Author: Tristan Prentice

BMW going back-to-back? - Mikayla Williams is a favourite to go back-to-back in the Halls Medal on Sunday with the likely competition coming from Brooke Basham, Maddy Freer, Ally Wilson and Nicole Fransson

3-Minute Read

A huge thankyou to our experts, the commentators of the NBL1 Central that cast their own 3-2-1 each match of the season to help with the predictions below for the award…

Previous Decade Winners

2013       Jess Foley (Norwood Flames)

2014       Amy Lewis (Norwood Flames)

2015       Callan Taylor (Woodville Warriors)

2016       Olivia “Levicki” Thompson (Forestville)

2017       Alex Wilson (Eastern Mavericks)

2018       Chelsea Brook (Sturt Sabres)

2019      Carmen Tyson-Thomas (Eastern Mavericks)        

2021      Teige Morrell (Southern Tigers)

2022     Mikayla Williams (Sturt Sabres)

Did you know???

In the Womens the club who has won the most Halls medals is North Adelaide with 10 followed by South Adelaide with 9 and West Adelaide with 8. Out of the 10 current clubs, everyone has posted a winner with Sam Woosnam the least recent club player to win it for West Adelaide way back in 2006. The biggest multiple winner of the Halls is Vicki Kelson who has won it four times in 2000, 2001 and 2005 including a three-way tie in 1999 with Narelle Lindsay and Kristen Veal. We could also have our first back-to-back Halls medallist if Mikayla Williams can take it out – she would be the first since Deanna Smith for the South Adelaide Panthers in 2003 and 2004.      

The Favourites

Brooke Basham

It’s been nearly 29 years since North Adelaide Women’s last Halls Medallist in Jo Hill (1994) – but newly re-signed Adelaide Lightning shooting guard Brooke Basham is right up there in the count this year. In 2022 with the Norwood Flames the experts think she polled in about thirteen of the games – this year it’s about the same but how many threes she gets where teammate Lauren Mansfield played is the big factor on whether she comes up just short or takes the award in a tight count.

Mikayla Williams

The reigning Halls Medallist has every chance to go back-to-back and with a team winning all 18 games of the season – she rarely had an off-night. Our experts have her polling in all but three games for the season (one she missed while resting for the double header) and an extremely high chance of the three. It’s estimated she’ll pick up six to eight three voters, but you never know with the depth of the Sabres side – Tayla Brazel looks the likely challenger for three votes on an even night’s performance for the Sabres.   

Maddy Freer

Freer has raced into Halls calculations after we think polling around six votes in 2022 – Sam Simons last year’s MVP and Isobel Borlase missing majority of the season has meant Freer has been front and centre of every Eagles win and competitive loss for the season. I expect she’ll poll in ten games at least and maybe a few more as a surprise.   

The Smokeys

Mollie McKendrick

As always with Mollie it’s dependent on whether she can poll in the majority of games she plays. This season she played 15 compared to 17 last season but we expect she will poll strongly in at least ten games and be right up there as a smokey.

Ally Wilson

Australian duties are the only thing that might prevent Wilson from taking out the Halls after another outstanding season. The all-star five selection last year will be right up there again and even in some losses will poll strongly. Our experts anticipate she’ll poll in at least nine or more games across the backend of the season.

Morgan Yaeger

Another one who started the season late with injury but no doubt will get some three voters across the second half of the season. It was around Round 7 when she heated up and likely reeled off votes in her next twelve of thirteen games from there on in.

Keep An Eye on

Holly Forbes

Has been super solid the full season and likely to be the leading poller for the Panthers. She was close to observational best on court in at least five games and possibly picked up votes in losses as well – watch her numbers very closely…

Nicole Fransson

Was very much in the officials’ eye majority of the Warriors games throughout the season including in the rebound counts. Lack of wins might be the downside but even in some losses she may have picked up handy votes to keep her right in the top vote getters.

Sophie Kerridge

You never know who might emerge as a vote getter from a previous season and for the Flames to get where they did there was an engine that got motoring at both ends of the floor – Kerridge is one of those players who had a season that may be recognised in the voting. How many times she picks up three versus two or one will depend on how they look at her teammates’ impact on games but she’s definitely one not to sleep on.

The Winner is… Mikayla Williams

I’m thinking given she’ll poll in 15 games – she’ll be plus 30 and very hard to catch as a clear standout this season.

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 First Round of the finals between the Forestville Eagles Men and the Sturt Sabres Men on Kayo and Kayo Freebies this weekend.

NBL1 – Australia’s League

Please continue to support SA basketball news and features content being written as well as national/international with the Pick and Roll – with our influx of work we are making content all free to read but need constant contributions to make this happen. $5 a month is all we are asking – If not keen to subscribe then please message to receive direct debit details how you can keep these quality features being produced

Who's going to the finals? - Plenty of individual players hold their fate still in their hands and it might be Riley Meldrum (#13) of the Warriors that rises to the occasion in an essential elimination final tonight for Woodville  - Picture by Picture IT Sports Photography/Sharnee Jones

3-Minute Read

4.7 Positions on the Premiership Table Teams are generally classified according to the FIBA Official Rules of Basketball with the following exception.

*If 2 or more teams have the same win-loss record of all games in the group, the game(s) between these 2 or more teams shall be used to decide their final ladder positions. If the 2 or more teams have the same win-loss record of the games between them, further criteria will be applied in the following order: (i) Higher goal difference of the games between them- (ii) Higher number of goals scored in the games between them- (iii) Higher goal difference of all games in the group- (iv) Higher number of goals scored in all games in the group.

Keep that in mind as we trawl through the outcomes of Round 15…

Round 15

Saturday 15/07/2023

South Adelaide Panthers vs Woodville Warriors – (Mitchell Park – The Jungle) – Kayo Game of the Week

LTTM: Woodville Warriors 54 (Perkas 14) defeated by South Adelaide Panthers 76 (DeFrancesco 14, Forbes 12, Johnson 11, Spencer 9)

Women (Saturday 6:30pm)

The South Adelaide Panthers are clinging by their claws to fifth place right now on the table – and once again in the final game of the season they take on the plucky Woodville Warriors who have always made life difficult for them in past seasons.

The Panthers lost to the Tigers 87-58 with Holly Forbes with 18 points and 10 rebounds and Ash Spencer 14 points and 7 rebounds – but scoring remains the Achilles heal of the white and blue. The curiosity around the timeout late against the Tigers may have been a turning point where the coaches took a backward step and left it to the players to work out how to execute what they needed. Whether it’s a turning point for the Panthers after defeating the Norwood Flames 92-78 with Sam DeFrancesco 18 points and Jordan Hunter with 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists – the most important contributions that mattered. The big contribution though was Darcy Rees with 13 points and 12 rebounds which Forbes matched as well.

They play Woodville who they’ve struggled with in the past (in the last round in 2022 it was 81-85 at the Fortress formerly the Castle) traditionally but hold their own destiny after that win over the Flames, they hold the split over both West but not over North and Forestville – they can finish as high as fourth or as low as seventh and miss completely. The Warriors best chance is through Nicole Fransson who in the last Kayo game of the round on ANZAC day struck foul trouble.

The Panthers must win, and I think they’ll get this one and sneak into the final five…     

Key Stat – The Panthers scoring woes have continued with 20.5 quarters yielding 15 points or less but Saturday three of 23 or more was enough to get over the Flames.

COD Prediction: Panthers by 4 points

Men (Saturday 8:15pm)

LTTM: Woodville Warriors 74 (McGee, Stepney 20, Ficken 8) defeated by South Adelaide Panthers 93 (Hoppo 18, Johnson 17, Johns 16, Barton 15, McVeigh, Starling 10)

The Woodville Warriors have been thereabouts in season 2023 and while the consistency and fluency of their campaign of 2022 has not been there – a win tonight against the already qualified Panthers will see them give themselves a chance to see their way back to the decider but a loss and it could be season over if results don’t go their way…

The Panthers after defeating the Tigers 74-95 and the Flames 95-66 have locked in a finals spot but where they finish is still up for grabs with the door ajar to top two. Alex Starling grabbed 24 points, 11 rebounds and six assists while Lloyd McVeigh has hit good form at the right time with 31 points and 10 rebounds. The enigma that is Daniel Johnson looms for all teams as notched another two near double doubles but has been guarded well by Woodville in the past. The Panthers could finish as high as second if results got their way but as low as fourth if they lose and Sturt win is their scenario.  

The Warriors face a must could finish in fourth as they now have split over Sabres after Sunday’s win but lose and they would miss if results went against them dropping the split to the Flames but holding the one over the Rockets. It couldn’t have been much tighter last weekend with Jawan “The One” Stepney unbelievable with 49 points and 35 points to take an average of 42 points, nine rebounds and six assists to take out player of the week in the men’s – he is the single reason why I do not write off this team if they make the final five. He’s needed some help and in the absence of Devon McGee and mostly David Humphries – Riley Meldrum took his game to another level last weekend with 16 points and four rebounds and 23 points respectively.

With the Panthers in and the Warriors too much to lose – Woodville will find a way to rally to win a thriller and keep this rollercoaster season going for the green and gold…

Key Stat – It’s number one offensive rebounding team in the league in the Panthers versus the sharp shooting of last weekend in the Warriors with 47 percent – the last two times they’ve met the Warriors shot sub 36 percent and lost including last years decider.  

COD Prediction: Warriors by 2 points

North Adelaide Rockets vs Norwood Flames – (Lights – The Launch Pad)

LTTM: Norwood Flames 83 (Wilson 48, Kerridge 15, Thompson 11, Akuen 9) defeated North Adelaide Rockets 74 (Mansfield 23, Basham 19, Freer 11)

Women (Saturday 6:30pm)

That was a huge blow for the Rockets last week dropping both games which now has them teetering in sixth place and stuck in a log jam for two spots. A loss to the Mavericks 76-74 and the Tigers 74-88 has this one still not only a must win but fate out of their hands. It’s been Basham and Mansfield all season with another set of handy contributions. Rebounding was key in those losses with counts of 56-38 and 46-49 – a combined minus 21 boards given up. If they can get to 10 wins and the Panthers and Bearcats (hold the split) slip they can finish as high as fourth – a loss and they rely on other results holding the split over the Panthers but not to Forestville.

The Flames also had a minor slip which may have possibly cost them top two, but it remains a possibility with at least a win over the Eagles 93-76 last week. They have secured their spot thanks to their outside shooting numbers with 23 threes on the weekend courtesy of Sharna Thompson with 22 and 25 points with four triples. They can claim second the Flames, but a loss actually has them dropping as low as fourth if West Adelaide win who have the split over them, they’ll be either second, third or fourth by the end of Saturday night.

I think they take third place and consign the Rockets to the fate of others with a win…

Key Stat – The Rockets got Jordyn Freer on the scoreboard with 17 and 18 points in both games – they need that contribution to construct the firepower against the Flames.  

COD Prediction: Flames by 6 points

Men (Saturday 8:15pm)

LTTM: Norwood Flames 93 (Smith 24, Lycett, Webber 18, Nuangki 17, Stanwix 12) defeated North Adelaide Rockets 84 (Harrap 22, McCalop 18, Carlisle 14, Aliir 13, McDonald 11)

The impact of who wins this game won’t be felt till post Saturday night with the Flames making a blazing run late but now have it out of their hands after succumbing to the Panthers 95-66 last Saturday night. Trey McBride produced consistent numbers across both contests with 15 points, eight rebounds and seven assists and 28 points and eight rebounds. Win and results go their way the Flames can sneak into fifth holding split over Warriors.

North can equal the record with the Warriors if results go their way but would finish sixth (with a 10 point win over the Flames) I believe with a split against them but as we’ve said before some things are best left to the mathematicians to work out how the elimination final spots will be set up for the end of the season – North Adelaide will look back and potentially rue overtime against the Warriors…

The Flames get the win here however and leave it up to the Warriors to determine whether they progress another week in 2023…        

Key Stat – Points from turnovers has been key for the Flames with 15 versus the Eagles but just the eight versus the Panthers.

COD Prediction: Flames by 10 points

Southern Tigers vs West Adelaide Bearcats – (Morphett Vale – The Cage)

LTTM: West Adelaide Bearcats 68 (Simmons 15, Brenton 11, Coleman, Fejo 10) defeated by Southern Tigers 80 (McKendrick 25, Stasinowsky 22, Hernandez 14, Martin 11)

Women (Saturday 6:30pm)

The Tigers defensive side to their game is coming to the fore on the eve of the finals with suffocating of opposition apparent in their last weekend assignments. They gave up a combined amount of 66 points and it’s been the inside paint protection that has lifted for the Southern side. The numbers have lifted due to output of import Brittany Hernandez who had 19 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks and 21 points and 15 rebounds – they are huge numbers in the five position and perhaps provide one strength that centre Teige Morrell didn’t have in their championship year – the outside three ball threat which Hernandez can bring. Equalling the Morrell numbers in points and rebounds was the missing element for the Tigers to return to their current form. They can seal top two with a win, if they lose they may slip to third if the Flames win who hold the split over them.

The Bearcats both on and off court looked gone but a mini revival including three wins in a row over the Eagles, Mavericks (88-47 off the Mavs second game) and held off a challenging Lions outfit (73-81) tonight will tell us a lot about how much this is a revival or a late flash in the pan. The keys have been the ball handling numbers with 28 and 17 assists in both last week’s wins – Andrea Aquino is the key player at the centre with 16 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks and 12 points and seven rebounds. A win with results going their way amazingly lifts them into third, a loss and they’ll potentially be in a three-way tie with the Panthers and Rockets which they have lost splits to – they could finish as low as sixth and miss completely.

The Tigers win this one and consign the Bearcats to the logjam, but I think they’ll still make it and play the Panthers in the first week of the finals…

Key Stat –The rim protection is in the numbers for the Tigers with 12 blocks versus the Panthers and four versus the Rockets…

COD Prediction: Tigers by 6 points

Men (Saturday 8:15pm)

LTTM: West Adelaide Bearcats 100 (DeSantis 19, Olbrich 16, McCarron 15, Drmic 14, Roxburgh 13, Stock 12) defeated Southern Tigers 56 (Thompson 17, Dau 11, Green 9)

With West secure in first place in some ways the Tigers getting them now couldn’t be better timing – but there might be a talent gap between one and ten potentially opened up tonight.

Whether we see balanced minutes tonight is anyone’s guess, but I can solidify it won’t be DNP’s for the likes of Drmic, Olbrich and possibly McCarron who still played 35 minutes plus last weekend. 200 game all-round good guy Hamish Staude is one who will be keen to have some extended minutes in against his former side in the Tigers – as would Sean Stock, Lachlan Hunter, Matt Trandafil and Ciganovic.

The Tigers want to get that elusive win and will throw everything at the Bearcats – it’s the combo of Dau and Green that could trouble the Bearcats in patches but a focused four quarter effort looking after the basketball is what is needed in this one if they were to cause the upset.

The Bearcats run deep and will get their 15^th and a decent hit out before their week off next week leading into their qualifying semi-final the following week…  

Key Stat – The Bearcats against the lower teams on the table tend to flick a switch – they dropped 46 points in the third quarter last week to bury the Mavs.

COD Prediction: Bearcats by 8 points

Eastern Mavericks vs Sturt Sabres – (St Francis – The Shooting Gallery)

LTTM: Sturt Sabres 70 (Williams 24, Brazel 13, K Mathews 11) defeated Eastern Mavericks 65 (Otto 23, Garcia 12, Levy 11, Bradley, Formby 8)

Women (Saturday 6:30pm)

The management of the Sabres minutes will be intriguing in this one and holds the most interest for a team possibly about to complete a clean sweep of a regular season. I am dead certain though coach Tim Shortt will not be changing preparation or routine as in his mind clearly the job isn’t done until they win the whole thing in finals. Taking advantage however of the final games have been Jasmin Rigoni and Paige Padroth. Rigoni had a combined 33 points and Padroth 14 points and three rebounds in elevated minutes of 20 plus. Expect more players like Mikayla Tatterelli, Emily Roach and Mia Walker-Roberts to take the floor.

It’s a real glimpse into the future with Jannon Otto and Peyton Taylor all finished up for season 2023 – and there’s some great talent now executing super coach Vikki Kelson’s off-court work for all to see. Allie Garcia has risen with an average of 12.5 points and 5.5 rebounds last weekend.

The Mavs will push the Sabres hard in this one but without definitely Otto, likely Taylor and who knows on Levy with her Crow commitments – the Sabres will get it just like last time on ANZAC day.       

Key Stat – The last time to sweep the regular season 18-0 was the North Adelaide Rockets in 2018 famously led by a 45-year-old legend of basketball Jo Hill

COD Prediction: Sabres by 5 points

Men (Saturday 8:15pm)

LTTM: Sturt Sabres 88 (Forbes 26, Rasmussen 18, Rigoni 15, Brennan 13, Turnbull 8) defeated Eastern Mavericks 76 (Legan 26, Hemphill 24, Rentoy 11, Gur 8)

The Mavericks have had a stellar year considering their past five seasons – it’s been a long time since 2018 when they had more than four wins in a season with six wins that season. That’s the carrot that is needed for the Mavs to get up for one last crack in the season.

The Sabres however still have a task ahead of them after defeating Centrals 91-82 but then losing to desperate Warriors 96-85. It’s all on the shoulders of the Sabre J’s in Forbes (27 points and 13 rebounds and six assists and 16 points, 11 rebounds and six assists) and Rigoni (17 points and eight rebounds and 27 points and 19 rebounds and three assists) especially with Keanu Rasmussen missing the last few games. As a result, the steal count has been down with 11 and six steals across the weekend. They win and they could finish in third as they have the split over the Panthers – lose and they fall to fifth after dropping their split to the Warriors if they win.

The Sabres however win and rightfully secure their place in the finals…  

Key Stat – Sam Daly is the x-factor coming into finals with 12 points, two rebounds and five assists and 14 points, five rebounds and three assists over last weekend…

COD Prediction: Sabres by 9 points

Central Districts Lions vs Forestville Eagles – (St Clair – The Fortress)

LTTM: Forestville Eagles 72 (M Freer 29, Simons 20, A Brett 8) defeated Central Districts Lions 58 (Sears 26, Guy 18)

Women (Saturday 6:30pm)

It gets all mathematical for the Eagles women with their loss 93-76 to the Flames hurting their chances of sneaking in but its not impossible with De La Cerdaless Lions lineup. That however is not the issue for the Eagles but giving up extra opportunities to their opportunities was. Even though they went 1-1 with a win over the Warriors 74-79 they had 19 and 5 offensive rebounds but gave up to 24 versus the Warriors. If they get to 9-9 with results going their way can get into a three-way tie with Panthers and Rockets and have split over both

Some key criteria in that three-way tie as per the bylaws mentioned at the start include – Higher goal difference currently being with the Eagles with +17 and the highest goals scored with 303 to the Rockets. The Lions 1-16 record is not fully reflective of the decent season they’ve had in a strong competition – this Lions outfit would’ve given plenty of the mid-table teams of last season a decent run as well and like all teams in the bottom five last season are a better version of themselves.

In saying that the Eagles should take this one comfortably at get that all important ninth win then start getting the abacuses and the calculators out straight after tonight’s play…    

Key Stat – Jess Simons numbers were crucial to give them a chance – she lifted to an average of 21.5 points and eight rebounds…

COD Prediction: Eagles by 15 points

Men (Saturday 8:15pm)

LTTM: Forestville Eagles 107 (Mays 26, Doyle 22, Machar, Wilson 16, Jurecky 12, Rathjen 8) defeated Central Districts Lions 91 (Nai 25, Jenkins 20, Baker 14, Sapwell 12, Bol 10)

One thing apparent on Andy Simons clipboard this week would be the lack of D’s all over his notes. That’s something he’ll want to tidy up in his Eagles this weekend against the “wandering” Lions after conceding an average of 105.5 points last round. In terms of splitting the results he has Greg Mays who continues to be underrated with 42 and 33 points respectively this past weekend. In playing Centrals they can lock up top two with a 13th win but an upset loss which Sapwell’s group is capable of and they rely on the Panthers and Sabres below them could be a three way tie – they hold splits over both giving them the advantage.

The Lions on their night can be an offensive powerhouse but the Eagles will want to make sure of this… 

Key Stat – You are flirting with form if you give up an average of 48.5 percent from the field to your opposition – that’s what the Eagles did last weekend…

COD Prediction: Eagles by 18 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 15 between the South Adelaide Panthers and the Woodville Warriors on Kayo and Kayo Freebies tonight.

NBL1 – Australia’s League

Please continue to support SA basketball news and features content being written as well as national/international with the Pick and Roll – with our influx of work we are making content all free to read but need constant contributions to make this happen. $5 a month is all we are asking – If not keen to subscribe then please message to receive direct debit details how you can keep these quality features being produced

Renai Fejo headlines the First Nations players to take the court for the second part of the round - with a sister vs sister matchup Sunday afternoon the whole family is here to see  - Picture by Jo Bomford for First Nations Round

3-Minute Read

Round 14 Part Two

Saturday 8/07/2023 and Sunday 9/07/2023

Sturt Sabres vs Central District Lions – (Springbank – The Cave)

LTTM: Central District Lions 68 (Guy 24, Sears 18, De La Cerda 16) defeated by Sturt Sabres 120 (Williams 22, Brazel 20, N Mathews 14, Padroth 12, Rigoni 11, M Walker-Roberts 10, Hodges 10)

Women (Saturday 6:30pm)

The Sabres secure in first but the one things that separates this unit from others in previous seasons it appears is that it genuinely rates every opposition as a challenger to its streak of now fifteen straight wins – the Lions inspired by their two First Nations athletes in Renai Fejo and Evei Kleinig will be eyeing off the final three games including tomorrow’s Kayo game of the week to finish off one of the strongest seasons in recent memory for the Blue, Red and White.

It’s a challenge Tim Shortt is embracing taking each team as they come and has done the smart thing throwing his different pieces in at various times through the season. Tonight, he can throw in players like Mia Walker-Roberts, Paige Padroth, Emma Roach and Maddy Hinton to sharpen the iron of his side ready for the finals challenge ahead.

The Lions will be keen to atone for the last time they played them where they got smacked – it was a watershed night in some ways for Centrals as they found an ultra-competitive edge after that nearly toppling the Bearcats, Mavericks, Warriors. The last few rounds however have been a concern with an average margin loss of 38.6 points but tonight would be a good time to put in one of those efforts.

Sabres will make it 16 but I expect the Lions to be closer than the last time they met – minus Brazel and Hodges…      

Key Stat – The Lions got smacked in all the key areas last time they met including minus 15 in assists, -26 rebounds and had 26 turnovers…  

COD Prediction: Sabres by 14 points

Men (Saturday 8:15pm)

LTTM: Central District Lions 55 (Jenkins 23, Sapwell 16, Nai 9) defeated by Sturt Sabres 99 (Rigoni 27, Forbes 18, Rasmussen 14, Brennan, Dowdell, English, Nash 9)

The “Wandering Lions” have been one of the most awkward teams to play in season 2023 – you just don’t know what you are going to get from this group but when all of them hunt in a pack they can rip you apart quickly which the Sturt Sabres need to be aware of especially teetering currently in fourth position on the NBL1 table.

The Sabres J’s have been the catalyst across the second half of the season with the duo of Jordan Forbes and Jacob Rigoni producing some eye-catching numbers. They both average 37.9 points, 16.9 rebounds, 8.3 assists and carry a combined plus minus of 28.5.

The Lions can play spoiler to the finals race playing a key role on where the Sabres and the Eagles after their loss last night will finish in the final round. In some ways it makes the Lions more dangerous than ever as they can play with reckless abandon which in some ways sums up their first season under Sapwell. They have had flashes of brilliance hard to contain but then have had moments of madness where its young dumb and on the run.

The Sabres still have a bit to play through with another matchup against the Warrior the following day, but it’ll be a tough night this one with a Lions team now with not much to lose.      

Key Stat – In the Sabres losses the Sabre’s Js have been kept to 17 points, sub 30 percent from the three-point arc and 6.3 rebounds…

COD Prediction: Sabres by 8 points

North Adelaide vs Southern Tigers – (Lights – The Launch Pad)

LTTM: Southern Tigers 83 (McKendrick 36, Yaeger 14, Hernandez 13, Bartsch 12) defeated North Adelaide Rockets 61 (Basham 18, Mansfield 10, Zbierski 8)

Women (Saturday 6:30pm)

If at the start of the round this one was a pivotal game – it just elevated itself to another level after Thursday and Friday nights results.

The Rockets lost a spanner from their finals push as they fell to the inform Mavs and again the post play of an opposition team caused serious problems for the Red and White. It’s been the one part I’ve looked about their lineup they have not been able to settle but thought they might coming into these final weeks of the regular season. They missed Tayla Corrigan on Friday night but even with her it’s still bee a problem for them.

The Tigers might have found more reason to hurt the Rockets in that area thanks to the performance of import Brittany Hernandez. All season the Tigers have missed that inside presence consistently, but the Colorado Springs Mountain Lion has roared in recent times with an average of 12.5 points and 9.25 rebounds.

The Rockets haven’t beaten the Tigers since their grand final season of 2021 in the last game of the regular season – it’s been Southern with a 4-0 record and it’s hard to see the Rockets topple the terrific Tigers with the form they are in heading to the right end of the season.        

Key Stat – The Mavs produced 36 points in the paint Friday night thanks to Jannon Otto and the Tigers Hernandez helping the Tigers to 34 points – that’s the danger numbers for the Rockets.     

COD Prediction: Tigers by 9 points

Men (Saturday 8:15pm)

LTTM: Southern Tigers 76 (Dau 29, Johnson 18, Logan 17, Green 12) defeated by North Adelaide Rockets 90 (McCalop 24, Harrap 20, Aliir 16, McDonald 15, Carlisle 11)

The Rockets did what they needed to do to stay alive but must beware the Tigers who showed signs against the Panthers.

Although they sit in seventh now Rogers Rockets are still in the firing line with the winless Tigers and the Flames to finish the season. The Tigers have the dangling carrot in front of them of grabbing one last elusive win in a tough development season for new coach Scott Freer. Like any side he’ll need to throw a number of different looks at a Rockets team which has trouble guarding unpredictability.

The importance of their win Friday night means the belief is maybe still there they can be more than what we are seeing – if they take care of the result we get to find out next weekend.    

Key Stat – The Rockets in their wins give up an average of 82.1 points

COD Prediction: Rockets by 15 points

South Adelaide Panthers vs Norwood Flames – (Mitchell Park – The Jungle)

LTTM: Norwood Flames 73 (Thompson 25, Kerridge 20, Wilson 8) defeated by South Adelaide Panthers 103 (Spencer 24, DeFrancesco 23, Johnson 16, Gibbons 13, Forbes 10, McDonald 8)

Women (Saturday 6:30pm)

The Panthers are just clawing onto fifth place right now while the Flames overcame some Eagles surging to put them firmly into the race for top two.

Wilson continues to be the unstoppable force across the back end of season 2023 but it’s the combination of Kerridge, Thompson, Rice, Akuen, Smith and the band of young juniors that have come through that now in my mind have them almost the main challenger to the Sabres now.

The Panthers where do you start, the end is looking nigh sadly after a large amount of time up the top of the table for three seasons and three preliminary finals which is still a strong showing – it looks like they may miss the finals for the first time since pre-covid. Yes I know they are in fifth right now but with West Adelaide’s run and the Eagles having the Warriors and the Lions to finish it’s starting to look out of their hands. Then I have to remember back to the semi-final of 2022.

The Panthers got done by the Sabres in the qualifying finals before then taking out the in-form Flames – when the form-line is in the Flames favour in recent history then the Panthers through Wilson stopper Hannah Stewart come to the fore.

The difference this time is some Rice that is cooking right now – Jada Rice and that’s why the Flames will grab this one just…      

Key Stat – It got worst for the Panthers on Thursday night now with 20.5 quarters where they have scored 15 or less in the season

COD Prediction: Flames by 5 points

Men (Saturday 8:15pm)

LTTM: Norwood Flames 80 (Stanwix 18, Nuangki 15, Lycett 14, Smith, Webber 13) defeated by South Adelaide Panthers 84 (Johnson 27, Starling 15, McVeigh 14, Johns 13, Barton 11)

Two blockbuster games in one night with now the other Flames unit starting to hit boiling point now having taken out both the top two this season.

It was a refreshing chat with Tim Odell on Friday night post-game after their upset of the Eagles in what I described to him one of his finest wins in his short career at the top. The man knows his x’s and o’s and identifies the gaps in his roster with a significant piece moved on he found the piece to insert which has made the starting five very dynamic. It’s a lineup that guards 1-5 all over the floor, all players can have their night and it can still rim protect and get on that glass.

Ninnis no doubt would have found Thursday night challenging trying to motivate his guys to lift their game enough to make sure they took care of the result – knowing this Flames team is the one he wants his Panthers to douse down on. A confident Starling looms the game breaker having caused big problems last time as did DJ – but he would’ve seen the Flames have some men on the floor that can guard those two. Todd Davies form resurgence is timely as Ninnis needs a couple more winners and a fully fit Jarryd Hoppo – Curtis Scott also is showing some signs as the backup point.

This is a tight one to call and could go either way – until someone can guard DJ properly like the Panthers themselves did last season he looms the difference and the match winner overall.     

Key Stat – Win or lose, DJ is still averaging 23 points per game

COD Prediction: Panthers by 4 points

West Adelaide Bearcats vs Eastern Mavericks – (Port Adelaide – The Bearcat Cave)

LTTM: Eastern Mavericks 67 (Otto 25, Bradley 16, Levy 12, Formby 8) defeated by West Adelaide Bearcats 83 (Fejo 29, Coleman 16)

Women (Saturday 6:30pm)

The Mavs women are on a roll having won three in a row for the first time since 2019 when they had Brooke Basham and Halls Medallist Carmen Tyson-Thomas. It signals the “Kelson” affect is coming into play with a danger contest now firmly in the sites of the Bearcats.

Amazingly despite the roller coaster season the Bearcats championship defence is still very much on with the ladder opening up with the Panthers, Rockets and Eagles all going down the last few evenings. It’ll be largely on the shoulders of Jasmin Fejo but Andrea Aquino’s battle against Otto also will be a battle royal for both sides.

The Bearcats having not played yet this weekend get this one at home considering things have turned around somewhat for them but again don’t rule out the Mavs from causing another upset and rolling in for win number four in a row  

Key Stat – The Bearcat cave hasn’t been the sanctuary for West it was in 2022 having only won three of their eight matches at home this season…  

COD Prediction: Bearcats by 11 points

Men (Saturday 8:15pm)

LTTM: Eastern Mavericks 91 (Rentoy 29, Hemphill 26, Legan 16, Raneburg 12) defeated by West Adelaide Bearcats 117 (Drmic 37, Olbrich 31, McCarron 14, Roxburgh 10, DeSantis 9, Stock 8)

The Mavs would be disappointed they couldn’t keep with the Rockets in the second half and would be keen to make sure they stay competitive for four quarters against the Bearcats who got them in the second half the last time they met.

The Bearcats have missed Drmic the last few matches but now is an ideal time to get some game time into the likes of Lachlan Hunter and the rest to try and sharpen up for their finals run ahead.

Bearcats should get this one but the Mavs as we know can pour it in offensively.    

Key Stat – Hemphill and Olbrich had a great battle last time – they both are in terrific touch averaging over 20 plus points between them heading into this one again

COD Prediction: Bearcats by 12 points

Woodville Warriors vs Forestville Eagles – (St Clair – The Fortress)

LTTM: Forestville Eagles 71 (Simons 18, M Freer 14, Annetts 10, A Brett, K Brett, Morello 8) defeated by Woodville Warriors 74 (E Winter 23, Fransson 21, Allotey 11)

Women (Saturday 6:30pm)

The Eagles were there abouts on Friday night with Simons finding some quality touch and Maddy Freer starting the game on fire.

The Warriors we know dominated the rebound count the last time they met to get the win and Winter in the form of Emily was difficult to counteract on the fast break – her recent form has seen her back to where she was in her first season when she burst onto the scene.

The importance of the Eagles to grab this one given the implications of the ladder means it’s a must win – drop this and they may gift other teams their position in the five…

Key Stat – Rebounding is gold in this one – it went the Warriors way with 47-33 last time

COD Prediction: Eagles by 7 points

Men (Saturday 8:15pm)

LTTM: Forestville Eagles 86 (Machar 20, Mays, Rathjen 19, Doyle 16) defeated by Woodville Warriors 72 (Stepney 18, Jackson 15, McGee 13, Janssan 12)

If it weren’t for Greg Mays on Friday night the Eagles loss may have a bigger spotlight shone on it. Despite two losses in a row though they sit in a pretty good position to finish in the top two – but none of the remaining teams below them have an easy run either…

Is this where we see the best of the Warriors men though – in 2022 when they were staring down uncertainty and doubt they respond. However, I think it’s a bit more like the Panthers women where they have had a massive run at the top for multiple seasons, nailed their import choices and the other challengers just have more consistent depth.

I think the Eagles pinch this one just – but the Warriors have proved me wrong countless times and it being their first game of the weekend you just never know…

Key Stat – The Eagles Friday night against the Flames shot 56 percent from the field across the game but shot just the 16 percent from the three point line in the final quarter…

COD Prediction: Eagles by 6 points

Woodville Warriors vs Sturt Sabres – (St Clair – The Fortress)

LTTM: Sturt Sabres 86 (Williams 16, Z Walker-Roberts 15, Prosser 13, Brazel 10, N Mathews 8) defeated Woodville Warriors 57 (E Winter 12, Fransson 11)

Women (Sunday 1:30pm)

The Warriors will fancy their chances against the Sabres after nearly taking out the Eagles and the Lions having such an impact last night. The Sabres however found a way to win last night again and I don’t see that changing too much.

COD Prediction: Sabres by 11 points

Men (Sunday 3:15pm)

LTTM: Sturt Sabres 89 (Rigoni 17, Rasmussen 16, Turnbull 14, Forbes 12, Brennan 8) defeated Woodville Warriors 84 (McGee 17, Janssan 12, Maiorana 11, Ficken, Osborne, Stepney 8)

Stepney did everything but haul the Warriors across the line but how much did last night take it out of them heading into this one? The Sabres held off a tricky Lions outfit to jump two wins ahead of the Flames after their loss last night. With the Warriors needing a must win now – I think they’ll find a way to get an elusive win

COD Prediction: Warriors by 3 points

Central District Lions vs West Adelaide Bearcats – (Starplex – The Den)

Women (Sunday 3:30pm)

LTTM: West Adelaide Bearcats 69 (Fejo 24, Aquino 16, Coleman 12) defeated Central District Lions 62 (De La Cerda 15, Guy, Sears 14)

The Lions were competitive last night and will be no easy task Sunday afternoon. The Bearcats grabbed an important win that keeps them in the hunt and a tenth of the season will put them back into finals contention.

COD Prediction: Bearcats by 6 points

Men (Sunday 5:30pm)

LTTM: West Adelaide Bearcats 110 (Drmic 28, Olbrich 26, McCarron 17, Roxburgh 15, DeSantis 14, Stock 10) defeated Central District Lions 99 (Jenkins 31, Nai 27, Manyang 25, Sapwell 12)

It took one powerful quarter to shake the Mavs for West – its likely to happen again sometime today.

COD Prediction: Bearcats by 14 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 14 between the Central Districts Lions and the West Adelaide Bearcats on Kayo and Kayo Freebies Sunday.

NBL1 – Australia’s League

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