Kim Sonia (177 cm, F) was lonely.
Incheon Shinhan Bank lost 57-82 to Cheongju KB Stars in the regular season of the Woori Bank Woori WON 2023-2024 Women’s Professional Basketball League at Incheon Dowon Gymnasium on March 8. It was the team’s first loss since the home opener.
Kim Dan-bi (180 cm, F) left Shinhan Bank after the 2021-2022 season. He joined Asan Woori Bank. Even though Kim was a second-year free agent, her departure came as a shock. He was a “one-club player” and a “franchise star” who only played for Shinhan Bank.
Shinhan Bank was more shocked than anyone else. But it couldn’t just be shocked. It needed a buffer to cushion the blow. One such cushion was the selection of Kim Sonia (177 cm, F) as a compensation player for Kim Dan-bi.
Kim Sonia was immediately labeled as an ace after the trade. The pressure was on. She had never been an ace before and had to blend into Shinhan Bank’s colors. On top of that, she had to quickly get up to speed with her new teammates.
However, Kim Sonia was able to quickly blend into the Shinhan Bank colors. She pressured her opponents hard and ran faster than them. She was also aggressive in talking and rebounding. As Shinhan’s ace, she led the team to the playoffs for the third consecutive season and her second season with Shinhan.
Kim Sonia blocked Heo Ye-eun (165 cm, G) on the first defense. She confused the KB Stars bench and Heo Ye-eun. In the offense, a ball-less screen led to a three-point play on the right wing. It was the team’s first three points.
After hitting the three, Kim Sonia showed off her fingertips on the fast break. A backboard jumper after a stop near the free throw line. Kim Sonia’s jumper went through the rim. 토토사이트
She then finished off a kick-out pass from Kim Ji-young (170 cm, G) for three points. Showing off her long shooting range, Kim Sonia scored 10 points in the first quarter alone (2/3 from three, 2/2 from free throws). Shinhan Bank also led 24-23 in the first quarter.
While Kim Sonia was focused on defense, Shinhan Bank tried to reduce her burden. They wanted her to focus on offense. However, Kim Sonia’s offense wasn’t as potent as it was in the first quarter. Shinhan Bank’s scoring pace also slowed down.