NBL1 Central Recap Saturday | 2022 Men's Preliminary Final

We’ve seen this picture before: In Round one Panther sharpshooter Todd Davies (#13) was the hero, in the Preliminary Final in the third quarter he fired again | @snapshotphotography31 @Snap Shot Photography / Emma Hoppo

Men’s Preliminary Final: South Adelaide Panthers vs Forestville Eagles

Fairytale Panthers book place in first since 1998

Incredible scenes awashed the Jungle as the Panthers booked their first Grand Final appearance in the last two and half decades with an upset 85-70 win over the pre-season favourites Forestville Eagles. The Scott Ninnis led team had no shortage of cameos and another superstar performance from Woollacott Medallist Jeremy Smith.

He began on fire as he grabbed the first 4 points for the home side but the inconvenience of three quick fouls on fellow superstar Alex Starling saw him see early pine sitting. An “A-May-zing” start from the man who’s been there before at the business end in Greg Mays (10 first quarter points) and NBL experienced Adam Doyle and Daniel Johnson gave the Eagles yet another early lead as has been the trend in all three encounters 8-14. That’s when the Panthers favourite son Jarryd Hoppo cameoed his way in for two massive triples to help the Panther army find their voice. Andrew “Hawkeye” Barton hit one of his long-range arrows that suddenly lead the Panthers to an 18-2 run. Brandon Brine got on the end of an alley-oop to lift the away fans but with Hoppo chalking up 8 points and 4 rebounds along with Smith’s 9 in the opening stanza; the Panthers held the slender lead 26-20.

Melbourne United DP Malith Machar lit the Eagles up early in the second with a huge dunk and some and1 finishes with fellow youth player Fiston Ipassou (9 for the quarter) helping to bring them back into it in the second. Doyle’s late triple close to half-time cutting the margin back to 40-39 at the main change. The issues were still there offensively with DJ and Jack Purchase struggling to get going with 32 percent from the field, but the Eagles still hung in their through 13 of 15 from the free throw line.

The third quarter belonged to the Panthers Todd Davies as he reeled off a plethora of triples and shots as he lit up for 11 in the quarter. Johnson however started to find some open space and crafted his way to 10 of his own for the quarter. Mays continued to provide highlights and after nearly going for a donut in the quarter; Doyle’s three-quarter time buzzer beater reeled back in the Davies led Panthers 63-56. The upset and an unprecedented 4-0 record over the Eagles beckoned.

It was a spicy start to the fourth with an early offensive foul called on DJ to badge him with his fourth then coach Andy Simons also badged a tech for the follow up. Smith then returned one back at Doyle and got called for the offensive foul himself. Machar grabbed a dunk in transition as both teams traded big shot after big shot 76-63. Smith then entered the fray again with a tough pull up jumper as the “Mid-Range Marvel” smelled the finish line. DJ got the catch for the layup and a turnover gifted Machar another dunk. The Eagles were closing but this Panthers team would not be denied its fairytale finish. Hoppo found Davies again for another triple, Smith then was fouled on his layup after Purchase missed his shot and made both from the charity stripe and it was looking likely for the homeside at 82-67. Smith then on the next play ran the shotclock right down and drained his uncustomary third triple of the night to shut it close for the Panthers and see them to a memorable win and sweep of the Eagles.

Smith was electric the whole night with 35 points while Davies lit up from deep for 18 points. Starling as mentioned early was strung with foul trouble still accumulated plenty after that to finish with 13 points and 16 rebounds and Hoppo provided the spark from the pine with 12 points and 7 rebounds. The Eagles Greg Mays grabbed 18 points and 6 rebounds while Ipassou showed he’s a player of the future with a solid 16 points and DJ clocked the same along with 8 rebounds.

The South Adelaide Panthers will now meet the Woodville Warriors for the second time in three weeks in the Grand Final at the Lights Community and Sports Centre next Saturday Night.