NBL1 Central Recap Saturday | Men's Finals Week One

DJ turned away by turn-back-timers: Both Sam Johns (#4) and Alex Starling (#32) contained Daniel Johnson in his first match against the Panthers this season and brought back their mid 2010s form  | Kelly Barnes/AllStar Photos

Qualifying Final: Forestville Eagles vs South Adelaide Panthers

Turn back time Panthers stun Eagles

Two incredible turning back the clock performances have stunned the Eagles and given the Panthers their greatest club win in 14 years 90-105 at the Nest. Orchestrated by master coach the legendary Scott Ninnis, the Panthers channelled every part of him and the way he played to a tee particularly through two-time Woollacott medallist Alex Starling and veteran Sam Johns. It wasn’t all smooth sailing early as the Eagles burst out of the blocks with a 21-7 opening including leading by 18 points off Jack Purchase’s hot hand (9 first quarter points) but the Panthers through Johns (7 points) brought it back to 36-24 at quarter time. That was when Starling roared to life and grabbed 10 points and 4 rebounds for the quarter all with Malith Machar and Fiston Ipassou holding superstar Jeremy Smith to just 2 points at half-time. Starling kept the Panthers rolling with some huge dunks and an earth shattering against the backboard block on halftime on Machar to bring it back to 56-50.

That’s when Johns got busy shifting defensively onto Daniel Johnson and locking down on the 36ers star while also pouring in some big-time buckets to have 15 points and along with Starling with 12 points for the quarter had the Panthers in front 27 minutes into the game. The Panthers holding the lead with one to go 76-78. As has been the case and having been locked down for far too long, Smith went on a tear and lifted his Panthers to an 11-21 run in the final term as he and Jarryd Hoppo (14 points for the game) completed the upset victory 90-105 in the finish. Johns was the pivotal player who turned it back to his mid-2010s form with 19 points, 7 rebounds and blanketed Johnson (19 points and 7 rebounds) closely followed by Starling with 32 points, 11 rebounds and 5 blocked shots. Smith had 17 in the second half to finish with 19 points and Andrew “Hawkeye” Barton hit the target at the right time to nail three triples for his 9 points. Purchase bought himself 22 points from range with 6 triples and 8 assists and Adam Doyle was consistent with 19 points and 10 assists.     

Elimination Final: Norwood Flames vs North Adelaide Rockets

Flames burn Rockets back-to-back ambitions in finals furnace

The Flames have burned the Rockets back-to-back ambitions and given coach Tim Odell’s first finals win as they eliminated the North Adelaide Rockets 84-78 at the Firedome. Ray Harding put in one of his best games in the league to lead the final onslaught for the home-side as they closed out the Rockets. Harding was fire early with 14 opening points as he gave the Flames an 11-point lead before the Rockets brought it back slightly to 27-21 at the first change. From there the game evened up as the lead changed several times with the Rockets taking the lead back at the half 43-44 thanks to Riley Harrap with some long range left handed bombs and 12 points for the quarter.

The third followed the same pattern as both teams traded blows through Harrap with the Flames sneaking back in front through Harding and Anthony Green air-shows 66-65 with it all on the line. Odell got what he was looking for with a 7-0 run led by Green (5 points) and Trey McBride (6 points) grounding the Rockets offence and seeing the Flames through to the semi-final elimination 84-78. Harding was huge all night but left the court less than a few seconds before the end of the game with a lower leg injury but still finished with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists to lead allcomers. Matt Lycett dialled it back yet again for 19 points and 6 rebounds and Green and McBride both collected 16 points a piece in encouraging even contributions for the Flames. The Rockets were missing centre Jamar Akoh through illness but fought valiantly and got a career high 29 points out of Harrap while Terry Winn capped off a big first season as an import in the league with 15 points and 16 rebounds.     

The South Adelaide Panthers will now meet the Woodville Warriors at the Castle in the Qualifying Semi-Final for a place in the Grand Final while the Norwood Flames will travel to the Nest to take on the Forestville Eagles in the Elimination Semi-Final.