An international break did not mean rest and recuperation for four Oaklands Wolves basketball stars.

They were off to various points of the globe to represent their nations, two of them playing for England.

However, there was mixed blessings for Shanice Beckford-Norton and Sam Ashby as GB continued their EuroBasket 2025 qualifying campaigns.

Britain beat Greece 75-62 in Manchester before a late comeback away to Sweden wasn't quite enough as they went down 63-60, the hosts sealing top spot in Group D..  

Beckford-Norton had an efficient 12 points in 13 minutes against Greece, shooting three of five from the floor and converting all five free-throws, also adding two rebounds and an assist.

Ashby drained a pair of triples on the way to 13 points, adding two boards, a steal and an assist for GB.

Three days later Ashby finished with seven points and assist and a rebound bu Beckford-Norton went scoreless in 12 minutes.

Britain will now look to qualify as one of the best runners-up.

While Ella Fortu's New Zealand side didn't have any games, two other Wolves represented their country during the week. 

A late call-up from Ireland saw Abigail Rafferty travel to Latvia and despite five rebounds and three points in 21 minutes from the Wolves' forward, her team went down 85-53.

It didn't get any better for Ireland as they lost 90-61 against Israel, with Rafferty collecting 10 rebounds, adding three assists and a steal.

Lavinia Da Silva and Portugal had a tough night as they went down 71-37 in Serbia, with the Wolves' forward collecting three rebounds and a steal in 14 minutes of action.

Sunday saw a much better result for Da Silva and her team with Portugal crushing North Macedonia 76-43, the Oaklands' centre collecting two rebounds and an assist.

With the SLB side on an international break, Wolves men picked up a key 95-89 victory at Charnwood Riders.

Paced by a 30-point La'Quarne Sayles haul, Liam Jefferson's side led 29-25 at the first break and were 57-49 ahead going into the locker room at half-time.

They were in touching distance of victory at the final break, leading 80-66 and survived a late comeback to collect the victory.

Big man Gavin Mitchell finished with 21 points while Dan Kostadinov hit five triples on his way to 15 points.

Wolves academy side also survived a late comeback as they ended East London Phoenix's unbeaten start to the season with a 69-58 home win.

After a delayed start due to the visitors arriving with a kit bag full of football shirts and shorts, Wolves started strongly and rushed into a 25-11 first period lead.

Triples from Masie Moore, Amye Swinney and Caitlin Ryan saw the lead balloon to 36-13 midway through the second period before Phoenix narrowed the gap to 38-22 at half-time. 

A strong third quarter saw the Londoners cut Wolves' lead to 50-44 at the final break and they took their only lead of the game early in the fourth period as they opened with an 8-0 run.

But three-pointers from Lily Harkness and Ryan calmed Wolves' nerves before Darcey Woodman and Ryan wrapped things up at the foul line. 

Ryan had five threes in her game-high 21 points, with Woodman adding 15 points and Moore hitting three triples on the way to nine points.

Wolves men's seconds couldn't complete a winning weekend in the senior divisions as they went down 115-69 at home against Bedford Thunder.

Sayles' side never recovered from a 28-12 first period deficit and were outscored in all four quarters.

J Buey led Wolves with 15 points, Ayden Amini adding 14 and Ethan Manyeku 11.

Wolves U16 boys kept up their push for a place in the post-season play-offs with an 81-37 victory at Brentwood Fire.

Michael Ball's team dominated throughout, stretching their 22-7 first period lead to 37-14 at half-time.

A 27-10 third period ended the game as a contest before they wrapped things up with a 17-13 final frame.

Sam McCray's 22 point, 10 rebound double-double led the way for the visitors while Otis Lau-Johnston added 20 points and eight steals.

Noah Binun also had a double-double, adding 13 boards to his 14 points, and Titouan Vimeux chipped in with  11 points and three assists. 

The U14 boys premier team also had success on the road as they won 98-73 at London Thunder.

George Walker's team rushed into a 29-20 first period lead and never looked back as they extended the advantage to 54-35 at half-time.

Thunder cut the margin to 73-60 at the final break but Wolves wrapped up their third win of the campaign with a 25-13 fourth period.

Jacob Edrupt top scored for the sixth straight game with 34 points, with Rocky Starr adding 23 and Ted Yu 17.

The U-14 conference team faced  a tough trip to Luton, and despite 18 Oliver Forrester-Fellowes points, went 60-46.

Graham Roberts' side led 15-9 at the first break but a 27-8 second period proved crucial as the home side took the win.

Finally, the U-12 boys B team had a day to forget as they lost 120-25 at home against Essex Charge.