The Crozon peninsula has the best of both worlds in the summer
Visitors migrate here in the warmer months to hike
enjoy fresh seafood and explore its hidden beaches and coves
but their numbers aren’t high enough to crowd and spoil what makes this area
But it’s a wonderful destination year-round
with plenty on offer for all tastes whatever the weather
Jeremy Bishop / Unsplash La Palue beach is, quite simply, paradise. The cove is off the Brittany coastal road and stretches out for miles
For surfers and water sports enthusiasts in particular
Be aware that swimming isn’t allowed due to the strong undercurrents
but it’s still one of the best spots along the Crozon Peninsula to frolic in the sand and admire the far-reaching views
wikisleep / unsplash No stay in Crozon is complete without a large platter of seafood
Saveurs et Maree in Morgat is the best place to indulge in a restaurant meal
try The Blue Wave Fish – if you’re self-catering
head here in the morning to see what the fishermen have brought in
BreizhPixelWeb / Shutterstock The GR34 trail is one of the most scenic walking routes in France. Starting at the iconic Le Mont-St-Michel and hugging the breathtaking coastline all around the tip of Brittany to just south of Vannes, it’s not to be missed when staying in or around Crozon. For the most dramatic views from the coast
travel north of Crozon to Pen Hir Point to begin your hike back towards Morgat and Crozon
The section of the route described falls within the Armorique Natural Regional Park
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Boogie at Festival du Bout du Monde Historical Landmark
The Festival du Bout du Monde (Land’s End Festival) is a world music and cultural festival that has taken place each August in Crozon for the last decade
lush setting in the Armorique Natural Regional Park is just 300m from the sea
meaning picturesque views of the Brittany coastline
The festival celebrates the world of mixed music and so there really is something for everyone over the three-day period
Even the littlest festival goers are catered for
with a children’s area and a mini food village serving dishes from around the world
Pascale Gueret / Shutterstock A quick hop and a skip from Crozon is the pretty village of Morgat. Fishing used to be big business in Morgat – a sardine and tuna fishing port were housed here at the village’s peak. Today, the port is used as a marina. Morgat is also well-known for its caves, which were praised in the travel writings of Gustave Flaubert
Sainte Marine cave can be accessed by foot
A well-placed stretch of beach in front of the village is the perfect place to hire a kayak or stand-up paddle board and get exploring
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don't miss Crozon's sunsets Historical Landmark
shottrotter / Unsplash If there’s one thing to make sure to do whilst in Crozon
it’s to head to a spot along the coast to watch the sunset
The clear waters of the daytime give way to the golden hues of sundown and the sky above really does look like it stretches on for eternity
Plage de Lostmarc’h near the southern most tip of the Armorique Natural Regional Park has a huge stretch of sand from which to watch the sun fall
but there are plenty of other great options too
Just head to any point on the coast near the village of Crozon to enjoy the Breton coastline in its finest hour
For those travelling in the Crozon area with children and looking for a cheap activity away from the beach for a few hours
the Peninsula le labyrinthe is an informative and fun choice
This outdoor activity park includes a maze
where the aim is to follow a sequence of clues marked by flags in order to get out
The story changes each year and is actually constructed by the manager
whose designs are inspired by different labyrinths throughout history
she has written for French Property News and Living France among other titles and covers travel
She can be followed at: www.lostinthelanguedoc.com
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clifftop paths and sandy coves of the Breton coast provide the perfect backdrop for a five-day hike
They say walking is the best medicine and you could spend months walking off your troubles along the sentier des douaniers (customs officers’ path)
which winds for more than 1,240 miles (2,000km) around the bays and headlands of the Breton coast
55-mile stretch along the southern Crozon peninsula
another train to Quimper and a bus to our starting point at Camaret-sur-Mer
Much has been written about the physical and therapeutic benefits of walking but there’s a big difference between going solo and walking with someone else
but just as important is understanding that
the Irishman and I have reached an understanding of when to walk and talk and when to shut it
On day one we had the option of a shorter (nine miles) or longer (13 miles) route
another fishing port but with swimming beaches where there are kayaks and paddleboards for hire
A three-minute squall of horizontal rain gave us a good soaking
but it was worth it for the view when the sun came outThe first day takes you through woodland before you follow a narrow clifftop path across moorland brightened by yellow gorse
pink clover and the occasional purple orchid
The path is accessible for anyone of any age who is reasonably fit and has a decent pair of walking boots
reminiscent of Cornwall with a touch of Donegal
This part of Lower Brittany is where you are most likely to hear people speak Breton
a Celtic language closely related to Cornish and Welsh
It is classified as “severely endangered” by Unesco
View image in fullscreenThe fishing village of Camaret-sur-Mer
Photograph: Pascale Gueret/AlamySome people may get a kick out of tramping with a heavy pack on their back but we’re past all that
so we organised our trip through Normandie Rando
a hiking and biking specialist who provide the itinerary
make hotel bookings and arrange luggage transfers
When we arrived at Morgat our bags had been delivered to the small hotel
In this part of the world the health department’s vehicles double as taxis so our bags generally arrived by ambulance
There are two decent fish restaurants in Morgat as well as a pizzeria
while vegetarians should head to the nearest crêperie
They are also fond of butter and there are numerous biscuiteries where they make shortbread-like biscuits and the renowned Breton cake
with quite steep climbs and descents until you get past the Pointe de St-Hernot and the Île Vièrge
La Palue is not very accessible and there are no beach bars
which is part of its charmBe prepared for all weathers as it’s changeable
A three-minute squall of horizontal rain at Cap de la Chèvre was all it took to give us a good soaking
but it was worth it for the view when the sun came out
The path then continues along the clifftop as you approach La Palue
considered the best of Brittany’s surfing beaches
High tide is the best time to catch good waves
The beach is not very accessible and there are no beach bars nor a webcam
but you’ll need to bring your own boards and other supplies
View image in fullscreenPointe de Saint Hernot at Cap de la Chèvre. Photograph: mauritius images/AlamyMegaliths and hoopoes: chance encounters in untamed BrittanyRead moreDay three was a 10-mile loop of the same peninsula
but this time cutting across inland to the coast at Lostmarc’h where you once again pick up the GR34 along a delightful clifftop walk bright with wildflowers towards the Château de Dinan
The path then cuts back inland through the village of Dinan and back to Morgat
The following day you have the option of a 13-mile walk from Telgruc-sur-Mer or eight miles from Saint-Nic (Sant Vig in Breton)
The taxi (ambulance) dropped us at Saint-Nic before taking our bags on to the hotel at Trefeuntec
is worth a visit before setting off in the direction of the sea
you can walk along or above the beach of La Lieue de Grève until you arrive at the beautiful headland of Pointe de Tal ar Grip after which another long beach
View image in fullscreenDouarnenez
Photograph: Emmanuel LATTES/AlamyThe fifth and final day takes you on an eight-mile path along the cliffs to Douarnenez
the last stretch of which passes through the lovely nature reserve of Les Plomarc’h
Douarnenez is a sizeable town with plenty of bars and restaurants along the banks of the Pouldavid River
In 1921 it became one of the first towns in France to elect a communist mayor
And so from Douarnenez it was on to Quimper and our separate ways
The trip was supported by Normandie Rando
which offers self-guided hiking and cycling holidays
This piece was amended on 19 June 2024 to remove a picture of Dinan village on the Cotes d’Armor
mistakenly used instead of Dinan on the Crozon peninsula
The original copy said Roscoff was west of Quimper
The Deseret News is tracking how the Canada 3x3 women’s basketball team — which features two former University of Utah players
as well as the team’s coach — performs at the 2024 Olympics
Come back for updates on these Utah ties each day during the 3x3 competition
Two former University of Utah stars will get their chance to play for an Olympic medal on Monday
Michelle Plouffe and Paige Crozon helped Canada post its most dominant performance of the Paris Olympics in a 21-10 victory over Australia in Saturday’s play-in round
clinching a spot in the semifinals for the Canadians
launching a deep 2-point shot that found the bottom of the net with 2:24 left on the clock to give Canada a game-clinching 21 points
“It’s such an emotional victory,” Crozon said, per a team release
She finished the game with 5 points and hits two 2-pointers
“Just to chase everything whole-heartedly makes you feel so vulnerable and open to all of the emotions that come with that
and we have had such an up and down tournament
so to play in the quarterfinals and to play our best
and have everyone contribute in such a big way just made me so proud of our team
our effort and all of the work and preparation that we put in to get to this point.”
Plouffe scored 4 points and also had six rebounds and two blocked shots for Canada
who scored a personal Olympic-high 9 points
Canada will now face Germany in Monday’s semifinals at 10:30 a.m
After losing two games in heartbreaking fashion on Friday
Canada got back on track in its pool-play finale on Saturday
making enough plays down the stretch to hold off Azerbaijan
Former Utah star Michelle Plouffe hit a key 2-pointer to make it 19-16
taking a quick attempt following a reset that left little time on the shot clock
though Azerbaijan rallied to knot the score at 19-19 with 46 seconds to play
put Canada back in front with a 1-point shot with 15 seconds left
and then after Azerbaijan missed a 2-point shot that would have won the game
the Canadians rebounded the ball and Katherine Plouffe
scored in the final second to wrap up the win
The win gives Canada a 4-3 record in pool play and they will advance to the play-in round later Saturday and play Australia
with the winner moving on to the semifinals
Michelle Plouffe had a team-high 8 points and three rebounds
Canada lost a pool-play match in overtime on a 2-point bucket
Canada was the one to rally and went ahead in the final minute of regulation when former Ute Michelle Plouffe scored a 1-pointer and was fouled
A quick Spain 2-pointer put them ahead 20-19
and both teams missed opportunities to win in regulation
Sandra Ygueravide stumbled on the opening possession but then drilled a 2-point shot to win — in 3x3 basketball overtime rules
with 11 points and six rebounds while shooting 7 of 11 from 1-point range
The loss makes it likely that Canada will have to play in a play-in game to reach the medal rounds
as the Americans rallied and tied the game on a Hailey Van Lith 2-pointer with 22.3 seconds left in regulation
with the first team to score 2 points the getting the victory
who paced Canada with 10 points and 3 rebounds
the United States won — and handed Canada its second loss of pool play — when Rhyne Howard drilled a game-winning 2-pointer
The two former Utes also contributed for Canada — Michelle Plouffe added 4 points and six rebounds
while Paige Crozon put up 3 points and a rebound
Canada bounced back from its first loss of the Olympics as former Ute Paige Crozon delivered the clinching points in the final minute of a 13-9 victory over France on Thursday
With Canada leading 10-7 in a low-scoring contest
Crozon hit a driving layup and was fouled with 32 seconds to play to make it 11-7
She then was awarded two free throws and hit both
Crozon then came up with a block on a 2-point attempt
as Canada held on in a game where both teams struggled with their shooting
The teams combined to go 1 of 16 from 2-point range
and Canada was 4 of 9 from the free-throw line
though it made up for that by going 9 of 16 from 1-point range
Canada trailed 7-1 early before a Michelle Plouffe 2-pointer gave Canada a brief 10-9 lead with 3:54 to play
Germany took control and earned a 19-15 win earlier Thursday
It was the first loss in pool play for the Canadians
each scored 5 points for Canada in the losing effort
Former Utah stars Paige Crozon and Michelle Plouffe each scored 7 points in leading Canada to a 21-11 win over China on Day 2 of 3x3 women’s basketball pool play during the 2024 Olympics on Wednesday
Canada got off a strong start and had a 14-6 lead midway through the 10-minute contest
Crozon helped Canada get off to its fast start by hitting a pair of 2-pointers early in the game — she finished the contest shooting 3 of 7 from long range and added two rebounds
While Plouffe struggled from the field — shooting 1 of 4 on 1-point shots (though that one make was the game-winner) and 1 of 2 beyond the arc — she made a game-high 4 of 4 free throws
while the speedy Kacie Bosch provided tough defense and hustle — leading to some critical offensive rebounds — while adding 2 points and 4 rebounds
Two University of Utah basketball stars started off their Olympics with a strong effort in helping the Canadian 3x3 women’s basketball team cruise past Australia 22-14 on Tuesday
Canada built a 15-2 lead in the fast-paced game before putting away Australia in the pool play opener for both teams
Former Ute Michelle Plouffe had eight points and five rebounds for Canada
Plouffe’s twin sister Katherine led Team Canada with 10 points and three rebounds
Her basket with 1:21 left on the clock wrapped up the victory
which is coached by former Ute Kim Smith Gaucher
is one of eight women’s 3x3 teams taking part in the 2024 Olympics
the eight 3x3 teams will be ranked according to their records
“The top two teams advance to the semifinals, while the bottom two are eliminated. The other four teams will compete in a play-in round (third vs. sixth, fourth vs. fifth), with the winners advancing to the semifinals,” per ESPN
In addition to having a different tournament format than 5x5 basketball
The Canada women’s 3x3 basketball team will next play Germany in the Olympic semifinals on Monday
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Paige Crozon and her daughter Poppy travel to competitions with her on the Olympic journey to Paris
Paige Crozon expected to continue playing professional 5-on-5 basketball after her daughter was born but three pro clubs in Europe told her they didn’t have the capacity to take on a player with a baby
Paige Crozon (7) Michelle Plouffe (1) with Poppy in front
Paige Crozon and her daughter Poppy travelling to competitions with her on the Olympic journey to Paris
Crozon knows that competing at the highest level with a young daughter in tow also helps change norms about what's considered possible
Crozon knows that competing at the highest level with a young daughter in tow also helps change norms about what’s considered possible
This is the last in a four-part series highlighting Canadian women heading to the Paris Olympics at the top of their sport while breaking long-standing societal barriers along the way
That was her daughter, Poppy, when she was three years old and still had her baby voice. Now, as a five-year-old kindergarten graduate and with her mom’s top-ranked team heading to the Paris Olympics
Poppy’s new favourite thing is when dance teams come on the court between games
Poppy was all of eight months old when Crozon first joined Katherine and Michelle Plouffe to compete in the FIBA 3x3 women’s series in 2019
She travelled to Europe four times with her mom
and was on 60 flights before the age of one
This exposure to women’s sport at the highest level has already had a big impact on Poppy
“When I was growing up I often had to
beg the boys to let me jump in on the game,” said Crozon
“Then I had to prove myself to be able to stay and compete
And she’s just growing up with the innate belief that she belongs in those spaces because she does.”
Crozon knows that competing at the highest level with a young daughter in tow also helps change norms about what’s considered possible and
Canada will have other competing moms in Paris
including marathoner Malindi Elmore and rifle shooter Shannon Westlake
a working mother is old news but the needle has moved slowly in sport and athletes have struggled for support
Crozon expected to continue playing professional 5-on-5 basketball after her daughter was born but three pro clubs in Europe told her they didn’t have the capacity to take on a player with a baby
“I put so much value in who I was as a person in my playing career
you can’t,’ I took it as I’m not good enough.”
It took the 3x3 game and the Plouffe twins to open doors for her
Shot put star heads to Paris as a top medal contender but feels like a different athlete than the one who went to the Tokyo Games in 2021
The International Olympic Committee first added this short
action-packed version of basketball to the Tokyo Games in 2021 as part of its ongoing efforts to appeal to younger
who had already competed for Canada at the Olympics in traditional basketball
were looking to start a 3x3 team and Michelle
who played with Crozon at the University of Utah
To go from being rejected as an athlete with a baby to being “welcomed by two amazing
strong individuals that were willing to do anything to support me,” was life changing
which let only one gender per country try to qualify
but they’ve come back as an even stronger team for Paris
Kacie Bosch has joined the team and off the court acts as Patrick Swayze to Poppy’s Jennifer Grey
lifting Crozon’s daughter high overhead
driving eight hours from Humboldt to Lethbridge
where Crozon lives and works full-time as the manager of the Living Skies Indigenous Basketball League
a cost-free Saskatchewan-wide program for youth 11 to 17
She was seven when she learned to sail and 20 years later became Canada’s most successful female sailor
Deciding which North American and international events Poppy travels to is related to costs more than anything else
Canada Basketball pays for Crozon’s flights and accommodations but she pays for her daughter
That makes events in North American and Europe
including “eating all the waffles in Belgium” possible but not 3x3 series stops in Japan or Mongolia
“I would love to see the funding increase in order to be able to bring her to more because I think it’s important that parents in sport don’t have to choose between being a parent and being an athlete,” Crozon said
“Something that all moms can relate to
is kind of the guilt that I experience when I’m on the road
I should be doing more for my career.”
That’s something three-time Olympian Kim Gaucher
she went public about being forced to choose between “being a breastfeeding mom or an Olympic athlete” because she wasn’t allowed to bring three-month-old daughter Sophie to Tokyo due to COVID-19 protocols
“She’s the reason why athletes are allowed to breastfeed within the Olympic Village now,” Crozon said
“She created this whole movement and momentum around women and sports.”
Brown won a bronze medal in the women’s team pursuit at the Rio Games in 2016
She’ll try to coach the men to the podium in Paris
The athletes village in Paris includes a dedicated space for athletes to spend time with their “diaper-wearing age” children
who will be staying in Paris with Crozon’s family
but “I’ll still be able to see her every day.”
where the team officially qualified for Paris
she told Poppy her teacher had emailed her with congratulations
‘Congratulations for what?’ I’m just her mom.”
Canada’s first game is Tuesday against Australia
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(Rebecca Blackwell | AP) Canada's Paige Crozon
looks to pass to Michelle Plouffe in the women's 3x3 basketball pool round match between Canada and China at the 2024 Summer Olympics
Paris • When the international basketball federation went all in on 3x3 basketball a dozen years ago
it coined the slogan “From the streets to the world stage.”
The slogan for the Canadian women’s team preparing to make its Summer Games debut in Paris
“from the dorms to the Olympics.” Specifically
Of the five members of the team — four players and a coach — three played for the University of Utah women’s basketball team
forwards Michelle Plouffe (2010-14) and Paige Crozon (2012-16)
Crozon was on the phone with Plouffe shortly after the Tokyo Olympics announced in 2017 that it would add 3x3 basketball to its program
And of course they’d both thought it would be exciting to compete
“We knew that [3x3] was going to be in the Olympics,” Plouffe said
(Rebecca Blackwell | AP) Paige Crozon of Canada
and Marena Whittle of Australia compete at the basket in the women's 3x3 basketball pool round match between Australia and Canada at the 2024 Summer Olympics
who played traditional basketball for Marquette and for the Canadian women’s team alongside Michelle in the 2016 Olympics
and had been helping with the women’s basketball team when both Plouffe and Crozon came through Utah
but she knew her banged up body couldn’t handle the more rough-and-tumble 3x3 format
which is an organized form of pickup basketball
“I just went back to 5s because it’s a little easier to slide in,” Gaucher said
“In 3s you can’t really take a break or come back slowly from injury.”
when FIBA began its women’s world tour in 2019
Crozon and the Plouffes signed up without having a fourth player on their roster
They had more pressing needs than finding a fourth player anyway if they wanted to compete in the Olympics
had the infrastructure in place to support its traditional 5-on-5 squad
It was the same national team Gaucher and the Plouffes had played for before
the country had no official representation
If they wanted to enter tournaments and position themselves to qualify for the 2020 Games (no one could have predicted the pandemic would delay them a year)
then Crozon and the Plouffes — who made their money by playing for clubs internationally — would have to pay for it out of their own pockets
“We’re always up for a challenge,” Michelle Plouffe said
“So why not do something like create a national team
(Rebecca Blackwell | AP) Canada's Michelle Plouffe jumps under pressure from Australia's Marena Whittle
and Anneli Maley in the women's 3x3 basketball pool round match between Australia and Canada at the 2024 Summer Olympics
Team Canada (*) failed to qualify a women’s 3x3 team for the Tokyo Olympics
since they won four of their seven tournaments in 2019 and climbed onto the podium in all but one
they fell victim to a somewhat obscure qualification system
It wasn’t a total loss, though. After the 2020 Olympics, Canada Basketball began putting more resources toward the 3x3 game. It added a U18 team, a U23 team and started paying for the elite team’s tournaments
They even gave Crozon and the Plouffes enough money to hire a coach
Gaucher admits she didn’t know much about the 3x3 game except for what she has gleaned from watching the Plouffes
It differs from traditional basketball in a few key ways
games only last 10 minutes or until one team reaches 21 points
with shots counting for one or two points apiece
the opposing team has to be able to rebound the ball
The rebounding team must get the ball behind the arc
coaches aren’t able to give advice or direction during a game
She doesn’t think anyone has deep knowledge of 3x3 strategies
which is something she said she loves about the discipline
since she said what works in 5s doesn’t always
“That’s one of the really cool things about 3s is that it is so new that teams are still kind of like inventing new things,” Gaucher said
it’s pretty hard to invent a new set play right now
The best brains in the world have gone at it for years
All of that just because of a bond forged in a dorm room at the University of Utah.
“Without playing together at Utah, we wouldn’t have had this friendship to begin with, right?” Michelle Plouffe said. “It’s been a fun little serendipity being on this journey.”
Canada began play Tuesday with a 22-14 win over Australia. Pool play ends Aug. 3 and the medal games will be played Aug 5. Team USA is the defending Olympic champion and the 2023 World Cup champion. Germany, Australia, Spain, Azerbaijan, France and China round out the teams competing in Paris.
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FRANCE - AUGUST 01: Paige Crozon #7 and Michelle Plouffe #1 of Team Canada react during a Women's 3x3 basketball pool round game between France and Canada on day six of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Esplanade Des Invalides on August 01
BY CHANDLER HOLT
PARIS – Canada’s 3×3 Women’s Basketball team was nearly stunned by Azerbaijan but came up big down the stretch to win
Two of Canada’s three starters, Michelle Plouffe and Paige Crozon, and head coach Kim Gaucher played college basketball at the University of Utah
Canada’s former Utes came up big in the final pool play game
They combined for 13 points with some of the baskets being very timely
🇨🇦 Canada get a PIVOTAL win over Azerbaijan and are headed to the Play-in! 🤩#3x3Basketball #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/4Um6Trd6YW
— 3×3 Basketball |FIBA3x3 (@FIBA3x3) August 3, 2024
It was all offense early between Team Canada and Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan’s Tiffany Hayes started the game with a quick layup and Plouffe responded with a two-pointer for Canada’s first lead
Hayes came back and took it to the cup again and made the shot with a foul
She knocked down the free throw to make it 3-2
Team Canada tied it at 3-3 and then the Ute connection
She drove to the rim once again and got the easy layup to go
Crozon knocked down a mid-range jump shot and then dished out another assist
It appeared that Canada figured out the Azerbaijan game plan early on
Hayes drilled one from deep to make it six points in less than two minutes
That shot started a 4-1 run for Azerbaijan
Canada has officially punched their ticket to the play-in round which is set for later today
— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) August 3, 2024
Canada answered with a 4-0 run to regain the lead
Azerbaijan drained a two-point shot to take a 13-12 lead
Crozon responded with one of her own to put Canada back on top and there was no looking back from there
she gives Canada the lead with the make from long-range
— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) August 3, 2024
A logo three from Plouffe with 90 seconds left gave them a 19-16 lead
A questionable foul put Hayes on the free-throw line and dropped the lead to two
Azerbaijan played tough defense and got two easy looks on their next two possessions to tie the game with less than a minute left
The Plouffe sisters each got a layup to go down the stretch to walk away with a hard-fought two-point win
Find KSL Sports coverage of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics here.
Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com. Follow Chandler on Twitter @CHoltSports or on Threads @chandlerho1t
Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.
Canada and the United States lost in heartbreakers in their 3x3 women’s basketball semifinal matchups at the Olympics on Monday.
The Americans, though, got some redemption in the bronze-medal game, as the United States rallied to beat Canada 16-13 on Monday.
In turn, the loss for Canada meant that a pair of former University of Utah stars — Michelle Plouffe and Paige Crozon — came up agonizingly short of a medal in the Canadians’ first appearance in 3x3 basketball at the Olympics.
The U.S. team, which overcame some early Olympic struggles to earn their way into the medal rounds, was led by Hailey Van Lith, who had 6 points and two rebounds in the bronze-medal matchup.
Canada — which was coached by another former Ute, Kim Smith Gaucher — led 7-3 early in the defensive struggle, and that included an early 2-pointer from Plouffe to start the scoring. The Americans, though, rallied and eventually tied the game at 12-12 with 1:59 to play.
Plouffe’s twin sister, Katherine Plouffe, briefly gave Canada its last lead at 13-12, scoring off a steal from Michelle Plouffe.
The United States, though, closed strong to earn the bronze.
The Americans’ Dearica Hamby hit a 1-pointer inside and was fouled with 1:17 left, and Hamby’s free throw gave the United States their first lead at 14-13.
Canada couldn’t hit a shot in the final minute, and the Americans wrapped up the win with two more free throws in the final minute.
Katherine Plouffe led Canada with 5 points and five rebounds in the game, while Michelle Plouffe had 3 points and six rebounds, though she made just 2 of 7 shots, including going 1 of 6 from 2-point range.
Crozon added 2 points, though she also struggled from outside, going 1 of 5 from 2-point range. Two of those misses came in the final minute.
For the United States, who won gold in the 2021 Olympics, Hamby added 3 points and six rebounds, while Rhyne Howard scored 4 points.
In the semifinals, Canada fell to Germany 16-15, while the United States lost 18-16 to Spain in overtime.
At one point, it looked like Plouffe and Crozon had a prime opportunity to play for gold with the Canadian team before they lost to Germany on a last-second shot.
Sonja Greinacher’s basket in the lane bounced off the rim and then went in with just over one second to play, giving the Germans the victory.
Canada appeared well on its way to victory, up 10-6 as Crozon scored 4 points in the early going, including a straightaway 2-pointer that gave Canada a 7-4 lead with 6:38 to play, though Canada’s seventh foul of the game two minutes later was a turning point.
Germany converted that foul into 2 points via the free-throw line, and it started a 5-0 run for the Germans to go up 11-10.
The game went back and forth after that, with Katherine Plouffe scoring on a putback to make it 15-15 with 14 seconds to play.
The Germans, though, converted on their final possession with Greinacher’s game-winner to clinch their spot in the gold-medal game.
In their semifinal, the United States led by as many as 5 points against Spain before Spain tied the game up twice in the final 35 seconds of regulation to force overtime with the score locked at 16-16.
Spain got the opening possession of overtime — in 3x3 basketball, the first team to score 2 points wins — and missed the first shot in OT, but got an important offensive rebound and turned it into a 1-point layup from Sandra Ygueravide.
After Rhyne Howard missed a 2-point shot that would have won it for the Americans, the United States’ Dearica Hamby fouled Ygueravide.
Ygueravide then sealed the win at the free-throw line, hitting a free throw to move the Spaniards on to the gold-medal game with the 18-16 victory.
5 months agoDuration 13:55Canadian 3x3 star Paige Crozon on AmeriCup glory and life after the Olympics5 months agoSportsDuration 13:55CBC Sports' Brittany MacLean chats with the Humboldt, Sask., native to discuss her AmeriCup gold medal, and how the team has grown since the Paris Olympics.
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Paige Crozon is headed to the Summer Olympics
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Play VideoArticle contentThe Saskatchewan product recently scored the winning basket that sent the Team Canada 3×3 women’s basketball squad to the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris
Here are five things to know about one of best hoopers to ever come from the province …
While she was a standout on the basketball court (playing three years of provincial team basketball
and guiding her high school team to a provincial title plus two bronze medals at Hoopla)
she was also a provincial high school champ in volleyball and track and field
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She didn’t need to look far for an athletic role model
Brianne Thiesen-Eaton (who went on to win an Olympic bronze medal in 2016 in the heptathlon) grew up in Humboldt
The 6-foot-1 Crozon is one of the greatest players in the history of the University of Utah women’s basketball program
she was an all-conference honourable mention as a junior in 2016 and became the 27th player in program history to score more than 1,000 points
She has represented Canada at a variety of levels
In addition to the 3×3 senior national squad
she has worn the Canadian jersey in the 3×3 under-18 world championships in 2011
the 2011 under-19 world championships and the 2018 Commonwealth Games
Every step of the way, Crozon travels with her young daughter, Poppy.
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FRANCE - AUGUST 03: Paige Crozon #7 of Team Canada blows a kiss towards the crowd after her team's victory against Australia during a Women's 3x3 basketball play-in game between Canada and Australia on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Esplanade Des Invalides on August 03
PARIS – The Canada 3×3 Women’s Basketball team caught fire in the play-in round and blew out Australia
Former Utah Jazz big man Kelly Olynyk was in attendance to cheer on Team Canada and their former Utes
KO in the house 🏡 @kellyolynyk
— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) August 3, 2024
Katherine Plouffe
got Team Canada started with an easy layup off a backdoor cut
Canada spread the love early on and it led to easy buckets. Crozon drove in for a finger roll and Kacie Bosch splashed a two-pointer to go up 4-0
After Australia stopped the bleeding with scores on two straight possessions
the Plouffe sisters connected on another give-and-go
Crozon followed another Australia score with a catch-and-shoot three to go back up by four
It was a ball movement clinic for Team Canada and specifically Michelle Plouffe
She facilitated the offense and assisted on Canada’s next two baskets as they took a commanding 9-3 lead
Two more Australia buckets were matched by a Bosch two-point shot
Bosch had taken a backseat in pool play but she had the hot hand in the play-in
The 5-foot-9 guard even got busy in the paint with an offensive rebound which led to a shooting foul and her seventh point
Plouffe stepped out behind the arc and made a two-pointer to put Canada up by nine
NOW IT’S MICHELLE PLOUFFE’S TURN
her make from beyond-the-arc adds to the Canadian lead
— Canada Basketball (@CanBball) August 3, 2024
it was up to Team Canada to play good defense and creep closer to 21
Playing some of their best hoops up to this point in the Olympics
They continued to hound the ballhandler on defense
and Canada found themselves up 19-10 with nearly three minutes still on the clock
A turnover from Australia would prove fatal as Crozon stepped out behind the arc and drilled a two to book Team Canada a spot in the semi-finals
Crozon was Canada’s second-leading scorer with five points
Bosch poured in nine points and the Plouffe sisters combined for seven points and seven assists
Humboldt’s Paige Crozon and the Canadian women’s 3×3 basketball team will play for bronze at the Olympic Summer Games in Paris after losing a nailbiter 16-15 to Germany in the semifinal on Monday morning
Article contentResults for the bronze-medal game
which saw Canada take on the United States on Monday afternoon
the Canadian women’s artistic swimming team took part in their first of three events with the team technical routine
which features co-captain Kenzie Priddell of Regina and alternate Sydney Carroll of Saskatoon
completed a jump of 4.40-metres in Monday’s women’s pole vault qualification round
but it wasn’t enough to advance to the finals
is headed for a quarterfinal game against France on Tuesday after the red-and-white wrapped up its group phase with a perfect 3-0 record
Also moving on to the next round is the Canadian women’s water-polo team with Regina’s Blaire McDowell
The team finished the group phase with a 1-3 record
and will face Spain in Tuesday’s quarterfinals
Borden’s Savannah Sutherland advanced to the women’s 400-metre hurdles semifinals on Tuesday
following a preliminary round time of 54.80 seconds
She’ll also compete in the women’s 4×400-m relay later this week
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Leading the German women’s basketball team
Saskatoon head coach Lisa Thomaidis and assistant coach Connor Jay
will take on France in their quarterfinals on Wednesday
The team suffered a 87-68 loss to the United States on Sunday to finish the group phase 2-1
Several other Saskatchewan athletes will be in action in the final week of the Games
including divers Rylan Wiens in the individual men’s 10-metre platform and Margo Erlam
as well as Saskatoon’s Michelle Harrison in the women’s 100-m hurdles
Wiens has already captured a bronze medal at the Games in the men’s synchronized 10-m event
The 2024 Western Canadian Baseball League playoffs are already set
but teams still had to wrap up the regular season over the long weekend
that meant a couple of road games against the Medicine Hat Mavericks
the same team they’ll be facing in the first round of playoffs
home runs by Bryce Campbell and Oakland Flodell helped Saskatoon to an 11-3 victory over Medicine Hat
avenging the team’s 11-2 loss to the Mavericks the day before
The Berries’ final regular season game was Monday against the Moose Jaw Express
Saskatoon ended the season in third place in the East Division standings and will take on No
2 Medicine Hat in the best-of-three East semifinals starting Wednesday
At the Canadian U-19 women’s fast pitch championship in Saskatoon this past week
Fusion captured the title with a 4-1 victory over the Aurora
The event featured three Saskatchewan teams: Moose Jaw Ice (3-4); Saskatoon Selects Wolverines (1-6); host Saskatoon PD Selects (5-3
PD Selects infielder Cadence Colburn was named a tournament all-star
Saskatchewan softball provincial championship have wrapped up with the Saskatoon Jacks defeating the Bruno Merchants 7-0 this past weekend to claim the Men’s A Division title
The Saskatoon Blue Jay Cannons defeated the Kindersley Royals 11-8 to win the 13U AA Tier 1 provincial titles on the final weekend in July
the Saskatoon Cardinals defeated the Regina White Sox 19-14 in the 13U AAA Tier 1 championship and Saskatoon Giants won 5-1 over the Saskatoon Diamondbacks in the 18U AAA division
Canada dropped their first game against Germany but came back to win against hosts France in day three of 3x3 Pool Play
Olympic 3x3 Basketball pool play is cruising along and Canada had its first two-game day on Thursday in Paris
The squad of Katherine and Michelle Plouffe
and Kacie Bosch went into Thursday undefeated at 2-0 after winning games against China and Australia in previous days
First up in the day was a game against a tough German team
Canada did not come out with their usual burst of energy
and that mixed with the German defence and low shooting percentage of the Canadian resulted in them dropping the game
a pic that goes hard // Une photo qui déchire #Paris2024 #3x3WNT pic.twitter.com/EIKuxRB6pk
Katherine and Michelle Plouffe each scored 5 points
Paige Crozon scored 4 and Kacie Bosch had 1 point
Neither team went into the bonus in this game
but Canada did get called for 6 fouls over Germany’s 3 fouls
Germany was ranked 4th coming into this competition
Canada could not linger on the loss too long though
because they played again later in the night against France
It’s common to play multiple games in one day in 3x3 basketball
so it was not too big of a deal for Canada to have two games — but it’s still tiring
especially since playing France meant the home crowd would be against them
Canada got out to a strong start in this game
They stayed consistent on defence against the French
who could not get a bucket for most of the first half of the game
France also racked up fouls faster than Canada
and ended up in the bonus in the final minutes
allowing Canada to create a wider gap in the score
highlights from another win for Team Canada the 3x3 Women's National Team will be back in action tomorrow vs. USA at 12:00 pm ET / 9:00 am PT#Paris2024 #3x3WNTpic.twitter.com/llCtsPr9Aj
It still was not as high scoring of a game as Canada had in previous games this week
and none of the Canadians scored more than 4 points
they held strong and didn’t let France take advantage of a low scoring game
and while they have not officially clinched a spot in the knockout rounds yet
who is also 3-1 (the one loss was against Canada)
but has scored 3 more points in the tournament over Canada
Three points is not a huge margin to make up in this game though
Team USA is the reigning Gold Medalists in this event and came into the competition ranked no.2
the team is completely different than it was in 2021
and also different than when the roster was announced in June
Unfortunately Cameron Brink suffered a torn ACL while playing for the LA Sparks in the WNBA
She was replaced by her LA teammate Dearica Hamby
While Rhyne Howard is currently playing in the Olympics
she was also injured in June while playing for the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA
The other two members of the team are long-standing 3x3 player Cierra Burdick
as well as NCAA college standout Hailey Van Lith
This combo of players has not played much in 3x3 competition together
and that may be why they are struggling as a team in Paris
when all other countries have been preparing with these rosters
each player on Team USA is still a very skilled basketball player
the desperation to improve their score and get into the next stage of the tournament will be on their minds
They won their first game on Thursday against Spain
Canada will play Spain later Friday afternoon
who have a record of 2-2 so far in Paris and sit behind Canada at no.6 in the pre-tournament tournament rankings
Canada needs to continue their strong starts
and rack up some points early on against both of these teams
Their last game of pool play will be against Azerbaijan on Saturday
That team has WNBA player Tiffany Hayes on the roster
who announced her retirement after last season but came back this year to sign with the Las Vegas Aces
Canada’s fate will be decided through these last games
so it’ll be pedal to the medal for the rest of the group stage
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THUNDER BAY – Paige Crozon brought her Olympic-level basketball skills to Kingsway Park Public School on Tuesday
who was part of the fourth-place finishing Canadian women’s 3x3 basketball team at the Paris Olympics this past summer
ran an on-court basketball clinic with Grade 5 and 6 students through the Canadian Tire Jumpstart program
She’ll be attending other Lakehead Public Schools this week
Crozon also hopes to provide some inspiration by sharing her experiences
“I just feel so fortunate to have been given so much in basketball and through sport and how it’s carried over into my life,” Crozon said
“It’s really important for me to try to pay that forward and try to give back because I just know how integral sport has been.”
By Crozon’s side in the Kingsway gym was her young daughter Poppy
who was signing autographs alongside her mom
I want for her to have an amazing group of friends like I found in my teammates,” said Crozon
“Just having her has added some resiliency into my life but it’s also just provided a different perspective.”
Crozon also hopes to show the students a “high-performance pathway” by someone that has been in their position
“I have taken the steps to try to achieve my Olympic dream,” she said.
A few students had the chance to take on Crozon in one-on-one matches and Grade 6 student Scarlett Garrett was able to score on the Olympian
“That felt almost like a one in a million chance,” she said
adding she’s definitely trying out for the school basketball team this year
PARIS (August 3, 2024) – The Canadian Women’s 3x3 Team defeated Australia 21-10 Saturday night to advance to Monday’s semi-finals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
nearly matching Australia’s team total herself
“My team always has confidence in me even when I don’t have confidence in myself
so I knew that they believed in me,” Bosch said of her best shooting performance in Paris
“I wasn't thinking [about previous games]
Bosch finished a perfect 4-for-4 inside the arc while making 2-of-4 two-pointers
compared to a 1-for-6 performance for Australia from two
so we knew we had to play extremely tough and extremely disciplined in order to get past Australia because they’re so talented with so many amazing players,” Crozon said
After Crozon’s two-pointer sank through the net to secure the victory
the team celebrated together on the court while the emotions sank in
“It’s such an emotional victory,” Crozon said
Katherine Plouffe scored the game's first point at the free-throw line
and then Crozon drove the lane to make it 2-0 Canada
Bosch’s first two of the game extended Canada’s lead to three points
and then Canada’s defence forced a shot clock violation
A two-pointer from Crozon extended Canada’s lead to four (7-3) and Bosch made two more layups to build the lead
Bosch responded with another two-pointer to give Canada an 11-4 advantage
A two from Michelle Plouffe extended the lead to nine with 5:37 remaining
"It’s been such an up and down journey for us
even in the [Olympic Qualifying Tournaments]
we had some games we thought we could have played better and could have played better and then coming here
but our team never gives up on each other,” Bosch said
“It’s just amazing having this journey with them.”
Back-to-back shots from Michelle Plouffe and Katherine Plouffe extended Canada’s lead to double digits (17-7)
Michelle Plouffe grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled
After Katherine Plouffe found Bosch for another layup
and Crozon sealed the victory with a two-pointer
Earlier in the day, Canada defeated Azerbaijan 21-19 behind an eight-point effort from Michelle Plouffe and a five-point
eight-rebound performance from Katherine Plouffe
Tiffany Hayes led Azerbaijan with nine points and eight rebounds in the loss
and each [player] can do everything,” Crozon said
“We always rely on our defence and our discipline on defence
and so we just want to continue to build on that every single game we play.”
Michelle Plouffe connected on a two for Canada’s first points of the game
with the teams trading baskets and free throws
until Katherine Plouffe scored inside to move Canada in front by one
A jumper from Bosch extended Canada’s lead to two
but she grabbed her own offensive rebound and scored
A huge two-pointer from Michelle Plouffe gave Canada a 19-16 advantage with 1:25 remaining
Azerbaijan made a free throw and scored inside to cut Canada’s lead down to one
Hayes tied the game on a reverse layup with 45.5 seconds remaining
but Michelle Plouffe drove to the basket to give Canada a 20-19 advantage with 15 seconds remaining
Katherine Plouffe scored to beat the buzzer to give Canada the 21-19 victory
Canada will now face Germany in the semifinals on Monday
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Justin Seward – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – sports@lethbridgeherald.com
Local Kacie Bosch and fellow University of Lethbridge Pronghorn women’s basketball assistant coach Paige Crozon will be chasing a gold medal at the Paris Olympics as a part of Team Canada’s 3×3 Women’s basketball beginning next week.
Bosch and Crozon will be joined by the Plouffe sisters of Michelle and Katherine.
“It definitely feels a little bit more real,” said Bosch.
“It’s kind of starting to sink in now and it’s super exciting. I can’t believe that it’s happening and I’m so looking forward to competing at the world’s biggest stage.”
The team recently played for the first time together as a team since qualifying for the Olympics in Hungary at a tournament in Edmonton for their women’s series and used that to knock some rust off before setting out to Paris.
“I would say that we were very happy with the tournament that we played,” said Bosch.
“A lot of it was making sure that we maybe got our defence a little bit more crisp.”
Offensively, Bosch thought Canada found the looks they are hoping for in Paris.
Canada will look to find their confidence throughout their defensive strategies.
“And making sure that we get practice in maybe some of the switches or under ball screens that we don’t normally do as our defaults,” said Bosch.
“But being able to really mix up the defences when we get to Paris, so that the teams that we play won’t just have one look to try (and) come back.”
The Canadian women’s 3×3 team failed to qualify in the first tournament in Japan and then had to win the third-place game at the second tournament in Hungary to qualify for Paris, in which they did.
“We’ve had so many games where it’s been do or die and I think having those experiences with the games with a lot of pressure,” said Bosch.
“Not many other teams have had those experiences. So I think coming into Paris, we’ll be a lot better able to manage our emotions and nerves in dire times.”
Bosch spoke about not letting the off-court distractions get to them.
“I think when we’re able to bounce off each other, and make each other laugh, and find joy in those little moments when it’s just us four before the games start, that makes a huge difference,” said Bosch.
“We always take a deep breath before we run out and they introduce our names. So making sure we soak in those moments and know that it’s about us four and really refocus when we do start to feel the nerves or the pressure.”
Her hope is to catch the other Lethbridge athletes in competition.
both athletes are more than prepared to display their abilities on this esteemed international platform
Their commitment and diligence have been incredibly motivating
and it’s exciting to see them have this chance
I’m excited to watch how they perform and am following their trip with great anticipation
Wishing Bosch and Crozon the best of success
I’m sure they’ll make us all proud in the Olympics in Paris
504 - 7th Street South Lethbridge, AB T1J 3Z7
There’s a TV commercial depicting a pick-up basketball game with boys and one unguarded girl
or presumably picked last when choosing teams
that girl starts draining shots left and right
That girl could have very easily been Paige Crozon 15 to 20 years ago on a playground concrete court by St
That’s where Crozon — recent Paris 2024 Olympian and current FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series basketball participant in Saskatoon — developed a real love for the game
1 ranked individual player on the world circuit
2-ranked Noortje Driessen of the Netherlands
“I would grow up playing against the boys on the outdoor court
just begging them to let me play against them,” recalls Crozon
who went on to play NCAA Division basketball at the University of Utah
professionally in Europe and also representing Canada internationally in the five-on-five game before turning to the three-on-three basketball game and the FIBA 3×3 Women’s World Series
I’ll take the girl’ and nobody would guard me and I would try extra hard to prove it (to them)
The 30-year-old Humboldt product has been dominating with Canada’s 3×3 Women’s team since its inception in 2019
While an Olympic medal eluded Crozon and Canadian teammates Kacie Bosch (age 27)
Michelle Plouffe and Katherine Plouffe (twins who are 31)
Crozon is delighted to be back in her home province playing the sport she loves in front of hometown fans
I just played every sport that was available to me and we have such a strong supportive community of volunteer coaches and coaches within the schools
I just fell in love with the sport in general,” said Crozon
who was on hand to run a basketball clinic Thursday afternoon for young girls at Walter Murray Collegiate
I always thought it’d be for hockey or volleyball
but then I grew to 6-foot-1 and actually found the path was in basketball
And now I was fortunate enough to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics.”
When she’s not travelling around the world playing basketball
Crozon now splits her time between her role with the Living Skies Indigenous Basketball League in Saskatoon and around the province
where she runs a training group and has served as an assistant coach for the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s basketball team
With the 2028 Olympic Games set for Los Angeles
Crozon was asked if she’s already thinking at taking another run at that Olympic medal
noting that they recently played against a 39-year-old from Spain and “one of the best players” in the world
so she herself could have “two more Olympics” in her
re-charge and then make decisions when we’re a little more rested
We’ll see where life takes us … It’s one year at a time.”
she would join Humboldt’s Brianne Theisen-Eaton and Lyndon Rush as Olympic medalists from that city
often more known for its Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team
Crozon and her Team Canada teammates came oh-so-close to a medal in Paris
“Foul trouble is huge and obviously devastating to our team because we went there with hopes of medalling and in the semifinals lost by one point with one second on the clock
So to finish fourth feels like you lose a medal twice,” admitted Crozon
but we truly gave everything we had on the court and it was an ultra-marathon of a three-on-three tournament.”
Crozon said she started playing 3-on-3 instead of 5-on-5 in 2019 because
the three-on-three game had more support and a better structure to accommodate a young mother
“I made the switch and it’s just been an amazing experience,” she said
“(Poppy) travels the world with me and is in the gym every single day
She had to be there because she’s been such a big part of the experience and the journey.”
Crozon and Team Canada will open the tournament Saturday at 1 p.m
There are eight international teams in the tournament
which runs in Victoria Park along the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon
Other participating teams include Dallas 3XBA from the United States
to have the opportunity to play in front of so many people I grew up (with) or have coached me for many years
is just really surreal that I get to wear the Team Canada uniform on an international stage playing at home,” said Crozon
who was a spectator when the FIBA World 3×3 Masters men’s series was played in Saskatoon from 2017 to 2019
“I couldn’t be more honoured and proud to represent Saskatchewan and my hometown of Humboldt
I think it’s just going to be an amazing experience from a viewer’s perspective and Discover Saskatoon has done such a great job making it a grand (Urban Games) event and it’s not just 3×3
We’re happy to have our Olympic team here to showcase in Saskatoon.”
dzary@postmedia.com
SPORTS
Kim Gaucher #8 of Canada reacts after scoring against Serbia during the women's basketball game on Day 3 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Youth Arena on August 8
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
BY MICHELLE BODKIN
SALT LAKE CITY – History has been made as Team Canada’s first 3X3 basketball team to ever qualify for the Olympics will feature three former Utah women’s basketball greats
Michelle Plouffe (2010-2014)
and Kim (Smith) Gaucher (2002-2006) are all former Utes and headlining Canada’s 3X3 team heading to the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer
HISTORY MADE 🚨 Canada’s 1st 3×3 team to EVER qualify for the Olympic Games includes 3 Utah alums
Next stop: 📍 PARIS!!#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/ao0A1DPgmJ
— Utah Women’s Basketball (@UTAHWBB) May 19, 2024
The Pac-12 announced their first-ever all-female Hall of Honor class back in 2023 in recognition of 50 years of Title IX and Utah women’s basketball star Kim (Smith) Gaucher was among the inductees
Gaucher along with the other 11 other inductees was honored in a special ceremony on March 3
at the Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Tournament
The 2023 class was also celebrated during halftime of the day’s first semifinal matchup at the Michelob Ultra Arena inside the Mandalay Bay Events Center
The Hall of Honor was created to celebrate the illustrious history of the Conference of Champions
due to the Pac-12 leading all conferences with 546 national titles across 29 sports which equates to over 200 more than the next league
One of the greatest players Canada has ever produced is facing one of the most difficult decisions of her life.@michaelgrange on Kim Gaucher’s choice between her longest loves — basketball and country — and her newest, deepest one, her daughter Sophie:https://t.co/ucXjXn6RNx
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 9, 2021
Crozon has an interesting story since graduating from Utah and pursuing her own professional basketball career
On top of preparing for the 2024 Olympics, Crozon helps coach Living Skies– a basketball league dedicated to giving Indigenous Canadian children the opportunity to play the sport without cost
Crozon balances that with being a single mom to her four-year-old daughter
who will get to watch her mom compete in the upcoming Olympics
How does Paige Crozon balance basketball and motherhood
A conversation with @arielhelwani ahead of #Paris2024: https://t.co/0zb9ARgbh1 pic.twitter.com/ddZ6fuzqlJ
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) May 10, 2024
After spending their college years apart, Michelle Plouffe and her twin sister Katherine are enjoying playing together for the Canadian 3X3 basketball team
The connection the two have has been beneficial for the team and their efforts to make the 2024 Paris Olympics
— 3x3Hustle (@3x3Hustle) May 21, 2020
Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect, give us a follow @kslsports
Few of us use our daily 24 hours as productively as Paige Crozon
“I'm so honoured and humbled to be in the inaugural class of the SimiSleighs Foundation,” Crozon said
“The two other athletes that I'm with
one is a two-time an Olympian and the other one is a six time Paralympian
I am incredibly humbled to be in this class and to work with such a prestigious organization that is working on finding avenues to support women in sport.”
Founded by Olympic skeleton racer Simidele “Simi” Adeagbo
the mission of SimiSleighs is to build a better world for girls and women through sport
The Athlete Grant Program serves to empower female Olympic and Paralympic athletes and hopefuls from around the world through a one-year program designed to support personal and professional development
recipients also receive up to $10,000 USD in financial assistance to cover expenses related to training to represent their country at an upcoming Olympic or Paralympic Games
Crozon was selected from more than 350 applicants as one of three recipients of this year’s grant program
alongside American Paralympic wheelchair racer Tatyana McFadden and Egyptian Olympian pentathlete Haydy Adel Morsy
Crozon’s selection means extra assistance on and off court as she continues to work toward helping Canada’s Women’s 3x3 team qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics
The journey begins with the FIBA 3x3 Women’s World Cup
taking place May 30-June 4 in Rathausplatz
she’d like to add a gold to her collection
“We didn't really know what to expect
so we had kind of had no expectations going into the World Cup last year because it was so foreign to all of us
“Because we had [such] a good season last year
we were able to have more resources in place to support our training for this upcoming season,” Crozon continued
we've been able to connect with the Canadian Sport Institute
and have more access to physiotherapists and sports psychologists
Michelle Plouffe and Katherine Plouffe had a mini training camp in Toronto last weekend in preparation for the World Cup
“It was so good to come to Toronto as a group and then to have the support from the Toronto community to come out and play against us,” Crozon said
“We had four separate squads from the community that we played over the course of the weekend
We really appreciate the help getting us prepared for the World Cup
We had such great competition while we were there
the energy and excitement around the sport is palpable
Extra resources from the Canadian Sports Institute
along with the support from Crozon’s Athlete Grant Program have already made a huge impact on her training
Crozon was able to bring her daughter along with her
just to be able to have that kind of support
I think it just makes it a little bit more sustainable for our career,” Crozon said
“I feel more prepared physically going into the season
I've had more opportunities to kind of recharge going into this World Cup and to the 3x3 season
We all play the sport at this stage of our career because we have so much joy and passion playing and we genuinely enjoy playing with one another
we're just focusing on the things that are in our control and continuing to play with the energy and joyfulness that has brought us success thus far.”
Though Crozon’s daughter is just four years old
she’s a mainstay at the gym where she “trains” alongside her mother for this year’s 3x3 Women’s Series
Crozon regularly documents their sessions on her Instagram where Poppy is already a star
Canada’s 3x3 Team had a familiar face on the sidelines in Toronto as Canada Basketball legend and three-time Olympian Kim Gaucher was working with the team
“Such a fantastic addition to our team,” Crozon said
She played on the Senior Women's National Team for so long
just to be able to have that insight is so good for us
She has been such an invaluable resource for me
I've just kind of stayed quiet and tried to figure it out with accommodations and travel for Poppy when I'm away and when I'm playing and she's just been so empowering
[reminding me it’s okay to be] able to ask for support
There is strength and vulnerability in stating you need to be successful as a mom and realizing that this is important.”
study (Crozon recently completed her Master of Business Administration)
and keep up with Poppy is a delicate balancing act
Crozon is always quick to point to the support system she and Poppy have in place off-court as well
“In all the organizations that I'm part of
it's not me doing it by myself,” she said
and I'm one of many people that help it be successful
I think all those skills are what you learn in sport
which has really helped me and then in my personal life
But what I am so proud of is just the village around me of other strong women that have kind of stepped up and recognized that what I'm doing is important and have been willing to help.”
Crozon credits both her mother and sister for helping to care for Poppy when she is traveling or competing with the 3x3 team
Poppy is there on the sideline cheering the team on and sometimes can be found in the timeout huddle
“I think it’s important for her to see these role models,” Crozon said
“She loves Kacie Bosch so much and she and Kacie always get their reps up when we’re at the gym.”
As important as it is for Poppy to be around strong female role models in sport
Crozon also wants to show young female athletes that they do not need to choose between the sport they love and other things that they want to have in their lives
“I think it’s important when I coach youth teams and am involved in youth programs
even when I’m contributing in these spaces
I think it's important for young women to see a representation of women managing a family
but also pursuing things that make them happy.”
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Plage de l’Île Vierge is a renowned beauty that isn't easy to access without a boat © andre quinou / Shutterstock
Daphné is the author of the Brittany chapter for our latest France guidebook
Here she shares the best beaches along its epic coastline
Brittany doesn’t offer your typical beach experience
It’s not a matter of throwing on a bikini and jumping straight into the sea; you’ll want to pack a fleece
and preferably – if you’re not one for cold water – a wetsuit
But don’t let that put you off. The region
which alone makes up for a third of France’s coastline
is home to some of the country’s most beautiful beaches – ranging from sandy and tropical to wild and rocky
through surfer-friendly and ready to party
Less crowded than most spots in warmer parts of the country
Brittany’s beaches often leave you with the satisfaction of having stumbled upon an unspoiled gem
You'll be surprised to find out how heavenly the seascape can get and the photo opp is well worth sacrificing those perfect tan lines
These are our favorite beaches in beautiful Brittany
A small cove on the eastern flank of the Crozon peninsula overlooked by pine trees and swathes of heather
Plage de l’Île Vierge was once one of the most coveted spots in the area on a sunny afternoon
access to the beach has been closed for safety reasons
Stick to the warning signs and snap your pic from above
while remaining on the GR34 footpath that circles the peninsula
Detour: Plage de l’Île Vierge is only one of the many wonders you can expect to see if you hike the GR34 in the Crozon peninsula
Don’t miss the majestic Cap de la Chèvre further down south
A two-kilometer (1.2 miles) stretch of sand facing the Atlantic Ocean
Plage de la Torche has become known for its rolling waves that attract surfers from around the world all year long
the beach is also an inspiring spot for a walk
followed by a crêpe at one of the cute restaurants facing the sea
Located on an island literally named after its beauty, Plage des Grands Sables lives up to the reputation of Belle-Île
You'll find it after a 15-minute car drive from the main town
featuring beautiful views of the coast and the neighboring islands of Houat and Hoëdic
A long stretch of sand protected from the wind and bathed in sunlight throughout the day
it’s the perfect place for a relaxing family day out
The beach’s prime location has also made it a hotspot for water sports
paddles and windsurfing equipment from the nearby sailing school
Somewhere between the setting of Dune and that of a desert island movie
Plage de la Mine d’Or is one of Brittany’s most astonishing beaches
ochre-colored cliffs that were mined for gold at the end of the 19th century
giving the Mine d’Or – "goldmine" in French – its name
the beach is without doubt one of the most spectacular sights in the area
intimate coves if you head further south on the walking trail
when most of the crowd has cleared — the cliffs are drenched in a beautiful golden-orangey color
The rocks that make up the island of Groix’s coast are known to contain lots of garnet and when the weather gets stormy
particles of the mineral scatter along some of the beaches
coloring the sand a surprising shade of red
just a short walk from the town of Locmaria
Plage des Sables Rouges is one of the spots where this phenomenon is most visible
cozy beach that is popular with local families
the site is easily accessible from the coastal path and protected from the wind
Planning tip: Groix is a small island; if you can
skip the car and go beach-hopping on a bike
Stretching over 3km (1.8 miles) and overlooked by fancy hotels and restaurants
the quiet Plage du Sillon sits right next to the center of Saint-Malo and is a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the city
It makes for a lovely walk with views of the town’s famous fortified walls and
As you get nearer to the southern side of the beach
you’ll notice locals armed with buckets crawling over rocks fishing for crabs
It’s one of the most popular hobbies in Saint-Malo
Always check out the latest rules on quotas and protected species before you set off
Detour: A few kilometers from Plage du Sillon
a protected natural site culminating 32 meters (105ft) above sea level
offering an unobstructed view of the surrounding bay
Walk north through Plage du Minihic and catch the GR34 footpath that will take you all the way to the site
Carnac’s claim to fame isn’t exactly beach-related: the area is mostly known for hosting the world’s highest concentration of standing stones dating back to the 5th century BCE. But just a five-minute drive from the site, lining the bay of Quiberon, you’ll find a few sandy beaches – five, to be precise – that are Carnac’s pride and joy.
The Grande Plage is the biggest one of them. A long stretch of sand sheltered from the waves and featuring typical striped beach huts, it’s popular with local families and the perfect spot for keen sandcastle makers.
Planning tip: There are plenty of restaurants and snack bars within walking distance of the beach.
Access to the small Plage de l’anse du Pissot is not easy. From the GR34 footpath, you’ll have to keep your eyes out for the steep set of stairs that takes you down to the hidden, intimate beach. Much lesser known than its bigger neighbor, Plage du Val André, it’s well worth going out of your way to find the spot if you’re a fan of beautiful, unspoiled natural beauty.
The Saskatchewan product recently scored the winning basket that sent the Team Canada 3×3 women’s basketball squad to the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris
who on Monday spent time with local basketball youth on the University of Saskatchewan campus
was an all-around athlete growing up in Humboldt
Crozon is equally renowned on the sidelines
She manages the non-profit Living Skies Indigenous Basketball League in Saskatchewan
serves as an assistant coach with the University of Lethbridge women’s team
worked as an assistant coach with the Saskatchewan Rattlers in 2021
and was selected as one of 16 coaches in any sport to be named to the 2020 Canadian Association of Canada Enhanced Female Mentorship Program
Prince Albert's only locally-owned daily newspaper
one of the world’s most accomplished 5.15 climbers
recently visited the steep cliffs of Pen-Hir on the Crozon peninsula in the southwest of Camaret-sur-Mer
“What an opportunity to discover a place like this,” said Bouin
“Climbing above the ocean with so much atmosphere is not something I’m used to
I love being able to repeat these historic routes
with a rock type dependent on the weather conditions
I even took the opportunity to bolt and free solo a new route in a cave here.”
The area is known by climbers for its five-star psicobloc, sport and trad routes. You can find more info about Pen-Hir here.
A post shared by Seb Bouin (@sebbouin)
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2024) - Andrew Nembhard and Paige Crozon have been named the Toyota Canada Players of the Week for May 6-10
the Indiana Pacers made history by making it to the second round of the NBA Playoffs for the first time in a decade
Now in a close series against the New York Knicks
the Pacers look to level up the series and continue their stellar run
Canada’s Andrew Nembhard has been a constant presence in the Pacers’ success
putting up 11 or more points in their last six playoff games
Nembhard helped propel the Pacers over the Milwaukee Bucks over the previous week
Paige Crozon keeps coming up big in the clutch 🎯🗣️The Humboldt, Sask. product's dagger two-pointer helps Canada inch closer to a berth in the 2024 Olympic Games#UOQT2 | #CB3x3 https://t.co/nnnnmHfA1n pic.twitter.com/PtP9zuRoB7
the team will have another chance to qualify later this month
Paige Crozon was a steady presence for the 3x3 team
finishing first in the tournament and leading all players with 6.6 points per game
By Lethbridge Herald on September 19, 2023.
Current University of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s team coaches Paige Crozon and Kacie Bosch are on top of the basketball world at this moment in time.
Both Bosch and Crozon were a part of the Team Canada FIBA 3×3 team along with the Plouffe twins, Katherine and Michelle, from Edmonton that repeated for a second consecutive year as Women’s Series Final champions after a 16-15 win over France in the final on Sunday in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
It was second consecutive year that Canada beat France in the Final.
Canada swept Pool A with a 22-17 win over Mongolia, a 22-17 win over France and a 21-13 win over Germany before a 21-12 win over the United States in one of the semi-final on Sunday.
Canada entered the final tournament as the No. 1 seed after winning five stops of the nine during the season.
The team had to hang on late in the final game without Michelle Plouffe who sustained an injury.
Bosch, who hails from Lethbridge and played for the Horns women’s team, said the entire final was just a roller coaster in itself.
“The French girls are so talented and you can tell that they’ve been putting in a lot of work because just their style of play is very different to our style of play,” said Bosch.
Bosch said it’s always nerve-wracking even to just be in the final.
“And then when you realize you’re going to have to go down to three people, that nervousness increases just a little bit more,” said Bosch.
“So in that moment, I think I should have been more nervous than I actually was. But with the added kind of fuel to our fire of Michelle being hurt, we knew that we wanted to be able to do this for her and for our team because we deserved it after such a long season. So the nerves kind of went away in the last two-and-a-half minutes because you’ve just have to put your head down and work and there’s no time to be nervous or worried.”
“I don’t know if it’s totally sunk in yet,” said Crozon.
“But we had an unbelievable experience in the last game. It was a very physical game and it was tied with six seconds to go ,and then we were fortunate to make the game-winning shot as time ran out to win the Women’s Series Final and be crowned the Women’s Series champions.”
Crozon said since it was the eight best teams on the women’s series, every game was a fight.
The Plouffes and Crozon have been playing together since 2019 and Bosch joined the squad in 2021.
“I would say the chemistry with our group and the amount that we’ve been able to play with one another was a strength this past weekend,” said Crozon.
Crozon feels fortunate that Canada has the Plouffes, who are No. 1 and 2 ranked players in the world and two-time Olympians.
“So having a skill set like that on our team has really contributed to our success and then we all really have bought into our roles on the team,” said Crozon.
With the win, Canada ended the season with a fifth place world ranking finish and will be off to an Olympic qualifier next spring in hopes of making the 2024 Paris Olympics next summer.
Canada will play in the AmeriCup in December before the Olympic qualifier.
3×3 basketball is teams having three players with one sub, one backboard and a half court setting
YORKTON - When it comes to success as an athlete Paige Crozon has had more than her share of late
and Michelle and Katherine Plouffee -- on Canada’s 3x3 women’s basketball team has made headlines as they have dominated on the international scene
With notable performances throughout the 2023 season the team claimed first place in the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series Final Stop in mid-September
It was their second straight title after a 16-15 victory over France for this year’s title
Appearing in seven other international tournaments this year
Crozon scored at the buzzer in the Final Stop in Mongolia
bringing home the series title for Team Canada
She received two awards for her performance
walking away with the new status of Buzzer-beater and Top 3 Single Game Player
All five tournaments that Canada won leading into the Women’s Series Final they did with a perfect 5-0 record
as she joined Team Canada earlier in the month at the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series Montreal Stop and once again claimed the top of the podium.
The effort is certainly raising the profile of basketball
and Crozon said she believes the sport is gaining popularity in Saskatchewan
“You can see the game growing,” she said
The next step is to build the game at the foundational level
getting younger players on the court regularly
In her daughter’s case she is out dribbling and learning the game at age five
Of course that’s a great thing about basketball
“You just need a ball,” said Crozon
Crozon said when you get players involved in a sport at a younger age “they stay engaged” as they get older
In her case she began as a 5x5 player and now focuses on the 3x3 game
a version of the game she says can help all players develop
In her case “many things” attract Crozon to 3x3
“I’m very passionate about the sport
You really have to be a versatile player,” she said
The game of 3x3 forces players to be strong on defence and versatile on creating offence
And when you rise to the level Crozon has there is a literal world to explore
She said travelling to so many countries has proven to be more than basketball
“You experience so many different cultures,” she said
given me new perspectives as a human.”
There is also the camaraderie of a close knit team
With only four players being compatible means more than meshing on the court
“We genuinely enjoy each other’s company,” said Crozon
“We love and care for each other as athletes and off the court too
For Crozon’s efforts she was named the SaskSport Athlete of the Month for September
“It’s a big honour,” she told Yorkton This Week
“I’m very proud to be from Saskatchewan – to be a member of the sports landscape in the province.”
Crozon said the SaskSport award was also special as she recognizes “Saskatchewan has so many other outstanding athletes.”
Up next for Crozon and Team Canada is a run to qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris
“We started this 3-on-3 journey with a goal to play in the Olympics,” said Crozon
adding now they have to prepare to qualify to achieve that goal