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Mar 23, 2024
Games of the Week Preview: March 28-30
NBL1.com.au
Still trying to decide what to watch over the Easter break? Look no further.
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Still trying to decide what to watch over the Easter break? Look no further, The NBL1 West tips off on Thursday night while NBL1 Central goes into Round 2 spread across the long weekend.
See the full fixture below:
This week the NBL1 West will host a must-watch Game of the Week between the powerhouse Joondalup Wolves and the rising Perth Redbacks. Over in South Australia, the NBL1 Central has three games across Thursday, Friday and Saturday all Live and Free via Kayo Freebies.
Check out what you need to know about these games below:
Joondalup Wolves vs Perth Redbacks
Women: Thursday, live from 6:30pm AWST
While the Redbacks will be missing Anneli Maley due to FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup commitments, Perth will still be a challenge for the revamped Wolves.
The Wolves restructured their entire team this offseason, only one player remains from the 2023 roster and Joondalup has now formed a big three of Emma Clarke, former Mandurah star Sarah Toeaina and import Darien Huff.
While for the Redbacks, outside of the former WNBL MVP in Maley, they’ve also added 20-point-per-game scorer Natalie Chou.
Redback’s men’s head coach Charles Nix believes the Redback’s women's side will be a “sleeper” team to keep an eye on during the season, per the Too Short for the League podcast.
Men: Thursday, live from 8:30pm AWST
Both teams saw some additions over the offseason, with the Wolves bringing back Jonathan Wade after a shoulder injury, and recruiting NBL1 National Finals All-Star Five member Jeremy Combs to the team.
The Wolves had a heartbreaking loss in the Grand Final to the Geraldton Buccaneers, leaving them even more motivated to dominate this NBL1 West season.
They’ll be facing off against the Perth Redbacks, who added former Wolves big-man Ioannis Dimakopoulos and NBL1 West All-Star Five member Joe Cook-Green alongside star scorer Tevin Jackson.
Redbacks head coach Charles Nix said his team has been keeping a close eye on the Wolves this offseason.
“Big Ioannis will be headed back up to the Wolves, Ethan Elliot and Caleb Davis up to the Wolves as well, that’ll make them fairly formidable.
“It’s a game we’ve pencilled in since day one of preseason.”
Watch the double-header live from 6:30pm AWST Live and Free via Kayo Freebies.
Central District Lions vs Norwood Flames
Women: Thursday live from 6:30pm ACDT
Both teams will be feeling good after their Round 1 results, with the new-look Lions taking a comfortable win over the Eastern Mavericks and the Norwood Flames taking the North Adelaide Rockets to the final minutes of the game.
The Lions have quickly formed a big three of Jasmin Fejo, Taylah Levy and Casey Samuels who combined for 65 of the Lions’ 83 points.
While the Flames lost to the Rockets, the team were highly competitive against the projected Finals team.
With three scorers in double-digits, the reigning champions may have a brand new team, but remain a group that can win any game on any night.
Men: Thursday live from 8:15pm ACDT
The Lions are coming off a heartbreaking loss in overtime, with the Mavericks’ Owen Raneberg hitting a corner three to give Central Districts their first loss of the season.
The one to watch this week will be Branden Jenkins. He was the Lions star last season and has shown no signs of slowing down, putting up 26 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals in the two-point loss.
Also coming off a close game was Norwood, the Flames came away with the 92-78 win against the Rockets in a strong showing. While it was close throughout the game, the Flames closed it out within the fourth quarter off the back of import Blake Morrow and athletic forward Jack Stanwix.
West Adelaide Bearcats vs South Adelaide Panthers
Women: Friday live from 4:00pm ACDT
The Panthers started their season with a loss to the Southern Tigers but showed promise at home. Club star Ashleigh ‘Splash’ Spencer put up her usual with 24 points with six rebounds in the 65-84 loss.
The Bearcat spoilt the Warriors' home opener 85-59, Danessha Provo hit six triples to swing the game while Sienna Grieger scored 26 points, nine rebounds and five assists.
Sitting on Good Friday, it will be a competitive game between these Finals stalwarts.
Men: Friday live from 5:45pm ACDT
The Panthers are set for redemption after last season’s disappointing first-round loss in the Finals. With Alex Starling fresh off his debut NBL season, bringing in former Mount Gambier Pioneer Tom Kunank and awaiting the arrival of 2022 Woollacott medallist Jeremy Smith.
They beat the Southern Tigers 81-77 in Round 1 with Alex Starling putting up 29 points, 19 rebounds and five steals in his 2024 debut.
The Bearcats had a tough loss to Woodville 93-104, with the Foot Locker Player of the Week Sharif Black having an out-of-body experience with 39 points in his NBL1 debut.
If Black didn’t go off, there’s a good chance the Bearcats come into this game with a win, meaning they’ll be hungry to take down South Adelaide in front of the Bearcats faithful.
North Adelaide Rockets vs Sturt Sabres
Women: Saturday live from 6:30pm ACDT
Last on Easter Saturday will be the Rockets hosting the runners-up from last season, the Sturt Sabres. After going 18-0 in the regular season, the undefeated side was upset by the Norwood Flames in the Grand Final. Now losing back-to-back Grand Finals, Sturt will be going for the elusive championship with young star Tayla Brazel leading the way.
Related: Will Sturt finally win Central this season?
“I just know we have so much belief and confidence in our group,” she said on the SA Shotclock.
“We can get back there and finish the job this year.”
While the Rockets are missing Lauren Mansfield due to the FIBA 3x3 Asia Cup, Brooke Basham and Ella Batish are more than capable of leading the way in her absence – as they did against the Norwood Flames in Round 1.
Men: Saturday live from 8:15pm ACDT
Two teams poised for Finals will go head-to-head in a prime-time slot this long weekend with reigning NBL1 Central MVP Jordan Forbes and Adelaide 36er Jacob Rigoni against the Rockets’ core of the McCalop brothers and Durrell McDonald.
Rigoni scored a game-high 34 points while Forbes had the Midas touch, hitting six triples and multiple difficult mid-range jumpers.
North Adelaide had a close loss on Sunday, but everyone will be watching Richard McCalop – the brother of high-flying Koop, the import was scoreless in the game and should be ready to correct his poor performance on Saturday.
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