WABA U17: Vasilisa Miljanic goes perfect from deep, hitting all 8 three-pointers

The latest day of the 2006-27 WABA U17 Week 1 delivered a series of high-octane matchups, characterized by commanding defensive masterclasses and unforgettable individual scoring records.

The day was equally defined by historic offensive showcases, including a staggering 35-point explosion of Mila Miljus of Maribor and a flawless 8-for-8 three-point shooting exhibition of Vasilisa Miljanic of Budućnost Trebjesa, alongside a tense, down-to-the-wire Slovenian derby in Celje.

 

2026-27 WABA U17 League

Week 1, Day 3 (Septemer 20)

Group A – Celje (Gimnazija Center)

Virovitica-Maribor 59-64 (23-19, 15-16, 11-16, 10-13)   FULL STATS   FULL GAME VIDEO

In a nail-biting showdown that went down to the final seconds, Maribor, missing three key players (Veronika Ferjancic, Anais Gobec, Ajda Praper), secured a tense 64-59 win over a resilient Virovitica. Maribor relied on heavy offensive rebounding and a breathtaking scoring explosion from their star guard to overcome Virovitica’s highly efficient execution.

Despite Virovitica’s sharp shooting, Maribor won the battle on the glass 43-33, with 20 offensive rebounds that gave them the extra possessions to seal the win.

The story of the day was Maribor’s Mila Miljus, who delivered an unforgettable performance. Miljus played over 38 minutes and poured in a staggering 35 points—well over half of her team’s total production. She was aggressive from everywhere, hitting 9-of-18 from inside the arc and sinking 5 three-pointers, while adding 8 rebounds and 6 assists to finish with a game-high efficiency rating of 33.

Belma Memic supported Miljus in double figures, adding 10 points and 4 assists. Hana Ravnikar was equally vital inside, anchoring Maribor’s defense and clearing the glass with 8 rebounds alongside 4 points.

Virovitica’s head coach Danijel Domisljanovic ran a tight rotation, demanding full 40-minute performances from two of his stars. Iva Knezevic was spectacular, scoring 16 points on an efficient 5-of-9 shooting and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line, while nearly completing a double-double with 9 rebounds to earn a team-high 22 efficiency rating.

Lavinia Subota also stayed on the floor for the entire duration, netting 15 points and grabbing 7 rebounds, while Iva Marosevic contributed 12 points. Virovitica actually shot a better overall percentage than Maribor from both the two-point (45%) and three-point range (43%). Still, their 22 turnovers and inability to secure defensive rebounds proved costly in the final stretch.

 

Cinkarna Celje-Triglav 81-75 (13-21, 32-18, 18-17, 18-19)   FULL STATS   FULL GAME VIDEO

In a high-octane battle between two former WABA U17 champions, Cinkarna Celje clinched a hard-earned 81-75 home victory against Triglav. Cinkarna Celje capitalized on their dominance under the boards and a spectacular individual scoring display to hand their regional rivals a narrow defeat before a passionate crowd.

Cinkarna Celje’s superior inside presence proved the difference-maker, out-rebounding Triglav 44-36 and pulling down 17 offensive rebounds to control the tempo late.

The headline story was Celje’s Aljasa Sodin’s incredible performance. Playing nearly the entire game (38:59), Sodin was completely unstoppable in the paint, exploding for 30 points on an exceptionally efficient 10-of-13 shooting from 2-point range and converting 10 free throws. She also grabbed 6 rebounds and swiped a game-high 8 steals, finishing with a jaw-dropping efficiency rating of 36.

Supporting Sodin’s masterclass was Nusa Brodnik, who added 15 points and 7 rebounds on 6-of-9 shooting inside. Off the bench, Nika Balazic provided a massive lift, scoring 10 points and grabbing 4 rebounds in her 27 minutes, while Zoja Kump anchored the interior with 7 rebounds and 6 points.

Triglav pushed the hosts to their limits, led by a superstar performance from Maja Majkic. She matched Sodin with a phenomenal 30 points, including four hits from beyond the arc and an 8-of-13 display from the charity stripe, adding 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

Complementing Majkic was Mila Ana Milic, who recorded a strong double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds, along with 4 assists and 3 steals. Liza Zec Jesenko also broke into double digits with 12 points, but Triglav’s 24 total turnovers proved too heavy a burden to overcome against Celje’s relentless defensive pressure.

While Triglav found greater success from the perimeter—shooting an impressive 47% (7-of-15) from three-point range compared to Celje’s cold 19%—the home side made up for it by winning the physical battle. Celje’s active hands forced Triglav into costly mistakes, leading to 15 steals and extra possessions inside the arc that helped them secure the win.

 

Group A – Trieste (Cubone)

Jezica-Studio Zagreb 79-69 (20-21, 16-19, 19-13, 24-16)   FULL STATS  

Jezica secured a crucial home win in the WABA League, defeating a resilient Studio Zagreb squad 79-69. Head coach Luka Trpin’s team relied on a powerful rebounding display and excellent depth to pull away in the second half, overcoming a standout individual performance from the visitors.

With this win, Jezica showed tactical balance, dominating the boards 53-46 and finishing efficiently inside the arc to stave off Studio Zagreb’s late-game pushes.

The hosts put together a balanced, explosive attack, led by three high-scoring performances. Tana Osolnik paced Jezica with 16 points, attacking the paint and hitting 5-of-9 two-pointers. Ema Zolgar matched her impact off the bench, pouring in 15 points—including three critical three-pointers—and dishing out 2 assists.

Under the basket, Lina Zajsek delivered a monster double-double. Zajsek scored 15 points and dominated the glass with a game-high 12 rebounds, adding 3 blocks to earn a team-high efficiency rating of 20. Vita Bavdek also excelled in the paint, contributing 12 points and 8 rebounds on a highly efficient 4-of-6 shooting night.

Jezica’s strength inside proved to be the deciding factor in the contest. Coach Trpin’s squad pulled down 17 offensive rebounds, consistently creating crucial second-chance opportunities. Valerija Gradisar was instrumental, anchoring the interior defense with 7 rebounds and 2 blocks, along with 6 points.

Jezica’s collective defensive pressure forced Studio Zagreb into 17 turnovers while limiting the visitors to just 38% shooting from the 2-point range.

Studio Zagreb, led by coach Michaela Rudez, fought hard behind a spectacular performance from Pia Petra Pivic. Pivic played all 40 minutes, scoring a game-high 21 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and adding 4 steals.

Helena Hadzija added 14 points and 6 rebounds, while Eva Bervida put up 13 for the visitors. Matea Mihailovic also did her part on the glass, matching Jezica’s interior intensity with 11 rebounds. However, Studio Zagreb’s struggles from the free-throw line (58%) and limited bench production ultimately prevented them from closing the gap down the stretch.

 

Group B – Samokov (Arena Samokov)

Rilski Sportist-UZKK Student 78-35 (24-6, 18-9, 16-10, 20-10)   FULL STATS   FULL GAME VIDEO  

Rilski Sportist showed exceptional defensive intensity and a balanced offense, leaving the visitors with no answers from the opening whistle.

With this victory, Rilski Sportist highlighted their depth and tactical discipline, holding UZKK Student to just 18% shooting from the 2-point range and forcing 32 turnovers.

Rilski Sportist saw balanced contributions across the roster, with four players scoring in double digits. Desislava Borisova led the efficiency charts, netting 12 points on an impressive 3-of-4 from the field and 3-of-4 from the free-throw line, while adding 4 rebounds and 4 steals to record a game-high efficiency rating of 20.

Daria Raikova was crucial in stretching the floor, chipping in 11 points and 3 rebounds. Siyana Atanasova and Nikol Hristova both added 10 points apiece, with Hristova anchoring the paint by grabbing 6 rebounds and matching Borisova’s 4 steals. Off the bench, Nikol Lesicheva provided a strong spark, adding 7 points and a perfect 3-of-3 from inside the arc in 20 minutes.

Rilski Sportist’s suffocating defense defined the game. Rilski Sportist completely disrupted UZKK Student’s offensive flow, collecting 22 steals and forcing 32 total turnovers. This pressure created quick transition opportunities, allowing the hosts to control the tempo throughout.

It was a difficult outing for Branka Stankovic’s team, as UZKK Student struggled heavily against the hosts’ pressure. Lana Kostic led the visitors with 7 points, followed closely by Nika Dinic, who went 6-for-6 from the free-throw line to finish with 6 points and 6 rebounds.

While Student showed resilience from the free-throw line—shooting a solid 76% (13/17)—their field-goal shooting proved costly, hitting only 8-of-45 two-point attempts and 2-of-9 from beyond the arc.

 

Septemvri 97-Champion 2006 56-69 (19-19, 11-10, 17-19, 9-21)   FULL STATS   FULL GAME VIDEO

Champion 2006 emerged victorious in an intense, high-stakes WABA League clash, defeating cross-town rivals Septemvri 97, 69-56. Head coach Irena Koleva’s squad leaned heavily on their superior interior presence, out-rebounding their opponents 60-48 to secure the victory.

Two spectacular, high-efficiency individual performances powered champion 2006. Karmen Georgieva dominated both ends of the floor, posting a massive double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds (11 defensive). Her relentless pressure also earned her 4 steals and an overall team-high efficiency rating of 22.

Aleksandra Petkova matched Georgieva’s 22 efficiency mark off the bench. Petkova gave Champion 2006 an indispensable spark, falling just short of her own double-double with 9 points, 9 rebounds, and a game-high 3 blocks in nearly 23 minutes. Inna Makova also stepped up big in the backcourt, logging nearly 33 minutes and scoring 15 points.

Septemvri 97 stayed within striking distance for most of the contest thanks to an explosive scoring output from Aneliya Yordanova. Yordanova carried a heavy offensive load, logging over 37 minutes and scoring a game-high 22 points while pulling down 7 rebounds and dishing out 4 assists.

Magdalena Vladimirova brought exceptional energy off the bench, recording a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds (including 5 on the offensive glass). Lea Milanova added 11 points, but Septemvri 97 ultimately struggled to find an offensive rhythm, shooting a tough 32% from the 2-point range and a cold 13% (2-of-15) from three-point territory.

While Septemvri 97 caused havoc in transition with 15 steals, their 23 total team turnovers constantly broke their momentum. Champion 2006 exploited these gaps, consistently utilizing their size disadvantage over Septemvri 97 to win the possession game.

 

Group B – Konjic (Konjicanka)

Konjic-Partizan 1953 37-66 (11-17, 6-19, 3-19, 17-11)   FULL STATS

Partizan 1953 put on a dominant display to cruise past Konjic, 66-37. Partizan 1953 dictated the tempo from the outset, combining efficient inside scoring with a suffocating defense that completely neutralized the visitors’ offensive rhythm.

Partizan 1953 showcased stellar ball movement and depth, out-shooting Konjic 50% to 32% from two-point range and forcing 25 turnovers in a complete team performance.

Partizan 1953 relied on a highly balanced scoring sheet, with nearly every player making an impact. Jana Macvanski led the team’s efficiency with a near double-double, anchoring the floor with 10 points, 9 rebounds, and a team-high efficiency rating of 14.

Petra Peric added a steady 9 points and 4 rebounds, while Hana Kopun was highly effective off the bench, contributing 8 points and 4 rebounds on a sharp 4-of-5 shooting night. Highlighting Partizan’s defensive pressure, Sofia Stjepanov and Nikolina Mitrovic caused constant disruptions, combining for 6 of the team’s 13 steals.

It was a challenging day for head coach Edin Ravnjak’s Konjic squad, as they struggled to break through Partizan’s defensive wall. Lemana Saric fought valiantly to lead all scorers with 13 points and 8 rebounds, but she faced immense pressure, shooting 3-of-11 from the free-throw line.

Jana Mehic provided a solid spark off the bench, adding 10 points and 5 rebounds, including two from beyond the arc. However, Konjic’s shooting woes—hitting just 14% (3-of-22) from three—along with 25 costly turnovers, kept them from building any sustained scoring runs.

While Konjic edged Partizan on the boards 46-40 (including 14 offensive rebounds), they couldn’t convert those extra opportunities into points. Partizan’s sharp playmaking yielded 13 assists compared to Konjic’s 4. This fluid ball movement allowed Partizan to consistently find high-percentage looks inside the paint, cruising through the second half with a comfortable lead.

 

Zrinjski 2010-Buducnost Trebjesa 27-90 (9-28, 7-24, 8-8, 3-30)   FULL STATS

Budućnost Trebjesa put on an absolute clinic on the floor, storming to a massive 90-27 victory over Zrinjski 2010. Head coach Lidija Krstajic’s squad put on a shooting masterclass and paired it with a suffocating defensive trap, forcing 30 turnovers and leaving the visitors with no answers from the opening tip.

Buducnost Trebjesa controlled every facet of the game, out-rebounding the visitors 45-36 and posting an astonishing team efficiency rating of 118 compared to Zrinjski’s 8.

The headline story was the spectacular individual display from Buducnost Trebjesa’s Vasilisa Miljanic. In just 23 minutes of action, Miljanic was completely flawless from beyond the arc, exploding for 30 points while shooting a perfect 8-of-8 from three-point range. Her hot hand carried the entire team and earned her a phenomenal game-high efficiency rating of 33.

Anja Pinter supported Miljanic’s perimeter scoring, recording a dominant double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds while adding 4 steals. Tara Rajovic also hit double digits with 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting, while Marija Vujovic anchored the defense with 7 rebounds and 8 points, registering a game-high plus-minus of +57.

It was an incredibly tough day for head coach Nikolina Pandza and her Zrinjski 2010 squad. Buducnost Trebjesa’s active perimeter pressure forced Zrinjski into 30 total turnovers, which the opponent team quickly translated into 21 transition steals.

Zrinjski struggled heavily to find open looks against the hosts’ size and speed, shooting just 25% from 2-point range and 21% from deep. Marta Lezenic was the visitors’ lone bright spot, scoring 10 points, including two three-pointers. Klara Krezic fought hard inside, pulling down 6 rebounds and chipping in 9 points, while Sarah Sofia Grizelj grabbed 8 rebounds but went scoreless under intense defensive scrutiny.

The stark contrast in outside shooting ultimately decided the margin of victory. Buducnost Trebjesa caught fire from long range, hitting an exceptional 43% (13-of-30) from behind the arc, while moving the ball fluidly to register 18 assists. The home side’s relentless depth allowed Coach Krstajic to rotate heavily, with bench players like Iva Milacic and Vladana Guzina keeping the defensive intensity at a maximum for all 40 minutes.

 

Foto: Vito Korber/waba-league.com