Party Convention, their 3,000 delegates failed to endorse ending Banija's coffee ban by two votes- which would be an extremely radical position for any Banijan political party to take. The party is easily the most secular of Banija's political parties, as they advocate getting rid of the church tax.

One noteable sports issue of theirs is that they also support changing up the tax incentives Banija has when we host tournaments- sparing international bodies from paying any tax, and only subjecting athletes to a 'charity tax' (which is 4%). They say that Banija is 'long past that point where we need these special tax incentives to host tournaments', and that they should pay regular taxes, alongside everybody else.

They also are the most green party in Banija (again, not saying much), saying the country should 'seriously research renewables'.

The Busogan and Muslim communities in Banija are heavy supporters of this party.

Latter-Day Alliance
Leader: Elder Vusa Nkozi(M)
Current Status(Government or Opposition): Opposition

Last but not least- the Latter-Day Alliance. This is absolutely a nationalist/religious right party, without any of the pro-business elements of the PPM. Elder Vusa Nkozi's party supports a lot of things to make Banija more Mormon- like making theology classes mandatory in public schools (currently public schools are allowed to offer it, but school districts can make their own individual choices, which makes it a huge fight amongst parents and school boards across this country).

The LDA, unsurprisingly, is the most socially right-wing party in the country. They believe that the state should focus on funding PLDS services in foreign langauges within the country, to help 'better evangelize to migrants within our country'. Despite their name, however, they are very supportive of other Christian groups in the country- although they have been quite credibly accused of Islamophobia on multiple occasions.

Other News- IBC 38
- The Banijans steamrolled Dod Rava, 95-68, to win their sixth straight game of the tournament, and improve to 6-0. This gives them a joint 2 game lead on both Poafmersia and Chromatika to win this group.
- Lions HC Oscar Laboto said the win was great, but they had to move on quickly, to focus on MD7. "Look, we know that the floor to get out of this group is going to be 8 wins- and possibly, we might need an additional win on top of that. It's not out of the question an 8-2 Banija would miss the KOs. So while I'm happy here, the job is far from done. We move on, we prepare for the United Adaikes, and then we get out there to get win #7, before we run the Poafmersian/Chromatik gauntlet."

by **Sarzonia** » Tue Jul 04, 2023 10:33 am

There are a few possible outcomes when a lower ranked team wins an upset.

The upset could simply be a fluke result. It could anger the higher ranked team and provide motivation for the rematch. Or it could simply wake up a team that hadn't quite been ready to play.

Whatever the case, the Sarzonian national basketball team played a much sharper match against Benjium in the return leg, getting a match-high 24 points from Mike West en route to a 95-60 victory that allowed Sarzonia to remain level with Græntfjall in second place in the Group F table.

West said he and the rest of the starting lineup asked to stay in the match after the Stars led 71-39 with five minutes remaining in the third quarter. However, manager Joy Knight was unmoved.

"She said she wanted us to be rested with [undefeated Group F leaders and fourth ranked] Valentine Z and 10th ranked Græntfjall the team's next two opponents," West said. "I understand her logic, but we wanted to send [Benjium] a message."

Consider the message delivered. Reserve guard/forward Kent Bradley played like a carbon copy of West, finishing his 18 minutes played with 15 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Knight joked that she was considering benching Bradley because she wanted to "call off the cats since I already called off the dogs.

"I was very pleased with our focus out there," she said. "As we've learned the hard way, it's easy to overlook an opponent who might not be on the same level as a Valentine Z or Græntfjall. We played like a team ready to turn it up a notch."

They'd better. After all, Valentine Z have all but guaranteed a group title that would render their final group stage contests little more than exhibition affairs. A win for the Valentians side would mean they'd only have to jockey for a higher seed in the knockout rounds.

For Sarzonia, the stakes are far more important. A loss could leave them in a perilous position with a Græntfjall side eager to avenge an 18-point defeat to the Stars. A victory for Knight's charges would not only delay the likely inevitability of a Valentian group stage crown, but it would put Sarzonia in a stronger position to qualify.

Of the seven opponents to go down to defeat to Valentine Z, Sarzonia's 82-72 loss on Matchday 3 was actually the smallest margin of victory for the highest ranked team in Group F against the 23rd ranked Stars. However, as Knight reminded everyone then, the Stars don't believe in moral victories.

"Unless we go out there and play out of our minds again Val Z, that doesn't matter at all," Knight said. "It's a neat stat, but that's all it is."

Sarzonia (4-3) are ahead of Græntfjall on point differential (plus-49 to plus-33). West said the team needed to focus so it could continue to control their own destiny.

"We can't afford to slip up, cause they can easily get past us if we don't do what we're supposed to do," West said.

by **Valentine Z** » Tue Jul 04, 2023 11:10 am

Part 3 – A Change of Mechanics.

Chief Aviator Gwen Tracer Hepburn “Fate of Existence and the Omniverse” Ellen Trixie Caitlin Foxworthy Avril Verlene Eveline Celinda Sammy Doris T-Rev Oxton Arielle Lindall Leslie Vitesse Allison gleefully looked at the results, as she always wanted to do. With no NSSCRA in the way, she was free to focus on basketball and her team for as long as she wanted. Though, thanks to her powers, time is no longer something that she needs to think too very hard on, and that while almost everyone has a limited amount of time per day, Gwen could get away with spending a countless number of eternities, all in the blink of an eye of a passer-by. Case in point, she has the time to prepare and talk to her team, the time to visit Valentine Z and help everyone with the day-to-day operations, and of course, visiting the other countries - especially the ones where they play sports together with. They were amazing sights as ever, though mainly because Gwen has not lost that love and fascination she has over the other worlds, even after travelling for so long. On top of all that, she also has been involved in a couple of clean-up and janitorial jobs, mostly in other worlds where, to put it plainly, fights and action sequences are at an abundance. With that, naturally comes the need for a janitor that can commit 100% of their time to clean up the messes, both big and small, tame or gory to the point of no return. Gwen was always there to do it at the end of the day, with the inhabitants not questioning her work, and instead paying her well in whatever they asked of her. However, for the time being, perhaps it would have been prudent to focus on one of the things in particular, or Sixty of them, to be very precise. As it would turn out, the Sixty are in due for an upgrade to their defensive and offensive infrastructure in order to keep up with the Valentian Armed Forces, and because it was such an antiquated mess from the decades ago. Thus, together with a more precise and elegant change to the statistics, some are getting new weapons and abilities.

Valentijn “De Sierlijke en Vrij Valkyrie General ov Valentine Z” Samantha Maxwell Delta Weston Stijn Angelus Tracey Mitchell Tristian Marnix Basilisk Lewis Hyatt X. Constantine Sein Lin Zaw Naing was the first volunteer to test out this particular new style of statistics, and it was particularly easy for her. For one, her abilities and weaponry did not need a lot of upgrading, and rather, perhaps to keep it balanced and to make it lighter and easier for her, a few of the abilities have been taken out. The others in The Sixty will also be given more creative weapons, once again both to update the defensive forces and personnel, as well as to make it more futuristic with a few elements of magic. For Valentijn, it was a good day, what with the weapon upgrades, coupled with the good news that Gwen’s Angels have once again won all of the 7 games, and especially with the reserves from the previous season not showing any signs of slowing down just yet. With 3 more qualifier matches to go, Gwen, along with Valentijn, are more than confident that their national team will be able to push further in the finals, and perhaps even a victory.

”Gameplay” Stats and Abilities

Valkyrie Valentijn is an all-rounded character, and for her size, she is considered to be way too overpowered beyond her usual peers and when compared against the other Valentian personnel and troops. It is this advantage that puts her on the frontlines, as she desires so, with a large anti-tank (and perhaps even anti-fortress) rifle, on top of a large sledgehammer that she uses to cause massive tremors. Valentijn has a massive health pool of 250,000 HP.

Weapons and Equipment

Primary Weapon: Valkyrie Solothurn S31-4000

"Piercing though multiple rows of foes, Valkyrie Valentijn made sure that the frontlines are hers."
Valkyrie Solothurn S31-4000, perhaps a nod to the man's obsession with anything that is Valkyrie-related. The weapon still has the design and mechanisms of its original counterpart, except that it fires energy from the rounds (which in turn are now capacitors instead of carrying gunpowder). A massive weapon made for and only for Valentijn to shoot without a problem and dislocation. It has a massive damage of 100,000 per shot, at 2 rounds shot per second, effective DPS at 200,000, it took many to output the same amount of DPS that Valentijn can do simply from firing it. The gun’s specifications are as follows: Mass - 8 449 645 kg (empty); Length - 115 m; Barrel length - 75 m; Cartridge - 1000 mm × 7450 mm Solidus Capacitors; Caliber - 1000 mm; Action - Semi-automatic; Muzzle velocity - 250 000 000 m/s; Feed system - 60 rounds; Rate of Fire - 120 BPM; Scope - 5x, 10x, 20x, 40x, 100x

Secondary weapon: 2400-tonnes Sledgehammer
"A good smash will pulverize anything, imagine a much larger hammer. With this hammer, your nails will very soon cease to be."
A large sledgehammer that can more or less disintegrate anything that Valentijn decided to smash down on. The hammer has a passive effect whereby, upon being slammed down, unleashes a wave of energy and tremors that damages enemies in a cone, as well as slowing them down. The damage varies from 60,000 to 100 and the slowing from 30% to 5%, highest at the epicentre and lowest at the 40 meters distance. 1.5 hits/sec for 90,000 DPS.

Passives

Good Radiation
"Stand fest and tall in the battlefield, Valentijn. Protect your people not from comfort of your bunker, but from the frontlines and inspiring many. Your footprints also make good trenches and foxholes."
A converter in the form of an amulet that turns Valentijn's harmful radiation to that of a healing and positive one. 1% of maximum HP healed per second to Valentijn herself, and with 2% of maximum HP healed per second to the allies around her. Her healing radius scales with her height, the default of her 117 meters height bringing about a healing radius of 90 meters. The amount healed is fixed regardless of distance the target is away from Valentijn.

Husband-Wife Tag Team
"Valentine Z and everyone in it? Yes. However, there is nothing in this world more valuable than Clarissa. And I intend to keep it that way." - Valkyrie Valentijn Samantha Constantine
When Clarissa is around Valentijn in a 30 meter radius, Valentijn has an increase of Maximum HP from 250,000 to 524,288, as well as a +1.0% hit points regeneration rate. This effect stays the same as long as the two are within radius, and does not decrease or increase with distance. This ability’s health regeneration stacks with Good Radiation, and will stay on even if Nuclear Fortitude has been activated, but prone to anti-healing debuffs and abilities.

Living Armor
In her time of need, her armour adapts accordingly and focuses on where she needs protection the most. Not surprisingly, at the end of the day, she would remark about how heavy her helmet was.
A “living” layer of hardened materials controlled from her armours’ computers, 5% of the damage taken would be absorbed into 5% damage resistance, giving up to 35% damage resistance. Each armour stack lasts 10 seconds.

Actives

Seismic Slam
"It's important to know when to put your foot down."
Valentijn stomps the ground around her, causing 20000-50 damage to enemies in a 100 meter radius, with 40000 direct damage dealt to the epicentre (which is around 10 meters radius). Anyone caught in the radius is stunned for a maximum of 80% of their movement speed, as well as being stunned for a maximum of 4 seconds. Both of these traits are inversely proportional to how far targets are from the epicentre. May also cause internal bleeding.

Nuclear Fortitude
"I'll burn myself and everyone around me if I believe that I can catch you in my flames."
Nullifying her amulet, Valentijn unleashes a wave of radiation, with 8% of enemy's maximum HP drained in a 100 meter radius over time. The enemies' health, however, will stops draining when enemy's HP is at 1, necessitating a killing blow. For Valentijn’s allies, they will have 4% of their maximum GP drained in a 100 meter radius. The skill cannot be cancelled midway once it's being used, and Valentijn herself is immune to the effects of the radiation.

by **South Newlandia** » Tue Jul 04, 2023 12:45 pm

Cutoff for matchday seven.

Group A
All games held @SkyDome Arena, Cotmond

The Jovannic 84–71 Atheara
Drawkland 76–71 United States of Devonta
Hannasea 112–58 Katterimunk

 Group A                       Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
1 Hannasea                       7    6   1   647  427 +220    0.857
2 Drawkland                      7    5   2   534  498  +36    0.714
3 Katterimunk                    7    4   3   517  584  −67    0.571
4 The Jovannic                   7    3   4   500  535  −35    0.429
5 Atheara                        7    3   4   518  537  −19    0.429
6 United States of Devonta       7    0   7   442  577 −135    0.000

Group B
All games held @Thunderdome Stadium, Ipheburn

Muralos 77–83 Abanhfleft
Kamijiro 73–67 The Spartan Dominion
HUElavia 49–67 Ko-oren

 Group B                       Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
1 Muralos                        7    5   2   528  482  +46    0.714
2 Kamijiro                       7    5   2   533  505  +28    0.714
3 Abanhfleft                     7    4   3   538  528  +10    0.571
4 Ko-oren                        7    4   3   534  472  +62    0.571
5 HUElavia                       7    2   5   487  536  −49    0.286
6 The Spartan Dominion           7    1   6   458  555  −97    0.143

Group C
All games held @Phoenix Arena, Vrord

United Adaikes 76–82 Banija
New Dascos 90–84 Chromatika
Poafmersia 63–59 Dod Rava

 Group C                       Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
1 Banija                         7    7   0   579  483  +96    1.000
2 Poafmersia                     7    5   2   523  513  +10    0.714
3 Chromatika                     7    4   3   572  512  +60    0.571
4 United Adaikes                 7    2   5   480  528  −48    0.286
5 New Dascos                     7    2   5   510  558  −48    0.286
6 Dod Rava                       7    1   6   472  542  −70    0.143

Group D
All games held @Stellar Center, Chedo City

Southwest Eastnorth 74–89 Ealdracaland
Trolleborg 90–80 Lisander
TJUN-ia 88–52 Torisakia

 Group D                       Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
1 TJUN-ia                        7    6   1   545  438 +107    0.857
2 Trolleborg                     7    6   1   554  460  +94    0.857
3 Lisander                       7    3   4   535  549  −14    0.429
4 Ealdracaland                   7    2   5   496  540  −44    0.286
5 Southwest Eastnorth            7    2   5   475  534  −59    0.286
6 Torisakia                      7    2   5   472  556  −84    0.286

(O.O) · by **TJUN-ia** » Tue Jul 04, 2023 3:11 pm

After we got revenge, in style, the Hoops-Jagaurs of TJUN-ia were now 5-1 and feeling a lot better about themselves as a basketball team - which is nice to see! Beating Lisander, at long last, was a pretty big deal for a team chasing the top spot in the group and Bao Zhou could feel that his team was rediscovering some of the old magic from long ago. This team is just continuing to roll right now and while everyone knew that things can certainly change in this sport, things were looking pretty good. But would that last?

Up next would be our 2nd meeting with Torisakia, who we beat by 28 on MD2 as an act of bouncing back. We were expecting these guys to come back stronger in order to push for a 3rd win of the campaign, but...it just didn't happen. And we were why. We simply took over, with Ali Jaffer and Jimena Siena simply imperious in the 1st half and while Torisakia certainly tried to do something, they were no match - which is OK. We won 88-52, a 36 point demolition job that certainly made some sort of statement.

Just keep winning, just keep winning - that's what we're doing right now, but we have to keep going. Ealdracaland are next...another one we have to try and knock off. GO HOOPS-JAGS!

SCHEDULE (Group D, Stellar Center, Chedo City, Katterimunk)
MD1: vs Lisander (29) (H) L 67-75 (4th/0-1)
MD2: vs Torisakia (UR) (A) W 92-64 (3rd/1-1)
MD3: vs Ealdracaland (UR) (H) W 80-62 (2nd/2-1)
MD4: vs Trolleborg (13) (H) W 72-66 (1st/3-1)
MD5: vs Southwest Eastnorth (37) (A) W 69-62 (1st/4-1)
MD6: vs Lisander (29) (A) W 77-57 (2nd/5-1)
MD7: vs Torisakia (UR) (H) W 88-52 (1st/6-1)
MD8: vs Ealdracaland (UR) (A)
MD9: vs Trolleborg (13) (A)
MD10: vs Southwest Eastnorth (37) (H)

by **Pemecutan** » Wed Jul 05, 2023 8:38 am

Pemecutan Basketball League
Men's League

Regular Season

Sixth Week - Wariga

Pos   Club                 Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD   Pts 
 1 PBU Ubung                18   14   4  1450 1290 +160    28
 2 SBJ Jematang             18   13   5  1364 1294  +70    26
 3 Pebasmal Abiansemal      18   12   6  1485 1381 +104    24
 4 SOB Balun                18   12   6  1403 1353  +50    24
 5 KBC Campuhan             18   11   7  1423 1341  +82    22
 6 Sebasdu Pedungan         18   10   8  1413 1300 +113    20
 7 SOP Peguyangan           18   10   8  1424 1376  +48    20
 8 Sebaskep Kepaon          18   10   8  1414 1376  +38    20
 9 KBK Kerobokan            18   10   8  1374 1351  +23    20
10 SBS Satria               18   10   8  1380 1383   −3    20
11 KBM Mengwi               18    7  11  1309 1407  −98    14
12 Sebastang Petang         18    6  12  1353 1444  −91    12
13 SOG Gerenceng            18    5  13  1344 1458 −114    10
14 Kobasnur Sanur           18    5  13  1412 1531 −119    10
15 PBK Kesiman              18    5  13  1314 1433 −119    10
16 SBC Canggu               18    4  14  1305 1449 −144     8

In the start of the second half of the regular season, Sebasdu Pedungan end its winning streak in the 17th week after a losing match against Kobasnur Sanur. On the other hand, SBJ Jematang made a surprise result by winning all of their matches and placed at second place below PBU Ubung who continue to lead the table. KBK Kerobokan fall out of the top 4 after 3 losing streak in the week. They stayed at 9th place even outside the top 8 for play-off qualification.

On the bottom table, SBC Canggu fall back to the bottom position after 3 losing matches. While all 3 clubs above them made the same results of 2 wins and 1 lose. They were SOG Gerenceng, Kobasnur Sanur and PBK Kesiman.

Seventh Week - Warigadean

Pos   Club                 Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD   Pts
 1 PBU Ubung                21   16   5  1682 1511 +171    32
 2 SOB Balun                21   14   7  1641 1576  +65    28
 3 SBJ Jematang             21   14   7  1585 1532  +53    28
 4 Sebasdu Pedungan         21   13   8  1653 1510 +143    26
 5 SOP Peguyangan           21   13   8  1655 1594  +61    26
 6 Pebasmal Abiansemal      21   12   9  1694 1620  +74    24
 7 KBC Campuhan             21   12   9  1657 1584  +73    24
 8 KBK Kerobokan            21   12   9  1618 1591  +27    24
 9 Sebaskep Kepaon          21   11  10  1657 1611  +46    22
10 KBM Mengwi               21   10  11  1600 1635  −35    20
11 SBS Satria               21   10  11  1607 1648  −41    20
12 Sebastang Petang         21    8  13  1583 1676  −93    16
13 SOG Gerenceng            21    7  14  1605 1684  −79    14
14 PBK Kesiman              21    7  14  1555 1671 −116    14
15 Kobasnur Sanur           21    5  16  1619 1781 −162    10
16 SBC Canggu               21    4  17  1515 1702 −187     8

SOB Balun finally climbs up to the top 2 of the table despite only winning 2 out of 3 matches in the week. While PBU Ubung stay strong at the top of the table. They slowly distance themselves from the other. Until the end of the week, they have led with 4 points difference than the second placement. Completed the top 4 were SBJ Jematang who drop 1 position from the previous week and Sebasdu Pedungan who made another comeback with 3 wins. On the other hand, Pebasmal Abiansemal have to drop to 6th place after a bad result this week. They were losing all of their matches.

In the lower table, SBC Canggu stay at the bottom after another 3 losing matches. The same faith was also happened to Kobasnur Sanur which made them drop 1 position to 15th place. While PBK Kesiman and SOG Gerenceng drove away from the bottom 2 with 4 points difference with Sanur. Gerenceng still continue their better in points difference to get a higher position than PBK Kesiman.

Eighth Week - Julungwangi

Pos   Club                 Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD   Pts
 1 PBU Ubung                24   19   5  1936 1714 +222    38
 2 SOB Balun                24   16   8  1886 1812  +74    32
 3 SBJ Jematang             24   16   8  1813 1750  +63    32
 4 Sebasdu Pedungan         24   15   9  1900 1745 +155    30
 5 SOP Peguyangan           24   14  10  1879 1837  +42    28
 6 Pebasmal Abiansemal      24   13  11  1947 1837 +110    26
 7 Sebaskep Kepaon          24   13  11  1909 1852  +57    26
 8 KBC Campuhan             24   13  11  1871 1819  +52    26
 9 KBK Kerobokan            24   12  12  1832 1862  −30    24
10 SBS Satria               24   11  13  1856 1895  −39    22
11 KBM Mengwi               24   11  13  1829 1886  −57    22
12 Sebastang Petang         24   10  14  1809 1891  −82    20
13 PBK Kesiman              24    9  15  1788 1883  −95    18
14 SOG Gerenceng            24    8  16  1829 1925  −96    16
15 SBC Canggu               24    6  18  1759 1935 −176    12
16 Kobasnur Sanur           24    6  18  1805 2005 −200    12

In the eighth week, the position of the top 7 was not changed at all. And PBU Ubung even increase their gap with the second placement. They were 6 points difference now than the second place, SOB Balun. While in the qualification line, Sebaskep Kepaon was success to slip through the line after 2 wins and 1 lose week. In the bottom place, Kobasnur Sanur fall to the bottom position again as they were scoring 1 win and 2 loses. While SBC Canggu was able to climb one position despite having the same point as Sanur. They success to win 2 of their 3 matches this week. Both wins were from high-ranking clubs, KBC Campuhan and KBK Kerobokan.

After this week, the league was in 3 weeks break because of the holy week celebration of Galungan and Kuningan.

Ninth Week - Langkir

Pos   Club                 Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD   Pts
 1 PBU Ubung                27   22   5  2176 1915 +261    44
 2 SOB Balun                27   19   8  2118 2014 +104    38
 3 Sebasdu Pedungan         27   18   9  2127 1939 +188    36
 4 SBJ Jematang             27   17  10  2039 1988  +51    34
 5 KBC Campuhan             27   15  12  2116 1998 +118    30
 6 SOP Peguyangan           27   15  12  2134 2077  +57    30
 7 Sebaskep Kepaon          27   15  12  2137 2089  +48    30
 8 Pebasmal Abiansemal      27   14  13  2197 2070 +127    28
 9 KBK Kerobokan            27   13  14  2071 2091  −20    26
10 KBM Mengwi               27   12  15  2049 2107  −58    24
11 SBS Satria               27   12  15  2045 2139  −94    24
12 PBK Kesiman              27   11  16  2018 2116  −98    22
13 Sebastang Petang         27   10  17  2011 2127 −116    20
14 SOG Gerenceng            27    8  19  2010 2171 −161    16
15 Kobasnur Sanur           27    8  19  2029 2253 −224    16
16 SBC Canggu               27    7  20  1990 2173 −183    14

Despite retain their 6 points difference than the second place, PBU Ubung's position at the top of the table was still not secure. They still could be toppled based on the points difference. Sebasdu Pedungan finally reached the top 3 after take over SBJ Jematang who got a worse result this week. While KBC Campuhan success to climb up to the 5th place. On the other hand, Pebasmal Abiansemal drop another 2 places to the 8th place. They were exactly at the qualification line with only 2 points differentiate them with the 9th place, KBK Kerobokan.

In the bottom table, SBC Canggu went back to the bottom table after only winning 1 of their matches. While PBK Kesiman climb up above the lower 4 position making Sebastang Petang struggling in the bottom placement together with SOG Gerenceng and Kobasnur Sanur.

Tenth Week - Medangsia

Pos   Club                 Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD   Pts
 1 PBU Ubung                30   24   6  2410 2146 +264    48   Play-off
 2 SOB Balun                30   22   8  2349 2218 +131    44   Play-off
 3 Sebasdu Pedungan         30   20  10  2364 2172 +192    40   Play-off
 4 SBJ Jematang             30   19  11  2252 2188  +64    38   Play-off
 5 Pebasmal Abiansemal      30   16  14  2448 2291 +157    32   Play-off
 6 Sebaskep Kepaon          30   16  14  2381 2322  +59    32   Play-off
 7 SOP Peguyangan           30   16  14  2367 2323  +44    32   Play-off
 8 KBK Kerobokan            30   16  14  2319 2317   +2    32   Play-off
 9 KBC Campuhan             30   15  15  2325 2234  +91    30
10 KBM Mengwi               30   13  17  2296 2359  −63    26
11 SBS Satria               30   13  17  2271 2362  −91    26
12 PBK Kesiman              30   12  18  2215 2333 −118    24
13 Sebastang Petang         30   11  19  2230 2394 −164    22
14 Kobasnur Sanur           30   10  20  2257 2459 −202    20
15 SOG Gerenceng            30    9  21  2231 2413 −182    18
16 SBC Canggu               30    8  22  2247 2431 −184    16

PBU Ubung finally confirmed their winning of the regular season in the 28th match day after retaining their 6 points differences against the second place with only 2 matches left. Sadly, they have to lose their last match of the regular season against SBS Satria. The loose break the winning streak that they held from the 17th match day. Pebasmal Abiansemal was save and enter the play-off after finished 5th despite only winning 2 of their matches. Elsewhere, KBC Campuhan have to satisfied finished 9th after a devastating week. They lose all of their matches and failed to qualify for the play-off.

Play-off Quarterfinal

PBU Ubung (1) v KBK Kerobokan (8)
SOB Balun (2) v SOP Peguyangan (7)
Sebasdu Pedungan (3) v Sebaskep Kepaon (6)
SBJ Jematang (4) v Pebasmal Abiansemal (5)

The play-off will be played in best-of-3 games. All the matches are held in a neutral ground.

by **Kamijiro** » Wed Jul 05, 2023 9:09 pm

Back on track...?

Well, it's been a few days since the absolute obliteration of the Lightning basketball team at the hands of Muralos. The team had ample time to regroup and re-think once again, and had a familiar opponent ready to go for the next game - The Spartan Dominion. The teams faced off in the second matchday in the group, a game with the Kamijiroans won with ease, smashing the Spartans by 26 points. However, this time was different. The Lightning had no momentum on their side coming into the game, and quite frankly, it was plain to see why. Nobody seemed interested in playing following the absolutely shambolic display against Muralos, and despite the excellent pep talk from Glen Richmond Sr. and Kaminari Xanthus I, it was once again clear that the Kamijiroans were going to make this hard on themselves.

The very same team that the Kamijiroans annihilated in gameday two gave the Lightning a heart attack, as the game came down to end-of-regulation fouling and free throws. A six point win is still an important notch in the win column, but considering the previous result against the same team, does not necessarily bode well for the next few games. A rematch with sixth-ranked Ko-oren is up next, a team which the Lightning were able to squeak by in their first matchup. This is a very good team and they will definitely try to exploit the low confidence of the Kamijiroans in the next match. However, the ever-confident Kaminari Xanthus I seems to be brimming with confidence, even if his team doesn't match it.

The previous match's results are below:

Matchday: 7
Opponent: The Spartan Dominion
Result: Kamijiro 73 @ The Spartan Dominion 67

-- Stat Leaders for Kamijiro --
Points: Leonardo Prince (18 points)
Rebounds: Kaminari Xanthus I (8 rebounds)
Assists: C. Jackson & K. Xanthus I (4 assists)
Blocks: Kaminari Xanthus I (2 blocks)
Steals: C. Jackson & K. Xanthus I (2 steals)
Threes: Eijiro Watanabe (3 threes)
Free Throws: Leonardo Prince (3 free throws)

Player                   PTS | REB | AST | BLK | STL | 3PM | FTM
Kaminari Xanthus I       118 |  54 |  21 |  17 |  10 |   6 |  19
Eijiro Watanabe           90 |  18 |  19 |   1 |   8 |  21 |   4
Leonardo Prince           66 |  34 |  28 |   2 |   8 |   7 |  10
Eddie Kitamura            59 |  19 |  10 |   0 |   2 |   4 |   9
Michael Silva             68 |  14 |  11 |   1 |   4 |   5 |  17
Phil Purdom               21 |  20 |   5 |   3 |   4 |   5 |   2
Christopher Jackson       25 |  17 |  20 |   0 |  10 |   0 |   8
Ryō Nakajima              35 |  16 |   9 |   0 |   1 |   3 |   8
Gino Francis              24 |  34 |   5 |   0 |   0 |   1 |   3
Mickael Francis           17 |  14 |   2 |   3 |   1 |   0 |   7
João Vieira                7 |   5 |   2 |   0 |   1 |   0 |   0
Ryuji Kitamura             3 |   6 |   1 |   0 |   1 |   0 |   0

by **Quebec and Shingoryeo** » Wed Jul 05, 2023 11:04 pm

Mauril Yoon - Part 2

Bonneville, Yoseo-Manitoba.
4 Years Ago...

'Man, can you actually believe? That Ike, our man, got married?' Mauril Yoon asked his good friend, Isidore Apio, as they sat next to the SUV they had rented for the course of wedding week in Bonneville. This was something that had crept up in both their Mid-westerners' minds in the weeks leading up to their friend's wedding: in their Fuwa group chats (Fuwa is a Zeta Rekan equivalent of Discord), voice chats and god forbid, their small, comfortable YourNeWorld Sports community (YNW is yes, IC version of NationStates). Mauril knew Isidore was near one of his own, especially with how promising his co-habitation with Juliette Niclin, his partner of three years, had been turning out, and deep inside he was jealous of how his friends, even at age twenty-four, had started to marry and move onto the advanced chapters of their twenties.

Besides when you, who had just finished a postgraduate degree at Northwestern University in his hometown Attawapiskat, had to figure out your next steps of a career (more like any career), watching your friends a year or two older settle and getting married did have you think a fair bit. While Mauril knew that he could hold out and apply for next several months, perhaps lasting into the New Year, he knew he wasn't exactly in the most convenient of situations especially after all that had turned out. It only brought further sense of hurry that he admittedly wasn't ready for.

'You know, bruh, I don't. And to say we could actually believe Ike's getting married? That would be us lying to one another,' Isidore smiled back at him, as they chuckled. He then turned down the stereo volume, where the local country music station would play an old tune. 'Now with that, you know, let's switch into a new tune,' said Isidore as he plugged his phone. Mauril fell quiet, just nodding to Isidore's suggestion. 'May as well,' was all that he said, as he continued looking into the fair streets of Bonneville in mid-June.

As they drove out of the city's Downtown and into the highway, he felt the previous week flash before his eyes. The groomsmen and their party were in middle of the frenzy, one where the doses of age had worn away some of their earlier-life streaks of fire and fury, but instead brought chitters and chatters of amusement into the fireside. Anyone who would drive or sail past this crew of five to seven in the city of 250,000 - that meant half the size of Prince Eric but beyond the size of Fort Lowe, another college sports paradise - would notice how quickly these practical strangers would develop a sense of bond, that of camaraderie and shared common ground over their friend, a certain Ike Sorin Salgado of Montevicio who had once called this plateau city home. This was something that Mauril, the native of Attawapiskat the city of legendary Zenit and Nuggets basketball teams, would find himself early into the week in relief and without a doubt immersed himself into it.

'Is it crazy if I am still not over Dora Cuaron?' It was then that Mauril asked Isidore out of blue, reminding him about what he had mentioned at Ike's wedding. Very few had known about this, but Mauril saw a life flash his eyes upon the sight of Dora Cuaron, the best man's sister whose smile warmed hearts and flowery dress reminded of flower gardens. It was right before the start of Ike's wedding ceremony when they had first met and talked briefly, and all seemed like a man's passing through the flower gardens, as if he himself had felt nothing major were to happen. 'You know, sometimes things just...'

And like that the ceremony itself proceeded, with the bride and the groom entering into the holy matrimony under the outdoor blessing of all. It was all jolly and good occasion, with the heat of the night and the music keeping the people satisfied and delightful. But what he had not expected was the aftertaste of the wedding. As the convertible had left the farm, with the flower petals draped over by everybody still remaining, Mauril would notice the smell the flowers that had passed him. After realising that there was no flower that could remind his nostrils, he would close his eyes then. In the closure of his eyes he would feel the flash dating from the moment he met Dora to ten years ago, and had noticed his heart sunk.

'No, you are not crazy over it.' answered Isidore, him carefully steering the wheels of the SUV. Fortunately the mid-June was every bit pleasant for those visiting the beautiful city of Bonneville, the land of plateaus in the heart of city, the Hangazesque highlands from a distance, and every bit pleasant. But Isidore also knew that his friend, who were both aloof and effective with his words, held his mind halfway in the skies, especially now that the celebrations have ended and it was their time to go east and home. With his friend, the return to life's probably what's needed to ease upon the chain of what-ifs. 'And with time, it will all be alright.' He added.

This gave Mauril a slight sense of relief. 'The sky cannot look any bluer, can't it?' said Mauril, his eyes still on the road to the right. He was still feeling the blues of the previous night, and felt slight weight of what's going to be a lengthy way back that would involve layover at Anju, but for now the blue hues of the sky could cover his head a bit. 'Like...how beautiful the woods would be in the majesty of the rolling mountains, and the skies that likely is closer to the heavens if one tries to reach it.'

Isidore gently nodded. 'You know, when else would we come here? A true lifetime opportunity it is. It really is.' He said.

by **Katterimunk** » Thu Jul 06, 2023 5:17 am

Matchday 8

Group E
All games held @ Aurora Arena, Inaspolis City

Rwekazaland 77–61 Cardenao
Kharakia 61–83 Pemecutan
Diarcesia 66–90 Valanora

  Group E                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
1 Pemecutan                  8    7   1   645  606  +39    0.875
2 Rwekazaland                8    6   2   630  591  +39    0.750
3 Valanora                   8    5   3   651  558  +93    0.625
4 Cardenao                   8    3   5   612  610   +2    0.375
5 Kharakia                   8    2   6   590  672  −82    0.250
6 Diarcesia                  8    1   7   583  674  −91    0.125

Group F
All games held @ Eclipse Pavillion, Acrehull

Nordic Airland 72–97 Benjium
Sarzonia 60–81 Valentine Z
Gran Saguaro 84–77 Græntfjall

  Group F                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
1 Valentine Z                8    8   0   713  539 +174    1.000
2 Sarzonia                   8    4   4   643  615  +28    0.500
3 Græntfjall                 8    4   4   645  619  +26    0.500
4 Gran Saguaro               8    4   4   627  631   −4    0.500
5 Benjium                    8    3   5   582  638  −56    0.375
6 Nordic Airland             8    1   7   566  734 −168    0.125

Group G
All games held @ Galaxy Arena, Ancehaul

Sinyal 70–73 Equestria
Delaclava 70–59 Eraman
Qubec and Shingoryeo 97–58 Macbon

  Group G                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
1 Qubec and Shingoryeo       8    8   0   715  539 +176    1.000
2 Delaclava                  8    7   1   652  554  +98    0.875
3 Macbon                     8    4   4   597  626  −29    0.500
4 Equestria                  8    3   5   552  607  −55    0.375
5 Eraman                     8    1   7   551  632  −81    0.125
6 Sinyal                     8    1   7   548  657 −109    0.125

Group H
All games held @ Prism Court, Stritstead

Qasden 73–84 Nova Anglicana
Juvencus 77–73 Libonesia
Kronbia 76–58 Cassadaigua

  Group H                  Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
1 Nova Anglicana             8    8   0   679  529 +150    1.000
2 Juvencus                   8    6   2   629  600  +29    0.750
3 Cassadaigua                8    4   4   606  597   +9    0.500
4 Kronbia                    8    4   4   610  649  −39    0.500
5 Qasden                     8    2   6   572  641  −69    0.250
6 Libonesia                  8    0   8   581  661  −80    0.000

Next cutoff on 08/06/2023 at 9-11 AM UTC

by **Banija** » Thu Jul 06, 2023 9:03 am

Part I- Election Basics
Part II- The Issues
Part III- The Parties

The Busukuma Post
Covering All of Banija, All of our News, All of the Time

Election Day Live Blog

A woman casts her ballot in Herzegovina City

BUSUKUMA, NATIONAL CAPITOL REGION- We are finally here! It's Election Day. People are lining up to vote all across the country! There's no point in holding back- without further ado!

Voting Day

7:00 AM- Remember, all polling stations are mandated to be open for a total of 15 hours- minimum of 7 AM to 10 PM here on Election Day. The whole country resides in the same time zone, of course, so that is how this day will work. Lines galore! Votes are being cast!

7:01 AM- Reminder on how Banijan elections work. Voters get one vote- but that vote applies to both their constituency, and their national proportional vote share. Half the seats are constituency (300 seats, divvied among the country's regions), and 300 are won via the national PR share. The other interesting thing- vvoting happens on one day, with counting on the next day. With modern technology, maybe we don't need to do that anymore... But the tradition holds!

7:30 AM- These early morning lines are reported as long across the entire country! No problems reported anywhere yet- but of course, we've got an entire election day ahead of us. The longest lines the chopper has seen are in Istria- traditionally part of the conservative heartlands of the country. Is the city going to continue a left-ward turn?

8:15 AM- Let's take a look at what each party has done to close out their campaign, shall we? The LDA, unsurprisingly, held a rally in the rural parts of Aksum- trying to make headway among some of those northern, rural nationalists. They traditionally go to the PPM- But the LDA feels confident that, for the first time, they can be the winner in a region. Can it happen?

8:30 AM- Of course, these sorts of elections are won and lost on the swing regions. It is Kitara and Hangaza that are the country's ultimate swing regions- although don't discount either of Buganda or Bunyoro going back and forth, despite their ruralness. The big parties focused in those areas. The PPM held their final election rally in the growing Hangaza capitol of Aissa, what is now the 6th largest city in all of Banija. Well-known for the Yue community centered there, the first ever Yue national is expected to be elected into the Lukiiko today, as part of that party. Can they make gains in Hangaza?

8:40 AM- The CRU, meanwhile, is looking to defend its largest party status. And where did they go? Banija's fastest growing region- Kitara. Of course, there's major population growth everywhere, but with 100 extra seats up for grabs for the first time in the Lukiiko, all eyes are on Kitara. Xolile Lubabalo rallied in Sisonke, saying that "we need to protect our healthcare reforms."

8:55 AM- Meanwhile, the BPC rallied, unsurprisingly, in Busukuma. Most left-wing part of the country- shore up the base?

9:20 AM- The Radical Republicans, as they do every election, rallied in protest of their electoral ban from the ballot box in Banija. They, of course, are banned because they are anti-Banija's constitutional principles (secularize fully, overthrow the monarchy, wealth re-distribution, etc..) Police report they have disrupted voting in Hoima but they continue onwards.

10:05 AM- Lines are shortening, as they tend to during the mid-day. In Banija- long lines in the morning and night, short lines in the afternoon. We'll see what happens from here...

Skipping ahead to 8:30 PM...

8:30 PM- At PPM HQ, there seems to be a bit of nervousness. One volunteer said that turnout wasn't looking too great- but that they were still confident. "The rumor has it that left-wingers vote late, but I think we'll be in pretty good shape." The volunteer said. Yet, another volunteer said that the turnout game looked poor in Kitara.

9:00 PM- We're going to have exit polls for you right at 10 PM. And they... Seem interesting. Just to let you know, we've seen the preliminary results. Of course, per electoral law, exit polls cannot be released until 10 PM- but they will, indeed, tell a curious story.

9:22 PM- Of course, in Banija, if you get in line by 10 PM, they will keep the line open and let you vote. There are a few places where lines are going to extend for quite a while. Both Herzegovina City and Mynda are going to have lines open late- in Mynda, particularly, a power surge cost a voting station time for half an hour, so the end time to get in line in Mynda is 11 PM, not 10 PM.

9:35 PM- There seems to be increased urban turnout. Is that good for the Banijan left? Not necessarily, one would say. Cities in the Northwest part of the country, particularly Moravica and Aksum, seem to trend conservative- although, of course, parts of the country that are younger tend to trend more left-wing. What does that mean? We'll have to see.

10:00 PM- 10 PM! Polling places are taking in the last voters, at least everywhere but Mynda, and around the country, voters need to be getting in line at this specific moment- or else they will not be allowed to vote. Let's release our exit polling, shall we? First, our issues.

Do you think the country is going in the right direction economically?
Yes- 51%
No- 45%
Don't Know- 4%

Do you believe that the country needs to secularize so that it can modernize?
Yes- 27%
No- 72%

Do you approve of the job Xolile Lubabalo is doing at Katikkiro?
Yes- 52%
No- 47%

Do you like the Orange Shield healthcare plan?
Yes- 49%
No- 48%
Don't Know- 3%

Do you believe the Banijan Esportivan Territories should be allowed to elect members to the Lukiiko?
Yes- 71%
No- 28%

Should Banija have universal healthcare, with a single-payer system?
Yes- 49%
No- 49%

Should the Government work to increase the number of immigrants into the country?
Yes- 72%
No- 27%

Should Banijans living abroad be allowed to vote in Banijan elections?
Yes- 51%
No- 44%

Do you consider yousrelf more right or left of center?
Right- 54%
Left- 45%

11:45 PM- Due to changes in electoral law, of course, we cannot release the exit poll results of the actual polls until the morning- to be fair to any polling stations with long lines.

What will those say? You tell me. Come back and find out tomorrow night at our Count Day Blog!

Other News
- At IBC 38, Banija triumphed over the United Adaikes with a close, 6 point win- 82-76. The Banijans improved to 7-0 on the tournament, and inched closer to punching their ticket into the knockout stages.
- With Chromatika's loss to New Dascos, a Banijan win over Poafmersia on MD8 would not only put us into the KOs with two games to go- but would win us the group outright with two games to go. "That's always the goal, topping the group, getting ourselves a high seed." Laboto told reporters. "We're going to give Poafmersia everything we got, and punch our tickets with two games remaining- allow for some squad rotation the last two games, to ensure that we are as fresh as possible for the knocout stages of this tournament."

by **Trolleborg** » Thu Jul 06, 2023 9:50 am

Greetings, compatriots!
It's TTV from the Stellar Center at Chedo. Our national basketball team played here games of the IBC group stage, and did it by way which is pleased by her many fans.

In the seventh round of the group stage, Lisander's team, an ancient and respected basketball power, was opponent for our basketball players. Opponent's team went to this tournament in the process of restructuring, with a new and not very experienced head coach, whose appointment the press was surprised, but at the same time they started with +8 in the duel with the group's favorite TJUN-ia. But then Lisander's path was slippery and difficult, and our basketball players also contributed to this, having won in the first round with a difference of 25 points. Lisander's team approached our second meeting with 3 wins and 3 losses, having just suffered from TJUN-ia, who took a convincing revenge. And from the first second after the starting whistle they rushed forward in an attempt to win sympathies of fortune to their side. It was a difficult match for our team, we must admit, and Vladimir Finn, judging by his reaction and behavior, had to worry a big bit. This time he gave orders especially loudly, gesticulated and almost did not sit down at all, preferring to be as close as possible to the events. Which is understandable: for the first five minutes, his team somehow receded, moved overcautiously and evaded the fight, and as a result ended up with -7 points. Fortunately, then the national leader managed to turn the tide of the match, and not even by substitutions, but by some other means of influence. Luan Villanova, who caused so many problems in the first minutes, was successfully excluded from the game, and when Christian Meyer replaced him, our basketball players also excluded him too. This relieved the pressure on our team, at least partially. In physical readiness the rivals in this duel were approximately equal, but things looked like if in tactical preparation our team turned out to be stronger. The ardor and motivation of the Lisanderites allowed them to stay not so far all the time, but, by and large, they could not offer something else for the time being. Although all the time not letting our team relax, since the first quarter Lisander's team has never been able to take the lead in the score. 90-80 by the final whistle - a hard but very much needed victory.

Our basketball players on the occasion of TJUN-ia's confident victory over Torisakia have lost their ephemeral leadership, but still retain second place in the table. We need at least one more win to guarantee a third consecutive playoff berth.

by **Sarzonia** » Thu Jul 06, 2023 12:10 pm

It’s one thing to lose a match you expected to win.

That was a feeling the Sarzonian national basketball team had twice previously, losing against lowly Benjium and a lower-ranked Gran Saguaro side that are currently among a three-team race for the second spot in the upper bracket in the 38th International Basketball Championships. Even their 10-point defeat to No. 4 Valentine Z saw Sarzonia gamely battle a higher-ranked foe to the bitter end.

It’s a whole different story losing a match where you had no chance in hell. Sarzonia faced that reality with a 80-61 defeat to Valentine Z that saw the Valentians officially wrap up the Group F crown and leave them potentially jockeying for a better seed.

The result dropped the Stars to 4-4, still in second place in the Group F table, though that position became vastly more precarious as the point differential advantage for Sarzonia over Græntfjall dropped to a mere two points at plus-28 for Sarzonia to plus-26 for the Super Wolves. Gran Saguaro joined the Stars and Super Wolves at 4-4, but their differential is minus-4.

Manager Joy Knight shook her head when she walked up to the dais in the media room. There wasn’t much she could say about her team’s effort. The Stars left it all on the court, but guard Mike West getting into early foul trouble with calls he’d complained were ticky-tack didn’t help matters. He fouled out with 8:31 left in the fourth quarter and Valentine Z ahead 64-55. West’s enforced departure took the wind out of Sarzonia’s final 12-0 run that cut a 21-point deficit to single digits.

West declined to address the officiating after the match, saying “it wouldn’t do be a damn bit of good.

“The officials weren’t the reason we lost today. They weren’t even a factor,” he said. “To say they were the decisive factor would be to disrespect our opponents, who thoroughly outplayed us tonight.”
Knight agreed with West’s assessment of their opponents.

“What can I say, there’s a reason Val Z are a top-four side in the sport,” she said. “We’ve got a long way to go.”
West led the Stars with 18 points on 7-for-18 shooting. Valentine Z outrebounded the Stars 52-28, and Knight lamented her team’s lack of movement, particularly after West fouled out.

“It’s not easy losing your best player. I get that,” she said. “But we need to keep battling and someone needs to step up. We need a next player up mentality for nights like tonight.”

The Stars are in the midst of their most critical stretch of the IBC group stage with Græntfjall up next and Gran Saguaro as the final group stage opponent. The Super Wolves themselves are the 10th ranked team in the basketball-playing multiverse, whilst Gran Saugaro are 30th. Sarzonia occupy the No. 23 rank.

“It’s real simple from here on out,” Knight said. “We’ve gotta get wins in our next two matches to make it elementary. We don’t want it to get down to a tiebreaker.”

by **South Newlandia** » Thu Jul 06, 2023 12:29 pm

CUtoff #8.

Group A
All games held @SkyDome Arena, Cotmond

Atheara 58–73 Hannasea
Katterimunk 66–74 Drawkland
United States of Devonta 76–84 The Jovannic

 Group A                       Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
1 Hannasea                       8    7   1   720  485 +235    0.875
2 Drawkland                      8    6   2   608  564  +44    0.750
3 Katterimunk                    8    4   4   583  658  −75    0.500
4 The Jovannic                   8    4   4   584  611  −27    0.500
5 Atheara                        8    3   5   576  610  −34    0.375
6 United States of Devonta       8    0   8   518  661 −143    0.000

Group B
All games held @Thunderdome Stadium, Ipheburn

Abanhfleft 87–77 HUElavia
Ko-oren 92–51 Kamijiro
The Spartan Dominion 77–75 Muralos

 Group B                       Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
1 Muralos                        8    5   3   603  559  +44    0.625
2 Abanhfleft                     8    5   3   625  605  +20    0.625
3 Ko-oren                        8    5   3   626  523 +103    0.625
4 Kamijiro                       8    5   3   584  597  −13    0.625
5 HUElavia                       8    2   6   564  623  −59    0.250
6 The Spartan Dominion           8    2   6   535  630  −95    0.250

Group C
All games held @Phoenix Arena, Vrord

Banija 74–66 Poafmersia
Dod Rava 79–72 New Dascos
Chromatika 63–62 United Adaikes

 Group C                       Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
1 Banija                         8    8   0   653  549 +104    1.000
2 Chromatika                     8    5   3   635  574  +61    0.625
3 Poafmersia                     8    5   3   589  587   +2    0.625
4 Dod Rava                       8    2   6   551  614  −63    0.250
5 United Adaikes                 8    2   6   542  591  −49    0.250
6 New Dascos                     8    2   6   582  637  −55    0.250

Group D
All games held @Stellar Center, Chedo City

Ealdracaland 59–67 TJUN-ia
Torisakia 78–67 Trolleborg
Lisander 83–77 Southwest Eastnorth

 Group D                       Pld    W   L    PF   PA   PD    Win % 
1 TJUN-ia                        8    7   1   612  497 +115    0.875
2 Trolleborg                     8    6   2   621  538  +83    0.750
3 Lisander                       8    4   4   618  626   −8    0.500
4 Torisakia                      8    3   5   550  623  −73    0.375
5 Ealdracaland                   8    2   6   555  607  −52    0.250
6 Southwest Eastnorth            8    2   6   552  617  −65    0.250

by **Banija** » Fri Jul 07, 2023 3:07 pm

@AllBanijaSportsMagazine Banija's 74-66 win over Poafmersia wins them Group B outright at the IBCs, while simultenously punching our ticket to the knockout stages. With two games left in group play, Oscar Laboto's goal is to 'finish the job'- he's not shy about a desire to go undefeated in group play. #IBC38

@BanijanHoops 8 AND 0! Can't ask for anything better than that, can we? Playoffs, here we come! But first- the rivalry with Chromatika. We'll face off against the Anaians tomorrow night at 9 PM!

@ObasieKhoza The Banijan tradition in this sport, and this tournament specifically, is deep. This 8-0 start continues in that tradition- but we ain't done. Far from it. Let's get win #9 tomorrow night! #BeatChrom

@IdiJula Hell yeah my boy @TijanMendy, 23 points off the bench to lead all scorers against Poafmersia! Go off son!!! #BeatChrom #IBC38

(O.O) · by **TJUN-ia** » Fri Jul 07, 2023 3:21 pm

After we tore Torisakia to shreds, the Hoops-Jaguars of TJUN-ia were 6-1 and certainly feeling a lot better...wait, I already said that in a previous piece. Sorry about that...it's just that with us not losing a game since MD1, things have kinda become a bit repetitive for Bao Zhou and his Dynasty...which is exactly what he wants anyway. This team is positioning itself to be a potential contender for the Playoffs to come but we have to make the playoffs first before we can even think about that...so let's see if we could do it.

We entered our rematch with Ealdracaland as the hot favourites but this time, actually gave us a good fight in this game. They seemingly learned from where they went wrong in MD3 and certainly played us a lot tighter in this game, producing some great defensive moments that certainly caught us off guard at places. Thankfully we had the dynamite nature of both Mohammad Alawi and Jimena Siena that allowed us to still claimed this win, but we only won by 8 points and that is saying a whole lot. Fair play to them, they certainly improved - and I hope they take these improvements to future games as we take ourselves into the Playoffs.

Next up will be our rematch with Trolleborg, a matchup between two 1-loss teams for ultimate supremacy....until the Trolls lost to Torisakia in the 2nd game of the day. Now, things are pretty simple - if we can beat the Trolls, this group will be ours. The path of destiny is now in front of us...but can we do it? GO HOOPS-JAGS!
GO HOOPS-JAGS!

SCHEDULE (Group D, Stellar Center, Chedo City, Katterimunk)
MD1: vs Lisander (29) (H) L 67-75 (4th/0-1)
MD2: vs Torisakia (UR) (A) W 92-64 (3rd/1-1)
MD3: vs Ealdracaland (UR) (H) W 80-62 (2nd/2-1)
MD4: vs Trolleborg (13) (H) W 72-66 (1st/3-1)
MD5: vs Southwest Eastnorth (37) (A) W 69-62 (1st/4-1)
MD6: vs Lisander (29) (A) W 77-57 (2nd/5-1)
MD7: vs Torisakia (UR) (H) W 88-52 (1st/6-1)
MD8: vs Ealdracaland (UR) (A) W 67-59 (1st/7-1)
MD9: vs Trolleborg (13) (A)
MD10: vs Southwest Eastnorth (37) (H)

by **Kronbia** » Fri Jul 07, 2023 5:53 pm

The President Attends a Basketball Match

Mr. Snoop Dogg, Prime Minister of the Republic of Patec, is visiting the Republic of Kronbia today, where President Emilio Julio de Flavio received him at the Palace of La Revolucion, and the two leaders discussed ways of cooperation between the two countries in several fields, It was also decided that the two presidents would attend the basketball match in the LKB Playoffs.

Attended Mr. Snoop Dogg, Prime Minister of the Republic of Patec, and Mr. Emilio Julio de Flavio, President of the Republic of Kronbia to Estadio de Halcon to attend a match between Deportivo de Halcon and Santa Rosana Phoenix in the Playoffs, Mr. Emilio is a fan of Deportivo de Halcon while Mr. Snoop showed his support for Team Santa Rosana Phoenix in the last season, The Santa Rosana Phoenix team owned by the Patecian businessman Ogata Jiraiya.

The first match in the semi-final round ended with the victory of Deportivo de Halcon, 77-74, and there are still two matches in the semi-finals.

On the other hand, the fans of the two teams expressed their dissatisfaction with the amount of security measures that met them when entering the Estadio de Halcon in order to secure the leaders during the match, as the fans passed through more than one inspection gate and the presence of security forces extensively in the vicinity of the Estadio de Halcon and even inside the cort.

A New Hope

After defeating Cassadaigua with a score of 76-58, will our team be able to advance to the second round? This is the question currently preoccupying the fans. We need to win the next two matches, with some bad luck for the competitors, and perhaps we will be able to advance at the time to the second round. All the best wishes for success for our team.

by **Valanora** » Sat Jul 08, 2023 12:23 am

Luck can only be ridden so far, skill can only take you a certain distance, and sooner or later it's over, you merely learn to live with the taste of disappointment that gathers in your mouth. A pair of losses to high flying Pemecutan as well as the massively surprising upset result against Rwekazaland has seemed to sealed the fate of the Dragons to not making it out of the group stage of this IBC despite having been in the Championship game last edition. Few enough changes had been made between this team and the one that had made that deep run two years ago, yet the drive and desire that had filled this team to the brim and saw them not have any nights where they failed to deliver at their best has been missing for portions of this group stage. The upsets against Pemecutan perhaps could be excused with the first game jitters that sometimes come along at the start of a new tournament as well as just how well they were playing with confidence and momentum in the second game, but the shocking loss to Rwekazaland is simply an unforgiveable result and the result that will likely consign the Dragons to their fate of missing out on the knockout stages altogether when they had been sixty minutes from winning it all last edition.

What has gone wrong, where has this team failed to deliver when two years ago they were at the highest of the highs and on the cusp of finally ridding the Empire of the jinx that the IBC has held over them for decades? Statistically it is hard to pinpoint, with the Dragons having both the best offensive output and defensive numbers in their group and yet they sit with three losses from eight and in third in the group, on the outside looking in and needing help if they are to make it out of the group and into the knockouts. Was bringing the same team that had done so well two years ago a mistake, should some of the more veteran players been replaced with younger players with more spry legs and more hunger to chase the dream of success? Perhaps, but second guessing ones self is only going to bring sorrow, despair, and lead to hesitation and indecision in the future, not solve the problems that beset the team in the present. There is no reason to have hope that the last two matchdays in the group will go the way of the Dragons and that they can sneak their way into the playoffs, but should they do so, this brush with danger and despair could be the very catalyst to see them on to those greater heights. But hope is a fools' mistress, as much as luck as the fickle one, and come two days time it is more likely than not the Dragons will be exiting the tournament and have massive questions to ask themselves and answer for with such a failure, should the most likely outcome come to pass.

by **Quebec and Shingoryeo** » Sat Jul 08, 2023 12:43 am

Songak
Praetorian
News Website of the Decade!

IBC-38: Women's Grim Reapers' rookie Krista Christopoulos one to watch, and how she has just wowed the crowd in Katterimunk

MARINA WARRICK-HAN
in Anceraul, KATTERIMUNK

Two, long years have passed since the Quebec and Shingoryeo national basketball teams have walked off the winners at the courts of Mancodas. The team that has been called for the 38th International Basketball Championships in Katterimunk since then has returned a largely similar group in players, but with difference in both their offensive and defensive schemes and the makeup of the starting lineups. Multiple new faces, like the men's team's phenom Horace Karugunda and women's team guard Yeom Soo-Jeong, have no doubt made their impact, but the transition is still going to take time, one that will likely require periods of retooling in the years to come after this one.

Thus it was only fitting that the futures of the Quebecois basketball has been put under the microscopic lense, as the group stage slowly comes to a close. A great example of this is Krista Christopoulos. Christopoulos, the University College Jolbonopolis student, has drawn multiple eyes when she was selected as a sole collegiate student-athlete in this year's nineteen-player squad. This came as even greater surprise, especially when considering catastrophic performances of the QIS schools at the NSCAA circuit that have seen the entire QIS Board of Governors fired. But the slasher two-guard has no doubt played significant minutes for the Grim Reapers, whose 8-0 form have no doubt served as a testament to the team's ability to continue delivering on the international stage.

In a 97-58 win for Quebec and Shingoryeo, Christopoulos saw 21 minutes of play with 16 points and 3 assists scored. While not directly blowing the opponents away with flashiness, Christopoulos would serve as an efficient, clinical player with options as seen below:

[See Clip A]

Here, Christopoulos notices that [Player A] is busy figuring out whether to serve a help-defence against more proven June Chavez Mayberry, who is more of a driver option inside, or to just guard Christopoulos. She also notices that Joh Soo-Yeong, who lacks the man-to-man coverage of Price-Anderson but makes up for it with good arm length and decent ability on the screen, available for the screen.

So she starts with a couple of short dribbles, swaying back and forth as Joh moves her way to set up the screen. [Player A] notices and tries to move sideways, the other Macbon players too move and with right there, the defensive coverage collapses.

Now Christopoulos has two options - whether to shoot the shot opportunity she had just converted, or to give a long pass. In this case she would find Fabien Grossinger-Bonga, who mispositions himself and is on the outside corner, for a pass. While on other times this would lead into a turnover, Grossinger-Bonga would manage to shoot on time with a second left, and boom. 14-2 Reapers.

But this isn't the first time she would do that with Macbon either. While a good passer, Christopoulos is first and foremost a scorer, a slasher in make, and if opportunities are given she will do it. We move forward to the start of third quarter, where the Grim Reapers are leading 60-32:

[See Clip B]

By this point, the Grim Reapers are well ahead of the game and are rotating the players. She's with Vuk Vkujosavljevic and Larysa Livitanova on the inside, and outside has Joh Soo-Yeong and Allende Hong. Out of all five players on court, Joh and Christopoulos are the outside scorers. Allende Hong, while an explosive guard, drives a lot and in this zone offence, you would expect both frontcourt players to guard the paint and go for the rebound.

So in here she decides to wait, hit up the same dribbles, and after faking a crossover that causes [Macbon Player C] to miss the steal attempt, is clear. She shoots it, she scores it, and that's her third three-pointer in what would be a 4-for-6 night from long range for the shooting guard.

As a first-timer on the national team, Christopoulos hasn't seen a lot of playing minutes, and arguably even less than what she should have gotten in the eyes of many pundits like myself. So her statistics, which run under the usual expectations of about 40 shots a game to even count (5 shot attempts a game), would mean relatively little in terms of sample. But the figures, which incorporate 14-for-26 shots (53.8%) on three-point shots, are still promising.

Now, whether this translates further into a lengthier stay for the Grim Reapers in the elimination rounds, which could further propel into an extended stay with the Quebecois women's national team program that has long set the international standard for women's basketball in the Quebecois Commonwealth and the Multiverse, remains to be seen. She still has some areas to improve, like perimeter defence where she has shown weaknesses from time to time like in the NSCAA-level competition. She is a good zone-reader but could add extra strength needed to improve tenacity on the boards and on the man-to-man mark as well.

That said, however, there exists little doubt that Christopoulos has what it takes to convert elsewhere. Armed with strong BQ and understanding of the game, the wing player has a distinct rhythm, a tempo, that she could further use to her strengths. These will come up more and more with time and experience, and age nineteen is right around when a lot of national team stars would emerge. Taylor Anne Rowsell and Jin Chang-Sook' have been there with the women's Olympic team, Allende Hong, Alexandre Armanet and Luigi Tüjângér-Arngna'naaq with the men's IBC team. All of these names have since become major national team fixtures.

Only time will tell if she will keep it up, however.

by **Valentine Z** » Sat Jul 08, 2023 1:20 am

Part 4 – Cheers, Loves! The Large and Unstoppable Force of Time and Space is here!

Chief Aviator Gwen Tracer Hepburn “Fate of Existence and the Omniverse” Ellen Trixie Caitlin Foxworthy Avril Verlene Eveline Celinda Sammy Doris T-Rev Oxton Arielle Lindall Leslie Vitesse Allison was bathed in neon lights all around her, the city she was in a brightly lit urban fantasy, at least it would seem so. There does not seem to be of any sign or indication that there is either a cruel dictator or a megacorporation controlling everything and their city’s citizens. Instead, it was simply just a neon cityscape, with its buildings standing tall, spanning 2000+ meters above the ground. She checked on her multiversal positioning device, working just like a GPS would, but for her, she can use it in other universes and regardless of the existence of satellites in these places; there was a bit of magic involved in the technology, so to speak. After a few seconds of triangulation and calculation, it spitted out a coordinate to her, though for the time, she would have to consult a newspaper or media item (if any) in order to get a gauge. Her device, as it turns out, can only show time in “X amount of time after the inception / Big Bang of universe,” which is helpful for larger distances, but for most cultures, they are barely a drop in a vast ocean in terms of their existence on the timeline. Keeping herself inconspicuous, Gwen then made her way around the city.

It did not take her that long to realise that the entire city, and perhaps even the entire universe itself, is rather strange-looking. Strange as it is, it is not unusual for Gwen who has travelled through countless other worlds. This world and city, however, she noticed that there was something different. Looking at a nearby kiosk, then at all of these neon lights and signs, Gwen realised that it was a little difficult for her to read these words all around her. Perhaps it was just their language, she thought to herself, not wanting to offend them. “But what in the bloody hell is “KVJASJWIORQ – FGHUBAEY 33T 1ZO1?”” she thought, looking and reading at what looks like a datestamp, “Well, it appears that we are in year 1201. Very developed, I would say.” Gwen then took a quick sweep and looked around at these buildings – they seemed to be built and made in a not very precise manner, with the crooked sides and geometry, windows that does not look rectangular, and architectural style that, while resembles buildings, do not look like your typical skyscrapers. And then there were the people, or the inhabitants of this city. Gwen took a closer look at a few of them discreetly as she walked around. Their face looked like they were partially melted, with facial features that were technically in the correct places, but with a few imperfections that were much more pronounced. They did not seem to mind Gwen's presence amongst them, so that was not a problem for the time being. Gwen was, however, curious as to if all the citizens look like this, or worse, a city where the deformed are condemned to another unwanted section, being forced to fend off to themselves and without support from the government, if any. That was her theory, which was then threw out of the window as she saw the nearby screen.

The news reporter's face looks a little bit more "normal", at least by the standards of the Valentians on what constitutes a human face. She was speaking words, a language that resembles English but Gwen couldn't comprehend what was being said to her. The headlines and the display did not make any sense either, with the same jumbled up letters. "The whole thing looked like some kid freehand-drew the entire template," she thought to herself, looking at the jagged and slanted lines of the headlines, the news reporter's face (which at least indicated that the government was not throwing out deformed people), the garbled-up language that sounded as if English became a lost art and were solely maintained and used with very limited understanding. It was at that point, that Gwen suddenly remembered what this world reminded her of, from the other worlds that she has visited, along with their technology.

This whole world, without a name given by Gwen at the moment, looked like something that was created by an artificial intelligence, extremely primitive by Valentian standards. A few years of development in most of these worlds, however, did improve the output of these works consistently, being able to spit out convincing pieces of graphics (and text, if so desired), and with implications of plagiarism soon following after. That, perhaps, would explain as to why these citizens – while harmless for the time being – looked like what happens if an alien drew what a human looks like by referencing just a bunch of photos. That would also explain why the buildings have the imperfections, ironically for something that is made by a precise AI. Which then begged the question as to if this world's creator is an AI that somehow gained access to the universe's backdoor and then played God to create this world. It is more than possible, and after all, Gwen is not the only one with such powers around the multiverse, having befriended a few deities, but that is perhaps for another time. For the time being, Gwen simply shrugged, curiosity fuelling the exploration as she wandered around this strange world, while also making sure to be covert. As she walked around, she also saw another TV screen, this time showing a sports event of some sort. It was definitely not football, and not tennis, not racing, or anything. Instead, it looked like some messed up version of basketball, with a court that has way too many lines on the ground, none of them making a lick of sense, all of them littered by imperfect circles.

"Ahh, basketball," she thought to herself, watching the sports, looking at the bunch of players (at the very least, the uniforms were correctly attributed between the two teams) dribbling the basketball, passing it around, and trying to score into the ring. "At the very least, the hoop looks… correct. Maybe." At that point, she wondered what the Gwen's Angels have been doing at that moment. Before she departed and made her way around the universe for a bit of an exploration, Gwen finished debriefing the team after the 8th game, the second game against Sarzonia's Stars, with Sarzonia 60–81 Valentine Z for the score. She was more than happy and satisfied with the points, and as to how Gwen's Angels – along with Quebec and Shingoryeo's Grim Reapers, Nova Anglicana's Lions, and Banija's The Lions – have been winning every single one of their qualification games so far. With two more to go, Gwen once again told the team not to get cocky and complacent, using a quote that her friend told her before, "Overconfidence is a flimsy shield, that's what he said! Though of course, I am not saying that you guys cannot celebrate and have joy at the results, please do go ahead! At the end of the day, however, please keep this momentum up for the remaining 2 games, along with the playoffs, if we get into this. Good game to all, and to the opponents too, as always!" Other than that, the five main players for this season played well as expected, and no injuries to boot with the exception of Matthew Hridaya Deevash Mithilesh Siwakoti, who got a small bruise on the shin but quickly recovered.

It lasted for a good 21 minutes as a rather strong wind blew her scarf off from her face, revealing Gwen's face to the citizens around her. "Ahh, shit," she muttered, much to her dismay as all of the attention are now focused to her, Gwen wondering as to what they were thinking of her. The faces are not the one of anger or suspicion, but one of curiosity, surprise, and even admiration? They looked at her for a few more long awkward seconds before someone finally broke the silence and said… something. "A PERHEFT FQZACE," he said, pointing one of his 7 fingers from his right hand at Gwen. The citizens then cheered and approached Gwen, with the latter thinking if she should go and reverse time to make sure the scarf did not get blown from her face, or that she should bail out of it. Instead, she decided to stay for a while, to hang around to see what's what. "This is either to go so well, or bad, or maybe both."

”Gameplay” Stats and Abilities

Gwen Tracer Allison Oxton is an all-rounded character, considered to be even more overpowered than every other Valentians combined. Perhaps it was just for the plays, or it was because of her having the total control and power of time and space. Still, even someone like her is susceptible to damage just like everyone else, just that she expires way, way slower. With an absurdly large health pool of 3,333,333,333,331, it will take a lot to take her down.

Weapons and Equipment

Primary Weapon: Railgun of the Fate
"Tearing multiple worlds asunder with little to no effort, Gwen swore and hoped that she would not have to use it at its fullest power anytime soon."
Taken from the universe where the humans were invaded by a group of zealous aliens (a Covenant, if you will). Gwen, upon arriving at the planet, picked up the MAC like a rifle and fired a few shots at an invading ship, blowing it into pieces. Normally, the MAC should not have been capable of such a feat, but with Gwen’s powers, it became her main tool of destruction, though making sure not to use it carelessly. At its maximum power and capability, the Railgun is capable of firing accelerated particles and rounds at 1.00 c. It has adjustable piercing distance and range – from 20 meters to 1e+20 meters. Deals 800,000 damage in a 10 meter radius when Gwen is at 100 meters tall, and with it being capable of firing 2 shots per second, it can deal a large DPS of 1,600,000 per target. It can be fired for 20 shots before it needs to be reloaded, which takes up 12 seconds and is a tedious process even for her.

Passives

Phantom of Time and Space
"Time waits for no man, and it’s not the property of anyone. For me, however – it is pretty much my Yes-Man."
With the space-time power in her, Gwen has the immunity to time-affecting powers, as well as 90% resistance to elementals such as fire, ice, lightning. Additionally, Gwen has 80% damage resistance from the physical attacks.

Unstable Equilibrium
”… Too powerful to die. However, if by some freak accident that she did, she made herself a failsafe that would teleport her to an uncharted and very distant universe, away from all of us.”
If Gwen’s health was withered down to 1, she will detonate in a multiverse-spanning explosion, dealing 100% damage. Has a wind-up time of 30 minutes, with the sphere of influence expanding from 1 meters to 1e+133 meters.

Actives

Phase Shift
"Even Fate needs a little break away from everything."
Renders herself invisible in the 4th dimension, reducing damage taken from all forms of attacks to 0. Takes 3 seconds to channel, and the process can be interrupted. Gwen also moves 100% faster during the Phase Shift effect.

Temporal Erasure
"No one will remember you if you never existed."
Marks a target to be banished from existence. Takes 3 seconds to channel, and the process can be interrupted. If successful, the target takes 100% damage and is banished from existence, past, present, future across 1 timeline.

Haste
"Slowing down time can have its merits – slashing faster, shooting faster, and dominating in a rhythm game."
Makes time flow slower around the targeted unit (often an ally), increasing action speed by 50% (1.5x as fast), also making buffs and debuffs expire at the same rate. Lasts 20 seconds, and has a casting time of 0.15 seconds.

Hindrance
"Drowning in a river of time, he has no choice but to be pelted by his adversaries, waiting for his inevitable expiry."
Makes time flow faster around the targeted unit (often an enemy), decreasing action speed by 30% (0.70x as fast), also making buffs and debuffs expire at the same rate. Lasts 20 seconds, and has a casting time of 0.15 seconds.

Temporal Control
"Time is the most worthless and abundant thing I can spend."
Freely controls the flow of time, including but not limited to: Accelerate, Stop, Slow down, Reverse, Jump across points in time and space), for a duration of 14 seconds. Has a casting time of 3.0 seconds that can be interrupted.

by **Trolleborg** » Sat Jul 08, 2023 10:11 am

Greetings, compatriots!
It’s TTV from Katterimunk. It is very difficult and absolutely no one want to be in the air with reports about such games as the last one held by our national basketball team, but we must.

Yes, it's hard to live with results like 67-78 against Torisakia, the team with the least number of points in our group and worst their difference. Opponents didn't even bother to make their lineup public. Of course, this failure is much better tolerated, when, like now, our basketball players demonstrated quite a decent quality of the game, staying on the same level as group favorite for a long time, and almost made their way to the playoffs, but, nevertheless, it is difficult, and, as we all agree, undeserved blow. One could refer to the fact that our basketball players are preparing for a very important match with TJUN-ia and hoping to save strength and nerves in easier matches, in order to prepare as best as possible and try to remove the "curse of the jaguars", but the reasons, apparently, are completely different. If not all, then a lot was against us that evening. Luck avoid our team, while at the same time smiled broadly at the opponents, there are very serious reasons to resent the work of the referees provided by the hosts, you can blame many poorly thought out aspects of the competition, and this is very distracting for both players and management. But you can not limit yourself to whining about this - it makes sense to whinning also about the psychological instability of the players. What worked more here - success in previous games, accumulated self-confidence, too long a distance of the tournament compared to previous basketball World Cups? All this must to be dealt with.

In the meantime, we must focus on the next match. Trolleborg fans, there are still seats on the flights to Katterimunk, and tickets for the group stage matches too!

International Basketball Championship 38 - Everything Thread

DROP IT DOWN!: Hotting Up!

DROP IT DOWN!: Let The Good Times Flow!

DROP IT DOWN!: A Good Day...I Guess?

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