NBL1 CENTRAL 2024 Round 1 Recap: Sunday

In a Sunday special double-header, the Norwood Flames hosted the North Adelaide Rockets. With both the women's and men's games coming down to the wire, check out what happens below: 

Rockets close out defending champions

In an impressive game for both sides, the North Adelaide Rockets have claimed the 75-66 win on the road over the reigning championship Norwood Flames. 

The Rockets were missing star point guard Lauren Mansfield, who is currently in Singapore with the 3x3 Asia Cup team. Despite missing personnel, the reigning conference MVP Brooke Basham did not skip a beat returning to the conference –  putting up a near quadruple-double of 22 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and seven steals to claim the win. 

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Jordyn Freer added 16 points, while Frankston Blues recruit Ella Batish made an impact in her first game -- scoring 12 points with four rebounds and hitting the game-sealing bucket. 

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The Flames saw some major changes this offseason, with Jada Rice moving to the NBL1 South and Ally Wilson is yet to sign. However, they’ve brought in Woodville Warriors star Emily Winter – who had 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists in her debut for the Flames. 

Norwood struggled from outside, only hitting 6/27 from three-point land at a messily 22 percent. Despite the cold shooting, the Flames managed to keep the game within reach until the final minutes – an impressive display against one of the projected Finals teams this season. 

The Rockets will host the Sturt Sabres on Easter Saturday, streaming from 6:30pm local time Live and Free via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. 

NORWOOD FLAMES 66 (Isabella Stratford 16, Winter 15, Eva Langton 14) 

NORTH ADELAIDE ROCKETS 75 (Basham 22, Freer 16, 12 Batish) 

Norwood claims first blood at home.

In a game that went down to the wire, the Norwood Flames have claimed their first win of the season 92-78 against the North Adelaide Rockets. 

All eyes were on Blake Morrow, coming over from the NBL1 East – the All-Star Five member took some time to get comfortable before putting up 12 points, eight assists and six rebounds in the win. The game changer was Jack Stanwix, the athletic forward pushed the tempo with his steals that turned into audacious dunks. 

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During the game, big man Jack Hemphill flew under the radar with 16 points and nine rebounds. His standout moment came with 55 seconds left, hitting a top-of-the-arch three to push the game out of reach for the Rockets. 

North Adelaide were in the game for every quarter, chipping away at Norwood’s home crowd advantage. However, they could not get over the hump due to an icey 6/24 (25 percent) from outside the arc. 

Steven Parfitt led the way for the Rockets with an impressive 18 point and 16 rebound double-double, while two-way menace Koop McCalop added 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists in the loss. 

Norwood’s next game will be on the road against the Central District Lions on Thursday, March 28 from 6:30pm local time streaming Live & Free via Kayo Freebies. 

NORWOOD FLAMES 92 (Stanwix 20, 16, Hemphill 16, Morrow 12)  

NORTH ADELAIDE ROCKETS 78 (Parfitt, McCalop 18, Robert Crawford 14)