Author: Tristan Prentice

Photo Credit – Anthony Furina (Via Adelaide University)

3-Minute Read

Women

The Waatu have secured one of arguably their greatest ever victories taking out powerhouse of the competition USYD in a convincing 74-56 win at the State Basketball Centre.

Caitlin Shillabeer (Physiotherapy) sparked the early 8-0 run with some quick points to gain the early ascendancy with Bella Woosnam (Exercise and Sports Science) active in another 7-0 run. Despite no Caitlyn Martin for USYD and Tom Garlepp absent on coaching duties with the U16 Gems – USYD pulled it back with a quick six points thanks to captain Lauryn Walker 19-15 at the first change.

The defence of the Waatu however was keeping Alex Kayrouz and many of her Sydney Comets teammates quiet while Shillabeer kept ticking the scoreboard over as did Jemima Whitton (Viticulture and Oenology) with a pair triples. Both were dishing the damage to keep the Waatu in front 39-30 at the main break.

After a quiet first half Kayrouz rose to the challenge hitting the scoreboard hard for USYD but it was all on the Waatu’s terms with the grinding nature of the game in the home sides favour. Every challenge from USYD was answered by the Waatu and although Kayrouz grabbed 10 points for the quarter- the Waatu still held firm 60-42 with one to play but not quite out of range.

USYD made one final push the start of the fourth with Kayrouz carrying them through the fourth but a string of triples to Meaza Otto (Health & Medical Science) and some strong finishes to Jemma Tredrea (Physiotherapy) helped secure the huge win with now results likely to draw the Waatu to face their opponents once again in the first week of the finals.            

Tredrea once again came up big in the match with 11 points, 12 rebounds while Shillabeer had a huge three terms to finish with 17 points and five rebounds. Jemima Whitton’s leadership and influence on the game defensively couldn’t be underestimated either with 10 points, six rebounds and three steals. In the absence of Martin – Kayrouz collated 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists in the finish.

Men

The Waatu Men gave second place a scare but a third term fightback setup the eventual win for the powerful USYD unit 85-92 at the State Basketball Centre.

Ayual Garang (Architectural Design) burst out of the blocks with some big time plays and a huge dunk in the opening for 10 points as both teams traded blows. Matthew Wacher also showed his form of the past NBL1 East season with the North Bears grabbed a quick 10 points of his own to hand the lead back to USYD 20-29 at the first change.

The most potent second term of the season came to be led by Garang again, but soon foul trouble engulfed the mismatch for USYD. Curtis Scott (Health & Medical Science) however overtook him with several of his own as the Waatu grabbed a surprise halftime lead of 43-35.

A 0-9 run out of halftime lead by Robert Moore and Harrison Evans who USYD identified as their own mismatch wiped out the halftime lead quickly for the Waatu. Needing a solution Scott provided the antidote with 14 points of his own to keep the Waatu in touch 57-60 with one to play.

Jake Weinstein who stuck triples in the third hurt again from outside while Scott tried to carry the Waatu home. The longer the final term went on the bigger Evans grew as a target for USYD – Moore on target one too many times for his final 12 points to guide the away side home to end the regular season for the Waatu.                   

Scott tried hard to get the Waatu across the line with 41 points and three assists producing the second highest individual total for the Waatu in their history. Garang was impactful but hampered by foul trouble with 19 points, five rebounds and three steals. Moore was superb across the full match for USYD with 25 points, 10 rebounds and three assists while Evans second half proved to be pivotal with 18 points, 16 rebounds with 10 offensive boards.

The Waatu Women and Men finish sixth and fifth and will face USYD and UTAS respectively in their quarter finals interstate Tuesday 7 October

Women – AU Waatu 74 (Shillabeer 17, Tredrea 11, Whitton 10) defeated USYD 56 (Kayrouz 21, Walker 13, Oliver 9)

Men – AU Waatu 85 (Scott 41, Garang 19, Mestrov, Thomson 10) defeated by USYD 92 (Moore 25, Evans 18, Jake Weinstein 16)

Finals have arrived for both our teams – Catch all the action against UTAS & USYD from this Tuesday October 7 on the UBL website and stay tuned to the crossoverdribble for match reports and features throughout the season.

We want to continue our work telling the stories of SA Basketball this summer and beyond with world championships, local legends, NBL and WNBL previews, reviews and NBL1 off season news and predictions – Can you PLEASE HELP US with a shotclock sub of $14 or $24 a year to help us do this?

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Photo Credit – Anthony Furina (Via Adelaide University)

3-Minute Read

Women

The Waatu stuck thick and thin with UTAS but eventually lost touch with them late as the UBL powerhouse got the job done on the road 59-76 in a gritty encounter at the State Basketball Centre.

It was tight opening to the match between the two teams with an enthralling battle between Sharna Thompson and Jemima Whitton (Viticulture & Oenology – 10 points, four steals and three rebounds) – two championship teammates with the Norwood Flames going toe-to-toe in the same barrel. Leah Bartlett however with seven opening term points led all from the front as UTAS took the lead 12-17 at the first change.

Quiet in the first term Thompson got rolling with plenty of solid makes with Waatu coach Lachlan Coppick trying to stifle the momentum with a timeout down 18-29. Enter Alice Sabine (Medical Studies) as she met the challenge with multiple makes helping keep the margin to a reasonable 26-35 at the main break.

The scoring spread further in the third with UTAS finding answers from their Hobart Chargers in Zoe Banks (Nine points and assists) and Thompson again – keeping touch was Jemma Tredrea (Physiotherapy) and Bella Woosnam (Nutrition & Sports Science – Nine points and three steals) as they muscled the Waatu into the contest with one to play 43-57.

A quick 9-8 run to open the fourth saw the Waatu stretch back into it through Tredrea and Caitlin Shillabeer (Physiotherapy) again 52-65. The answer came for the well balanced UTAS with Emmerson Wells consistent throughout the afternoon and Thompson finishing it off with another eight points in the final term.        

Tredrea continued her strong contributions with 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists backed up well by Shillabeer with 12 points and six rebounds. Thompson player of the game notched 24 points, eight rebounds, five assists while Wells collected 18 points and 11 rebounds, Bartlett superb in the first half particularly finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds.

Men

The Waatu Men kept their faint top four finals hopes alive but also secured their highest finish of the UBL with a thrilling 90-88 win over UTAS at the State Basketball Centre.

The opening saw a tantalising battle between two teammates of the runner up NBL1 Central final Central Districts Lions as Jack Stanwix and Ayual Garang (Architectural Design) found themselves going head-to-head. However difficult to stop going downhill Curtis Scott (Health/Medical Science) opened the first term with eight points but Garang was not far behind with five. A 17-5 run led by those two and Issac Hampel (Electrical Engineering) sparked early impact of Jordan Straatsma to take the 28-21 lead.

The Waatu continued to lead the charge with Garang nailing some big triples to give the Waatu a handy 39-25 advantage. After a quiet opening term Stanwix got busy with some key baskets to push UTAS back into it but a late pair of free throws from Scott saw the Waatu hold a handy 52-38 margin at the half.

The comeback for UTAS after the half was launched by Luke Brown and Stanwix (eight points for the term) as the pair rolled it back to 56-49 with a quick 4-11 run. A pair of key triples to Hampel dropped however kept the margin at a reasonable 70-58 with one to go.

UTAS charged their way back in through Straatsma and his work in the block again while Scott was being curtailed by the away side. Straatsma found his range from outside and paired with Stanwix cut it back to 83-79 – the Waatu calculating their approach through Thomas Mestrov (Banking & Finance) and Ahmed Nawasany (Computer Science) to keep them in front.

The Waatu failed to put the game away as UTAS struck back through Archie Stewart with the easy two-point layup, but UTAS were in the fouling situation needing to send Waatu to the line. Sending Scott the free throw line and after missing the first, made the second hit the front of the rim with Garang (eight in the final term) picking up the scraps dribbling it away and forced to foul. He missed the first and tried to miss the second, but it went in to make it 90-88 with one second left. UTAS turned it off fortunately on the last play and Waatu prevailed with one game to play – still had a slim home final alive depending on results ahead.           

Ayual Garang was the player of the match with 23 points and nine rebounds also containing Stanwix for majority of the game and even though quieter than previous weeks Scott still accumulated 22 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and two blocks. Stanwix led all for UTAS eventually with 25 points, five rebounds, three assists along with arguably the most consistent of the match in Jordan Straatsma with 24 points and eight rebounds with Luke Brown also gathering 21 points and six rebounds.

The Waatu Women and Men are already secure in the top eight but if results go their way plus wins over another powerhouse in USYD – home finals are still open for possibility

Women – AU Waatu 59 (Tredrea 13, Shillabeer 12, Whitton 10) defeated by UTAS 76 (Thompson 24, Wells 18, Bartlett 11)

Men – AU Waatu 90 (Garang 23, Scott 22, Hampel 15) defeated UTAS 88 (Stanwix 25, Straatsma 24, Brown 21)    

Finals have arrived for both our teams – Catch all the action against UTAS & USYD from this Tuesday October 7 on the UBL website and stay tuned to the crossoverdribble for match reports and features throughout the season.

We want to continue our work telling the stories of SA Basketball this summer and beyond with world championships, local legends, NBL and WNBL previews, reviews and NBL1 off season news and predictions – Can you PLEASE HELP US with a shotclock sub of $14 or $24 a year to help us do this?

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“All about Ability – the last five year’s of the Men’s Ivor Burge Program”

“The all-time Adelaide Lightning All-Stars Team – Naming the team of the past 30 years of Adelaide Lightning players”

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Photo Credit – UNSW Basketball

3-Minute Read

Men

The Waatu Men put on one of the most impressive first halves in multiple seasons to down UNSW 70-98 at the City of Sydney Basketball Association Stadium to seal their third consecutive finals series appearance in a row.   

It was a pair of Panthers in Curtis Scott (Health and Medical Science) attacking from beyond the perimeter and in transition as him and Matthew Thomson (Project Management) dominated the opening proceedings gifting the Waatu a strong 7-20 start. Thomas Mestrov (Mathematics and Computer Science) from mid-range and Ayual Garang (Architectural Design) with the hook from in close once again made things incredibly difficult for the home side with consistent attack at the rim to leave it 10-26 at quarter time.

Scott continued the damage with contested mid-range makes for the Waatu with little response from UNSW – Garang draining another triple and backed it up with a steal and one-handed throwdown in transition that had UNSW seeing stars at one of the homes of the Comets. Garang kept his scoreboard ticking to record eight for the term but not to be outdone was Isaac Hampel (Electrical Engineering) with his own slam then followed it up with a triple himself to give the Waatu the 21-50 lead at the half.

The second half was much tighter, but the Panther pair once again put on a show with fancy footwork and work off the glass. Jackson Smyth kept the points coming for the home side but Hampel extended the Waatu’s lead with only a half court buzzer beater from Smyth falling for UNSW 43-76 with one to play.

The last term saw the margin stay even with Thomson getting some more burn time on the floor with multiple makes and the ability to make up for missing earlier part of the season. The comprehensive win finishing with a customary Everett Webb triple to put the Waatu into sixth place one game clear of ninth and with a home double header to finish the regular season.  

Scott rained in another 32 points with seven rebounds, four assists, three steals with Garang hitting form at the right time of the UBL season with 14 points. Newcomer in the last round Matt Thomson brought 12 points, nine rebounds and two blocks to partner well with Thomas Mestrov with nine points and 10 rebounds. Smyth was the clear best for the home side with 31 points with three steals and five rebounds while Jacob Corry grabbed 17 points, and 11 rebounds.             

Everything from a home final to eight place is on the table at the mercy of the UBL – the saving grace is UNSW, UWA Maali and Curtin Uni Carnaby’s are all locked on four to three wins meaning their spot is secure in the eight.

Two wins over UTAS in third and USYD in second sets up a potential second to fourth place finish giving the Waatu an inaugural home final.

Women

The Waatu women have precariously left themselves at the mercy of the UBL draw after going down in a thriller to top eight contender UNSW 72-69 at the City of Sydney Basketball Association Stadium.

Pippa Davis and Gabi Neal got the home side off to a roaring start 12-3 before Caitlin Shillabeer (Physiotherapy) stuck the much-needed triple. Needing response it took the Norwood Flames quadrant of Annika Uzcategui-Montenegro, Alice Sabine and Jemima Whitton along with Shillabeer to bring the margin back a manageable 21-14 at the first change.

Bella Woosnam (Exercise and Sports Science) was the catalyst for the comeback with triples and multiple plays helping the Waatu back into the contest. Woosnam collated 10 points for the stanza while Chloe Gray had some large impact with nine points while the paint presence of AUM at the defensive end of the floor was being felt by the guards of UNSW as they margin closed to 34-37 with the Waatu taking the lead at the half

Third term did not go to plan for the Waatu out of the halftime break as the physicality increased with Jasinta Haydar dealing out plenty of pain in the paint. Her nine in a row for the home side before splashing another triple was complemented nicely by the work under the basket of Emily Nguyen (13 in last year’s win for UNSW). Xanthe Fitzgerald also came good after the half for UNSW as they won the quarter 20-8 to take the 54-45 solid lead into the last change – the Waatu in trouble.

Jemima Whitton (Viticulture/Oenology) has played with flow all season and hit the early floater with her teammate Sabine (Medical Science) providing the cure for the anxious moments with six offensive boards for the match. Shillabeer inspired upped the defence with the block as Sabine got out in transition for the finish to force timeout to UNSW 58-52 as the Waatu charged back.

Maddie Coman however had other ideas as she put some key points on the Waatu to push it to double figures. The Waatu answered back with big plays, but the offense was becoming sticky and stagnant in the circumstances with Shillabeer refusing to let this one slip still. The home side however answered each challenge with a timely make to keep the fifth to eighth race interesting.

In an even spread for the Waatu – Shillabeer finished top scorer with 13 points, nine rebounds while Alice Sabine produced her best effort of the season with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Bella Woosnam kept them in the game with a triple on the full-time buzzer giving her 13 points with three steals with Whitton producing eight points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals. Four players for UNSW contributed 14 or more with Neal leading the way with 16 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Despite the loss due to other results the Waatu Women will play finals for the first time in their history – the scenario becomes intriguing with the Curtin Uni Carnaby’s locked on five wins in sixth, UNSW on four wins in seventh and MUBC in eighth locked on three wins (Fed Uni are in ninth with one game left can snare the last spot)

A home final is possible with two wins this last round over second placed UTAS and third placed USYD – the lowest two losses and percentage slips them to seventh.                       

Men – UNSW 70 (Smyth 31, Corry 17, Yi Tian Zou 8) defeated by AU Waatu 98 (C Scott 32, Garang 12, Thomson 12)

Women – UNSW 72 (Neal 16, Coman, Fitgerald, Haydar 14, Nguyen 7) defeated AU Waatu 69 (Shillabeer, Woosnam 13, Sabine 10, Otto, Uzcategui-Montenegro Whitton 8)           

It’s all on the line for the final two matches of the UBL season as they aim to claim dual home finals – Catch all the action against UTAS from this Tuesday September 23 and USYD Wednesday from 11:00am ACDT on the UBL website and stay tuned to the crossoverdribble for match reports and features throughout the season.

We want to continue our work telling the stories of SA Basketball this winter and beyond with world championships, local legends, NBL and WNBL previews, reviews and NBL1 off season news and predictions – Can you PLEASE HELP US with a shotclock sub of $14 or $24 a year to help us do this?

NEW – PITCH TO THE PUBLIC 

It takes 4 hours a week to write, research and produce our content but we want to write extra content this next few months so we thought we’d pitch to the public

Here are the next lot of articles up for pitching – subscribe to get these written

“All about Ability – the last five year’s of the Men’s Ivor Burge Program”

“The all-time Adelaide Lightning All-Stars Team – Naming the team of the past 30 years of Adelaide Lightning players”

Eight new $24 Shotclock subscribers will have the remaining of piece produced on the topic of

Another eight new $24 Shotclock subscribers or contributors directly will have both pieces done for production

Please DM if you’d like to support another way than subscription

See if you can provide the assist we need to tell the South Australian Basketball story

All Episodes of the SA Shotclock available on podcasting platforms in the coming months