NBL1 Central Round 4 – McCarty steals win from Mavs in OT, 40 in 40 Simons stops Samuels’s Lions from a roaring upset

A career high 40 points in 40 minutes from Adelaide Lightning's Sam Simons prevented one of the upsets of the last few seasons. Photo supplied by Kelly Barnes/AllStar Photos

5-Minute Read

Norwood Flames vs Southern Tigers

WNBL Past and Present emerge in ANZAC Day Classic

There were heroes from both sides from the WNBL past and present and the present ones got the Norwood Flames just across the line 83-79 over the Tigers at the Firedome. Ally Wilson (28 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists) dropped the last 8 points of the match after the Tigers held the lead 75-79 from Demi Skinner’s deuce. The Tigers had chances but couldn’t put the ball in the cylinder despite former WNBL player Mollie McKendrick dropping 18 points and 8 rebounds and a season high 22 points with 6-11 triples from Jemma Thacker with 5 rebounds. The Flames quelled Yaeger (13 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists) and Skinner (15 points and 4 rebounds) while getting a pair of 21-point contributions from Brooke Basham and Genna Anderson who received the Spirit of ANZAC medal.

Harding and McBride march Flames over Tigers

The combo of Ray Harding and Walter McBride led the Flames to their first win of the 2022 season 82-73 over the Southern Tigers at the Firedome. Harding continued his scintillating form with 27 points and 10 rebounds and along with McBride (18 points, 3 assists and steals) combined for 18 of the Flames 23-11 last quarter points. The Tigers best was Vionte Daniels with 16 points in 40 minutes with 4 triples, 8 assists and 5 rebounds and Machar Machar with a 16 point and 11 rebound double double. The biggest run by the Tigers came in the second quarter 0-12 when they scored 13-20.

North Adelaide Rockets vs Sturt Sabres

Last lunge from Sabres silences Rockets

A last quarter close out led by Zoe Walker-Roberts and Mikayla Williams saw the Sturt Sabres finally overcome a spirited North Adelaide Rockets 65-75 at the Launch Pad. The two Sabres combined for 13 of their 7-18 quarter points, with Walker-Roberts finishing with a career high 20 points at 66.6 percent, 6 assists and 5 rebounds and Williams presented the Spirit of ANZAC medal with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Emily Close was once again dangerous from deep with 17 points with 4 triples while for the Rockets Peyton Taylor led the way with 22 points and 13 rebounds with 5 assists.

Rathjen ruthless as Rockets win third in a row over Sabres

A 26-13 second quarter led by Brad Rathjen saw the North Adelaide Rockets overcome the Sturt Sabres 90-73 at the Launch Pad. Rathjen’s 22 points at 66 percent were the big difference in the contest through four quarters with the second quarter bookended by Jimma Dau’s long-range bomb on the buzzer at half-time. Terry Winn was solid again with 16 points and 8 rebounds with the Rockets finding seven players with 8 points or more. Hayden Meakes off the pine for the Sabres was best in the boxscore with 16 points at 66 percent and 5 rebounds and Jacob Rigoni registered 15 points and 12 rebounds. Notably Joel Spear was brought back to reality with foul trouble and held to single figures after his epic on Saturday night.

Woodville Warriors vs Eastern Mavericks

McCarty steals win from Mavericks in OT

A three-quarter time buzzer beater half court heave from Regan Turnour-McCarty started a Warriors fightback that eventually resulted in an unbelievable overtime win to the Warriors against the Eastern Mavericks 70-69 at the Castle. McCarty played all 45 minutes and could’ve closed the game with a heavily contested layup in the dying seconds of regulation. The Mavs who led by as many as 13 points in the third quarter after a scoreless deadlock in extra time broke through with Chloe Dumesny’s triple answered immediately by Amy Horskins (13 points) who along with another emerged after half time in a move that changed the game momentum.

Renai Fejo was inserted after not playing a minute in the first half and with Emily Winter (16 points and 7 rebounds) and the Mavs Lefebvre-Okankwu (27 points and 16 rebounds) and Gouchie-Provencher fouled out, Fejo’s deadly floater gave the Warriors the lead only for it be tied back up by Olivia Bradley’s (Career high 17 points and 5 assists and rebounds) floater 69-69. It came down to the party of McCarty as in missing her shot reclaimed her rebound and found her way to the charity stripe; sealing the win with a free throw despite Bradley’s last second shot came up short to claim an epic contest which came to life out of nowhere for the Warriors. McCarty stole and clocked her way to an incredible 25 points, 14 steals, 9 rebounds and 7 assists with Deanna Troia’s last quarter impact presented the Spirit of ANZAC medal.

Warriors wear down gutsy Mavs

The Woodville Warriors took care of business comfortably downing a gutsy understrength Mavs outfit 96-60 at the Castle. Devon McGee against his old side once again had an affinity for dunks and points with 22 points and 7 rebounds, Jawan Stepney won the Spirit of ANZAC medal with 18 points, 6 assists and rebounds and Joe Jackson once again double doubled for 13 points and 10 rebounds. The Mavs got some impressive season highs from young players Owen Raneburg (18 points at 61 percent with 5 rebounds) and in just his second game Jamie Kennedy (12 points at 71 percent with 3 assists and rebounds). Marko Miskovic also showed he’s in great form with 14 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds.

West Adelaide Bearcats vs South Adelaide Panthers

Panthers put Bearcats away early

An 8-22 opening quarter and it was over before it started as the South Adelaide Panthers took a 3-0 record in 2022 with a 62-82 win over the West Adelaide Bearcats at the Bearcat Cave. The devastating duo of Olivia Levicki (23 points and 15 rebounds) and Ash “Splash” Spencer (26 points and 4 triples with 4 rebounds) were at it again with the 0-17 run setting up the win in the finish. Abby Brenton produced a career high 17 point and 10 rebound double double while Jasmin Fejo (worn all afternoon by Hannah Stewart) was limited to 16 points and 5 rebounds.

Spud splashes Panthers run

A big-time triple from veteran Anthony “Spud” Spadavecchia gave the Bearcats the breathing room they needed to outlast the South Adelaide Panthers 82-78. Spud’s triple with 13 seconds remaining was supported by stars Nik DeSantis (21 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists) and Nate Sheppard (25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists). The Panthers were kept in the contest by Alex Starling who also produced some two handed throw downs in his 26 points and 9 rebound effort while Jeremy Smith had another beauty with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Jarryd Hoppo also had his best game in many seasons with 17 points in 22 high quality minutes.

Forestville Eagles vs Central District Lions (Game of the Week)

Simons stops Samuel’s Lions from roaring upset

It took 40 minutes and a career high 40 points for Sam Simons and the Forestville Eagles to stop a Casey Samuel’s inspired Central District Lions from claiming their first win in under four years 78-76. The Lions led at every change in what was looming as the early upset of the season with Samuels 23 points at 63 percent and 8 rebounds and a season high 26 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists from Raynisha Washington gave them every chance of the win. It was the Spirit of ANZAC medallist Simons 40 points with 6 triples, 9 rebounds, 6 assists in the end that dragged the Eagles back into the contest. Guard Meaza Otto had a chance to win it but her shot fell short with 0:06 left on the clock of a long streak being broken for the Northern side.

Eagles take flight once more over Lions

The Forestville Eagles resumed flight in season 2022 with experienced campaigners taking care of the developing Central District Lions 104-78 at the Nest. A 40-17 first quarter led by the return of Spirit of ANZAC medallist Adam Doyle (25 points at 66 percent with 4-6 triples, 8 assists and 3 steals and rebounds) who missed Saturday night’s loss, Malith Machar (20 points at 66 percent and 8 rebounds), Jake Rios (12 points) blitzed the Lions and they never really recovered. Greg Mays also dominated his battle with Tobias Dowdell (13 points and 9 rebounds) with 23 points at 71 percent and 5 rebounds as the starting five finished all in double figures. Nate Deer fresh off U20s AJC topped scored for the Lions with 15 points on perfect shooting and 3 rebounds with Sunday Bol (14 points and 3 rebounds) continuing his good start to the season.

NBL1 Central continues with Round 5 on Saturday night.

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