NBL1 South Women: Thrilling Match Results

The NBL1 South Women competition recently showcased an exciting round of matches, with teams vying for supremacy as they progressed through the season. This round was marked by impressive individual performances, strategic gameplay, and a few surprising results that have set the stage for the upcoming matches. ### Match Summaries #### Ballarat vs. Geelong In a thrilling encounter at The Geelong Arena, Geelong emerged victorious over Ballarat with a final score of 94 to 61. Geelong displayed a commanding performance, particularly in the paint, where they scored a remarkable 48 points compared to Ballarat’s 22. Geelong's offensive strategy was evident as they executed 83 field goal attempts, converting 39.8% of them, while limiting Ballarat to 50 attempts at 38%. Key players for Geelong included Hannah Hank, who led all scorers with 24 points, showcasing her ability to penetrate the defence effectively. Dakota Crichton contributed significantly with 19 points, while Jaz Shelley rounded out the top scorers with 19 points and an impressive 10 assists, marking her as a pivotal playmaker in this matchup. Ballarat struggled to maintain possession, recording 24 turnovers, which Geelong capitalised on to score 16 points from turnovers. Despite the loss, Abigail Wehrung shone for Ballarat, scoring 21 points and securing 5 rebounds, although her efforts were not enough to turn the tide. #### Dandenong vs. Eltham Dandenong faced Eltham at the Dandenong Basketball Stadium, securing a convincing victory with a score of 79 to 61. Dandenong's efficiency was highlighted by their 31 successful field goals from 72 attempts, resulting in a shooting percentage of 43.1%. They also dominated the boards, out-rebounding Eltham 47 to 39. Manuela Puoch was the standout player for Dandenong, scoring 22 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, achieving a double-double. Imogen Rock also made a significant impact with 18 points and 14 rebounds, demonstrating her capability on both ends of the court. Eltham struggled to find their rhythm, particularly in the second half, where they were outscored significantly. Their inability to convert opportunities into points was evident in their field goal percentage of 33.8%. Rebecca Pizzey led Eltham with 9 points, but the team as a whole failed to match Dandenong's intensity. #### Hobart vs. Sandringham Hobart and Sandringham faced off at Southern Basketball Stadium, with Sandringham taking the win, 80 to 75. The match was closely contested, with Hobart initially taking the lead. However, Sandringham's resilience shone through as they rallied back to secure the victory. Chelsea D'Angelo was the top scorer for Hobart with 22 points, while Tayla Roberts added 20 points to the tally. Despite their efforts, Hobart could not contain Sandringham's offensive bursts, particularly in the second half. For Sandringham, Funda Nakkasoglu led the scoring with 19 points, supported by Lucy Cochrane, who contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds, showcasing her all-around game. Sandringham's ability to convert fast breaks into points was critical, as they scored 9 points on fast breaks compared to Hobart's 6. #### Bendigo vs. Keilor In another thrilling matchup, Bendigo faced Keilor at Red Energy Arena. Keilor emerged victorious with a score of 84 to 77, showcasing their offensive prowess throughout the game. Isabelle Bourne was instrumental, scoring 29 points and securing 12 rebounds, marking her as a key player for Keilor. Bendigo's Cassidy McLean also had a standout performance, scoring 18 points, but it was not enough to overcome Keilor's balanced attack. The game was marked by several lead changes, but Keilor's ability to maintain composure in crucial moments allowed them to edge out Bendigo. #### Diamond Valley vs. Knox The clash between Diamond Valley and Knox at Diamond Valley Sports & Fitness Centre concluded with Knox winning decisively, 95 to 73. Knox's efficiency was remarkable, as they shot 46.3% from the field, converting 31 of their 67 attempts. Alicia Froling led Knox with 23 points, while Kiera Rowe matched her scoring output with another 23 points. Their combined efforts were pivotal in establishing a significant lead that Diamond Valley struggled to close. Abbey Ellis was the standout for Diamond Valley, scoring 26 points and contributing 9 rebounds, but her efforts were overshadowed by Knox's overall team performance. #### Launceston vs. Waverley In the final match of the round, Launceston faced Waverley at Waverley Basketball Centre. Waverley secured a comfortable win, scoring 76 points to Launceston's 55. Waverley's Katelyn Shumate was the standout player, scoring 27 points and showing her versatility on the court. Launceston struggled offensively, managing only 55 points with a shooting percentage of 31.25%. Their performance was marred by a lack of offensive cohesion, leading to 15 turnovers that Waverley capitalised on. Sarah O’Neill led Launceston with 14 points, but the team's overall performance did not match the intensity displayed by Waverley, who continued to build momentum as the season progresses. ### Upcoming Matches As teams look to recover from their recent performances, the next round promises to be equally exciting. Notable upcoming matches include: - **Ballarat vs. Launceston**: Both teams will seek to bounce back and secure a vital win. - **Dandenong vs. Keilor**: This match will feature two teams in good form, making it a must-watch. - **Geelong vs. Bendigo**: A clash that could have significant implications for playoff positioning. ### The NBL1 South Women competition continues to deliver thrilling basketball, with teams showcasing their skills and resilience. As the season progresses, each match becomes increasingly critical, setting the stage for an exciting finish. Fans can look forward to more intense action in the upcoming rounds as teams vie for supremacy and playoff spots.