Alex Sharp, Jess Jakens, Emma Gandini, Sophie Doran, Marshall Nelson, Joel Vaiangina and Bryan Michaels all scored NBL1 West against their former teams in Friday's NBL1 West with Ash Isenbarger scoring 37 points and Michael Dupree 44.
The four Friday night's women's matches saw the Rockingham Flames defeat the Willetton Tigers 93-75 while the Perry Lakes Hawks beat the Perth Redbacks 93-70, the Cockburn Cougars downed the Mandurah Magic 79-60, and the Warwick Senators won in overtime 98-87 against the Eastern Suns.
The corresponding men's fixtures then delivered a 119-106 win for the Tigers over the Flames while the Hawks beat the Redbacks 97-90, the Magic defeat the Cougars 105-95, and the Eastern Suns beat the Senators 100-90.
BERTRAM GRATEFUL TO BE LIVING THE DREAM WITH MANDURAH
RECAP NBL1 WEST | ROUND 3 SUNDAY
WOMEN
Rockingham Flames (93) defeated Willetton Tigers (75)
Sami Whitcomb signed off on her stint back with the Rockingham Flames helping keep them undefeated in 2024 with the 93-75 victory at home to the Willetton Tigers.
It was always going to be a fascinating match up featuring the undefeated Flames against the grand finalists from last season at Mike Barnett Sports Complex.
Adding to the intrigue was that it was the first chance for former Willetton players Emma Gandini, Alex Sharp, Sophie Doran and Jess Jakens to come up against the Tigers since joining Rockingham this season.
Gandini did spend last year in the NBL1 North at the North Gold Coast Seahawks, but Sharp, Doran and Jakens were all part of that Grand Final team with Willetton last year.
Even Whitcomb did have a brief stint at Willetton at the start of 2023 before leaving for the WNBA and Friday's game was her last this season before also heading off for another season at the Seattle Storm.
Rockingham put its undefeated record on the line and wasted no time making a statement racing out to a 17-point first quarter lead on the back of scoring 10 consecutive points.
The Flames lead got out to as much as 12 points in the second quarter and remained around that margin for a lot of the second half, but the Tigers were never going to go down without mounting a fightback.
Willetton was able to get back as close as 11 with six and-a-half minutes to go, but Whitcomb answered with a three and from there Rockingham secured the 18-point win to improve to 6-0 on the season.
Two-time MVP Alex Sharp enjoyed her first game against her old team with 19 points, 16 rebounds and three assists while Sami Whitcomb top-scored with 26 points on 6/18 three-point shooting before leaving for the WNBA.
Opal Mader also put up 12 points and three rebounds with Emma Gandini contributing nine points, six steals, four rebounds and two assists, Nes'eya Parker-Williams seven points and eight rebounds, Sophie Doran seven points, three boards and three steals, and Jess Jakens seven points and six rebounds.
Willetton slips to 1-2 with the loss but got 26 points, eight rebounds and three assists from Claire Jacobs in just her second game having just completed her college career at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Melisa Brcaninovic was also in town for her first game of the season and had 18 points and eight rebounds with Grace Foster contributing 10 points and six assists, and Amy Jacobs nine points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals.
It's the only game of Round 4 for Rockingham but Willetton is at home to the Warwick Senators on Saturday at 5pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App.
ROCKINGHAM FLAMES 93 (Whitcomb 26, Sharp 19, Mader 12)
WILLETTON TIGERS 75 (C Jacobs 26, Brcaninovic 18, Foster 10)
Perry Lakes Hawks (93) defeated Perth Redbacks (70)
A career-best performance from Ash Isenbarger helped lift the Perry Lakes Hawks to the emphatic 93-70 home victory against the Perth Redbacks.
Perry Lakes won its opening game of the season by 79 points away to the Eastern Suns before losing the Warwick Senators and Rockingham Flames, but they were back to imposing form on Friday at Bendat Basketball Centre.
The Redbacks were fresh off their first win of the season last Saturday against the East Perth Eagles having welcomed Perth Lynx WNBL captain Anneli Maley, but they couldn’t keep the momentum going.
It was a high-scoring opening quarter with the two teams combining for 52 points with Perry Lakes leading 27-25 after one, but it was after that where the Hawks worked their way into control of the contest.
The Hawks outscored the Redbacks 23 points to 16 in the second stanza to go into the half-time break leading 50-41.
The lead for Perry Lakes grew to 13 points in the third frame and then 25 in the fourth before the home team went on to score the 23-point triumph.
The two wins for the Hawks this season have now come at a combined 102 points and it was Ash Isenbarger in her 224th game who delivered a career-best performance made up of 37 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two steals.
She shot 15/19 from the floor, 4/4 from three-point territory and 3/4 from the free-throw line.
Grace Stone added 24 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks for Perry Lakes with Maddy Dennis contributing 17 points, seven boards, four assists and four steals.
Anneli Maley finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds and four assists for the Redbacks but didn’t get enough support with Brooke Malone contributed nine points and four rebounds and Shenae Hartree eight points and three rebounds.
However, that trio ended up combining to shoot 12/36 from the field and as a team Perth went at just 35 per cent overall.
Both teams back up on Saturday with the Redbacks hosting the Eastern Suns and the Hawks away to the East Perth Eagles with both games at 5pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App.
PERRY LAKES HAWKS 93 (Isenbarger 37, Stone 24, Dennis 17)
PERTH REDBACKS 70 (Maley 19, Malone 9, Hartree 8)
Mandurah Magic (60) lost to Cockburn Cougars (79)
The Cockburn Cougars kept the winning start to their championship defence going with the 79-60 road victory against the Mandurah Magic.
It was a rematch of last year's preliminary final and while the Cougars did beat the Magic at Wally Hagan Stadium in the 2024 season-opener, winning at Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre was a different matter.
Cockburn only lost nine regular season games the past two years, but two of them were in Mandurah so it set up a fascinating battle on Friday with the Magic also coming into the contest on a two-game winning run.
Mandurah started strongly as well going on a 10-0 run in the first quarter to lead by as much as eight but it was back to a one-point ball game by quarter-time.
The Cougars kept that momentum going to complete an 11-0 run of their own in the second period to open up a double-figure lead, and then to go into half-time leading 41-31.
Cockburn maintained control through most of the second half leading by as much as 15 points in the third quarter, and 21 in the fourth before winning by 19 to improve to 4-0 on the season.
The Cougars were without Alex Ciabattoni, Maria Blazejewski and Daniel Raber, but Steph Gorman was playing her second game of the season and hit 5/10 from three-point range for 21 points along with five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Jewel Williams added 19 points, six assists, three rebounds and two steals with teenage star Amelia Corasaniti back from the national championships to start and deliver 11 points, six boards and two assists.
Jessie Edwards also returned and had 10 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks and three assists with Regan Turnour-McCarty contributing seven points, six boards and two assists.
The Magic are now 2-3 following the defeat with Nicole Fransson putting up another 22 points, 10 rebounds and two steals.
Remarkable 558-game legend Casey Mihovilovich had 15 points and seven assists with Emma Klasztorny contributing 10 points, eight boards and two steals.
It's the only game of the round for the Cougars but the Magic back up against the Joondalup Wolves on Saturday at HBF Arena at 5pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App.
MANDURAH MAGIC 60 (Fransson 22, Mihovilovich 15, Klasztorny 10)
COCKBURN COUGARS 79 (Gorman 21, Williams 19, Corasaniti 11)
Kalamunda Eastern Suns (87) lost to Warwick Senators (98)
It took until overtime but eventually the Warwick Senators worked on top to beat the Kalamunda Eastern Suns 98-87 with Chloe Forster starring with 27 points.
The Eastern Suns were home at Ray Owen Sports Centre with one win from three games so far this season up against a Senators team who won their first three matches before a loss last week to the Rockingham Flames.
Warwick was able to open up a 10-point advantage in the first quarter but Kalamunda hit back to be only trailing by four at quarter-time.
The Senators took control again in the second frame, though, outscoring the Eastern Suns 24 points to 17 to be on top 46-35 at the main break.
While that lead got back out to 14 points in the third quarter, the Suns then got on a roll with 13 consecutive points and from there, they turned that into a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter with 3:30 to play after Tiahna Sears scored.
Things were getting dicey for the Senators especially once Nat Burton fouled out and with Chloe Forster, Karly Murphy and Alyssa Duncan all on four fouls.
However, the Senators fired back and eventually it was two free-throws from Forster that levelled scores and then the game went to overtime when Tayjanna McGhee-Pleasant's three-point attempt on the buzzer wouldn’t fall for the Eastern Suns.
Then in the extra period it was all the Senators as they outscored the Suns 13 points to two to claim the 11-point win and improve to a 4-1 record.
Chloe Forster fell just two points short of her career-high with 27 points for Warwick to go with seven rebounds, seven assists and five steals.
Stacey Barr delivered another 19 points, six assists, four rebounds and four steals with Karly Murphy adding 15 points, 10 boards, four steals and three assists, and Nicole Jorre de St Jorre eight points, six rebounds and three assists.
Isabelle Miotti also had seven points and eight rebounds with Kyana Weir adding seven points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals having committed to the University of Nebraska Omaha during the week.
Olivia Berry had scored a total of 13 points in her first three games for the Eastern Suns, but she came up big with 23 points, five rebounds and three assists with Tiahna Sears producing 22 points, nine boards, two assists and two steals.
Tayjanna McGhee-Pleasant also had 17 points, six rebounds and two steals with Ella Fotu contributing 13 points, four assists, four steals and three rebounds, and Jaymee Firkins eight points and nine boards.
Both teams back up to play on Saturday with the Suns away to the Perth Redbacks while the Senators are on the road to the Willetton Tigers both at 5pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App.
KALAMUNDA EASTERN SUNS 87 (Berry 23, Sears 22, McGhee-Pleasant 17)
WARWICK SENATORS 98 (Forster 27, Barr 19, Murphy 15)
MEN
Rockingham Flames (106) lost to Willetton Tigers (119)
With former players up against their old teams and both sides in hot form, there was great anticipation for the match up and it was the Willetton Tigers sending a message beating the Rockingham Flames 119-106.
The Flames came into the match up at Mike Barnett Sports Complex having won its first five matches of the season while the Tigers had won two of their three with the lone loss a tight one in Geraldton to the defending champion Buccs.
Add in the fact that Marshall Nelson was playing his first game against Rockingham since joining Willetton, and Gorjok Gak his first for the Flames against the Tigers, and the stage was set.
Rockingham started strongly as well racing to a 10-point lead and still being on top 31-25 by quarter-time.
But Willetton were warming to the task nicely and put up 35 points to 30 in the second quarter and by half-time, the Flames lead was just 61-60.
The Tigers kept that offensive flow going through the second half too with the pace they were playing at and with Michael Dupree on fire suiting them to a tee.
Willetton was able to open up a 13-point lead in the third quarter with that growing to 15 in the fourth as they had all the answers for any Rockingham charge to claim the 13-point win.
The Tigers improve to 3-1 on the season with the win which saw Michael Dupree unstoppable finishing with 44 points, seven rebounds and two assists on shooting 16/23 from the floor and a remarkable 9/13 from three-point range.
Marshall Nelson enjoyed things against the team he won a championship with finishing with 21 points and six assists with Josh Ibukunoluwa producing a breakout performance of 16 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.
Deng Gak also had a good influence against his brother with 10 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
It was Rockingham's first loss of the season with Gorjok Gak producing 26 points and 10 rebounds on the back of signing with the NBL champion Tasmania JackJumpers.
Devondrick Walker added 21 points and eight assists, Quintin Dove 21 points and nine rebounds, Travis Durnin 18 points and 13 boards, Justin Beard 11 points and four rebounds, and Ryan Godfrey six points and seven assists.
It's the only game of Round 4 for Rockingham but Willetton is at home to the Warwick Senators on Saturday at 7pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App.
ROCKINGHAM FLAMES 106 (Gak 26, Walker 21, Dove 21)
WILLETTON TIGERS 119 (Dupree 44, Nelson 21, Ibukunoluwa 16)
Perry Lakes Hawks (97) defeated Perth Redbacks (90)
Joel Vaiangina had a night out against his former team with the Perry Lakes Hawks returning to the winner's list beating the Perth Redbacks 97-90.
The Hawks had lost their last couple of games coming into the Friday match up at Bendat Basketball Centre against a Redbacks team fresh off their first win of the season last Saturday at home to the East Perth Eagles.
Both teams had their turn on top in the first quarter, but Perry Lakes took charge of the contest in the second period and never looked back.
The Hawks outscored the Redbacks 31 points to 19 to go into half-time leading 55-40.
That advantage for the home team grew to 20 points in the second half and was still at 20 in the fourth quarter with eight minutes to play when Matt Leary knocked down a three-pointer.
The Redbacks were able to make things interesting and got back to within six when Tevin Jackson scored with 1:45 to play but it was two clutch free-throws from Vaiangina against the team he played with last season that sealed the deal for the Hawks.
Vaiangina ended the night with 25 points, eight rebounds and two steals on shooting 10/14 from the floor and even knocking down a couple of three-pointers.
Luke Phillips also had 16 points and three rebounds for Perry Lakes with Dequan Abrom contributing 16 points, eight assists and six boards, Jaylen Key 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists, and Keegan Phillips nine points and eight boards.
The Redbacks are now 1-4 with the defeat despite Tevin Jackson delivering 26 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Miles Gibson added 23 points and seven rebounds, Joe Cook-Green 20 points, six boards and six assists, and Ioannis Dimakopoulos seven points, seven rebounds, six assists and two blocked shots.
Both teams back up on Saturday with the Redbacks hosting the Eastern Suns and the Hawks away to the East Perth Eagles with both games at 7pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App.
PERRY LAKES HAWKS 97 (Vaiangina 25, Abrom 16, Key 16, L Phillips 16)
PERTH REDBACKS 90 (T Jackson 26, Gibson 23, Cook-Green 20)
Mandurah Magic (105) defeated Cockburn Cougars (95)
The Mandurah Magic continue to build nicely into the 2024 season with the 105-95 home victory on Friday night against the Cockburn Cougars.
The Magic were back home at Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre to host the Cougars on the back of impressive wins over the Redbacks and Lightning, and then a heartbreaking loss at the buzzer to the Buccaneers last Sunday.
They were hosting a Cockburn team who beat them in Round 1, but Mandurah had been building impressively since then and started well again on Friday even without Julian Pesava.
The Magic led 28-25 by quarter-time and then despite opening up a seven-point lead in the second period, Cockburn worked its way on top with 31 points and went into the main break leading 56-53.
Mandurah turned the tide in the third quarter going on an 8-0 scoring run and ending up outscoring Cockburn 31 points to 14 to lead by as much as 14 points.
That lead for the Magic got out to as much as 18 points in the fourth quarter as well and they would go on to win by 10 and improve to a 3-3 record in the process.
Joel Murray continues to make a scorching start to his NBL1 career even as a late signing after former Cougar Taj Benning didn’t pan out for the Magic. Murray put up 32 points, eight assists, five rebounds and three steals on 12/19 shooting from the floor and 8/9 at the charity stripe.
Lachlan Bertram continued his career-best form too with another 22 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and two assists while big man Michael Durr produced 26 points and 10 boards while Jarrod Molnar also had 12 points and three steals.
Josh Hunt is another player in career-best form to start the season for Cockburn and against one of his former teams, he delivered 26 points, three rebounds and two assists with 12/14 free-throw shooting.
Gavin Field added 19 points on what will be his last game in Mandurah in his final season while Rhys Vague added 13 points, 11 rebounds and four assists, and Nathan Pond nine points and six rebounds.
It's the only game of the round for the Cougars but the Magic back up against the Joondalup Wolves on Saturday at HBF Arena at 7pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App.
MANDURAH MAGIC 105 (Murray 32, Durr 26, Bertram 22)
COCKBURN COUGARS 95 (Hunt 26, Field 19, Vague 13)
Kalamunda Eastern Suns (100) defeated Warwick Senators (90)
The Kalamunda Eastern Suns are on the board in 2024 with Bryan Michaels starring against one of his former teams in the 100-90 home win against the Warwick Senators.
The Eastern Suns came into the Friday match up at Ray Owen Sports Centre having lost their first three matches of the season while the Senators were attempting to bounce back from a first loss last week to the Rockingham Flames.
Warwick did arrive without the services of Zac Gattorna and Cody Ellis and their absence was significant with the Suns able to take full advantage.
Desperate for a first win of the season, Kalamunda shot out of the blocks racing to an 18-2 lead in a remarkable start capped off with a three-point bomb from Bryan Michaels.
Senators captain Jay Thwaites hit a triple of his own to begin to settle things and by quarter-time the Suns' lead was only 30-26.
Even with Kalamunda pushing out to an 11-point lead again in the second frame, Warwick got rolling thanks to Michael Harris who had 22 points in the first half and it was a narrow 51-49 lead for the Suns at the half.
The Senators managed to open up their biggest lead of the night in the third quarter of five points, but the Suns soon regained the advantage and then dominated the final period to run out 10-point winners to open their account for 2024.
Bryan Michaels had a big night against the team he played with back in 2022 leading the Eastern Suns with 29 points on 8/11 three-point shooting.
Marek Nelson also had 25 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and four steals for Kalamunda with Rob Huntington delivering 17 points and seven boards, Dyson Lowe nine points, six assists and three steals, and Jack Exeter seven points, four assists and three rebounds.
It's consecutive losses now for the Senators with Michael Harris finishing with 28 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Tyler Shand stepped up in the absence of Zac Gattorna and Cody Ellis for 16 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals with Todd Withers contributing 16 points and 14 boards, and George Pearl 10 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Both teams back up to play on Saturday with the Suns away to the Perth Redbacks while the Senators are on the road to the Willetton Tigers both at 7pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App.
KALAMUNDA EASTERN SUNS 100 (Michaels 29, Nelson 25, Huntington 17)
WARWICK SENATORS 90 (Harris 28, Shand 16, Withers 16)
