South Recap | Round 3 Saturday

Image credit: MJB Photography

Kennedy Dickie fired Eltham Wildcats to a first NBL1 South win while Justin Johnson hit the winner for Bendigo Braves, Nick Stoddart scored the last five points for Ballarat Miners and Kye Savage hit a stunning winner for North West Tasmania Thunder.

SOUTH RECAP | ROUND 3 FRIDAY

WOMEN

Geelong United (79) defeated Bendigo Braves (61)

Geelong United shook off a slow start to make it a perfect weekend with two impressive wins with Gemma Potter and Jaz Shelley combining for 47 points in the 79-61 win over the Bendigo Braves.

Geelong scored a 21-point win on the road to the Waverley Falcons on Friday night and were looking to keep their perfect record to start the season alive when hosting the Braves on Saturday at The Geelong Arena.

Bendigo split their two games last weekend with a loss to Keilor Thunder before a win over the Launceston Tornadoes, and it was the Braves who had the better of the start with an 18-13 lead by quarter-time.

However, United were able to start working on top in the second quarter by going on an 11-0 scoring run and to finish up outscoring Bendigo 25-14 in the term to head into half-time leading 38-32.

The lead continued to build in the second half for Geelong and after another 12-0 scoring run, it was a 23-point lead in the final term before ending up winning by 18.

The win improves United to 4-0 to start the season and after Hannah Hank stood out the night before against Waverley, it was Gemma Potter delivering 25 points and three assists this time around.

Jaz Shelley also put up 22 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and five steals on 5/10 three-point shooting with Hank still contributing strongly with 12 points, eight boards and three assists.

The Braves are now 2-2 after their first four games in 2025 with Taisheka Porchia top-scoring with 22 points, six rebounds and two steals.

Casey Samuels was into the line-up and provided 19 points, 10 rebounds and two assists on 4/8 three-point shooting.

GEELONG UNITED 79 (Potter 25, Shelley 22, Hank 12)

BENDIGO BRAVES 61 (Porchia 22, Samuels 19, McLean 6, Pivec 6)

Launceston Tornadoes (65) lost to Kilsyth Cobras (71)

That elusive first win of the season still eludes the Launceston Tornadoes with the Kilsyth Cobras making it a perfect weekend in Tasmania with the 71-65 win on Saturday night.

Both teams opened their double-header weekends on Friday night with Launceston going down to the Ballarat Miners while the Cobras scored their first win of the season defeating the Hobart Chargers.

They were back in action against one another at Elphin Sports Stadium with Kilsyth continuing on with the momentum from the previous night to build a double-figure lead in the first quarter.

The Cobras were still on top 23-14 by quarter-time before extending that advantage to 14 in the second term and going into half-time on top 44-32.

Kilsyth managed to maintain a double-digit lead through most of the second half as well and ended up scoring the six-point victory to improve to a 2-3 record on the season after the two Tasmania wins in the space of 24 hours.

Abby O'Connor delivered 22 points and eight rebounds in the win for Kilsyth with Paige Price adding 14 points and nine boards, Nikita Young 10 points, three rebounds and three steals, and Shannon Dufficy six points, 15 boards and four assists.

Launceston is now 0-5 on the season and again dearly missed the presence of Keely Froling with Megan Mullings finishing with 20 points, eight rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocked shots.

Bailey Flavell added 16 points and three assists, and Sarah O'Neill 10 points, 14 boards, five assists and three steals.

LAUNCESTON TORNADOES 65 (Mullings 20, Flavell 16, O'Neill 10)

KILSYTH COBRAS 71 (O'Connor 22, Price 14, Young 10)

Nunawading Spectres (56) lost to Casey Cavaliers (62)

The Casey Cavaliers started and finished strongly to make it three straight wins with Sharne Robati showing the way in the 62-56 road win over the Nunawading Spectres.

Both teams came into the Saturday night match up at Nunawading Basketball Centre on two-game winning streaks with the Spectres fresh off beating Kilsyth and Ringwood, and the Cavs having beat Mount Gambier and Hobart.

They are both trying to rise up the ladder in 2025 having occupied the bottom two positions at the end of last season with the Cavaliers starting well away from home with 20 points to 12 in the first quarter.

After Casey's lead did get out to 13 points in the second quarter, Nunawading hit back with a 7-0 scoring run and that saw scores locked at 29-29 going into half-time.

It was then just a three-point lead the way of the Cavaliers by three quarter-time and Nunawading were back in front briefly midway through the fourth term when Rachel Antoniadou scored.

However, Casey responded starting with a layup to Sharne Robati before ultimately Ahlise Hurst hit a huge three to make it a five-point lead, and then Robati sealed the deal with a triple of her own and the Cavs would end up winning by six.

It's a third straight win on the season for the Cavaliers with Robati finishing with 21 points and 11 rebounds on 7/13 shooting from the floor, 2/6 from downtown and 5/6 at the foul line.

Esra McGoldrick contributed nine points, 13 rebounds, three steals and two assists, Ahlise Hurst eight points, three assists, two boards and two steals, and Jaden Owens eight points, seven assists and four rebounds.

Nunawading is now 2-2 on the season following the defeat with Rachel Antoniadou delivering 18 points, five rebounds and three assists while shooting 4/10 from downtown.

Faith Dut added 12 points and seven rebounds, Jordan Pyle six points and three boards, Gracie Roberts-Hare six points and five rebounds, and Laina Snyder four points, 11 boards and three assists.

NUNAWADING SPECTRES 56 (Antoniadou 18, Dut 12, Pyle 6, Roberts-Hare 6)

CASEY CAVALIERS 62 (Robati 21, McGoldrick 9, Owens 8, Hurst 8)

Hobart Chargers (86) defeated Ballarat Miners (69)

The Hobart Chargers snapped a three-game losing slide by building a 31-point lead with Ellie Collins scoring 24 points on the way to the 86-69 victory at home over the Ballarat Miners.

The Chargers fell to a third straight loss on Friday night at the expense of the Kilsyth Cobras while the Miners started their Tasmanian double this weekend with an eight-point win over the Launceston Tornadoes.

It was a tight first quarter on Saturday evening with Hobart leading 19-17 by the end of one but then the Chargers took control in the second term with 27 points to 12 to head into half-time leading 46-29.

Hobart took further control in the third stanza completing a 15-0 scoring run on the way to building a 31-point advantage, and then even with the Miners winning the last term, the Chargers still cruised to the 17-point victory.

Hobart ended up shooting 47 per cent from the field opposed to Ballarat's 31 while also going 18/20 at the foul line to 15/17 but the Chargers pulled down 14 extra rebounds for the contest.

The Chargers are now 2-3 following the win with Ellie Collins the star with 24 points, seven rebounds and four assists on 9/14 shooting from the floor and 5/5 from the foul line.

Tayla Roberts added 17 points, 13 rebounds and two assists, Kayla Steindl 19 points, nine boards, three steals and two assists, and Chelsea D'Angelo nine points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Ballarat are now 1-3 following the loss despite Abbey Wehrung providing 20 points, eight rebounds, four steals and two assists on 4/12 three-point shooting.

Julia Gladkova also had 14 points, four rebounds and three assists, Opal Bird 12 points and four boards, and Micah Simpson 10 points, five assists and two rebounds.

HOBART CHARGERS 86 (Collins 24, Steindl 19, Roberts 17)

BALLARAT MINERS 69 (Wehrung 20, Gladkova 14, Bird 12)

Mount Gambier Pioneers (64) lost to Eltham Wildcats (76)

The Eltham Wildcats scored 32 of their 76 points for the game in the first quarter but it was enough to set up the eventual 76-64 road win over the Mount Gambier Pioneers.

The Wildcats arrived at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre on Saturday evening having lost their opening two matches of 2025 while the Pioneers were back home and looking to back up their first victory against the Sandringham Sabres the previous night.

It was a stunning opening from the visiting Eltham with them scoring 13 consecutive points in the first quarter and ending up leading 32-8 by the end of those first 10 minutes.

Even though the Wildcats only managed to score another 44 points the rest of the night, Mount Gambier never really found their groove either despite 24 points coming in the second stanza.

Mount Gambier did outscore Eltham 32 points to 28 in the second half, but the Wildcats held firm for the 12-point victory to open their account for the 2025 season.

Kennedy Dickie produced a standout performance for Eltham with 21 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and two steals with Jayda Cadee adding 14 points and six boards.

Lil Dart also had 13 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals, and Taylah Short 11 points, five boards, two assists and two steals.

The Pioneers are now 1-4 on the season having split their double-header at home with Haliegh Reinoehl top-scoring with 19 points and eight rebounds.

Jayda Jansen also had 17 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals, and Cat MacGregor 12 points, five boards and three assists.

MOUNT GAMBIER PIONEERS 64 (Reinoehl 19, Jansen 17, MacGregor 12)

ELTHAM WILDCATS 76 (Dickie 21, Cadee 14, Dart 13)

MEN

Geelong United (89) lost to Bendigo Braves (91)

Not only did Justin Johnson put up 34 points for the Bendigo Braves but his last two delivered the 91-89 thrilling road victory for the Bendigo Braves over Geelong United.

Geelong were back home at The Arena and looking to respond to a Friday night loss to the Waverley Falcons while Bendigo arrived having last played last Sunday and losing to the North West Tasmania Thunder on their home floor.

So both teams were looking for a bounce back victory with and it was the visiting Braves leading by as much as six in the first quarter before being up 23-19 by quarter-time.

Bendigo turned that into an 11-point lead in the second period but Geelong hit back with 10 consecutive points get back to one and cut the Braves' lead to 43-41 at the half-time interval.

Bendigo were able to open up an 11-point lead once more in the second half but Geelong kept on coming and following buckets to DeMarcus Gatlin and Owen Odigie in the final minute, they were back level with Bendigo.

Bendigo called the timeout with coach Stephen Black drawing up a play that ended up with the game winning bucket from Justin Johnson to complete his stunning all-round performance.

The Braves improve to 2-2 with the win and Johnson finished with 34 points, three rebounds and two steals on shooting 13/20 from the field and 7/8 at the foul line.

Lual Diing also produced 19 points and 12 rebounds, Charles Matthews 12 points, eight boards and four assists, and Josiah Pattinson 11 points on 2/2 three-point shooting.

Geelong is now 1-3 following the loss with DeMarcus Gatlin top-scoring with 26 points to go with nine assists, six steals and five rebounds.

Marach Marach also produced 21 points and three assists, Tristan Forsyth 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Liam Herbert 10 points, two boards and two steals.

GEELONG UNITED 89 (Gatlin 26, Marach 21, Forsyth 14)

BENDIGO BRAVES 91 (Johnson 34, Diing 19, Matthews 12)

North West Tasmania Thunder (85) defeated Kilsyth Cobras (84)

Kye Savage has long been earmarked as one of Australian basketball's brightest young talent and he offered a true glimpse into that hitting the game-winning three-point bomb for the North West Tasmania Thunder over the Kilsyth Cobras.

With both the Thunder and Cobras having also played on Friday night with North West Tasmania losing a tight on to the Ballarat Miners while Kilsyth also went down by 12 points to the Hobart Chargers.

With both teams determined to avoid a double loss weekend, it was the Thunder on their home floor at Elphin Sports Stadium who got the better of the start with 27 points to 19.

Kilsyth were able to respond in the second term with 22 points to 16 and that cut the North West lead to 43-41 by the half-time interval.

The Thunder did push out to a game-high 10-point lead in the third quarter but the Cobras weren’t going away with a couple of Corey Jeffs three balls in the fourth term keeping the visitors in touch.

Then with time running out, Dillon Stith completed a three-point play to give Kilsyth the one-point lead before they forced the Thunder into a turnover and Adrian Tomada made one subsequently at the foul line to make it a two-point lead.

North West Tasmania still had one last possession and it got to Kye Savage and the Brisbane Bullets NBL development player came up huge coolly knocking down the walk off game winning three-pointer.

That gave the Thunder the 85-84 victory with some wild celebrations for a second win of the season with Savage finishing the night with 21 points on 9/14 shooting including that walk off winner.

Lachlan Barker added 17 points and two assists, Archie Woodhill 15 points and eight boards, Tre Armstrong 11 points and six rebounds, and Tyler Harris seven points, 11 boards, four assists and two steals.

It's a heartbreaking way for Kilsyth to go 0-2 on the weekend in Tasmania with Adrian Tomada top-scoring with 17 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Macauley Haig added 13 points, Hamish MacDonald 13 points and 10 rebounds, Dillon Stith 13 points, four boards and two steals, and Corey Jeffs 13 points, five assists and four rebounds on 3/6 three-point shooting.

NORTH WEST TASMANIA THUNDER 85 (Savage 21, Barker 17, Woodhill 15)

KILSYTH COBRAS 84 (Tomada 17, Haig 13, MacDonald 13, Stith 13, Jeffs 13)

Nunawading Spectres (83) lost to Casey Cavaliers (94)

The Casey Cavaliers came from behind at three quarter-time and shook off a combined 55 points from Brian Mack II and Christian D'Angelo for the 94-83 win over the Nunawading Spectres.

The two teams locked horns at Nunawading Basketball Centre and it was the Spectres at home who got the better of the opening to end up leading 28-19 by the end of the first quarter.

Nunawading's lead got out to as much as 14 points in the second period as well but the Cavaliers were able to produce nine straight points before half-time to cut the Spectres lead to 47-42.

Nunawading were still clinging to a one-point lead at three quarter-time but was then all the Cavs in the finals stanza as they put up 29 points to 17 on the way to the 11-point victory.

The win improves the Cavaliers to a 3-1 record on the season on the back of a terrific offensive display shooting 55 per cent from the field to go with 18/25 the foul line.

Preston Bungei delivered 24 points and eight rebounds on 9/13 shooting for Casey with Trendon Hankerson adding 21 points with 3/6 three-point shooting, and Nate Roberts 16 points, five rebounds and two assists.

Sydney Kings NBL guard Tyler Robertson added 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals, and Hunter Marks 11 points, four rebounds and three blocked shots.

The Spectres are now 1-3 following the defeat despite huge performances from Brian Mack II and Christian D'Angelo.

Mack finished with 28 points and 11 rebounds with 6/9 three-point shooting while D'Angelo made 4/11 from deep on his way to 27 points and six rebounds.

Jack Gandolfo added 11 points, six assists and four rebounds, and Daniel Baxter seven points, nine boards and five assists.

NUNAWADING SPECTRES 83 (Mack II 28, D'Angelo 27, Gandolfo 11)

CASEY CAVALIERS 94 (Bungei 24, Hankerson 21, Roberts 16)

Hobart Chargers (78) lost to Ballarat Miners (81)

The Ballarat Miners stormed back from a 10-point third quarter deficit to beat the Hobart Chargers 81-78 with Nick Stoddart the hero scoring the game's last five points.

Stoddart was back in Hobart where he played this past NBL season at the Tasmania JackJumpers, but this time he was as a visitor in the Miners uniform as his team attempted to back up their Friday night win over the North West Tasmania Thunder.

Hobart also played on Friday and scored their third straight win to open the season over Kilsyth Cobras so the two teams brought winning form with them into the match up at South East Stadium.

The Chargers did manage to lead for all but 40 seconds in the game throughout the opening three quarters but never by more than eight points in the first half with a three-point edge at quarter-time, and remaining up three at half-time.

The lead for Hobart did get out to 10 points in the third quarter and they were still up six at three quarter-time, but the game was set for a grandstand finish.

Hobart was clinging to a 10-opint lead with just over a minute remaining when Jacob Richards scored, but then it was time for Nick Stoddart to shine.

It started with a pair of free throws to tie scores up and then after a Richards miss up on end, Stoddart scored on a jumper up the other before also being fouled and converting the three-point play.

Richards had his shot blocked by Aiden Krause in response before the Miners secured the three-point win on the back of those last five points from Stoddart who also scored his team's last seven points.

Coming off reaching last year's grand final, Ballarat are now 3-1 this season with the pair of wins in Tasmania this weekend with Majok Majok putting up 14 points, and six rebounds on 5/8 shooting.

Mackuei Puondak added 12 points, two rebounds and two blocked shots, Aiden Krause 10 points and eight boards, Andrew Robinson nine points and two rebounds, Luke Rosendale nine points, two boards and two steals, and Stoddart nine points and four assists.

Hobart are now 3-1 having suffered a first loss of the season with Jacob Richards finishing with 22 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Henry Makeny also had 19 points, six rebounds and two assists, Will Cranston-Lown 12 points, four boards and two assists, and Jordan Straatsma 10 points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks.

HOBART CHARGERS 78 (Richards 22, Makeny 19, Cranston-Lown 12)

BALLARAT MINERS 81 (Majok 14, Puondak 12, Krause 10)

Mount Gambier Pioneers (89) defeated Eltham Wildcats (80)

New South East Melbourne Phoenix NBL signing Akech Aliir again fired to lead the Mount Gambier Pioneers to the 89-80 home win over the Eltham Wildcats.

The Pioneers started their weekend also home at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre beating the Sandringham Sabres by 25 points ahead of hosting the defending champion Wildcats on Saturday.

Eltham might be the reigning champs, but they have a decidedly different line-up in 2025 with Mount Gambier managing to lead by five points at quarter-time.

The Pioneers would remain on top the rest of the way with the lead getting out to 12 points in the second quarter, 17 in the third and finally as much as 21 in the fourth before the Wildcats did come roaring home.

Eltham went on a 14-0 scoring run to turn a 21-point deficit into just seven with a minute to go, but Alex Mudronja finished an alley-oop pass from Akech Aliir and Mount Gambier completed the job with the nine-point win.

The win improves the Pioneers to a 4-1 record on the season with Aliir continuing his tremendous form fresh off signing at the Phoenix for NBL26 with another 17 points, 16 rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Mudronja also produced 14 points, six rebounds and two steals with Austin Shelley adding 13 points, three rebounds and two steals, Kaden Archie 11 points and two boards, and Titus Robinson 10 points and three rebounds.

The Wildcats are now 1-2 on the season as defending champions with Gabe Hadley delivering another 20 points, three rebounds and three assists.

Xavier Bledson added 17 points and three steals, Zak Cunningham 14 points and four rebounds, Josh Sykes 10 points and nine boards, and Sam Whelan 10 points and two rebounds.

MOUNT GAMBIER PIONEERS 89 (Aliir 17, Mudronja 14, Shelley 13)

ELTHAM WILDCATS 80 (Hadley 20, Bledson 17, Cunningham 14)