NBL1 Central Womens Recap Round 18

Photo by CS Photographics

Here is the recap of this final minor round of action

Akuen performance sets up Flames final day

An awesome breakout performance from young centre Alek Akuen has guided the Norwood Flames to an important 96-47 win over the winless Central District Lions at the Firedome. Akuen notched a double double of 22 points and 12 rebounds while Genna Anderson continued her strong season with 21 points and 10 rebounds and young Tara Girardi had a season high 18 points and 8 rebounds. Meaza Otto was the best for the Lions in a good finish to the season with 10 points who started well but were overwhelmed by the home side. Minus Alex Wilson the Flames have done enough to take the competition to the final day to decide the fifth position in the finals.  

South and Sabres playout potential preview

It was an intriguing clash with both teams not revealing too much as the South Adelaide Panthers and Sturt Sabres played out a potential preview of next week’s Qualifying Final 65-71 in favour of the Sabres at Michael Ah Matt Court. Scoring was spread evenly as was time between the two sides with Tayla Brazel taking advantage to lead all-comers with 17 points while Kylee Smith prepared well for her finals campaign with 15 points and 11 rebounds in her double double. Hannah Stewart led the scoring for her side with 12 points as the Panthers shared the load.      

Tigers tune up with walk over Warriors

The Southern Tiger train continues to roll on in the Womens as they shook off the Woodville Warriors in the second quarter 90-43 at the Cage. The 25-3 quarter was led by a blitz from Bianca McCalop with 12 points including 4 of 7 beyond the arc with seven Tigers scoring 8 or more in another tune up for the finals. Teige Morrell only played 16 minutes but still grabbed 18 points and 14 rebounds in a short but dominant performance. The Warriors were able to unleash their youth in the second half with Emily Bartsch putting her hand up for more time next season with 8 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.

Simons seals finals for flying Eagles over Bearcats

The Simons sisters have sealed a finals spot for the Forestville Eagles as they flew over the top of the West Adelaide Bearcats 64-97 at the Bearcat Cave. Sam Simons led the way with a second triple double of the season with 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists while Jess Simons dropped 15 points at 66.67 percent. Brooke Basham looms as a big X-Factor for the Eagles in finals with 20 points including 4 of 7 triples, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks and Cara Annetts (18 points and 9 rebounds) showed she’ll be pivotal to their front court. For the Bearcats, Jennie Rintala put up 20 points and 16 rebounds in a massive double double while Keeley Pearce rained it in from deep with 17 points with five triples and 3 rebounds.      

Ortlepp onslaught sets Rockets for lift off Sunday

The North Adelaide Rockets got a scare from the home side Eastern Mavericks but thanks to star utility Taylor Ortlepp got the win that sets up a thrilling finish to their season Sunday 72-85 at the Shooting Gallery of St Francis. Ortlepp’s onslaught was a season high 32 points including a blitz of nine triples to go with 6 rebounds and assists backed up by Jess Good dropping 17 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. The Mavs finished their season strong with the duo of Mollie McKendrick (23 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists) and Rachel Hines (20 points, 12 rebounds and 2 assists) and will have plenty to build on for NBL1 Central 2022.

Flames finish season with OT thriller against Bearcats

Both teams were mathematically a possibility to sneak into fifth place on the ladder and it showed as the Norwood Flames and West Adelaide Bearcats played out an overtime thriller at the Firedome 83-79. Ally Wilson played a blinder missing her triple double just as she clocked 32 points, 18 rebounds and 9 assists and along with Genna Anderson (17 points and 8 rebounds) gave the Flames a chance. Jennie Rintala roared to life in the second half as 17 of her 25 points were notched along with 6 rebounds. The Flames finishing with 10 wins and 8 losses to potentially tie with the North Adelaide Rockets depending on the other result with the West Adelaide Bearcats finishing their season in seventh.    

North final round Rocket finalises Fifth place finish  

They had to upset the top of the table Southern Tigers but with the first placed side already secure the North Adelaide Rockets came up with the win 70-46 at the Launch Pad to take them into the Elimination Final next weekend against the Forestville Eagles. Jess Good setup the win in the first up as she dropped another double double 15 points and 13 rebounds with Taylor Ortlepp adding 22 points and 4 assists. Teige Morrel capped a mammoth regular season with 16 points and 18 rebounds with the Tigers hoping to welcome back star guard Morgan Yaeger for their semi-final in two weeks.