NBL1 South Recap | Women's Saturday Round 12

On another big Saturday night of NBL1 hoops, check out how the NBL1 South Women’s games went below: 

Hobart Chargers (33) def by Knox Raiders (50). 

In a low-scoring affair, the Knox Raiders on their Tasmania road trip made sure to take home one win before heading back in the 17-point win over the Chargers. The star of the night was Alicia Froling, scoring 18 points with 11 rebounds as the only player in the game to score in double-digits.

Hobart struggled significantly, only shooting 22.8 percent from the field. Kylie McCauley and Angela Tompkins had 11 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to get the win. 

Bendigo Braves (90) def Sandringham Sabres (71).

The top of the ladder Braves took care of business at home against the Sabres. NBL1 South MVP candidate Megan McKay had herself a night with 32 points and 14 rebounds as teammate Tess Madgen added 20 points, nine rebounds and 13 assists. 

WNBL free agent and Sandringham star Funda Nakkasoglu had 22 points as Brittany Smart put a solid 18 points and eight rebounds on the stat sheet before falling short to the top of the South. 

Casey Cavaliers (74) def by Ringwood Hawks (77). 

In a nail-biting finish, a three from Digna Strautmane sealed the win for the Hawks as they remain second on the ladder, she finished the game with 13 points. Before she heads off to the Commonwealth games to play in 3x3, Marena Whittle led her team to the win with 21 points, 6 rebounds and five steals. 

Casey’s Sarah Boothe did well in front of her home crowd, scoring a game-high 23 points with 17 rebounds and 5 assists but the Hawks are considered a contender for a reason. 

Ballarat Miners (83) def Frankston Blues (77). 

The young Opals duo of Jade Melbourne and Zitina Aokuso have given Ballarat their fifth in their past six games against the Frankston blues. Melbourne finished the game with a variety of stunning plays, no-look passes and drives from the three-point line - she finished with 20 points, seven assists and eight rebounds. Aokuso added 23 points and nine rebounds.

Frankston’s Darcee Garbin plays her best on the long road trip, her 33 points, 13 rebounds and five assists could not stop the Miners’ momentum at home. 

Dandenong Rangers (62) def by Geelong Supercats (89). 

Surprising Sara Blicavs was not the story of the night, the NBL1 star was dominant as ever with 21 points and nine rebounds but Eve Braslis off the bench made an impact. In 25 minutes she scored 17 points and had five rebounds to give Geelong another option come finals. 

The Rangers could not find their shot, only shooting 33.7 percent from the field, their leading scorer was Clare Camac with 15 points. 

Eltham Wildcats (80) def Keilor Thunder (67).

The mid-season addition of the WNBL MVP Anneli Maley has helped the Wildcats get into the mix once again as she led Eltham to the win at home with 20 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. Teammate Korinne Campbell had a monster 12 points and 19 rebounds and Rebecca Pizzey added 15 points. 

Keilors’ Maddie Garrick played her patented 3x3 styled basketball, with 16 points, five rebounds and four assists but it did not get the Thunder close enough to win. 

Kilsyth Cobras (57) def by Waverley Falcons (75).

Rebecca Cole and the Falcons came to Kilsyth and scored 44 points in the second half, close to Kilsyths total score. Cole finished with 19 points, six assists and five steals but Carley Ernst had a massive game with 18 points and 11 rebounds to give Waverley the comfortable win. 

Opal Lauren Scherf did her best, scoring 18 points with eight rebounds and Carly Turner had 17 rebounds! The Cobras did outboard the Falcons but did not get the win. 

Launceston Tornadoes (87) def Diamond Valley Eagles (73).

The Opals duo of Keely Froling and Marianna Tolo put on a show down South. Froling had a monster game of 26 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists while Tolo’s 16 points give the Tornadoes a comfortable win at home. 

The Eagles only had two scorers in double digits, without WNBL development player Emma Mahady they struggled to create any kind of momentum. 

Mount Gambier Pioneers )74) def Nunawading Spectres (73). 

Off a fast break steal, Jasmin Howe won the game with a breakaway layup to give Mount Gambier the lead in the final moments. She was the MVP of the night with 24 points and five rebounds. 

Nunawading’s Alice Kunek would not go down without a fight, scoring 30 points with 15 rebounds and five assists as teammate Rachel Antoniadou scored 20. After being first for most of the season the Pioneers have slid to second, but they will most definitely be a contender against the likes of Bendigo and Ringwood.

Feature image via Ian Knight Photography