The Ringwood Hawks Journey to NBL1 National Finals

With so many talented teams coming into the Coles Express NBL1 National Final, here is the recap of how the Ringwood Hawks got here! 

Get your tickets to watch the Hawks this weekend here. 

The Ringwood Hawks quietly climbed the ladder all season to sneak into the second spot, they went on to play terrific basketball in the NBL1 South Finals to beat the Bendigo Braves and be crowned champions.

Their team starts and finishes with Marena Whittle, the All-Star Five Member, bronze medallist at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and NBL1 South Finals MVP will be a task to guard in the NBL1 National Final.

THE RINGWOOD HAWKS ARE YOUR #NBL1SOUTH WOMEN'S CHAMPIONS ? ?

They have booked their ticket to the @Coles Express NBL1 National Finals ?? pic.twitter.com/ODEyuChtrn

— NBL1 (@NBL1) September 3, 2022

The Hawks also have a deep roster, Marta Hermida was a game-changer in the finals while Digna Strautmane has been a two-way force all season. Additionally, Jacqueline Trotto has had many moments throughout the season to put the Hawks above the competition.

In the Qualifying Final they beat the Mount Gambier Pioneers by six points, as Whittle had 27 points and 10 rebounds to get past the Pioneers. In the Preliminary Finals the Hawks escaped with a two-point win against Launceston’s Keely Froling, Kelsey Griffin and Mariana Tolo in an overtime win at home. Hermida broke two sets of ankles to beat the Tornadoes in a clutch win.

In the Grand Final, the Hawks dominated the Bendigo Braves 73-89, with Whittle putting up an absurd 33 points and 19 rebounds to claim Finals MV and send the Hawks to the NBL1 National Final.

The Ringwood Hawks will face the Albury-Wodonga Bandits on Friday night, in the battle of bigs with Whittle taking on NBL1 East Finals MVP Unique Thompson.

Feature image via: Trent Moore/ Ian Knight Photography