[W League]Ball party, all-star full of basketball fun “I’m waiting for you to come again” | SPREAD

It was truly a ball party that conveyed the fun of basketball.

「Keio Tourism presents W League All-Star 2022-2023 in Ariake” was held at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on the 30th, where Team SUNRISE and Team STARLIGHT played against each other. Former WNBA player,Tokashiki Dreamand Tokyo Olympic silver medalistTakada MakiSUNRISE won the close battle with 88-87.

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An event worthy of the two characters of Kyuen

The W-League All-Stars was held over two days, the 29th and 30th, and the beginning of Golden Week, and it was truly an event worthy of the two letters of the ball feast.

On the 29th, on the first day, fresh all-stars were held by players who had just made their debut, and Minami Shirasaki of Himeji Egrets was selected as MVP. In addition, representatives from the Korean women’s professional basketball league WKBL were invited, and the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest were held between Japan and South Korea. The hot battle of the Japan-Korea all-star confrontation unfolded, and the W League team won a close game at 89-84. In this match, Toyota Boshoku Sunshine Rabbits’ Nanako Todo won MVP.

This Japan-Korea confrontation was also lively, but the real thing was on the second day.

■ Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic silver medalists clash

On this day, the strongest mascot match “13 team ISTG Heavyweight Championship Tournament” and wheelchair basketball showdown between Japanese men’s representatives and women’s representatives called “ALL BASKETBALL ACTION in Ariake Supported by Nippon Life Group” were also held. seen. Speaking of the Japanese men’s wheelchair basketball team and the Japanese women’s basketball team, they are members who won silver medals at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Of course, the boys ended up winning because they were using wheelchairs, but it was a match filled with the fun of basketball.

Ei Toyoshima answers questions from the press after the match Photo: Tamasaburo

After the game, the Japanese wheelchair basketball teamEi Toyoshimasaid, “I’m happy that these All-Stars invited me to play wheelchair basketball. The silver medalists also interacted with each other. I miss Ariake Arena since I won the silver medal. It was a good opportunity to look back on my hard work.” deeply emotional. As the name “ALL BASKETBALL ACTION” suggests, it was a match that was suitable for the intention of the project to excite all basketball regardless of genre, whether it was a 5-a-side, a 3-a-side, or a wheelchair.

Skills Challenge is ENEOS SunflowersSaori MiyazakiBut the 3-point contest is also the Sunflowers’Saki Hayashiwon.

■ Takaaki Ishibashi appointed as ambassador

Takaaki Ishibashi Appears Photo: Tamasaburo

The opening ceremony started at 15:00 before the main event with tip-off at 16:00. Takaaki Ishibashi appears as a special guest. Then, in the player introduction scene, Denso Iris’s Takada and three other players appeared in black tights, “Mojimoji-kun”, who was well received in “Thanks to everyone in Tunnels”, which was broadcast until 2018. Appointed as a basketball support ambassador. Even though it was a ceremony, the court was already in a festive mood. These performances are full of fun that cannot be seen in the regular season.

“Mojimoji” Takada (front) appointed Ishibashi (back) as “women’s basketball support ambassador” Photo: Masaburo

The match started with a friendly, girly appearance, and when Team SUNRISE timed out, they were forced to drink bottled water and recharge their energy with cream puffs.

Peppermill performance in front of the bench after scoring a goal Photo: Tamasaburo

Is the basketball court a dance floor?

However, what I felt most of all was not the pushy feeling of the All-Star players, “Let’s entertain the crowd,” but the fact that even the bench players made a fuss every time a shot was scored. It looks like he’s there. That’s why the fun spread to the audience.

“Dance of Philosophy” appeared, and I thought it was a normal halftime show… Photo: Tamasaburo

Half time was a bit of a surprise. The idol group “Philosophy no Dance” is in charge of the W-League’s cheering song. Speaking of halftime, regardless of soccer, American football, or rugby, it is “toilet time”. However, on this day, as the court went dark, the audience was not only empty, but also gave full support to the show. Such a scene is rarely seen outside of the NFL’s Super Bowl, which is considered to be the biggest festival in all sports.

At halftime on the dance floor, where players and mascots start dancing Photo: Tamasaburo

And the philosophy dance involved the players, the team mascot, and the WKBL who fought against Japan and Korea yesterday, and the basketball court was completely on the dance floor. Was there another All-Star like this?

Despite the festivities, in the latter half of the game, the 3rd and 4th quarters, the game became a serious game. After the remaining 2 minutes, the seesaw game where both teams decide 3 points was reached, and finally Tokashiki decided the come-from-behind middle jumper. This was Team SUNRISE’s victory, but the message that “Basketball is fun” sticks out even more than winning or losing.

Raimu Tokashiki shoots a free throw while blindfolded with a mask.

Takada wins the All-Star MVP, but the final mic goes to Tokashiki. “I’m waiting for everyone to come to the W League again. Let’s go, W League!”

If you have even the slightest interest in basketball, the W League is the game to watch right now. I am very interested in what kind of fun basketball they will show us next season.

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Author profile

Tamasaburo Essayist, BAR critic, sports producer

After working as an editor for magazines such as Weekly Jewelry and FM Station, moved to the United States. He studied writing and journalism at New York University and started working as a freelancer around this time. After working at the headquarters of Berlitz Translation Services Inc. and CNN Inc., he returned to Japan.

He is also active as a sports producer, managing the collaborative website of MSN Sports and “Number” and managing the MLB Japanese official website.

He is also a magazine first issue enthusiast with a collection with an estimated market price of over 10 million yen.

A Tokyo Yakult Swallows fan since the team’s winning percentage was lower than Tsutomu Wakamatsu’s batting average since they marched at Jingu Stadium during the Little League era. MLB is in that flow, and I was a resident of Queens, and I’m a New York Mets endorser.