NBL1 Central Recap | Men's Round 12

Woollacott roughies duelling it out?: David Humphries (left) is having an underrated season with another crucial hand in the Warriors eleventh win on the trot while Matt Lycett (right) who won it in 2015 although foul trouble; once again was highly efficient for the Flames with 14 points and 8 rebounds   | Picture IT Sports Photography

Saturday 2/07/22

Norwood Flames vs Woodville Warriors (Kayo Game of the Week)

Warriors engineer eleventh in first ARC win

The Warriors have won an eleventh straight and when challenged again responded with steel as they won their first ever game at the Firedome 78-90 over the Flames. Since opening in 2016 the Warriors have never won at the venue but that changed thanks to David Humphries who was highly efficient finishing with 16 points with 14 coming in the first half to setup a 35-53 lead at the half. The Flames fought back and closed it to single digits but couldn’t quite get close enough to striking distance with Jawan Stepney with 17 points and 7 rebounds and Nick Wurm with 18 points and 9 assists taking over in the second half to hold off the Flames. Flames captain Dan Webber had a season high 18 points and 6 rebounds and Matt Lycett who struck foul trouble was threatening again with 14 points and 8 rebounds but the homeside couldn’t quite get the celebration for Andrew Webber playing his 350^th game who did strike a triple early in his minutes to spark his side into action. The Warriors are now three games clear at the top 11-1 while the Flames hold equal second with 8-4.

Forestville Eagles vs South Adelaide Panthers

Swat of Starling proportions pipes Eagles 

The swat of the season from Alex Starling has unbelievably given the Panthers back-to-back wins over title favourites the Eagles 91-92 in a thriller at the Nest. Jack Purchase had a chance to win the game from the corner, but the shot went long as the Panthers held on for yet another heartstopper for supercoach Scott Ninnis. Starling who denied a go ahead bucket from 150 gamer Eagles captain Adam Doyle (24 superb points) finished with 22 points and 16 rebounds in his return from rest but the gamebreaker was Jeremy Smith with 35 points as he helped the steer the Panthers back from a three-quarter time deficit of 69-62 after the Eagles reeled off 31-18 for the quarter. Brandon Brine was the Eagles next best and stepped up in the absence of Daniel Johnson with 16 points and 11 rebounds as did Fiston Ipassou with 17 points. The Panthers now climb to equal second on the ladder with the Eagles at 8-4.

West Adelaide Bearcats vs Sturt Sabres

Spud’s last stand steers Bearcats to famous finish over Sabres 

In what could be Anthony “Spud” Spadavecchia’s last season, the Bearcats through his impact in the final quarter caused a boilover as they upset the Sabres 84-69. Spud helped his home side to a 21-13 final quarter with 5 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists to finish with 11 points and 7 rebounds. It was a telling impact that provided game high scorers Nate Sheppard (29 points), Nik DeSantis (21 points, 8 rebounds) and Lachy Hunter (15 rebounds and a couple of crucial late buckets and blocks) the support they needed to down the Sabres. Joel Spear was best for the aways side across all four quarters with 18 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals while Jacob Rigoni topped the scoresheet for the south-central side with 20 points and 9 rebounds.    

Eastern Mavericks vs Central District Lions    

Lions last gasp grasps win at Shooting Gallery     

A last gasp run of 0-13 has grasped the Lions a season saving 87-88 win over the Mavs at the Shooting Gallery. The tables turned when Koop McCalop fouled out with 2:44 to go with Kalani Sapwell’s under pressure jumper giving them the lead with 0:11 left. The Mavs went to the “Greek freak of SA” Ioannis Dimakopoulos and his turnaround jumper which had been so on target all night rimmed with Tom Cromarty getting a go at the tip in for the win, but it fell short and the Lions escaped with the win. Bijan Johnson was solid through the whole match with 22 points and 10 assists, Magok Manyang helping complete the comeback from the long run with 20 points and Branden Jenkins double doubled for 15 points and 12 rebounds. James Legan put the Mavs in the box seat after half-time to finish with 30 points with 6 triples while Dimakopoulos had another pretty standard game for himself with 22 points and 17 rebounds and McCalop collected 21 points and 14 rebounds.     

North Adelaide Rockets vs Southern Tigers

Rockets Winn to break run of ruin over Tigers

The Rockets have broken their run of ruin halting a four-game losing streak with a “winn” over the Tigers 90-83 at the Launchpad. Terry Winn was outstanding with a season high 27 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists while Jimma Dau got back to his best with 19 points, 16 rebounds and 6 assists to help guide the Rockets home. The Tigers were led by Lachy Olbrich with 25 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists in one of his final performances before he wraps up his season early and Ricardo Martin with 18 points and 9 rebounds under the guidance of assistant coach Jazz Zulfic.