Recap NBL1 East | Round 1 Saturday

The trio of Lauren Jackson, Ash Hannan and Mikayla Pivec looked mighty ominous to open the NBL1 East season for Albury-Wodonga Bandits while Bankstown Bruins men snatched a season-opening win from the Norths Bears.

The women's NBL1 East action saw the Norths Bears beat the Bankstown Bruins 83-70 while the Central Coast Crusaders defeated the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders 93-81, the Newcastle Falcons downed the Maitland Mustangs 76-63, and the Sutherland Sharks prevailed 94-70 against the Penrith Panthers.

The Canberra Nationals also beat the Illawarra Hawks 64-54 with the Hills Hornets downing the Inner West Bulls 90-45, and the Albury-Wodonga Bandits beating the Sydney Comets 99-66.

The men's fixtures saw the Bruins beat the Bears 71-70 while the Crusaders defeated the Spiders 100-74, the Mustangs downed the Falcons 109-72, the Sharks prevailed 87-73 against the Panthers, the Gunners beat the Hawks 101-69, the Bulls defeated the Hornets 105-94, and the Comets beat the Bandits 94-78.

WOMEN

Bankstown Bruins (70) lost to Norths Bears (83)

The Norths Bears started their NBL1 East championship defence in style beating the Bankstown Bruins 83-70 on the road.

The Bruins played host to the reigning champs at Bankstown Basketball Stadium to open the season on Saturday but once the Bears took the lead in the first quarter they never looked back.

The defending champions managed to open up a 24-19 lead by the end of one with that advantage growing to 13 in the second period and Norths went into half-time leading 44-34.

The Bears completed an 11-0 run in the third quarter and that lead got out to 19 points, but to the credit of the Bruins they did keep fighting to restrict the final deficit at the buzzer to 13 points.

Maddie O'Hehir started off the season for Norths impressively with 19 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks with Caitlyn Martin contributing 19 points, six boards, three steals and two assists.

Carla Pitman added 13 points and six rebounds, Sarah Schicher 11 points and seven boards, and Emily Simons eight points and five boards.

There were encouraging signs for a Bruins team who narrowly missed the playoffs last season with Violet Morrow delivering 19 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists.

Kiahna Davis-White added 12 points and five rebounds, Britney Wright 11 points, three boards and three steals, and Briana Maimone 10 points and four rebounds.

The Bruins remains at home next Saturday to host the Illawarra Hawks at 5pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. The Bears earlier that day at 4pm host the Hills Hornets.

BANKSTOWN BRUINS 70 (Morrow 19, Davis-White 12, Wright 11)

NORTHS BEARS 83 (Martin 19, O'Hehir 19, Pitman 13)

Central Coast Crusaders (93) defeated Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders (81)

The Central Coast Crusaders made a strong start to the 2024 season with a 93-81 home win against a Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders team looking significantly improved.

The Crusaders are looking to make that leap into the top eight this NBL1 East season and they started strongly at Breakers Indoor Sports Stadium on Saturday but the Spiders were able to make them earn it.

Hornsby started encouragingly too looking to improve on their one-win 2023 season and they raced out to a 12-point lead, but Central Coast soon steadied and took control of the contest on their home floor.

The Crusaders scored the next 15 points to take a four-point lead into quarter-time and really, they never looked back from there.

Central Coast scored another 22 points to 10 in the second quarter and the lead got out to as much as 20 in the third period. Hornsby did fight the game out well, but the Crusaders still opened up the season with the 12-point win.

Mikaela Dombkins started the season in ominous fashion with 24 points, 12 rebounds and five assists for the Crusaders with Jasmine Forcadilla adding 20 points, five boards and five assists.

Fresh off winning a fourth WNBL championship at the Southside Flyers, Leilani Mitchell had 17 points and nine assists for Central Coast while Darneka Rowe contributed nine points, four boards and two assists, and Kasey Quigley eight points and five rebounds.

There were better signs for a Hornsby team who won just once in 2023 with Ay'Anna Bey producing 25 points and 11 rebounds.

Haruna Inamura also had 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists, Keira Hudson 13 points and five assists, and Nathasa Christaline nine points and three rebounds.

The Spiders back up to host the Albury-Wodonga Bandits at 12pm local time on Sunday via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. The Crusaders area away to the Sydney Comets next Saturday night.

CENTRAL COAST CRUSADERS 93 (Dombkins 24, Forcadilla 20, Mitchell 17)

HORNSBY KU-RING-GAI SPIDERS 81 (Bey 25, Inamura 15, Hudson 13)

Maitland Mustangs (63) lost to Newcastle Falcons (76)

Nicole Munger picked right up where she left off with the Newcastle Falcons lifting her team to the season opening 76-63 road win against the Maitland Mustangs.

The Mustangs opened the season at home at Maitland Federation Centre but the Falcons took control early racing to a nine-point advantage.

Newcastle was still leading 37-23 by half-time and then the lead got out to as much as 25 points in the third quarter. Maitland did finish strongly with 20 points to 15 in the final period, but the Falcons were still able to cruise to the 13-point victory.

Nicole Munger was a dominant presence all evening for Newcastle finishing with 21 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists and four steals on 9/17 shooting from the field.

Aarion Nichols added 18 points, three rebounds and three steals, Kate Kingham 17 points and three boards, and Hannah Chicken 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Shakera Reilly top-scored for Maitland with 21 points, six rebounds and three assists with Isabella Jennings contributing 10 points and seven boards, Sydney Hunter nine points and 10 rebounds, and Natsumi Kohama eight points, four boards and four assists.

The Mustangs remain at home on Sunday to host the Inner West Bulls at 1pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. Newcastle are away to the Bulls too next Saturday evening.

MAITLAND MUSTANGS 63 (Reilly 21, Jennings 10, Hunter 9)

NEWCASTLE FALCONS 76 (Munger 21, Nichols 18, Kingham 17)

Sutherland Sharks (94) defeated Penrith Panthers (70)

Vanessa Panousis took control for the Sutherland Sharks to open the NBL1 East season on Saturday leading her team to the 94-70 victory against the Penrith Panthers.

The Sharks were home at Sutherland Basketball Stadium to open the new season and started strongly against the Panthers opening up a nine-point advantage by the end of the first period.

Sutherland then put up another 32 points to 22 in the second quarter to lead by as much as 22 points and be leading 54-25 by half-time.

The Sharks continued to build that lead up to as much as 35 points in the final period before Penrith did at least finish off better to cut the final deficit to 24.

Sydney Flames WNBL star Vanessa Panousis was the star in the win for Sutherland with 29 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals with 5/12 three-point shooting.

Emily Garland also had 15 points and six rebounds, Jordyn Dewhurst 11 points, Taya Webb 10 points, four steals, three rebounds and three assists, and Olivia White nine points, nine boards and six assists.

It was a shorthanded Penrith outfit with just the seven players suiting up and everyone playing at least 16 minutes. That included Tahlia Tupaea playing all 40 minutes and having 33 points, five rebounds and two assists while hitting 6/10 from downtown.

Chloe Williams added 15 points, five rebounds and four assists, and Rhiannon Pope nine points and nine boards.

The Sharks are away to the Albury-Wodonga Bandits next Saturday at 5:30pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. The Panthers won't play again until next Saturday away to the Crusaders.

SUTHERLAND SHARKS 94 (Panousis 29, Garland 15, Dewhurst 11)

PENRITH PANTHERS 70 (Tupaea 33, Williams 15, Pope 9)

Canberra Nationals (64) defeated Illawarra Hawks (54)

It might not have been pretty but the result was all that mattered and in the end the Canberra Nationals got a home opening 64-54 win against the Illawarra Hawks.

The Nationals opened the new season hosting the Hawks at Belconnen Basketball Stadium with the home team starting well racing to an early 10-point advantage.

However, the Hawks turned the tide with their own 10-0 run to grab a brief lead in the second quarter, but once the Nationals got back in front they never looked back.

Canberra would end up leading by as much as 15 points before going on to win by 10 despite neither team getting going offensively.

The Nationals ended up shooting 29.7 per cent from the floor to 27.3 from the Hawks while they combined for 13/54 from behind the three-point line. That meant there were plenty of rebounds to go around with Canberra pulling down 52 of them and Illawarra 51.

Bianca Dufelmeier finished with 18 points, three rebounds and two assists for the Nationals with Lizzy Tonks contributing 11 points and six boards, and Claudea Waihape-Andrew eight points, eight rebounds and three steals.

Ella Dent had 11 points and four rebounds for Illawarra with Georgia Ohrdorf contributing 10 points and six boards, Courtney Jardine nine points and four rebounds, and Ruby MacDonald eight points and six boards.

Canberra will be away to the Maitland Mustangs next Saturday at 5pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. The Hawks at the same time are on the road to the Bankstown Bruins.

CANBERRA NATIONALS 64 (Dufelmeier 18, Tonks 11, Waihape-Andrews 8)

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 54 (Dent 11, Ohrdorf 10, Jardine 9)

Inner West Bulls (45) lost to Hills Hornets (90)

The Hills Hornets showed they could be the big improvers this NBL1 East season with a first up 90-45 road win against the Inner West Bulls.

Both teams missed finals last season in the NBL1 East with the Bulls hosting the Hornets at ELS Hall Park to open 2024, but it was Hills who were in control of the contest virtually from the outset.

The Hornets led by seven points early and then that advantage grew to 15 during the second period, and was still 39-26 by the half-time interval.

Hills put up another 21 points to nine in the third quarter, and then 30 points to 10 in the fourth on the way to the eventual 45-point win on the back of just the four victories in all of 2023.

Emma Kary delivered 22 points and seven rebounds with 5/9 three-point shooting for the Hornets while Rachel McLimore added 21 points, five boards and five assists with identical 5/9 shooting from behind the arc.

Lucy Corke also had 11 points and four rebounds, Hannah Griffin 11 points, six boards, six assists and five steals, and Cassandra Pentney eight points and nine rebounds.

Piath Gabriel produced 14 points and five rebounds for Inner West while Shiho Yamazaki ended up with nine points, 10 boards and three assists, and Tylah Mundine eight points and 12 rebounds.

The Bulls play again on Sunday away to the Maitland Mustangs at 1pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. The Hornets are next in action next Saturday away to the Norths Bears.

INNER WEST BULLS 45 (Gabriel 14, Yamazaki 9, Mundine 8)

HILLS HORNETS 90 (Kary 22, McLimore 21, Griffin 11, Corke 11)

Sydney Comets (66) lost to Albury-Wodonga Bandits (99)

After being on rival teams just weeks ago in the WNBL Grand Final, Lauren Jackson and Ash Hannan teamed up to provide quite the ominous front court for the Albury-Wodonga Bandits in the 99-66 road win over the Sydney Comets.

Jackson was part of the championship winning Southside Flyers team who beat Hannan and her Perth Lynx just a couple of weeks ago in the three-game series, but now they look like they could be an unstoppable force together in the NBL1 East.

At least that was the case on Saturday at Comets Stadium with the Bandits producing a standout performance not only with that front court, but then what Mikayla Pivec brings as an all-round talent too.

Albury-Wodonga were already leading by 10 at quarter-time before opening up a 21-point advantage during the second frame on the way to being up 50-36 at the half.

It was another 24 points to eight in the third quarter for the Bandits with the 2022 NBL1 East champions going on to score the eventual 33-point victory.

Fresh off the WNBL championship triumph with the Flyers, Lauren Jackson wasted no time making a statement to start the NBL1 East season for Albury-Wodonga with 22 points and 16 rebounds on 9/17 shooting from the field.

Ash Hannan added 17 points and 13 rebounds after her season at the Lynx with Mikayla Pivec outstanding too with 15 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and four steals.

Elizabeth Murphy also had 14 points, four assists and three rebounds, Awatea Leach 13 points, four assists, three steals and two rebounds, and Jessica Freeman 12 points and five boards.

It was a tough initiation to the new season for the Comets but new import Davida Dale who impressed previously in the NBL1 North had 31 points, nine rebounds and nine steals with Piper Anderson adding 23 points and four boards.

The road double to start the season for the Bandits wraps up on Sunday against the Hornsby Spiders at 12pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. The Comets host the Crusaders next Saturday night.

SYDNEY COMETS 66 (Dale 31, Anderson 23, Takamoto 9)

ALBURY-WODONGA BANDITS 99 (Jackson 22, Hannan 17, Pivec 15)

MEN

Bankstown Bruins (71) defeated Norths Bears (70)

The NBL1 East men's season started with a thriller with the Bankstown Bruins beating the Norths Bears 71-70 at Bankstown Basketball Stadium.

It was a thrilling and dramatic opening to the season and it came down to a frantic final possession.

The Bears were leading 70-69 when Michael Yoong was fouled with only five seconds remaining. He would miss both free-throws and Charlie McBeath grabbed the defensive rebound for Bankstown.

The ball got to Andre Wolford who finished athletically in transition as time expired and the Bruins snatched the win in stunning fashion to the delight of the home fans on opening night.

On top of hitting that game winning layup, Wolford finished the night with 26 points, four rebounds and three steals on 10/16 shooting and 4/7 from three-point range for Bankstown.

Shareef Saipaia added 12 points and two assists, Charlie McBeath nine points, six rebounds and four steals, Thomas Buvac seven points, three boards and two steals, and Naaman Hightower six points and four rebounds having played at the East Perth Eagles in the NBL1 West last season.

Lewis Holey top-scored for the Bears with 22 points and nine rebounds while connecting on 3/5 from three-point range while Michael Golding contributed 12 points, seven boards, three steals and three blocks, Pietro Badalassi 11 points and six rebounds, and Michael Yoong 11 points, seven boards and seven assists.

The Bruins remains at home next Saturday to host the Illawarra Hawks at 5pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. The Bears earlier that day at 4pm host the Hills Hornets.

BANKSTOWN BRUINS 71 (Wolford 26, Saipaia 12, McBeath 9)

NORTHS BEARS 70 (Holey 22, Golding 12, Yoong 11, Badalassi 11)

Central Coast Crusaders (100) defeated Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders (74)

With Robert Heath on fire and combining with Evan Wardlow for 12 three-pointers, the Central Coast Crusaders opened the season beating Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders 100-74.

Both teams only combined to win seven games in the 2023 season, but are looking for rapidly improved 2024 campaigns as they opened their seasons on Saturday at Breakers Indoor Sports Stadium.

It took the Crusaders no time to take control of the contest racing to an 18-point lead in the opening period thanks to scoring 12 consecutive points.

The Spiders did their best to mount a fightback throughout the second and third quarters, but Central Coast then took control once more in the final period with 27 points to 10 to secure the season-opening 26-point victory.

Robert Heath was scintillating for the Crusaders with 29 points, four rebounds and three steals on 7/15 three-point shooting with Evan Wardlow also knocking down 5/7 from deep for 23 points to go with six assists.

Luke Cassidy also had 19 points and eight assists, and James Trustum 14 points and five rebounds.

Aaron Redhead top-scored for Hornsby with 18 points and 11 rebounds while Nathaniel Chappell contributed 15 points, and Raymond Takchi 12 points, 16 boards, three assists and two steals.

The Spiders back up to host the Albury-Wodonga Bandits at 2pm local time on Sunday via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. The Crusaders area away to the Sydney Comets next Saturday night.

CENTRAL COAST CRUSADERS 100 (Heath 29, Wardlow 23, Cassidy 19)

HORNSBY KU-RING-GAI SPIDERS 74 (Redhead 18, Chappell 15, Takchi 12)

Maitland Mustangs (109) defeated Newcastle Falcons (72)

The Maitland Mustangs were Grand Finalists last year in the NBL1 East and opened the 2024 season in impressive fashion at home beating the Newcastle Falcons 109-72.

On the back of that heartbreaking three-point Grand Final loss to the Sutherland Sharks last year, the Mustangs are on a mission to go one step better in 2024.

That quest couldn’t have got off to a better start at Maitland Federation Centre up against the Falcons on Saturday with the Mustangs piling on 29 points to seven in the opening quarter.

Even though the Mustangs lead did grow to as much as 25 points in the third quarter, the Falcons did attempt to mount several fightbacks including a 13-0 run in the second period, and 12-0 streak in the third.

However, Maitland powered away once more in the final frame to end up winning by 37 points to start their season in imposing form.

Will Cranston-Lown led the charge in blistering fashion to start the season too for Maitland finishing with 30 points, seven assists, six rebounds and three steals on 13/19 shooting from the field and 3/6 from downtown.

James Hunter also had 15 points and three rebounds, Daniel Millburn 10 points and five boards, and Billy Parsons 12 points, four rebounds and three assists.

Francis Wineera-Mulvihill top-scored for Newcastle with 21 points, four assists and three steals on shooting 9/13 from the floor and 3/4 from three-point territory.

Ryan Beisty added 20 points and five rebounds, Jai Smith 13 points and seven boards, and Lewis Mason 10 points and three rebounds.

The Mustangs remain at home on Sunday to host the Inner West Bulls at 3pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. Newcastle are away to the Bulls too next Saturday evening.

MAITLAND MUSTANGS 109 (Cranston-Lown 30, Hunter 15, Millburn 12)

NEWCASTLE FALCONS 72 (Wineera-Mulvihill 21, Beisty 20, Smith 13)

Sutherland Sharks (87) defeated Penrith Panthers (73)

The Sutherland Sharks started and finished the better at home on Saturday night to open the NBL1 East season beating the Penrith Panthers 87-73.

The two teams opened the 2024 season at Sutherland Basketball Stadium and it was the Sharks making a flying start to their championship defence by racing out to an 18-point lead in the first quarter following a 12-0 run.

Penrith did manage to work its way back into the contest and it was just a six-point ball game by three quarter-time, but then Sutherland pulled away once more.

The Sharks outscored the Panthers 26 points to 18 in the final stanza to end up winning by 14 in the first game of their championship defence in 2024.

Adrian Cabrera led the charge in the win for Sutherland with 21 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals while championship captain Geoff Gerlach finished with 17 points, seven boards, five assists and four steals.

Klairus Amir also had 15 points on 3/4 three-point shooting with Brian Williams contributing 11 points, five rebounds, four steals and three assists.

Ben Kearins top-scored in the loss for Penrith with 20 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals with Brodie Schwarzer adding 12 points and four boards, Jaedyn Fefui-Fa'amoe eight points and six rebounds, and Sota Fukihara eight points and five steals.

The Sharks are away to the Albury-Wodonga Bandits next Saturday at 5:30pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. The Panthers won't play again until next Saturday away to the Crusaders.

SUTHERLAND SHARKS 87 (Cabrera 21, Gerlach 17, Amir 15)

PENRITH PANTHERS 73 (Kearins 20, Schwarzer 12, Acuel 9)

Canberra Gunners (101) defeated Illawarra Hawks (69)

The 2022 NBL1 East champion Canberra Gunners showed they are on a mission to reclaim their title in 2024 on the back of a supremely impressive first up 101-69 win against the Illawarra Hawks.

On the back of that 2022 championship win, the Gunners finished last season in third position but lost to the Maitland Mustangs to miss out on reaching another Grand Final ahead of starting 2024 at home to the Hawks on Saturday night.

Already by quarter-time Canberra were leading Illawarra 28-22 before a dominant second period from the Gunners with 23 points to 12 to end up leading 51-34 at the half-time interval.

It was even more dominance from the home team in the second half with the lead growing to as much as 37 points and then settling at 32 by the final buzzer.

Will Mayfield was outstanding for Canberra with 23 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals while 2022 Grand Final MVP Glenn Morison had 20 points and eight boards on 9/12 shooting.

Cameron Pender also had 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals for the Gunners, Lachlan Smith 12 points and two steals, and James Toohey 11 points, four assists and three steals.

Philip Dopud produced 26 points and six rebounds for Illawarra with Riley Abercrombie contributing 15 points and 10 boards, and Ethan-James Laudato seven points and two assists.

Canberra will be away to the Maitland Mustangs next Saturday at 5pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. The Hawks at the same time are on the road to the Bankstown Bruins.

CANBERRA GUNNERS 101 (Mayfield 23, Morison 20, Pender 15)

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 69 (Dopud 26, Abercrombie 15, Laudato 7)

Inner West Bulls (105) defeated Hills Hornets (94)

They were both finalists last year and put on an entertaining start to 2024 with the Inner West Bulls coming away with the 105-94 home victory against the Hills Hornets.

Inner West worked on top at ELS Hall Park late in the opening quarter and then the Bulls completed an 11-0 run to open up a 17-point lead during the second stanza, and then leading 59-46 at the half-time interval.

The Bulls continued to pull away with that lead getting out to 24 points in the fourth quarter, but then the Hornets threw everything into a miracle comeback.

They could only cut the final margin to 11, though, with the Bulls getting the first up win at home with Zachery Hudson finishing with 17 points, seven assists, three rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

Tony Tolovae also had 17 points and four boards on 3/5 three-point shooting with Villami Foketi contributing 16 points, six rebounds, five assists and two blocks, Jacob Ohmer 15 points, Ramon Cao 15 points and seven boards, and Alex Higgins-Titsha 12 points and four rebounds.

Chris Bryant opened the new season in imposing fashion despite the result for the Hornets with 26 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks on 11/15 shooting.

Ishmael Sanders also had 26 points with 4/10 three-point shooting while Saxon Orsini contributed 11 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.

The Bulls play again on Sunday away to the Maitland Mustangs at 3pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. The Hornets are next in action next Saturday away to the Norths Bears.

INNER WEST BULLS 105 (Hudson 17, Tolovae 17, Foketi 16)

HILLS HORNETS 94 (Bryant 26, Sanders 26, Orsini 11)

Sydney Comets (94) defeated Albury-Wodonga Bandits (78)

Illawarra Hawks NBL teammates Biwali Bayles and Davo Hickey combined for 59 points and put on a show as Bayles' Sydney Comets opened the season beating Hickey's Albury-Wodonga Bandits 94-78.

It was a spectacular way to open the NBL1 East season highlighted by the Hawks' NBL teammates leading their teams into battle having only last month being part of the NBL Finals run of Illawarra.

Not only was Hickey fresh off his breakout NBL season where he played an increasingly crucial role at the Hawks, but he just recently took part in winning gold for Australia at the 3x3 Asia Cup.

He brought that confidence with him into the NBL1 East season opener and even threw down a spectacular dunk in transition early, but the Comets had more weapons led by Bayles and were on top virtually all evening.

Sydney led the entire game and were up by as much as eight points in the opening period and then were still leading 45-36 by the half-time break.

The lead got out to as much as 17 points in the final stanza as well before the Comets took out the 16-point win in impressive fashion.

Biwali Bayles delivered 27 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists and three steals for the Comets with former Adelaide 36ers NBL forward Obi Kyei showing he still has a great rebounding knack to end up with 24 points, 18 boards and four assists.

Ben White also had 13 points and five rebounds for Sydney, and Ernest Docker 12 points, four boards and three steals.

Davo Hickey did what he could to keep the Bandits in the contest finishing with 32 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and three steals while shooting 5/11 from downtown.

Kevion Blaylock added 17 points, eight boards, six blocks and three assists with Shawn Montague contributing seven points, six rebounds and three steals, and Jacob Cincurak seven points, six assists and five boards.

The road double to start the season for the Bandits wraps up on Sunday against the Hornsby Spiders at 2pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. The Comets host the Crusaders next Saturday night.

SYDNEY COMETS 94 (Bayles 27, Kyei 24, White 13)

ALBURY-WODONGA BANDITS 78 (Hickey 32, Blaylock 17, Cincurak 7, Montague 7)