Only four teams remain perfect

Feature image via: Craig Dilks Photography

Five weeks ago, 10 NBL1 teams were undefeated. Now only four teams remain in this exclusive club.

With only women’s teams maintaining a perfect streak, let’s look at how these four teams have kept their perfect streak this season so far. 

NBL1 North: Northside Wizards 12-0 

The Wizards have been the team of the North, winning 12 games straight despite losing NBL1 North MVP Tiana Mangakahia with a contract in France and now an unfortunate early retirement due to ongoing breast cancer issues.

In the offseason, the Wizards recruited NBL1 North and WNBL champion Courtney Woods – who has been the MVP front-runner averaging a conference-high 25.4 points, 7.2 assists and 6.9 rebounds. 

The four-point win against USC Rip City on Saturday was another testament to the Wizards’ title-contending status, as the team scored six points in the final minute to close out their 12th straight win. 

Courtney Woods is just too smooth with it ?‍?

Watch #NBL1North via https://t.co/NEk1I7kIKG or the NBL1 App ?&? pic.twitter.com/4yic7YvT8n

— NBL1 (@NBL1) June 10, 2023

Round 12 is a serious test for the Wizards to maintain the streak, hosting double-double machine Samantha Bowman’s Rockhampton Cyclones on Friday and then playing the second-on-the-ladder South West Metro Pirates on Saturday. 

Watch the games via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App here. 

NBL1 South: Bendigo Braves 14-0 

The NBL1 South Grand Finals runners-up from last season have had a point to prove this season. Adding WNBL star Amy Atwell this offseason, the Braves are truly the team to beat in the NBL1 South.

Last Saturday, they demolished the second-on-the-ladder Waverley Falcons, handing them a 46-point win in Bendigo. The second-best team in the South was held to only 21.4 percent from the field with only one player scoring in double-digits.

While on Sunday, it was only a six-point win against the Casey Cavaliers, where Megan McKay had a monstrous 34 points and 14 rebounds – ending Round 9 as the Foot Locker Player of the Week. 

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Round 10 has the Braves host the sixth-on-the-ladder Eltham Wildcats, led by two-way star Rebecca Pizzey and sharpshooters Hailey Leidel and Lily Scanlon. 

Watch the game from 12:00pm AEST on Sunday, live via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App here. 

NBL1 West: Cockburn Cougars 12-0

Next up is the Cockburn Cougars, and the newly signed WNBL24 player Steph Gorman has been one of the key pieces to their success in the 2023 NBL1 season.

Averaging 16 points a game, Gorman will be headed to the Perth Lynx after the NBL1 season - playing under NBL1 National Finals champion coach Ryan Petrik. 

"Her form in NBL1 West has been outstanding, and we can’t wait to see her transition to becoming a WNBL athlete,” Petrik said last week. 

NBL1 West expert Greg Hire has praised their defensive tenacity this season as one of the key factors in their winning streak. And that was on full display during Round 11.

On Friday they beat the fifth-on-the-ladder Mandurah Magic by 21 points, limiting them to only 33.7 percent from the field. 

On Saturday, they beat the reigning NBL1 National Champions, the Warwick Senators by just two points. In the final moments, Jessie Edwards blocked a shot on a fast break – leading to a contested putback layup for the Senators, which the Cougars managed to defend to maintain the streak. 

While their defence must be praised, their offence is just as dangerous. Danish import Sarah Mortensen has been one of the conference’s best scorers, averaging 32 points and 15.5 rebounds in their two wins this past weekend to secure the 12-0 streak.

Sarah Mortensen willed Cockburn to a 75-73 win with a MONSTER performance:

3??3?? points & 2??0?? rebounds ?

Watch #NBL1West via https://t.co/NEk1I7kIKG or the NBL1 App ? & ? pic.twitter.com/FdXcbuWpyz

— NBL1 (@NBL1) June 10, 2023

NBL1 Central: Sturt Sabres 12-0 

Also a Grand Finals runner-up from last season, the Sturt Sabres are rolling through the Central conference.

Round 10 was a major statement for the Sabres, beating the Brooke Basham-led North Adelaide Rockets by 42 points on Sturt’s home floor.

In each game, any number of players can make an impact – over four players are averaging nine points a game or more and it’s the combination of these stars which makes them dangerous. 

From Halls Medal favourite Mikayla Williams averaging a double-double, 19-year-old sharpshooter Tayla Brazel, former Opal Laura Hodges and Nicola Matthews (who hit a game-winner to continue the streak) – any one of those players can have a game-defining moment to continue their dominance. 

NICOLA MATHEWS WINS IT ?

Watch #NBL1Central via https://t.co/NEk1I7kIKG or the NBL1 App ?&? pic.twitter.com/mQwmYra1ud

— NBL1 (@NBL1) May 27, 2023

Related: Sabres Legend Returns to the Court 

This weekend is the second time the Sabres will face off against the reigning NBL1 Central champions, the West Adelaide Bearcats. 

Streaming live on Saturday from 6:30pm ACST via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App here.