Team Canada, led by Merissah Russell, emerged victorious in a thrilling overtime battle against Amsterdam to claim the 3×3 Women’s Series championship in Shanghai. The Ottawa native showcased her skills with a stellar performance, scoring seven crucial points in a 19-17 triumph at the Global Harbor. Russell’s exceptional play throughout the tournament earned her the MVP title, as she led Canada’s unbeaten streak with an impressive total of 33 points and eight successful two-point shots in her Women’s Series debut.
Joining Russell in the winning team were experienced players Paige Crozon from Humboldt, Saskatoon, and Katherine Plouffe from Edmonton, alongside newcomer Tara Wallack from Surrey, British Columbia. Plouffe and Crozon contributed six and four points, respectively, aiding in Canada’s comeback in the intense final match by both making two successful shots from beyond the arc. Wallack also made her mark by matching Crozon and Russell’s performance, securing a team-high of four rebounds in the championship game.
The Dutch team, led by Kiki Fleuren with six points, briefly took the lead with a 15-11 score late in the game. However, Canada managed to reclaim the lead at 17-16 in the final moments before a remarkable effort by Amsterdam’s Zoë Slagter forced the game into overtime. Russell sealed the victory for Canada by calmly sinking two critical free throws.
Reflecting on the tournament, Russell expressed her excitement, stating, “The Women’s Series stop was amazing and a great way to start off the summer season.” She commended her teammates, particularly Plouffe and Crozon, for their leadership and mentorship on and off the court, emphasizing the joy of representing her country at such a high level.
Plouffe dominated the tournament statistics by leading in rebounds with 24, ranking second in assists with 11, and securing the third-highest scoring position with 27 points. Crozon and Wallack also made significant contributions with 19 and 17 total points, respectively, placing all four Canadians among the top 10 rebounders of the competition.
Canada’s path to the final included convincing playoff victories over Thailand (21-14) in the quarterfinals and Beijing (21-11) in the semifinals. Head coach Daniel Ferguson guided the Canadian squad to an impressive start in the tournament, securing wins against Yanjing (19-13) and Austria (16-10) in the initial pool matches.
The team’s journey to the championship showcased their resilience and teamwork, culminating in a well-deserved victory in the Women’s Series finale.