Straight Fire - Off the back of 3x3 Asian Cup and carrying on her Bendigo Spirit WNBL form - Ally Wilson notched a triple double in her first appearance of 2023 - Picture by Picture IT Sport Photography/Sharnee Jones
3-Minute Read
Round 4
Saturday 15/04/2023
Norwood Flames vs Southern Tigers (The ARC – The Firedome)
Women (6:00pm)
The Flames found their fire through a triple double to Ally Wilson and an early return of Sharna Thompson. Inserting those two into the lineup automatically gave them the advantage over the Lions – and recently announced shooting guard out of the WBBL in Britain in Jorjah Smith who’ll arrive soon. A much sterner test awaits against the Southern Tigers who have started to put together a strong roster.
Martin is a gun after two weeks of viewing, Margot Hall popped up for a high-quality game with 17 points to really feel the void of Morgan Yaeger and McKendrick continued her hot form. The battle between Martin and Wilson I’m looking forward to watching but containing McKendrick is the key if the Flames are to win on their home floor this evening.
Key Stat – The Tigers are ranked equal sixth in rebounds currently with 46.3 per game and could be an area the Flames torch them.
COD Prediction: Tigers by 11 points
Men (7:45pm)
The Flames started a little undercooked giving up the first 11 to the Lions but pulled it back to take the contest right to the end point. The final few minutes belonged to closers in the match including Jack Stanwix who’s shown this before in numerous games with the Hobart Chargers in 2022. The big improver was import Colin Smith who might have had the breakout game he needed to get rolling in 2023 with 27 points and seven rebounds. The Flames got plenty of other contributors too including Lycett again and Moses Nuangki.
That’s what both teams will need heading into this one. The Tigers got jumped at the start 8-22 but it was a sparkling debut for Awak Machar off the pine with 17 points in a bright spot. Both teams have had varying form heading into this one – but unless the Tigers can get a bit more out of Green, Dau and Johnson I feel the Flames will continue their mini-run with two on the trot.
Key Stat – The Tigers in 2023 are ahead of the Flames in rebounding by +4 despite the losses early in the season – but are last in the competition in points average with 68.7 points per game.
COD Prediction: Flames by 12 points
Forestville Eagles vs Sturt Sabres – (Wayville Sports Centre – The Launch Pad) – Kayo Freebies Game of the Week
Women (6:15pm)
The Eagles have had a flying start in the women’s but this is the real test that’s coming in another unbeaten side in the Sabres tonight. Maddy Freer is the player of note leading the way with 22 points for this relatively young Eagles side and in encouraging minutes Aimee Brett added nine points and four assists off the pine. But the big stopping press moments came with the “return” of Tayla Brazel – and I mean the first flag in the ground moment.
The five steals she grabbed in the final term to swing the momentum to her team against the Rockets was something to witness with only the free throws neglecting her to really close out the contest against her Lightning teammates. Mikayla Williams also equalled the league record of 26 rebounds set by Corrigan in 2022 and didn’t miss a beat in engulfing the glass. The Eagles must keep the Sabres from gaining second chance opportunities if they are to win this one, but the Sabres look sharp and still have plenty of ceiling to reach in 2023.
Key Stat – The Sabres sucked up 23 offensive rebounds to create numerous opportunities and the Eagles gave up 17 to Jannon Otto and the Mavs – they can’t afford to do that again…
COD Prediction: Sabres by 15 points
Men (8:00pm)
The Eagles have been flying as per my report for the NBL and the balance has been solid from Andy Simon’s side so far. Greg Mays has looked a different player to 2022 averaging 20.3 points at 57 percent and has been highly efficient. The Eagles have the luxury of bringing Owen Hulland off the bench and the role players like Isaac Jurecky and Stefan Gould are doing their bit.
The Sabres meanwhile are just lacking key personnel but against the Rockets they showed their will and determination – in saying that they were a Keanu buzzer beater from victory in a tight race already in 2023. Rasmussen’s inclusion for the full season is a massive win for the Sabres and already could be a potential NBL development player in waiting. Sam Daly’s return is key to this side progressing further but right now the Eagles are in the better touch and should take this one without too much trouble.
Key Stat – The Eagles strength has been their shooting clip of 56 percent created from an average of 24.7 assists per game – one of the highest numbers I’ve seen in quite sometime in that column.
COD Prediction: Eagles by 13 points
North Adelaide Rockets vs West Adelaide Bearcats – (Lights Community and Sports Centre – The Launch Pad)
Women (6:30pm)
Getting the combinations gelling is the theme for this one tonight with a number of moving pieces for both sides happening right now. The Mansfield/Basham combo we got a look at last week for the first time with varying degrees of success. There were 14 assists for the Rockets last week compared to 20 in the first Mansfield game – getting that rock moving between the Rockets is the key to victory for them.
The Bearcats meanwhile have some issues that need solving on the run having been out-glassed by Panthers and conceded double figures in triples which really hurt them. Molly Coleman has had a strong start to the season but her team does look like it has some missing pieces which has just been addressed this week with Paraguayan 6’9 centre Andrea Aquino finally touching down. For months I had heard about the possibility of her playing here in Adelaide and after watching a little of her Tuesday night in the reserves – even with limited time she’s going to prove a problem for teams once she adjusts.
I feel the Bearcats would be pretty stung by last weeks result on Good Friday and I think will come out snarling ready to play and take out the Rockets by a comfortable margin.
Key Stat – The Panthers won the glass against the Bearcats 41-51 including conceding 19 offensive rebounds – Aquino will help but they need to find a way to address this quickly.
COD Prediction: Bearcats by 17 points
Men (8:15pm)
The Bearcats have been not quite at their best so far despite the rich talent they have on their roster – so what do you do when your 1-2 and showing some weaknesses? You recruit more talent in the spot that’s most needed. Landing Lachy Olbrich from the outside looking in seems the missing piece for this potential championship team. The rebounding and defensive presence in the paint has been an early achilles heel for both sides. The Olbrich versus Carlisle matchup looms pivotal in this one tonight to decide the outcome.
Mikey Rogers team hasn’t been going too bad but has a tough run ahead with Bearcats, Warriors and the Flames in the supercharged ANZAC day clash which could go either way. I feel the Bearcats with Olbrich’s inclusion will have a bit too much at both ends of the floor for the Rockets but in saying that – they haven’t done too much wrong. Sometimes you can’t just rely on reputation to get you wins and no doubt Nyberg’s side has been simmering away this week with that in the back of their mind and they are going to come out and bounce someone off the court – the question is who and when…
Key Stat – The Bearcats and Rockets rank equal last (35) and fourth (46.3) in 2023 in rebounding – It shows the importance of Olbrich’s inclusion and Rogers addressing the Rockets deficiency in 2022 of the coach he’s taking on with Aliir, Carlisle and McCalop big reasons why the numbers land as they do.
COD Prediction: Bearcats by 8 points
Woodville Warriors vs Eastern Mavericks – (St Clair Recreation Centre – The Castle)
Women (6:30pm)
Two teams with much intrigue surrounding them with returning coaches and some key recruits in the front court. Both Fransson and Otto get to go head-to-head with a few games under their stead which will be worth the price of admission and Warriors Captain Katherine Perkas has started 2023 on fire averaging 14.7 points and six rebounds – six points better than her career average.
Taylah Levy of the Mavs also hit the scoreboard with career high 21 points but Olivia Bradley who could cause some problems for the Warriors had only the eight minutes due to hyper extension of her knee during play. This is a 50/50 call in this one with either side as good as chance as others – I see role players like the two Chloe’s in Dumnesy and Purvis likely deciding the outcome of this one – with the Warriors just having some more experienced ones when its going to count in the fourth.
Key Stat – The Mavs got their game going via the free throw line with 20/21 to keep their momentum going – that seems to be plan A for the Mavs with plan A for the Warriors dominating paint and glass. This week will tell us a lot of what Plan B and C look like for both teams.
COD Prediction: Warriors by 6 points
Men (8:15pm)
The Warriors look solid to start 2023 taking care of business week by week and steadily finding more. Stepney is controlling the ship and already is a strong early contender for the Woollacott medal averaging 20 points (#10), 5.7 assists (#8), six rebounds (#27), three steals (#5) and made eight triples (#4). They are some salivating numbers for the general of this fortress team and stopping his influence is the key for the Mavs.
Jasper Rentoy must be that man and after a low contribution last round, if he can partner with Legan and Hemphill who has been a great find for the league so far- they can give them a shake. I expect however the Warriors to continue their continuity and culture form we can see playing out both on and off court.
Key Stat – Even though Stepney has been the man, a huge shoutout to Dev McGee who’s had an electric start to the season with 15 points at 66.7 percent and five rebounds and once again comes up against his old side who in 2022 – he put 22 points on them at the Castle…
COD Prediction: Warriors by 15 points
Central District Lions vs South Adelaide Panthers (STARPLEX – The Den)
Women (6:30pm)
A crash back to reality after some competitive efforts to open the season for the Lions and it doesn’t come much tougher than the arc laden Panthers. The Panthers outside firepower compliments their interior game of 2023 with Forbes leading the way after a full preseason lead into the season. The Lions started reasonably okay but when Wilson and the Flames flickered their flame they could not keep up with the lightning pace of their opposition.
De La Cerda hopefully banked some petrol in the loss when the young Lions made the floor and will be raring to go this week no doubt. Getting Imani Guy going could be the catalyst that keeps them in it most of the game – but if the Panthers get a sniff of a run, they could run away with this one quickly. I feel in the second half they’ll be that moment where the gap is extended and expect the Panthers to continue their recent strong start to the season.
Key Stat – The Panthers had 36 points in the opening quarter against last year’s grand finalists – hot starts are what the Panthers are all about and another could decide this one early.
COD Prediction: Panthers by 26 points
Men (8:15pm)
The Lions may need to do what they did to stay with the Warriors and the Flames in the first few weeks and that’s turn this game into a grind. They were right in it till the end in both and while the potential of Rupert Sapwell’s side is to unleash its athleticism – getting defence sorted first and foremost already seems the priority. That’s where Ninnis has preached his championship side to and continue to do it in 2023 holding opposition to an average of 83.3 points per game.
The matchup of intrigue is Daniel Johnson how the Lions will guard him with his opponent likely to be Ngor Nai with his length. From a personnel perspective the Lions have the right types of players in positions to guard this Panthers team, but I just can’t see them hanging in there for a full forty minutes – and see the Panthers brushing them aside eventually.
Key Stat – Coaching against each other – Ninnis and Sapwell have a combined 677 games of NBL experience bound to pour out of them both tonight…
COD Prediction: Panthers by 20 points
We are back to doing recaps for the NBL, Catch all the NBL1 Central action this weekend on the NBL1 website, app and game of the week in Round 4 between the Forestville Eagles and the Sturt Sabres on Kayo and Kayo Freebies Saturday.
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CROSS OVER DRIBBLE 