“1-6” Rockets rampant run continues into the Decider

The team that started the season 1-6 the North Adelaide Rockets have run rampant from fifth place and have shot down the Sturt Sabres 69-86 at the Cave; to make their first decider since the 2007 CABL Grand Final.

The Rockets got off to a flyer once again through Sixers Sunday Dech (pictured) and Jack-Jumper Jack McVeigh as they sparked a run of 16 consecutive points to jump out to 4-19 lead. It took the Sabres unlikely source in centre Tom Goodall to push the Sabres back in a little however McVeigh finished the quarter with 11 points and Dech 10 points as the Rockets held the lead comfortable 17-30 after one. The second saw Goodall continue where he started with a couple of buckets early but the Rockets firepower was on display as all the players were hitting big shot after big shot dropping 8 of 16 shots for 50 percent from beyond the arc. The Rockets in absolute control at the 28-66 at the main break. The Sabres tried to rally early in the third through Sam Daly and Daniel Nash looking to at least finish the season on a high as the Sabres poured in 21-13 in the quarter and cut the margin back to 30 with the scoreboard reading 49-79 at the end of the third. The Sabres continued to play it out all the way to the end through Mike Shortt, Goodall and Daly including a dunk in the final term but the Rockets steadied every so often with a bucket to take them to the NBL1 Central Mens Grand Final 69-86.

11 triples at 45.1 percent was a key figure in the finality of the result along with 6-13 points from 22 turnovers of the home side. Dech finished with 31 points, 4 rebounds and assists setting himself for a showdown with the “Woolly” medallist CJ Turnage of the Norwood Flames and McVeigh with another double double of 28 points and 12 rebounds (His ninth of the season). Hamish “Hammer” Staude got hot during the game for his 9 points at 60 percent along with 6 assists and 3 rebounds and Tobias Dowdell had a solid night with 9 points and 11 rebounds. The Sabres got a great bounce back game from Daly with 21 points, 8 assists and 4 rebounds and Goodall with one of his best for the season with 14 points and 6 rebounds.          

The North Adelaide Rockets will meet the Norwood Flames in the NBL1 Central Mens Grand Final next Saturday night in a rematch of the 2007 sides at venue to be confirmed with the Sturt Sabres run ended for 2021 after a 14-4 record and first place in the inaugural season.

Photo Credit: @LukeJMedia / @BaselineLuke