NBL1 Central Mens Recap Round 18

Photo By Picture_IT Sports Photography

Here is the recap of this final minor round action

Fast start Flames fire over Lions to Third

A 37-18 first quarter propelled the Norwood Flames to hold third place on the ladder as they dealt a severe blow to the Central District Lions hopes in their 107-89 win at the Firedome. CJ Turnage came up big once again with 35 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists with Ray Harding hitting form at the right-time of the year with a season high 24 points. Shaquille Maharaj equalled the second highest individual total of the season with 39 points and 5 rebounds with Lual Diing doubling up for 18 points and 10 rebounds. The Lions now awaiting the outcome of the North vs Southern match today to determine if they hold onto fifth spot.

Hoppo Hawkeye bombs can’t get South over Daly led Sabres  

A beyond the arc show for the South Adelaide Panthers was matched by the Sturt Sabres as they concluded their minor round seasons 77-84 in a shootout (26 triples) at Michael Ah Matt Court. The Sabres got a monster from Sam Daly with a season high 34 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists, Nick Fassos with 16 points and 4 rebounds and Matt Shortt with 13 points (four triples) and 9 rebounds. Jarryd Hoppo dropped a season high 23 points and 6 rebounds including five triples but not to be outdone was Andrew “Hawkeye” Barton with 18 points and 6 triples, a near triple double to Alex Mudronja (12 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists) and a double double to Owen Hulland (15 points and 14 rebounds).  

Machar Machar’s Warriors chance and take Tigers to Fourth

The Southern Tigers sealed a finals berth while also ending the Woodville Warriors chance of a late entry as they put on a show at the Tiger Cage 83-71. Machar Machar blew the Warriors apart in the second quarter as he finished 23 points including 4 of 5 from beyond the arc; his dunk on half-time an emphatic exclamation mark in the contest. Nick Wurm (24 points) for the Tigers killed the contest after the Warriors made a comeback in the final stanza led by “Warrior” James Boonstoppel (20 points) and Joe Jackson (18 points and 15 rebounds). Both stars of either side Cameron Coleman and Julian Jacobs played through foul trouble but were well contained by their opposition in a telling influence for both sides.    

Eagles electric in final round flight over Bearcats

The Forestville Eagles have fine tuned for their Qualifying Final as they flew over the top of a depleted West Adelaide Bearcats 71-94 at the Bearcat Cave. Five players grabbed double figures with Malith Machar (18 points and 12 rebounds) and Greg Mays (17 points and 12 rebounds) the best for the away side. For the home side, Earnest Ross concluded a solid season with 15 points and 9 rebounds while in what could possibly be his last home game for the club, stalwart Andrew “Spud” Spadavecchia dropped 12 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. The Eagles are likely to play the Norwood Flames in the Qualifying Final at the Nest next weekend.  

Rockets rocked but prevail over plucky Mavs

The North Adelaide Rockets kept their season alive but were made to work for the result as they eventually prevailed over a plucky Eastern Mavericks 99-114 at the Shooting Gallery of St Francis. Bound for Tasmania, Jack McVeigh dropped a dagger laden double double of 26 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists which included five triples and along with Jimma Dau (23 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists) made up for the absence of Sunday Dech with his season ending early. The Mavs got big season highs from Tom Cromarty (34 points, 9 assists and 4 rebounds) and Matt Stock (24 points including eight triples and 4 rebounds) in the absence of William Wise the Third. The Rockets must win today’s game against the Tigers to knock the Central District Lions out of fifth spot and move onto the elimination final next weekend.   

Flames streak ends at six as Bearcats send off season

The West Adelaide Bearcats finished their season on a high note as they ended the winning streak of the Norwood Flames 82-90 at the Firedome. The Flames locked into third place last night were stunned by a three point avalanche as the Bearcats shot 52 percent accumulating 19 triples led by Luke Cadzow (21 points with six triples), Fabian Johnson (26 points with four triples), Earnest Ross (18 points with four triples and 12 rebounds) and Patrick Ciganovic (16 points and four triples). For the home side Ray Harding looks in career best form heading into the finals with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists and had help from the dynamic duo of CJ Turnage (21 points, 8 assists and 3 rebounds) and Anthony Green (14 points and 10 rebounds).

Rockets rise to set-up rematch with Southern

The North Adelaide Rockets have won their final game of the regular season 68-58 setting up a re-match with the Southern Tigers in the Elimination Final next week. The Rockets finished with a flurry as they reeled off 19-11 in the final quarter after an out of the blocks 20-8 first quarter led by Jimma Dau who finished with a double double of 18 points and 15 rebounds. Jack McVeigh iced the split margin with 17 points and 8 rebounds while Verle “The Human Tornado” Williams was pivotal at the clutch finding the charity stripe for 10 of his 19 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. For the Tigers, Christian Artacho was huge with 18 points and 4 rebounds along with Cameron Coleman (15 points and 4 rebounds) guided the Tigers back into the contest in the second quarter.