Featured image: 3 Point Photography by Tania Millard
There were double Friday NBL1 South wins for the Ballarat Miners, Hobart Chargers and Keilor Thunder while the Knox Raiders women made a 12-2 run for a crucial win before the Mount Gambier Pioneers men fired thanks to Akech Aliir.
The Friday night women's results saw the Ballarat Miners defeat the Sandringham Sabres 76-70 while the Hobart Chargers beat the Bendigo Braves 86-80, Keilor Thunder defeated the Diamond Valley Eagles 69-48, and the Knox Raiders downed the Mount Gambier Pioneers 68-65.
Then in the men's fixtures, the Miners defeated the Sabres 99-85, the Chargers downed the Braves 99-88, the Thunder beat the Eagles 112-93, and the Pioneers won 93-85 against the Raiders.
RECAP NBL1 SOUTH | ROUND 12 SUNDAY
WOMEN
Ballarat Miners (76) defeated Sandringham Sabres (70)
The Ballarat Miners with their guns shining were able to score the important 76-70 win over the Sandringham Sabres to strengthen their playoff aspirations.
The Miners came into the match up at Selkirk Stadium on the back of a six-game winning streak but needing to keep winning up against the third placed Sabres who had lost their last two and are still without Funda Nakkasoglu.
The Miners did manage to lead by three points at quarter-time and then by as much as seven during the second term, but the Sabres hit back and by half-time the lead for Ballarat was just the two points.
Ballarat were able to pull away again in the third quarter to open up the biggest lead of the game of 10 points, and ultimately that would be enough to secure the eventual six-point win.
The victory makes it seven straight for the Miners who improve to a 12-8 record to move into the top eight at least temporarily with two matches to play.
Chloe Bibby delivered 24 points and 10 rebounds in the win for Ballarat with Jaz Shelley adding 18 points, eight assists, six rebounds and four steals.
Mehryn Kraker also had 14 points, 11 boards, six assists and two steals on 4/7 three-point shooting while Alex Bunton had 12 points and three rebounds, and Abbey Wehrung eight points, three boards and two steals.
Sandringham remains in the top four but having now lost three straight at 13-6, can't afford to keep losing if they hope to stay there.
Juna Umezawa finished with 21 points for the Sabres with Klara Wischer contributing 15 points, 17 rebounds and five assists, Eilidh Simpson 15 points and four assists, and Isis Lopes 10 points and three assists.
Ballarat backs up on Sunday to host the Casey Cavaliers while Sandringham also in action on Sunday hosting the Keilor Thunder.
BALLARAT MINERS 76 (Bibby 24, Shelley 18, Kraker 14)
SANDRINGHAM SABRES 70 (Umezawa 21, Wischer 15, Simpson 15)
Hobart Chargers (86) defeated Bendigo Braves (80)
The Hobart Chargers might have left their run too late for the playoffs but finished off their home season with the 86-80 win over the Bendigo Braves.
It was the last home game of the season for the Chargers at Hobart Netball and Sports Centre as they hosted a Braves team who might be the defending champions, but who were without Kelly Wilson, Amy Atwell, Ally Wilson and Megan McKay.
Despite that, it was Bendigo leading by six points at quarter-time before the Chargers were able to turn things around with a 10-0 run into the second quarter.
It was still the Braves leading 38-34 at half-time before Hobart took over in the third quarter with 33 points to 22. That was enough for the Chargers to grab the momentum and go on to score the six-point home victory.
The win improves the Chargers to an 8-12 record on the season with three straight wins despite playoffs still being out of reach with Jayda Jansen finishing with 25 points, eight assists, five rebounds and two steals.
Cierra Walker added 23 points, five boards, three assists and three steals, Chloe Broomhall 14 points, 15 rebounds, four steals and three assists, and Zoe Richards 10 points and two boards.
The Braves slip out of the top eight with the defeat having now lost two in-a-row to be 11-9 with Cassidy McLean ending up with 26 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and three steals.
Madeline Sexton also had 18 points and seven rebounds, Kasey Burton 17 points, six boards and three assists, and Meg McCarthy nine points, two rebounds and two assists.
The Chargers now finish the season on the road next weekend starting on Friday against the Frankston Blues with the Braves backing up on Saturday on the road to the Launceston Tornadoes.
HOBART CHARGERS 86 (Jansen 25, Walker 23, Broomhall 14)
BENDIGO BRAVES 80 (McLean 26, Sexton 18, Burton 17)
Keilor Thunder (69) defeated Diamond Valley Eagles (48)
Lilly Rotunno stepped up impressively in the absence of Maddy Rocci for Keilor Thunder to ensure they maintained a top two spot with the 69-48 home victory against the Diamond Valley Eagles.
The Thunder were back home at Keilor Stadium needing to bounce back from last week's loss to the Dandenong Rangers to remain solid in second spot while the Eagles were out to bounce back after losing to the Hobart Chargers.
It was Diamond Valley away from home who got the better of the start too with 22 points to 15 in the opening quarter.
However, the Eagles would only manage 26 points the rest of the evening with Keilor taking control including with 14 points to six in the second term to be leading 29-28 at half-time.
The Thunder took further control throughout the second half with 21 points to 11 in the third frame, and 19 to nine in the fourth on the way to the eventual 21-point victory.
The win improves Keilor to a 17-2 record to be just behind the 18-2 Knox Raiders with Lilly Rotunno producing 19 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals for the Thunder on 8/12 shooting from the floor and 3/5 from downtown.
Grace Graham added 14 points and four rebounds, Issie Bourne 13 points and seven boards, Lily Carmody 10 points, four rebounds and two assists, and Penina Davidson 10 points, 15 boards and two assists.
Diamond Valley is now 6-13 on the season with three games remaining with Abbey Ellis providing another 11 points, three rebounds and two steals.
Carly Turner added eight points, three rebounds and two steals, Sophie Byrnes eight points and two assists, and Jennie Rintala seven points, 10 boards and two assists.
Keilor is back in action on Sunday away to the Sandringham Sabres with the Eagles away to the Casey Cavaliers on Saturday.
KEILOR THUNDER 69 (Rotunno 19, Graham 14, Bourne 13)
DIAMOND VALLEY EAGLES 48 (Ellis 11, Byrnes 8, Turner 8)
Mount Gambier Pioneers (65) lost to Knox Raiders (68)
The Knox Raiders delivered a stunning 12-2 run to close the game to come from behind and beat the Mount Gambier Pioneers 68-65 to remain in top spot of the NBL1 South.
The stage was set for a crucial match up at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre with the Raiders arriving and needing a win to stay on top while the Pioneers were trying to get back to winning and to break into the top four.
Mount Gambier started well on its home floor to be leading 21-16 by quarter-time and then pushing that advantage out to 40-30 by the half-time interval.
The lead for Mount Gambier got out to as much as 17 points as well in the third quarter and was still 15 in the fourth, and even seven with four minutes remaining.
However, it was all Knox from that point beginning with an Emily Fisher layup before Alicia Froling and Paige Bradley both scored inside to make it a two-point ball game.
Kiera Rowe then tied scores up with a minute to go and Bradley scored again after a steal from Paige Burrows, and that gave the Raiders the lead, and they kept going to finish the game with the 12-2 run to score the three-point win.
It was a stunning turnaround and it keeps Knox in top spot with an 18-2 record with two games to play with Paige Bradley providing 18 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Alicia Froling put up another 17 points and 10 rebounds with Paige Burrows adding 11 points, two boards, two assists and two steals, and Rachel Bell seven points and two rebounds.
Mount Gambier has now lost three straight with the defeat to slip to 12-8 with Haliegh Reinoehl finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals.
Sherrie Calleia also delivered 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists, Isa Brancatisano 14 points, six boards and six assists, and Zoe Hurley four points and nine rebounds.
Mount Gambier remains at home on Saturday to the Melbourne Tigers with the Raiders back home on Sunday to Geelong United.
MOUNT GAMBIER PIONEERS 65 (Reinoehl 19, Calleia 17, Brancatisano 14)
KNOX RAIDERS 68 (Bradley 18, Froling 17, Burrows 11)
MEN
Ballarat Miners (99) defeated Sandringham Sabres (85)
Second spot in the NBL1 South went on the line on Friday night and it was the Ballarat Miners who got the crucial 99-85 victory at home over the Sandringham Sabres.
The Miners were back home at Selkirk Stadium and playing host to the second placed Sabres and having the chance to take their spot with the victory and with Sandringham without Shea Ili who is trying to help the New Zealand Tall Blacks reach the Paris Olympics.
Ballarat were attempting to hit back from a loss last up to the Frankston Blues and started well opening up a 10-point lead in the first quarter on the way to leading 26-19 by the end of one.
The Miners would remain in control the rest of the contest as well being on top by 11 points during the second period and then as much as 15 throughout the second half before settling on the eventual 14-point triumph.
The win improves Ballarat to a 14-6 record to see them take the place of the Sabres who are now 13-6 having lost consecutive matches.
Tyler Rudolph delivered 26 points, seven rebounds and four assists in the win for the Miners on 3/5 shooting from three-point territory.
Majok Majok also delivered 21 points and 12 rebounds on 10/13 shooting while Zac Dunmore contributed 15 points and five boards, Luke Rosendale 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and Nick Stoddart 16 points, three boards and two assists.
Tanner Krebs ended up top-scoring for Sandringham with 22 points, seven rebounds and two steals with Campbell Blogg adding 18 points, four boards and three assists, Joel Foxwell 15 points, six assists, four rebounds and four steals, and Tom Koppens 13 points and seven boards.
Ballarat backs up on Sunday to host the Casey Cavaliers while Sandringham also in action on Sunday hosting the Keilor Thunder.
BALLARAT MINERS 99 (Rudolph 26, Majok 21, Stoddart 16)
SANDRINGHAM SABRES 85 (Krebs 22, Blogg 18, Foxwell 15)
Hobart Chargers (99) defeated Bendigo Braves (88)
A combined 59 points from Terrell Brown and Jacob Richards helped the Hobart Chargers overcome the 50 points from West Australian pair Mitch Clarke and Rowan Mackenzie to beat the Bendigo Braves 99-88.
The Chargers were playing their last home game of the season at Hobart Netball and Sports Centre looking for a third straight win to try and break into the top eight despite the absence of Tasmania JackJumpers captain Clint Steindl.
Hobart started the game on fire with 33 points to 21 in the first quarter to then still be leading 56-45 going into the half-time break.
The lead for the home team grew to as much as 18 points in the second half as well before the Chargers secured the eventual 11-point victory to end their season at home winning eight of 11 games.
Hobart improves to a 12-8 record with the third straight victory to replace Knox in eighth position with Terrell Brown outstanding with 31 points and five assists on 9/18 shooting from the floor and 11/13 at the foul line.
Jacob Richards also had 28 points, 11 rebounds and six assists with Vionte Daniels contributing 17 points, three boards and two steals, and Ole Angerstein 10 points and 17 rebounds.
The Braves have now lost back-to-back matches to be 7-13 with two matches to go with Rowan Mackenzie putting up 25 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Mitch Clarke added 25 points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals while Andrew Robinson contributed 16 points and six boards, and Billy Smythe 12 points and three rebounds.
The Chargers now finish the season on the road next weekend starting on Friday against the Frankston Blues with the Braves backing up on Saturday on the road to the North West Tasmania Thunder.
HOBART CHARGERS 99 (Brown 31, Richards 28, Daniels 17)
BENDIGO BRAVES 88 (Clarke 25, Mackenzie 25, Robinson 16)
Keilor Thunder (112) defeated Diamond Valley Eagles (93)
Keilor Thunder further consolidated their hold on a playoff position with Jayce Beasley and Daniel Poelsma combining for 59 points in the 112-93 home win over the Diamond Valley Eagles.
The Thunder were back home at Keilor Stadium looking to return to the winner's list up against a Diamond Valley team out of the playoff hunt but looking for a sixth win of 2024.
Keilor started strongly with 29 points to 19 in the opening period before the Thunder put together a 21-0 run into the second quarter and to eventually open up a 30-point first half advantage.
That lead grew to as much as 36 points as well for the Thunder in the second half before the home team went on to score the important 19-point victory after Diamond Valley did finish off with a 35 point fourth quarter.
Keilor improves to a 12-7 record on the season to remain not only in the top eight but in top four contention with Jayce Beasley delivering 31 points and eight rebounds with 8/14 three-point shooting.
Daniel Poelsma also had 28 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals with Ryan Philippe contributing 18 points, seven assists, five boards and three steals, Trevor Lakes 11 points and six rebounds, and Nicholas Banon 10 points, 10 boards, three assists, two steals and two blocks.
Diamond Valley has now lost three in-a-row to sit at 5-14 with Jock Perry finishing with 23 points and 13 rebounds.
Ngor Manyang also provided 18 points and four rebounds for the Eagles, BJ Symons 15 points and six boards, and Ryan Bowkett 10 points, four rebounds and two assists.
Keilor is back in action on Sunday away to the Sandringham Sabres with the Eagles away to the Casey Cavaliers on Saturday.
KEILOR THUNDER 112 (Beasley 31, Poelsma 28, Philippe 18)
DIAMOND VALLEY EAGLES 93 (Perry 23, Manyang 18, Symons 15)
Mount Gambier Pioneers (93) defeated Knox Raiders (85)
Akech Aliir continued his hot form and helped lead the Mount Gambier Pioneers to the 93-85 home victory over the Knox Raiders.
It was the current top team, Mount Gambier, up against the defending champions, Knox, at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre with plenty at stake for both teams with the Pioneers looking to lock up first place and the Raiders to stay in the top eight.
Knox were leading by five points after a low-scoring opening period but Mount Gambier were able to turn the tide in the second term with 26 points to 19 to go into half-time with the narrow 38-36 advantage.
The Pioneers then made it 12 straight points in the third quarter and ended up putting up 30 points to 22 in the frame to open up a double-digit lead.
That lead got out to 16 points in the final term and from there Mount Gambier held firm for the eight-point victory to make it seven straight wins to improve to 16-4, and go a step closer to securing the regular season championship.
Akech Aliir starred in the win for the Pioneers with 30 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two assists on 5/10 three-point shooting.
Dylan Marshall added 20 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals, Titus Robinson 16 points and six boards, Austin Shelley 12 points and three rebounds, and Christian Peevy eight points and nine boards.
Knox remains in danger of missing the playoffs altogether as defending champions at 11-9 with just two games remaining with Austin Rapp doing all he could with 33 points and 12 rebounds on 6/9 shooting from behind the three-point line.
KJ Feagin also provided 15 points and 10 assists, Kyle Bowen 13 points and 14 rebounds, and Malith Machar eight points.
Mount Gambier remains at home on Saturday to the Melbourne Tigers with the Raiders back home on Sunday to Geelong United.
MOUNT GAMBIER PIONEERS 93 (Aliir 30, D Marshall 20, Robinson 16)
KNOX RAIDERS 85 (Rapp 33, Feagin 15, Bowen 13)
