NBL1 CENTRAL Round 5 Recap: Saturday

Round 5 of NBL1 Central on ANZAC Eve produced some incredible flying, streaks broken and more thrilling finishes...

Here are the results from Saturday's games:

Basham brilliant in blocking out Warriors run

Brooke Basham was brilliant late in the game holding off the Woodville Warriors run to finish with 31 points, seven rebounds and 5 assists in her North Adelaide Rockets 85-76 win at the Lights. Import centre Erica Meyer had a breakout game with an 18 point and 11 rebound double double to go with three blocks. The Warriors got plenty of contribution from Nicole Fransson with 22 points, 14 rebounds and four assists and Emily Winter with 20 points, 13 rebounds and three assists in a highly entertaining match.          

Stewart serves Panthers win against plucky Eagles

Hannah Stewart made crucial plays and baskets in her 12 points and three steals in the final minutes to help close off the plucky Forestville Eagles 78-71. Jade Johnson wrestled back the lead mid-way through the third quarter with 22 points with six of nine triples, nine rebounds and four assists with Holly Forbes collecting a double double of 13 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. The Eagles also found Jordan Hunter difficult to counteract with 13 points, seven assists, five steals and four rebounds with Maddy Freer their best with 18 points and 10 rebounds.    

McKendrick marches on Tigers to Safari Cup win over Lions   

Early Halls medal contender Mollie McKendrick could not be stopped with 19 first half points to finish with 30 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two huge blocks in the Southern Tigers 83-69 win over their northern rivals the Central District Lions. Brittany Hernandez came alive in the second half with 18 points with Abby Beeche hitting a career high 14 points to seal it at the Cage. Tiahna Sears continued her run of strong form with 28 points and 17 rebounds for the Lions who were consistently in the contest despite the margin.  

Jumping Jenkins catches Tigers off guard to throw it down

Branden Jenkins caught the Southern Tigers napping as he threw down this monster alley-oop plus some other highlights in his 29-point performance in his Lions first win of the season 80-104. Kevin Baker his partner in crime produced 20 points and seven rebounds with former Southern District Spartan Ngor Nai clocking an imposing double double of 15 points and 13 rebounds. The Tigers Jett Thompson kept it interesting all night with 19 points and five rebounds along with Jimma Dau’s 19 points and 11 rebounds.  

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Warriors wreck Rockets rush in overtime

In the first game of 2022 Jawan Stepney of the Woodville Warriors had a shot to win the game at the Lights that rimmed out – this time the Warriors defence held firm off some tight free throws to outlast the rush North Adelaide Rockets 71-72. Devon McGee scored plenty late to finish with 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Warriors but Koop McCalop nearly stole it late off the missed free throws and despite not getting the finish with the tip back rimming out – he added 22 points and nine rebounds.  

Eagles pinch Panthers to break four game streak

It’s taken till 2023 for the Forestville Eagles to redeem their streak against the South Adelaide Panthers of 2022 and they did so winning a thriller at the Jungle in Mitchell Park 68-69. Adam Doyle was clutch late finishing with 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals with his side doing an incredible defensive job on the reigning champions. Daniel Johnson broke out for the new season with 24 points, eight rebounds and three assists.