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3-Minute Read
It was the Flames new import face in University of Chicago Thomas Kurowski that made the first move though with a strong opening stanza of nine points but it didn’t take long for Machar to make his mark with a triple backed up by new imports COE College Bennett Sherry and defensive dime out of Europe LJ Booth as the Warriors edged in front 18-19 at the first change.
The second term was the all-star above the rim show with Kurowski opening the second term before Joe Jackson threw down the one handed on his right and Booth finished with two hands as well off the pass – but none were as high octane and aerial as Machar as he soared above all for the one handed right hand slam
Nick Wurm broke it up with a triple only to be met by veteran Daniel Webber with one of his own. Campbell Scott (Nine points, six rebounds & three assists) the New Zealand guard for the Flames under new head coach kiwi himself Miles Pearce made his own then Booth splashed one in response to make it 34-38 at the half time interval.
Machar drained another triple to open the third with Booth always active on the glass and a much needed inclusion for the Warriors in the absence of Steve Partfitt. Uzo Dibiamaka and Wurm with big time pushes to kick it out to 36-50 and a 2-12 run. New Flames import Inady Legiste broke the run but the Warriors began to assert control with Machar dropping another triple and finished the strong quarter with an easy layup to leave it 44-64 with one to go.
The pain continued to pile on for the Warriors who’s defensive chemistry with its core undid the Flames new unit despite Kurowski continuing to tick the scoreboard over. Machar took advantage with his breakout game as the Warriors and Flames both cleared the bench with Bailey Nathan making some additions late for his first points including a triple off the back of another excellent UBL showing for the Adelaide Waatu as the Warriors secured their biggest win against the Flames in multiple years.
From the pine it was a strong showing from Awak Machar with 22 points and three triples, nine rebounds & three assists while an impressive double double debut from LJ Booth with 19 points and 10 rebounds was paired with five offensive rebounds. Dibiamaka showed he’s ready to rise the level with 14 points, 11 rebounds & six assists.
Kurowski was consistent through four quarters in his first appearance with 24 points, seven rebounds and four steals plus some strong finishes but no other Flame made double figures in a lean night.
The numbers that mattered
- The Flames had five players with five or more but only Kurowski made double figures
- This is the Warriors biggest win against the Flames since pre 2015 with the average margin around 12 points per game since then between the two
- The Warriors shot the ball at 50.98 percent from 2PT range while the Flames only 31.7
- The second half was where this was won with the Warriors defence marching them to a 60-26 domination
The Three Takeaways
- The grit and grind of the Warriors is the key to their success again in 2026
- Kurowski showed he can be a legit fire in this league
- Machar with additional athleticism is ready to show what he’s about on a more than regular basis
NORWOOD FLAMES 60 (KUROWSKI 24, SCOTT 9)
WOODVILLE WARRIORS 98 (A MACHAR 24, UZO DIBIAMAKA 14, SHERRY, WURM 9, MELDRUM 8, JACKSON 7)
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