NBL1 Central Round One Womens – Eagle Simons takes flight to down Eastern Import onslaught

Despite the absence of some key players the Forestville Eagles have managed to hold off the late charge of the Eastern Mavericks 74-79 at St Francis De Sales.

Photo provided by CS Photographicaus

3-Minute Read

In shades of Carmen Tyson-Thomas of past seasons – the women got a great first up impression from new US import Antigonie “Tiggie” Sanabria & recently graduated Hawai’i Rainbow Wahine college import Brooklyn Rewers as they just sat behind the Eagles 23-25 after the first quarter.

Getting “Tiggie” with it in 2026 – This looks like it won’t be the first time either as Antigonie “Tiggie” Sanabria showed shades of former Mavs import Carmen Tyson-Thomas and we know what happened that year – Photo by CS Photgraphicaus

 

The game remained tight in the second with the Mavs extending their lead to double digits before the Simons sisters of Sam and Jess cut it to 44-39 at the main change. After an even third term 59-61 – the Mavs chance to beat the Eagles for the first time since 2019 was there as Sanabria cut it back to a two basket margin with only a few plays left.

Despite whittling it back the Eagles prevailed 74-79 with some close out plays and makes in the final minute.

Sam Simons was the player of the game with 28 points, nine rebounds, fours steals & three assists and in a sister act with Jess (14 points & six rebounds) got the job done for the Eagles to give new coach Matt Paps a first up win. Rewers (21 points & seven rebounds) & Sanabria (20 points & nine rebounds) led from the front for the home side.

 The numbers that mattered 

  • While the pair of Sanabria and Rewers had 41 between them the Mavs did get another 33 points from the rest of their lineup compared to the Eagles 
  • Olivia Tredrea with Sydney Hunter not quite ready to go collected a career high Seven points, six rebounds and assists in a strong 31 minute showing.  
  • The Eagles had 18 offensive rebounds and forced the Mavericks into 15 turnovers to create an additional 15 scoring opportunities 
  • The Mavericks took all of their 2pt shots inside the paint except for one for the match  

The Three Takeaways 

  • The Mavericks new import need to stay healthy for them to stay competitive 
  • The Eagles are still working out a new system including using heavier rotations through the bench 
  • It was a missed chance by the Mavericks with the Eagles missing a few key personnel and in the same breath a huge step forward for the cellar dwellers of 2025.

EASTERN MAVERICKS 74 (REWERS 21, SANABRIA 20, A WATKINSON 13, RAMSEY 7)

FORESTVILLE EAGLES 79 (S SIMONS 28, J SIMONS 14, R KING 12, VIDMAR 9, O TREDREA 7)

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