Trey delivery needed - The Flames Men have a crucial double header this weekend and will need the impact of their improved import guard in Walter "Trey" McBride to go to another level to stay in the finals conversation - Picture by Picture IT Sports Photography
4-Minute Read
Round 10
Saturday 3/06/2023
Norwood Flames vs Central District Lions – (The ARC – Firedome)
Women (6:00pm)
LTTM: Central District Lions 39 (Sears 18, De La Cerda 8) defeated by Norwood Flames 95 (Thompson 26, Akuen 21, Wilson 12, Sabine 10, Kerridge 8)
The Flames took it all the way to the precipice against the unbeaten Sabres without Wilson and are shaping as a major dark horse after to be honest I had them no where near the finals this season. A bit of mid-season recruiting goes a long way for a big club like them with Smith and Rice fitting in nicely to this lineup that will welcome back Wilson very soon. Wilson destroyed the Lions in multiple ways last time and while she’s not there – the turnover instigators in Kerridge and Smith are just as bigger concern for the Lions.
The Lions have been almost there for the dub, and they are going to get someone very soon- as many of us have been saying. They need a fourth contributor to the scorecard with Sarah Deng or even Renai Fejo the capable types – the good news for the Lions is they are building their culture under coach Joe Noone who I have no doubt will be able to attract some big names to the club to get them into winning positions in future seasons.
Even without Wilson – Kerridge, Smith, Rice and Thompson will be too much firepower for the Lions to handle on this occasion resulting in a comfortable win for the Flames in an important double-header weekend for them.
Key Stat – The Lions were forced into a whopping 29 turnovers last time they met with which the Flames scored 16 points off them.
COD Prediction: Flames by 12 points
Men (7:45pm)
LTTM: Central District Lions 83 (Baker, Nai 20, Jenkins, Sapwell 14, Bol 10) defeated by Norwood Flames 92 (Smith 27, Lycett 19, Nuangki 18, Stanwix 15)
The Flames are starting to fall behind the pack slightly and have an incredibly tough run coming up including this Lions men’s team which can blow you away offensively in a short space of time and really junk up the game. Trey McBride is a better version than last year after his European season, and it’ll be interesting to see how Isaac Miller-Jose integrates into this group after just under ten minutes last game.
The Lions as we know are long, athletic and disruptive and a little chaotic, but it does make for a fun team to watch when they put it all together and no doubt stuffs the highlights reel weekly. Sapwell knows that and is trying to use that to gain advantage on a weekly basis, but you can see the building blocks going in place where if they can keep a core of this group they might be a threatening force in coming seasons again. With the run home for both sides I see three very winnable games for the Lions whereas the Flames have a string of teams around them on the fixture meaning they need this one especially with a double header ahead this weekend.
The Flames pinch this one in a scrappy thriller just…
Key Stat – The Flames final term was huge last time they met with their 11-24 quarter engineered by the free throw line with 12 of 16 made.
COD Prediction: Flames by 2 points
Eastern Mavericks vs Forestville Eagles – (St Francis – The Shooting Gallery)
Women (6:30pm)
LTTM: Forestville Eagles 75 (Freer 22, Annetts 11, A Brett, J Simons 9, Hines, Morello 8) defeated Eastern Mavericks 69 (Otto 27, Levy 21)
It was a great contest between two teams desperate for different reasons. The Mavs have been developing steadily through this season and are starting to put together patches of terrific basketball. It’s been off the back of the combo of Tayla Levy and Otto who last time caused serious problems for the gold and blue. They setup 20 of 21 from the charity stripe and helped win the rebounds 38-51.
The Eagles have been a team that have featured regularly in the top five but are again in threat of missing their second consecutive finals series in multiple seasons. They have responded to the obvious hole in their front court bringing in Merrimack College recruit Marissa Hamilton who played a steady 21 minutes for six and four and will be better for the run. The Eagles had 25 assists distributing the ball plenty and many of the other players like the Brett’s are starting to get their hands on the ball and to operate under Georgia Crouch.
The Mavs took a stepback against the Panthers but I feel an upset is on the cards on their home floor with the Mavs winning this one to really gain some reward for their recent efforts beyond last week.
Key Stat – The Eagles had an 18-5 final quarter to over-run the Mavs who dominated for three quarters…
COD Prediction: Mavericks by 5 points
Men (8:15pm)
LTTM: Forestville Eagles 103 (Mays 18, M Machar 17, Rathjen, Wilson 10, Doyle, Rios 9, Hulland 8) defeated Eastern Mavericks 69 (Hemphill 18, Ciabattoni, Legan 10, Robertson 9)
The Mavs need to grab one of the top teams if they are to have any chance of sneaking into the top five but unlike last season they are two wins closer than they were at this point in 2022. The potency but consistency of the Mavs is the big question mark trying to string it all together and if the Eagles are sleeping at the wheel defensively could get hurt in their trip up to Mt Barker.
With the Panthers, Sabres and Bearcats all breathing down the neck of the Eagles – securing these wins against tricky opponents is a must and I just think the Eagles have one too many depth players including Owen Hulland who’s hit some nice form in recent times that will run away with this one with one big quarter – just like last time.
Key Stat – A huge second quarter of 33-9 put away this one early last time they met off the back of 68 percent from the field…
COD Prediction: Eagles by 15 points
South Adelaide Panthers vs West Adelaide Bearcats (Mitchell Park – The Jungle)
Women (6:30pm)
LTTM: West Adelaide Bearcats 64 (Coleman 20, Fejo 16, Anderson 11) defeated by South Adelaide Panthers 85 (Spencer 26, Johnson 20, Forbes 17, Hunter 13)
A huge breath of relief for both sides last week as they secured important wins – but tonight’s contest between these two is going to show us where both teams are really at. The Panthers went back to the tried-and-true method dominating glass, creating quality outside threats, and getting busy with their hands in the steal column. Sitting third on the table they are possibly looking at building their momentum steadily so that when they hit the end of the season – they’ll be clicking and raring to go. Getting Darcy Rees going is the key to this one as the opponent at the other end could cause some big problems for the home side.
The Bearcats found a bit of their tenacity in the second half against the Warriors – it could still be a defining moment for this up and down rollercoaster of the defending champions and it looks like rather than waiting for teams to come and sweep over them – they’ve revealed their hand their taking to the end of the season. Honoka Ikematsu a Japanese sharp shooting guard who was sixth all-time at her university of RMU joins Aquino and Fejo as the players that can keep the Bearcats in the conversation about top five, but can they get it all gelled together or will it be a last-ditch effort to have a crack at defending their title???
I feel the latter till other evidence suggests and feel the Panthers will make their move soon to make sure they secure top three – then we’ll learn if they have heeded the lessons of past seasons.
Key Stat – The Panthers fast start of 36 points in the opening quarter floored the Bearcats last time – expect Dickel to give the green light to the shooters of the white and blue at home from the tip-off.
COD Prediction: Panthers by 4 points
Men (8:15pm)
LTTM: West Adelaide Bearcats 95 (Drmic 26, Roxburgh 20, DeSantis 17, Spear 15, McCarron 13) defeated by South Adelaide Panthers 110 (McVeigh 32, Starling 28, Johnson 15, Barton 13)
The last team to beat the Bearcats was the Panthers with a full-strength lineup but both have significantly changed since last time they met. Hoppo is still injured for the Panthers and while McCarron is out with 3×3 so is Daniel Johnson who is averaging about 7 points per game for the Australian Gangurrus (which is very good in the 3×3 landscape) and the Bearcats have Olbrich in since last time.
This could be a Grand Final preview potentially between these two as to who the x-factors might be stepping up – but with two extremely experienced coaches in Ninnis and Nyberg this one I think might go down to the wire with the Panthers maybe just snaring it at home.
Key Stat – The Panthers offensive assault of 38 points in the third quarter setup the last loss the Bearcats suffered thanks to an incredible five triples in the term…
COD Prediction: Panthers by 2 points
Sturt Sabres vs North Adelaide Rockets – (Springbank – The Cave)
LTTM: North Adelaide Rockets 66 (Basham 19, Mansfield 17, Corrigan 8) defeated by Sturt Sabres 68 (Brazel 22, Williams 15, N Mathews 8)
Women (6:30pm)
It was a super tight one last time they met coming down to the brilliance of Brazel down the stretch. Based on last week she’ll be there again for this one, but the brilliance of Basham now looms as another game breaker. She is in peak form right now as one of the top scorers in the country but the key matchup in this one of course is the Corrigan versus Williams matchup with rebounding another key. If the Rockets can address that issue and shutdown Williams which I’m sure Brenton Johnston has been thinking about the method of how to then perhaps they can be the first to knock over the undefeated Sabres.
I’m going to take the Rockets in the upset with the playing roster depth and potential to do so with the away side.
Key Stat – Williams equalled the league high numbers of rebounds with 26 the last time they met – it gave them a league high 59 rebounds in the match.
COD Prediction: Rockets by 2 points
Men (8:15pm)
LTTM: North Adelaide Rockets 75 (Aliir 20, McCalop 16, Carlisle 13, McDonald 12, Harrap 9) defeated the Sturt Sabres 74 (Rasmussen 21, Forbes 17, Rigoni 16)
Two very inform teams clash head-to-head with big streaks of six and five respectively with someone’s momentum going to be temporary snapped tonight. It’s the offensive firepower of the Rockets versus the defensive tenacity of the Sabres. That’s what the Sabres lacked in their thrilling match last time and that tenacity has been returned with a fully fit Sam Daly and Jacob Rigoni.
That’s suggests to me that the Sabres will continue their streak just on their home floor but their finishing deserted them down the stretch last time and could play a part in the final result.
Key Stat – There was not much between these two last time they met but the one thing that stood out was the finishing at the charity stripe – the Rockets shooting 93 percent and the Sabres 54 percent which proved the difference.
COD Prediction: Sabres by 3 points
Woodville Warriors vs Southern Tigers – (St Clair – The Castle)
LTTM: Southern Tigers 74 (Martin 19, Hall 17, McKendrick 16, Hernandez 9) defeated Woodville Warriors 58 (Fransson, Perkas, Winter 15)
Women (6:30pm)
The Warriors showed they could take it right up to the top teams with some quality basketball – the next step of their season is to from those positions finish games off now. A test of whether this can be done may be afforded against the Tigers who have been roaring since the return to form of Morgan Yaeger forming a potent combination with Mariah Martin. Martin was terrific the last time they met with 19 points, four assists and rebounds. The Tigers are one of the top teams now of this 2023 season so its hard to see the upset occurring in this one with a four and one record away from home.
Key Stat – Statistically there wasn’t much between these sides the last time they met with the Tigers gathering an extra nine points from the free throw line but the Tigers also sunk five more triples than the Warriors.
COD Prediction: Tigers by 6 points
Men (8:15pm)
LTTM: Southern Tigers 61 (A Machar 17, Thompson 12, Logan 10) defeated by Woodville Warriors 75 (McGee 18, Stepney 17, B Janssan 11, Jackson 10)
Last round there were aspects of both teams performances that were encouraging despite their losses – however for the Warriors this looms as one they can’t afford to slip up on as they attempt to hang onto reach of the top five with a run of Tigers, Rockets, Mavericks and Flames which could determine whether they can return to the last day of the season as they did in 2022. The return of Humphries is an important piece coming up with 13 points before understandably fading away in his first game back from retirement.
The Tigers pushed hard at the Eagles at different times last weekend but were overwhelmed by the firepower and class of one of the top teams of 2023. The 15-year-old Alex Dickeson is showing maturity beyond his age as the “professor” dropped a career high 15 points and is one to keep a close eye out on in tonight’s contest.
The Warriors should grab this one comfortably as its too important not too with their run ahead, but the Tigers are vastly improved from the last time they met and should give them a nudge across the first half at least.
Key Stat – The Warriors were clean with the ball in hand conceding just 12 turnovers compared to the Tigers with 24 of their own.
COD Prediction: Warriors by 22 points
Sunday 4/06/2023
West Adelaide Bearcats vs Norwood Flames – (Port Adelaide – The Bearcat Cave) – Kayo Freebies Game of the Week
Women (4:00pm)
LTTM: Norwood Flames 54 (Akuen, Kerridge 16, Sabine 11) defeated by West Adelaide Bearcats 78 (Langenbrinck 20, Watkinson 17, Coleman 15, Fejo 9)
It’s a must win for either side with both teams being able to set themselves up. The Bearcats found some touch against the Panthers last night with one of the key aspects getting back that tenacity. The Flames would be in shock after dropping one to the winless the Lions but it could be the wake up call they need to overcome the home side on their floor this afternoon. Although the game might be a bit tighter now than I thought I’ll still take the Flames to go 1-1 on the weekend as a loss puts them at the bottom of the pack and they need it for when Wilson returns – they start to turn their embers into well who they are…
Key Stat – The Bearcats dominated the smaller Flames last time they met hitting eleven triples and visiting the charity stripe for 19 of 31 attempts.
COD Prediction: Flames by 4 points
Men (5:45pm)
LTTM: Norwood Flames 80 (Lycett 30, Smith 16, Nuangki 10, Webber 9) defeated by West Adelaide Bearcats 94 (Drmic 22, McCarron 20, De Santis 16, Spear 14, L Hunter 8)
It’s a must win for the Flames who may need this one to stay in the overall hunt after Saturday night. They suffered another heartbreaker going down at the buzzer to the Lions and are now three wins behind the sixth placed Rockets after their loss. The Bearcats meanwhile are eyeing off top spot by dousing this Flames unit and after taking care of the Panthers last night – I expect them to find a way to go 2-0 on the weekend and be top of the ladder by late Sunday evening.
Key Stat – In their last encounter the Bearcats had 20 steals and scored 23 points off the Flames turnovers.
COD Prediction: Bearcats by 11 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 10 between the West Adelaide Bearcats and the Norwood Flames on Kayo and Kayo Freebies Sunday afternoon.
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