The NBL1 South championship defence of the Ringwood Hawks is over after they were eliminated thanks to a thrilling 74-72 win at home from the Mount Gambier Pioneers on Friday night.
The lone Friday night women's semi-final fixture saw the Pioneers claim the two-point home win against the Hawks to advance to next week's preliminary final against the Bendigo Braves.
Saturday's semi-final pits the Waverley Falcons against the Eltham Wildcats with a spot in the preliminary final against the Geelong United Supercats up for grabs.
The men's semi finals on Saturday see the Knox Raiders host the Eltham Wildcats, and the Frankston Blues play host to the Diamond Valley Eagles.
NBL1 SOUTH RECAP | SATURDAY FINALS WEEK 1
NBL1 SOUTH RECAP | FRIDAY FINALS WEEK 1
WOMEN
Goodchild brilliant as Pioneers eliminate reigning champs
One of the teams was going to be mighty disappointed to have their season end on Friday night and in the end it was the Mount Gambier Pioneers advancing after a thrilling 74-72 win at home to the Ringwood Hawks.
The Pioneers were home at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre to host the defending champion Hawks in the semi-final with the winner to advance to a preliminary final and the loser's season over.
In the end, it was huge performances for their respective teams from WNBL stars Miela Goodchild and Marena Whittle in a contest always destined to go down to the wire.
Okay Miela Goodchild, we see those moves??
— NBL1 (@NBL1) July 28, 2023
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Precious little separated the two teams the entire game and the biggest lead was the six points that Mount Gambier led by on a host of occasions throughout the second half.
The biggest margin of the first half was the five points that both teams managed to lead by at different stages of the second term.
It was the Pioneers clinging to a three-point advantage at quarter-time before Ringwood turned it around with 22 points to 19 in the second stanza with scores all square at 39-39 at the main break.
Mount Gambier managed to build a six-point lead during the third period and were still up four by three quarter-time, and the Pioneers were still on top by six with 4:45 to play.
However, Ringwood hit back starting with a three-point bomb from Whittle before Martia Hermida scored inside and then Toni Farnworth hit two free-throws and suddenly the Hawks had reclaimed the lead.
Isabella Brancatisano shook off a rough shooting night for Mount Gambier to respond with a three-pointer to return her team to the lead with 2:15 to play.
Mount Gambier has ?????? ?? a preliminary final meeting with Bendigo ?
— NBL1 (@NBL1) July 28, 2023
Miela Goodchild led her side all night, finishing with:
2??7?? points
7?? rebounds
5?? 3PM
4?? steals
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That shot would prove the match winner with neither team able to score in the final two minutes including a hugely emotional Farnworth missing what would have been a match-winning three-point attempt for Ringwood in the dying stages.
The Pioneers held on for the two-point win which advances them to a preliminary final next Saturday away to the undefeated Bendigo Braves while the championship defence is over for Ringwood.
Ahead of joining Perth Lynx for the upcoming WNBL season, Miela Goodchild produced a match-winning performance for Mount Gambier with 27 points, seven rebounds and four steals on shooting 9/13 from the field, 5/7 from downtown and 4/4 at the free-throw line.
Sherrie Calleia added 11 points, 11 rebounds and five assists for the Pioneers, Haliegh Reinoehl 11 points and five boards, Cassandra Brown nine points and three rebounds, and Isabella Brancatisano seven points, four assists, four steals and two boards.
It was a heartbreaking way for the season to end for Ringwood with Marena Whittle delivering 23 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.
Marta Hermida added 16 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, Toni Farnworth 14 points and five boards, and Jacqui Trotto nine points and three rebounds.
Toni Farnworth has a ?????? fadeaway ?
— NBL1 (@NBL1) July 28, 2023
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