Central Recap | Round 11 Saturday

By Tristan Prentice for NBL1.com.au

Feature images supplied via NBL1.com.au /  Dan Cowley | @imagesby_dan

Round 11 of the Mitsubishi Motors NBL1 Central was full of upsets and a display from downtown from all league teams as they amassed 175 triples across the 10 games played out for the evening in a coach's nightmare for some and delight for others.  

Here are the results of Saturday games:

Slick Sabres spring over South Adelaide              

The Sturt Sabres were slick and polished as they sprinted all over the South Adelaide Panthers 91-56 at the Cave at Springbank. 

Sydney Mech (10 points and seven rebounds) was a mechwarrior wrecking the Panthers early with eight points in the first term as they torched the away side 23-15 after one. The Panthers pushed back through Ash Spencer (Seven points) and Bella Stratford (13 points and four rebounds) to make it 30-27

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Brazel (13 points on three of five makes from deep) and co however re-assumed control quickly again to make it 40-29 at the main break. 

The Sabres came out and crushed the Panthers from beyond the arc in the second half as the three point procession continued through Nicola Mathews (18 points on four of six beyond)  and returning Meg Prosser (11 points with three triples from five attempts) as they piled on 51-27 in the second half to slickly secure victory - 17 triples to the Sabres began the three point party for the night for teams.

          

STURT SABRES 91 (N Mathews 18, Brazel 13, Stamatelopoulos 12)

SOUTH ADELAIDE PANTHERS 56 (Stratford 13, Cox 10, H Gardiner 8)

 

Magic Mollie holds off Gallant Lions for Rockets            

Some vintage Magic Mollie helped the North Adelaide Rockets hold off the Central Districts Lions at the Den 61-76. 

Jordyn Freer was the force early as she collected eight early quarter points despite the scoreboard presence of Tiahna Sears (16 points and 14 rebounds) and Sydney Wright (Eight points and four rebounds) to cut it back to 12-19. McKendrick (14 for the half) and Abbey Jones (Six points, eight rebounds and three blocks) at both ends of the floor looked to have control for the Rockets but a home charge led by Shanique Lucas (11 points, three assists and rebounds), the veteran presence of Claire Maree-Hunt (Nine points and four assists) and April Rummery-Lamb (13 points and seven rebounds with three steals) brought it right back to 29-33 at the half.

Both teams went toe-to-toe in the third with an encouraging performance emerging from Ella Batish (15 points and four assists with rebounds) as she produced her best in several seasons bookend by a quick five points plus a buzzer beater on three quarter time 49-55 to her side. 

Minus Mansfield and Basham - McKendrick was the motor that drove the Rockets to the finish line as her and Batish finished off the homeside in constructive fashion in the finish.

McKendrick produced the magic when it counted with 20 points, three assists and steals while Freer continued to push her case for more recognition at the national level with 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

   

CENTRAL DISTRICTS LIONS 61 (Sears 16, Rummery-Lamb 13, Lucas 11)

NORTH ADELAIDE ROCKETS 76 (McKendrick 20, J Freer 18, Batish 15)

 

Iva the giant prevents comeback Mavs        

For the second week in a row it was a tight one at the Cage and another tight contest between the Southern Tigers and the Eastern Mavericks - with the Tigers Iva Belosevic gigantic in the thrilling 81-77 south based showdown at Morphett Vale.  

The Tigers bounced out through plenty of contributors including Charlotte Southam-Clark (Nine points with four rebounds) but Belosevic (13 points in the first term) was finding her range early as she pushed the Tigers out to a 27-17 lead. The second term opened up on the scoreboard for both sides with McKenzie Johnston (14 points, six assists and four rebounds) joining the contributors but the ex Tiger Rosie Williamson (Seven points) and her young counterpart Bella Schaftenaar (10 points, four assists and rebounds) kept the Mavs in the contest 53-45. 

The Tigers jumped out slightly but then a huge run for the Mavs led by the young rising star of Daisy Hocking (19 points and four rebounds) and a big couple of hits from Aspen Williston (14 points and three rebounds) had the Tigers calling for timeout 59-57. Annie Bartsch (17 points and six rebounds) picked up from where she left from her highly effective season with a quick brace of points as the Tigers took the lead for home 61-57.

The Mavs continued to punch hard through Hocking and Williston but holding on for life as they came charging the reverse to last match - the firm of Bartsch, Tara Dodman and co held tightly to prevent the Mavs comeback and seal the win.

Both teams go at it again this Sunday as they take on the North Adelaide Rockets and the Woodville Warriors in their double header weekend - catch the action of Kayo Sports Freebies via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App from 1:30pm ACDT.    

SOUTHERN TIGERS 81 (Belosevic 32, Bartsch 17, Johnston 14)

EASTERN MAVERICKS 77 (Hocking 19, Williston 14, Schaftenaar 10)

 

Eagles escape late Warriors push at Castle              

The Forestville Eagles found a way but it wasn’t pretty as the Woodville Warriors pushed them to the brink at the Castle of St Clair 60-65.  

The Warriors jumped out to a 11-0 start led by Jasmin Fejo before Jess Simons answered for the Eagles for their first of the night. Laura Erikstrup off the back of a big match against the Rockets was causing all sorts of paint problems for the away side as the Warriors took a 19-10 lead into the first break. 

The Simons started the comeback in the second but not before Fejo fired the Warriors back to the lead - the late close of the Simons again though left it 31-26 at the half. 

Sam Simons got her score ticking over as the Eagles assumed dominance with a stout quarter of 9-21 - the only Warriors highlight was a scrappy ball won by Fejo amongst three Eagles then willing it into the rim. Ella Sawyer (12 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals) and Gabby Vidmar (Nine points, seven rebounds, six assists, three steals with two blocks) joined in piling the points on as the Eagles took a strong lead of 40-47 with one to play.

The Eagles looked like they had it hand leading by as many as nine in a low scoring encounter - a Jess Simons triple making it very difficult for the Warriors to return into the contest. Ambah Kowcun (eight points) against her former side drained a triple then Ida Andersson dropped one in from deep but was answered by Sam Simons from the field and the free throw line - saw them escape with the win. 

When it counted Sam Simons came up big with 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals with sister Jess not too far behind on 15 points. Foul trouble caught up with Laura Erikstrup but not before she led scoring with 21 points and nine rebounds while Fejo was a force once again with 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists. 

                             

WOODVILLE WARRIORS 60 (Erikstrup 21, Fejo 15, Kowcun 8)

FORESTVILLE EAGLES 65 (S Simons 18, J Simons 15, Sawyer 12)

 

Bearcats bump Flames in fourth to stay with top three             

The West Adelaide Bearcats got back to their best with a final quarter knockout of the ignited Norwood Flames 96-86 at the Bearcat Cave. 

Olivia Levicki down on her best in recent matches started on fire as opposed to her opposition who took a 5-11 start reeled in by Levicki and Krystal Thompson (12 points, five assists, three rebounds and steals). KJ James started to take control to get the Flames out by 24-31 - the Bearcats bouncing back through Levicki who threw a ridiculous out of bounds pass to find her teammate for the three to give the home side a slender 42-41 lead at the main interval. 

Amanda Paschal took over the third term with able support from Caitlin Shillabeer (14 points with four triples) for the Flames as they compiled a 10-21 term and had them out by double figures. Enter Ashlee Strawbridge (13 points, five rebounds and four assists) who checked in earlier than her usual fourth term contributions this season with a quick five points but Paschal pulled the pistol for another triple on three quarter time with the Flames on the cusp of the win 61-66.

Sophie Kerridge (Nine points, four rebounds and three assists) went on a run of her own with the first six points of the final term but was answered by the baby bearcats of Thompson and Coco Hodges (14 points, seven rebounds with three steals) who engineered a 12-0 run to roll momentum back the home side's way. A Molly Coleman (14 points and four rebounds) triple from the corner closed a 35-20 final term for the Bearcats at 70 percent from the field in efficient fashion and kept them in touch with the top three. 

Levicki found her Eiler Medal contention touch again compiling 25 points and 15 rebounds to lead her side with six Bearcats tallying eight or more. The Flames James (22 points, nine rebounds, four assists with steals and Paschal (26 points with four triples, seven rebounds with fours steals and three assists) produced a majority of the away sides points but dried up in the fourth term with the Bearcats defence suffocating their ability to tick the tally over.

                      

WEST ADELAIDE BEARCATS 96 (Levicki 25, Coleman 14, Strawbridge 13)

NORWOOD FLAMES 86 (Paschal 26, James 22, Shillabeer 14)

Triples galore for Bearcats as Mayen mayhem dismantles Flames             

The West Adelaide Bearcats put on a party in the Port in the first half as they dropped them in from downtown to dominate the Norwood Flames 106-86 at the Bearcat Cave    

After a quite few weeks the pair of newly signed Perth Wildcats created several triples as Lat Mayen and Cameron Huefner went off helping the home side to a 39-20 start with Mayen grabbing 13 points and five rebounds. It rolled along for the Bearcats with Mayen peeling off more triples, a reverse jam and some heads up plays for Sean Stock (16 points with six assists) who found himself multiple times along. With Keanu Rasmussen (A 16 point and 10 rebound double double) setting the table for his team - off the back of 14 triples in the first half the homeside had a huge lead 66-43 and the Flames in disarray.

The Flames tried to return back into the match through unlikely sources Aydan Janssan (13 point and 12 rebound double double) and Louis Bleechmore (16 points and 10 rebounds) but Jacob Tryon (17 points with five rebounds and three blocks) was a menace defensively as the home side jumped out to a 85-53 lead with one to play. It was wall paper over cracks late for the Flames with Tom Goodall entering the game late and producing 12 points in the final term with the bench entering for both teams. 

From the start Mayen produced one of his best for the season with 28 points with six triples and nine rebounds with four assists well backed up by the “Cannon” in Cameron Huefner with 16 points and four triples with nine rebounds and four assists in identical non-scoring statistics.

          

WEST ADELAIDE BEARCATS 106 (Mayen 28, Tryon 17, Huefner, Rasmussen, Stock 16)

NORWOOD FLAMES 86 (Bleechmore 16, A Janssan 13, Goodall 12)

 

Import duo and Lloyd bounce Panthers back over Sabres            

The South Adelaide Panthers through their import duo of Brandon and Warner along with Lloyd McVeigh eventually bounced the Panthers back over the Sturt Sabres 85-97 at the Cave of Springbank.   

Minus Sam Daly the Sabres went to the wells of Jordan Forbes and Sharif Black for early points but the hot hand of McVeigh was evident early as the home side led by 23-21 after one. 

McVeigh lit up at the start of the second but joining him off the bench as one of the leading sixth men of the year Curtis Scott (15 points with four assists and rebounds) with some fancy moves on a Saturday night including the feed to Christian Brandon going down main street.

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Forbes brought the margin back along with Ben Griscti (13 points and eight rebounds) but a mini run by Tom Kubank and Kaleb Warner (21 points on four triples, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals) - but Codey Ellison on break missed the two hander dunk on halftime but Scott following behind followed up with the reverse layup to give the Panthers the lead at the half 39-51.

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Brandon worked off the back off both ends with blocks and scores as he and McVeigh had the Panthers heading for home with a 61-74. The Sabres continued to respond through Black (24 points, eight rebounds and three assists) and Forbes (28 points, four assists and three steals) as they rained in more triples (four each) for the evening but the Panthers steadied at any opportunity to rally for the win with Brandon slamming the rim and the door shut on the Sabres. 

Brandon’s second half emerged as needed with 26 points and six rebounds along with a four quarter spark from Lloyd McVeigh with 24 points, 12 rebounds and three assists. 

 

STURT SABRES 86 (Forbes 28, Black 24, Griscti 13)

SOUTH ADELAIDE PANTHERS 97 (Brandon 26, L McVeigh 24, Warner 21)

 

Lions and Rockets pile on points and Den             

The Central Districts Lions and North Adelaide Rockets piled on the points at the Den with the homeside cruising to a 120-87 win.    

Both tried to match each other on the scoreboard throughout the evening with the break coming in the third term as the Lions grabbed a 33-12 term led by the scintillating scoring of Koen Sapwell (24 points, five assists and rebounds). 

Koop McCalop produced one of his best for the season with a season high 29 points and eight rebounds but no team was gaining stops as twelve players in all had nine points or more. 

Other winners for the Lions were brother Kalani Sapwell with 14 points, eight assists and four rebounds and Efe Abogidi with a double double of 11 points and 12 rebounds.

   

CENTRAL DISTRICTS LIONS 120 (Koen Sapwell 24, Kalani Sapwell 14, Jewell 12)

NORTH ADELAIDE ROCKETS 87 (McCalop 29, BJ Johnson 19, Dowdell, M Machar 10)

 

Mavs snap losing streak to keep season alive against Southern            

A six game losing streak was snapped by the Eastern Mavericks as they rode BJ Symons and a career high from Jackson Bowden to the finish line 72-79 in an upset win over the Southern Tigers at the Cage.   

Jarvis Doles dropped a couple of big bombs early to get his night going as the Tigers roared to a 15-4 start before Jackson Bowden with his first start of the season dropped some triples himself, clocked one then finished in transition with the coast to coast to make it 24-19 at the end of the first term. 

Owen Raneburg (14 points and three rebounds) cut the margin back further as did Symons as the Mavs surged to the lead in the second term but not before Jarvis Summers brought some rain from the corner to give the away side a 35-37 lead after two terms. 

Bowden (17 points and five rebounds) continued to keep it moving for the Mavs with Doles (19 points, five rebounds and four steals) keeping the Tigers in touch at the end of the third but not before Freddy Webb (Eight points, nine rebounds with six assists) dropped a timely triple 52-59 with one to go. 

After a quiet few weeks Broderick Robinson (11 points, five rebounds and steals with four assists) worked his way back into form with some superb plays down the stretch - but Summers (17 points, five assists with four rebounds) refused to let it slip away as they closed against the Tigers. Answering every time were the Mavs through Robinson and Symons (18 points, seven rebounds and four assists) as they snapped a six game streak to keep their season alive.

        

SOUTHERN TIGERS 72 (Doles 19, Summers 17, Morris 10)

EASTERN MAVERICKS 79 (Symons 18, Bowden 17, Raneburg 14)

 

Bryce real nice as Warriors cause boilover at the Castle over Eagles           

The upset night came at the Castle of St Clair as the Woodville Warriors caused the boilover and staked their claims with a huge 81-67 win over the Forestville Eagles - ending their 10 game winning streak in stunning fashion     

Protecting home court and not having lost at home this season - both teams traded blows with Riley Meldrum once again active in the opening term but minus Dejan Vasiljevic again Alex Starling and Adam Doyle kept the Eagles in touch 25-24 after one. 

Bryce Sloan proved his credentials with a big time performance from the start of the second against a top opponent as he floated, went from outside and fed his team but Greg Mays hitting form at the right time of the season slammed a few to cause matchup issues for the Warriors. A nice cameo from Uzo Dibiamaka leaving the margin 52-50 at the after stanzas.

Daniel Johnson tried to push it back the Eagles way with some crafty veteran moves but the Warriors like many teams this evening answered when required with Nick Wurm growing in stature as the night progressed. The Warriors completed the boilerover in the fourth, denting the Eagles offensive potency with a 17-7 conclusion and completing the upset of the night. 

Bryce was really nice to finish with his best performance of the season of 20 points, six assists and five rebounds to lead the way.

    

WOODVILLE WARRIORS 81 (Sloan 20, Wurm 16, Troussel 15)

FORESTVILLE EAGLES 67 (Mays 22, D Johnson 17, Doyle 10)               

Six teams go at it again this Sunday in their double header weekend - catch the action of Kayo Sports Freebies via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App from 3:15pm ACDT.

Watch the NBL1 Live & Free on NBL1.com.au, NBL1 App and Kayo Sports Freebies.