ProBuild International Ladies Champions Basketball Tournament Participants Announced
Auteur: Henk Wals
Datum: 3 augustus 2008
Dutch
Yesterday the last participant of the ProBuild International Ladies Champions Basketball Tournament, which is going to take place on September 20th, was announced. Besides ProBuild Lions, the Luxembourg Champions Basket T71 Diddeleng and the Belgium Champion IMC Waregem, the Dutch Champion HLB Accountants (former name Yellow Bike) have agreed to participate.
The tournament schedule will be announced later. Coach Laki Lakner of the Lions said he expects a lot of people to come and watch. "This is a serious tournament, not just a couple of practice games. The teams form Belgium and Luxembourg are strong teams and it is the first opportunity for the fans to see two of next season's Dutch champion contenders in action. And a week before the season's opening of course everybody is hungry to see a few good games of basketball."
The tournament schedule:
1:00 PM HLB Accountants - IMC Waregem
3:00 PM ProBuild Lions - T71 Diddeleng
5:00 PM Losers Finals
7:00 PM Winners Finals
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Former Lions Sign Contracts
Author: Henk Wals
Date: July 14, 2008
Dutch
Former Lion Amy Parrish has joined the coaching staff of Fresno State University as Basketball Operations Coordinator, Fresno State women's basketball coach Adrian Wiggins announced earlier this week. Parrish was an assistant last year at Cal-State Bakersfield and played for ProBuild Lions in the 2006-2007 season, before a knee-injury ended her career as a basketball player.
Yesterday it was announced that Cherie Lea signed a contract with Racing Luxembourg in Luxembourg City. Last season with the Lions Cherie Lea averaged 17.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
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Preparation schedule announced
Author: Henk Wals
Date: August 2, 2008
Dutch
ProBuild Lions' coaches Laki Lakner and Dwight van West announced the preparation schedule for the coming season. They included some tough international games, with two highlights. On September 20 an international tournament takes place in Landsmeer, with the Luxembourg and Belgium champion teams and The Dutch Champion HLB Accountants.
On October 11 the Lions travel to Belgium to battle champions IMC Waregem in an exhibition game at the opening night of the Belgium competition.
The competion schedule of the Lions is to be found here.
| Zat 6 september | 3 PM - 5 PM |
Practice game vs Cangeroes |
ICL Landsmeer |
| Wed 10 September | 8 PM - 10 PM |
Practice game vs US |
Wibauthal, Amsterdam |
| Sat 13 September | 3 PM - 5 PM |
Practice game vs Grasshoppers |
ICL Landsmeer |
| Thu 18 September | 7 PM - 9 PM |
Practice game vs US |
ICL Landsmeer |
| Sat 20 September | 12 AM - 9 PM |
Grand Opening Night. Tournament in Landsmeer, with IMC Waregem (Belgium), T71 (Luxembourg) and HLB Accountants |
ICL Landsmeer |
| Sat 27 September | ? PM |
First competition game |
Groningen |
| Sat 4 October | 2 PM |
Practice game vs Dexia Namur |
Namen, Belgium |
| Sun 5 October | 4 PM |
Practice game vs St Katelijne Waver |
St Katelijne Waver, Belgium |
| Fri 10 October? | 8:30 PM |
Competition game vxs Amazone |
ICL Landsmeer |
| Sat 11 October | ? PM |
Exhibition game vs IMC , opening night Belgium competition |
Waregem, Belgium |
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ProBuild Lions Signs Molly McDowell
Author: Henk Wals
Date: June 12, 2008
Dutch
Today the ProBuild Lions management announced the signing of a new American player: Molly McDowell.
The 5-10 guard was chosen as MVP of the Dutch league in the 2003-2004 season, when she played for Lely Amsterdam and averaged 25.4 points per game.
After her Dutch season she moved to Oberhausen in Germany before returning to the United States in 2005 to accept an assistant-coaching job with Ashland University in Ohio, and also playing exhibition games for Athletes in Action.
Before coming to Europe McDowell played for Southern Illinois University.
ProBuild Lions' head coach Laki Laker worked with Molly McDowell when he was coaching Lely in the 2003-2004 season. He said he always considered McDowell as one of the most talented players to have played the game of basketball in the Dutch competition.
"I am very happy to have her back", he said. "I love working with Molly. Her work ethics are admirable and she has a deep knowledge of the game. That's why she'd become a coach. But she's still young and I am glad she decided to return as basketball player. Why can use someone with her leadership skills."
Molly McDowell (27) said she had reached the conclusion she retired to early. " I have been coaching the game for two years and didn't really think I would get a chance to play again. I missed playing everyday and am thankful that I have stayed in contact with Laki and have the opportunity to play again. I could not have thought of a better situation for me to come back to the court as a player. The fact that I get to be in Amsterdam, play for Laki and play for a club as established as Probuild is very exciting for me. Probuild has a winning attitude and I look forward to helping them win another championship."
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Lions complete Dutch Roster with Marie Hoogstraten
Author: Henk Wals
Date: June 1, 2008
Dutch
Coach Laki Lakner has completed the Dutch part of his team with the signing of forward Marie Hoogstraten. Hoogstraten, who is transferring from Perik Jumpers, averaged 8.4 points per game and 5 rebounds per game last season.
Jinga Gosschalk, Cherie Lea and Rene Haynes will not return next season. Gosschalk signed a contract with Nyon in Switserland. Cherie Lea decided to pursue a career in another European country.
Currently the roster for next season consists of Anouk Biesters, Kris Biesters, Nadine Boesaart, Belinda Bos, Gerda Heinen, Mara Hessling, Marie Hoogstraten, Lotte Nijenhuis, Jasmijn Overbeeke en Ilana Vergunst.
The Lions management is in the process of negotiating a deal with a new American player and hopes to announce her signing shortly.
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Dwight van West Returns to ProBuild Lions
Author: Henk Wals
Date: May 25, 2008
The ProBuild Lions management today announced the signing of coach Dwight van West as an assistant-coach to coach Laki Lakner.
Lakner and West worked together earlier in the 2003-2004 season, as they coached BV Lely Amsterdam. West is an experienced coach, who served with several teams as an assistant as well as a head coach.
In the 2006-2007 season Van West was head coach of AutoCAD Amazone and reached the semi-finals of the play-offs.
Coac Laki Lakner said he was delighted to be able to work with Dwight van West again.
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Fotos
Author: Tine Sierink
Date: May 17, 2008
Two albums of both Play-Off series are placed on the website.
For the Semi Finals click here updated May 17 and for the Quarter finals click here.
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Lions Eliminated
Author: Henk Wals
Pictures: Tine Sierink
Date: May 13, 2008
| Scoreboard |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
T |
| AutoCAD Amazone |
21 |
16 |
14 |
19 |
70 |
| Probuild Lions |
22 |
13 |
14 |
9 |
58 |
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A few weeks earlier than expected the Lions' season came to an end.
In the 5th and last game of the semi-finals ProBuild fell to AutoCAD Amazone 70-58.
In the end it proved to be a disappointing season for the Lions, who looked back on a coach-change in December and a lot of injuries during te season, probably the reason why the team never really got at the top of its game.
Cherie Lea scored 18 points and Rene Haynes added 14, but on the offensive side the Americans got little help from the Dutch part of the team.
Amazone started with a 6-0 run, but in the fourth minute Cherie Lea drained a 3-pointer to make it 8-11.
From that moment on it was a close game until the last minutes of the fourth period.
At the start of the second quarter ProBuild led 22-21. Cherie Lea hit two 3-pointers, one in the third minute and one in the eight, but the Lions made no baskets in between. Meanwhile Amazone did, taking a 32-29 lead.
At halftime ProBuild trailed by two points, 37-35.
In the third period the lead changed a few times, but the margin never got larger than 3 points.
With 5 minutes remaining Tyler McIllwraight hit a 3-pointer to put Amazone up 58-51. Coach René van der Wielen took a time-out, but Judy Wright scored 60-51.
After Cherie Lea made it 60-53, Patricia Chukwuma scored 62-53 and with 3 minutes on the clock Judy Wright had a basket plus bonus to widen the margin to 12 points, 65-53.
Cherie Lea and Rene Haynes made baskets for the Lions to cut the margin to 7 points, 65-68, but Amazone kept its game together in the last two minutes, with Judy Wright scoring two more lay-ups.
A great disappointment for the Lions, who met their season's end unexpectedly soon. The Lions fought hard, but coach Bo Melis and the players of Amazone have to be credited for putting up a good series.
Their advancement to the Finals is well-deserved.
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Author: Henk Wals
Pictures: Tine Sierink
Date: May 13, 2008
| Scoreboard |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
T |
| Probuild Lions |
14 |
12 |
11 |
14 |
51 |
| AutoCAD Amazone |
11 |
18 |
20 |
20 |
69 |
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The Amazones fought for their last chances. The Lions wanted to finish the series in a relaxed manner.
At least, that was what it looked like on the court.
AutoCAD Amazone routed ProBuild 51-69 at their home court, in a way that came close to humiliation. Amazone was more aggressive and looked like it wanted the win more than ProBuild.
The Lions also had another bad shooting night. They shot 30% from the floor and 25% from behind the 3-point line.
Cherie Lea again posted a double-double, with 14 points and 11 rebounds. The only other Lion in double figures was Ilana Vergunst, who scored 10 points.
Coach Rene van der Wielen credited Amazone. "They played a much better game than we did. We were sloppy on both sides of the court, turning over the ball and failing to make enough defensive stops. Nobody stood up. We failed collectively. There is not much more to say, I 'm afraid."
Coach Van der Wiele ended on a positive note, however. "The good thing is: Thursday we'll have another game and another chance to reach the finals. We won one away game and in the other one we came close, so I don't see why that is not a serious possibility. We are going to straighten our backs and we are going to show them who we really are this time."
At the end of the first period ProBuild led 14-11, but at intermission the Lions looked at a 26-29 deficit.
In the third quarter Amazone extended their lead to 12 points, 37-29,
Cherie Lea scored 43-53 in the fourth minute of the last period, but Tyler McIllwraight drained a 3-pointer to spark a 7-0 surge, as Amazone pulled to a 43-60 lead.
By that time Anouk Biesters was sidelined with five fouls.
The last parts of the quarter was a formality.
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Haynes, Lea Lead ProBuild over Amazone
Author: Henk Wals
Pictures: Tine Sierink
Date: May 10, 2008
| Scoreboard |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
T |
| AutoCAD Amazone |
23 |
19 |
12 |
10 |
64 |
| Probuild Lions |
19 |
19 |
17 |
15 |
71 |
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Rene Haynes and Cherie Lea led the Lions to a hard-fought away-victory over AutoCAD Amazone, helping ProBuild to take a 2-1 lead in the semi-final series.
Rene Haynes scored 16 points and hit a decisive 3-pointer, giving the Lions a 64-69 edge with 26 seconds remaining.
Cherie Lea posted a double-double, with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Anouk Biesters was one rebound shy of one, with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Jinga Gosschalk added 9 points on three 3-pointers.
Tuesday night the Lions can finish the series at home.
Coach René van der Wielen said he thought his team played really well in the second half. "In the first part of the game our defense was sloppy. We could not stop them and we came up short on rebounding, allowing them too many second-chance points. In the second half we did a better job defensively and we pulled away the game. I am proud of my team."
Van der Wiele credited Amazone for putting up a fight. "This team does not give up easily. They fought really hard, and they gave us a difficult night."
In the first period the Lions looked at a 9-2 deficit after four minutes, but Rene Haynes and Gerda Heinen made it 9-6. At the start of the second period ProBuild trailed 23-19, a margin which was still in tact at halftime: 42-38.
Cherie Lea scored five straight points to put the Lions up 42-43, after which Amazone and ProBuild exchanged leads until the 7th minute of the fourth period, when Jinga Gosschalk buried a 3-pointer to even the score, 61-61, and Cherie Lea converted two free throws to make it 61-63.
Judy Wright made it 63-63 and Jasmijn Overbeeke scored 63-65. After Wright and Rene Haynes both split a pair of free throws Haynes pulled up for a 3-pointer that went in and gave the Lions a 65-69 edge with 26 seconds remaining.
On Amazone's next offense Judy Wright lost the ball. Anouk Biesters was fouled by Wright on the other side and the officials called an intentional foul. Biesters missed both free throws, but the Lions remained in possession of the ball with 12 seconds on the clock.
They made no mistakes and Cherie Lea scored the last points of the game, 64-71.
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Lions Even Up Series with Amazone, 1-1
Author: Henk Wals
Pictures: Tine Sierink
Date: May 10, 2008
| Scoreboard |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
T |
| Probuild Lions |
14 |
15 |
20 |
16 |
65 |
| AutoCAD Amazone |
12 |
4 |
7 |
24 |
47 |
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ProBuild Lions evened up the series with Amazone, as they pulled out a lopsided 65-47 victory in game 2 on their home court.
Nadine Boesaart led the Lions with 13 points, Jinga Gosschalk added 12 and Cherie Lea, who returned safely from the USA on Wednesday, contributed 11 points.
Coach René van der Wiele decided to bring back his main offensive threat slowly, not starting her and giving her just 19 minutes of playing time.
With game 3 on tomorrow night, nobody got more than 30 minutes, actually.
Offensively the Lions played another mediocre game, shooting 35% from the floor and 63% from the free-throw line, but defense was as good as it could get.
At least for three quarters.
ProBuild held Amazone to 23 points in the first three periods of the game, but allowed 24 points in the last quarter.
"Our concentration slipped away, I suppose", coach René van der Wielen said. "I was a bit annoyed by that, actually, because I thought it was psychologically important to put up a big win tonight and not let them get back in the game to build on a come-back tomorrow night. But still we won by almost 20 points, so I guess overall we played a good game."
ProBuild looked at a 4-6 deficit in the 7th minute of the first period, when Cherie Lea was sent on the floor and drained a 3-pointer on her first ball-contact.
After the first period the Lions led 14-12. In the second they held Amazon to just 4 points, building a 29-16 cushion at intermission.
In the third period the Lions outscored Amazone 20-7, putting up a 49-23 lead at the start of the last period.
Then ProBuild's defense started to degrade.
Amazone had a 0-10 surge at the start of the quarter, starting to cut their deficit to just 13 points in the 8th minute, 58-45.
Then the Lions decided it was enough.
Cherie Lea had a lay-up on a quick assist by Jasmijn Overbeeke, 60-45, and Ilana Vergunst buried a 3-pointer to make it 63-45.
Tonight the Lions travel to Utrecht for game 3, which starts at 8.30 PM CET.
Fotos updated.
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ProBuild Drops First Game in Utrecht
Author: Henk Wals
Pictures: Tine Sierink
Date: May 6, 2008
| Scoreboard |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
OT |
T |
| AutoCAD Amazone |
8 |
16 |
13 |
13 |
10 |
60 |
| Probuild Lions |
14 |
16 |
9 |
11 |
4 |
54 |
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ProBuild Lions led for three quarters before Amazone forced the game to overtime in the fourth to pull the game away in the end, 60-54.
A faltering offense cost ProBuild the game. The Lions shot 32% from the floor, 15% (2-out-of-13) from the 3-point line and 16-out-of-32 from the free-throw line.
No Lion scored in double digits. Gerda Heinen, Anouk Biesters and Belinda Bos all scored 9 points. Rene Haynes and Jasmijn Overbeeke both contributed 8.
For Rene Haynes it was the first time this season to be stuck in single digits.
Cherie Lea did not attend the game due to sad family circumstances.
Coach Rene van der Wielen criticized the officials after the game. "We played not a good game offensively, but they were absolutely terrible."
ProBuild started the game with a 0-12 run, but Amazone followed with eight consecutive points. After the first period ProBuild led 8-14.
At halftime the margin was still in tact, 24-30, and in the third period ProBuild widened the gap to 27-39.
Then Amazone put up a 16-0 run and with seven minutes to go in the fourth period the Lions looked at a 43-39 deficit.
With ProBuild trailing 48-47 in the last minute, Anouk Biesters hit a base-line jumper, 48-49, and Rene Hayne made a free throw with 15 seconds on the clock, 48-50.
Haynes missed the second, Amazone rebounded and Maaike van de Bovenkamp had a driving lay-up to force the game to overtime in the last second.
Without their floor leader Gerda Heinen, who was sidelined with five fouls, ProBuild lost the game in OT, scoring just 4 points and allowing 10.
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Semi Finals start on Tuesday
Author: Henk Wals
Date: May 4, 2008
Dutch
Tuesday night the Lions travel to Utrecht to battle AutoCAD Amazone in the first game of a best-of-five series in which will be decided who will go to the finals. Friday ProBuild hosts Amazone in Landsmeer. The third game is scheduled for Saturday night.
The Lions will face Amazone without Cherie Lea, who attended the funeral of her grandmother and returns from the United States on Wednesday morning.
The outcome of the series is unpredictable. All confrontations in the regular competition between ProBuild and Amazone went to Amazone. On the other hand, ProBuild was victorious in the semi finals of the final four tournament and in the finals of the Dutch Cup tournament.
Game starts at 8.30 PM CET.
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Schedule First Semi Finals Play-Offs Best-of-Five AutoCAD Amazone - Probuild Lions
Author: Tine Sierink
Date: May 2, 2008
Dutch
In the semi finals of the play-offs ProBuild Lions will battle AutoCAD Amazone Utrecht in a best-of-five-series. The series will start in Utrecht on Tuesday and will move to Landsmeer on Friday.
Game one: thuesday May 6, 20.30 Utrecht.
Game two: friday May 9, 20.30 Landsmeer.
Game three: saturday May 10, 20.30 Utrecht.
Game four: tuesday May 13, 20.30 Landsmeer
Game five: thursday may 15, 20.30 Utrecht.
See also: play-offs schedule: basketball.nl.
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Lions Sweep Woonbron DAS, Advance to Semi-Finals
Author: Henk Wals
Pictures: Tine Sierink
Date: May 1, 2008
| Scoreboard |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
T |
| Woonbron DAS |
11 |
21 |
16 |
26 |
74 |
| Probuild Lions |
27 |
10 |
25 |
22 |
84 |
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Woonbron DAS gave ProBuild Lions a good fight.
DAS did not easily surrender, but the Lions dispatched them anyway.
Rene Haynes scored 25 points, leading ProBuild to a 74-84 victory. Anouk Biesters contributed 14 points and Gerda Heinen and Jinga Gosschalk both added 11. Jasmijn Overbeeke pulled down 12 rebounds in addition to her 7 points.
Cherie Lea did not play due to an ankle injury. Lea is scheduled to play again next week, but will fly back to the United States first to attend the funeral of her grandmother, who passed away yesterday night. Cherie Lea is expected to be back on Wednesday and she will miss Tuesday's first game of the semi-finals.
With DAS, former Lion Theresa LeCuyer was the most productive player with 25 points.
Coach Rene van der Wielen had mixed feelings about the game. "Obviously there were some good stretches," he said. "But on two occasions we gave away a 20 point lead in a few minutes. I'm afraid that if we want to go to the finals, we have to do better than that in the next round."
ProBuild did not put up a bad shooting night, though. The Lions shot 47% from the floor and 84% from the free-throw-line. In the second half they went 22-out-of-22 from the line, with one point disallowed because of a foot fault.
The Lions seemed to take the game to an early rout, putting up a 5-21 margin in the first seven minutes and a 11-27 lead after the first period.
Jinga Gosschalk drained two 3-pointers in the first minutes of the second quarter to take the Lions to a 15-33 margin, but DAS took control after that, cutting their deficit to 32-37 at intermission.
In the third period ProBuild rebuild the lead to 14 points at the start of the last period, 48-62, and put up a 19-point margin in the second minute behind 3-point-plays by Anouk Biesters and Nadine Boesaart, 48-67
Next it was the second period all over again. Jen Schumacher burried two 3-pointers for DAS to make it 56-69 in the 4th minute and hit a third trey in the 8th minute to cut the deficit to 68-73.
With less than one minute on the clock Daniëlle de Vreede made it 74-78, but Rene Haynes and Gerda Heinen both converted a pair of free throws for a 74-82 edge with 30 seconds to go.
Jinga Gosschalk made a lay-up in the last seconds to give the Lions a double-digit lead again.
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