NBL1 Central Round One Womens – McKendrick magic return runs over Lions

The magical return of Mollie Mckendrick rose the Southern Tigers to an opening round win over the Central Districts Lions in their first Safari Cup matchup of 2026 – 85-63 at the Cage.

Photo provided by @justbphotoau

3-Minute Read

The Tigers unleashed in the first term with the new one-two strike of returning Tiger Mollie McKendrick and the double double machine of Holly Forbes as the pair combined for 25 points in the opening term. The Lions new import that the Den fans will fall in love with in Grace Stone made her impression and intentions clear early with some huge triples in the first quarter – three in all however the Tigers had the first swipe 32-18 after one. 

Romancing the Stone: The Lions fans got a small glimpse into the game of Grace Stone from the NBL1 West Perry Lake Hawks – Photo by Melissa Belanic

McKendrick continued to wreck havoc inside the paint and at the mid-range as she peeled off turnaround jumpshot and layup after layup contested with the home side jumping out to a game high 31 point with another returnee Rosie Williamson (Five points, nine assists & six steals) delivering the dimes and deliveries for the paint providers. The Lions continued to pepper from beyond the arc with varying degrees of success but trailed 58-30 at the main change.

It didn’t get much prettier from there as the Tigers answered each Lions attempt to reduce the margin. Stone and one sister for another recruit in Terran Wright (Eight points & five rebounds on return from NBL1 North & UBL) tried to reel it back in but Sophie Rogers (Eight points & four rebounds) triple and more Forbes free throws extended back out to 31 points and an unassailable 69-41 three quarter time lead.

Paw Paint Paired: The Southern Tigers re-added former import Holly Forbes in the off season and got their first look at the paint pair in their opening round win – photo by Melissa Belanic

The Lions came out in the fourth with split and pride in mind led by Emily & Georgia Winter with Tiahna Sears (eight points & 11 rebounds) in limited minutes refinding her feet however Williamson capped off the win with some points of her own delivering first time head coach Dan Cahill a first up win in 2026. 

It all revolved around the Tigers big paint paws of Mckendrick (28 points at 63 percent & nine rebounds) and Forbes (26 points, 10 rebounds & six steals) with plenty of support from the likes of Annie Bartsch with Eight points, seven rebounds & three assists), Williamson and Filipino recruit Jaz Joson.

Stone for the Lions was the leading player of the night for the away side with an impressive debut of 19 points with six triples at 50 percent & four rebounds with Alex Howden contributing 10 points, three assists & steals.

 The numbers that mattered 

  • The Tigers through their “Paw Paint Pair” of Mckendrick and Forbes guided them to 56 percent from 2pt range and 18 of 25 from the free throw line
  • Tigers ball movement was on point with 20 assists 
  • Lions lived and died by the three point line shooting nine of 42 from beyond the arc
  • In the first half McKendrick and Forbes combined for 40 points in the first half of the Tigers 58
  • 85 is the highest score team score for the Southern Tigers since 101 points against the Woodville Warriors in 2024   

The Three Takeaways 

  • Bring on the “Paw Paint Pair” of McKendrick and Forbes in a return to old fashioned paint oriented hoops
  • Lions need an inside presence which they’ll get later into the season but need it quicker
  • Continuity & familiarity are the keys to accelerating a side’s development in a new season – the Tigers may have plenty of new faces from last season but plenty of these players have played together before or are connected and it shows

SOUTHERN TIGERS 85 (McKENDRICK 28, FORBES 26, BARTSCH, ROGERS 8, WILLIAMSON 7)

CENTRAL DISTRICTS LIONS 65 (STONE 19, HOWDEN 10, SEARS 8, T WRIGHT 7)

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