There’s only three teams that could continue the perfect start to their season with wins this weekend. Will the “splash sisters” continue the Panthers unbeaten run, can the Sabres lock down Wilson again to join them at the top, will Terry Winn continue the winning run for the Rockets men and which of the “mid-range marvel” and the “next step” take their team into another position up the table. Here’s the preview of this weekend’s NBL1 Central Round 6…
One half of the "Splash Sisters" in Ash Spencer has been on fire this season already averaging 28.5 points of the Panthers 82 per game. Picture by Snap Shot Photography
5-Minute Read
Saturday 7/05/2022
Eastern Mavericks vs Forestville Eagles – (St Francis – The Shooting Gallery)
Women (6:30pm)
The Mavs women have been considerably unlucky this season so far and perhaps a return to the Shooting Gallery for a second week in a row can help them get their winning ways happening. The Eagles though are contending for the top five and with Sam Simons leading the way third in the competition for points (25.5), second in assists (6) and tenth in steals (2.5) is who they must stop. She was the difference in 2021 when they snuck home 68-69 and tonight’s match looks to be the same type of game. This time though I think the Mavs who need to get some reward for effort can get this one at home.
Key Stat – Ball security is the game breaker here, the Mavs average 11.3 steals per game; the Eagles 9.8
ESPN Prediction: Mavericks by 1 point
Men (8:15pm)
The Leg-an up has arrived for the Mavs in the form of import James Legan who I flagged weeks ago as the player who averaged 20 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 33 percent beyond the arc in 20 games in 2018 for the Norwood Flames. His presence alone along with McCalop’s initial season form bring this game into a much closer contest than before. After reading the headline “Simo furious” on my socials I thought the AFL were covering the reaction from the Eagles camp last Saturday night but alas no doubt a similar reaction from their head coach Andy Simons I think will see a very fired up Forestville in this one. Do not expect certain players to lodge a donut two weeks in a row, I’m predicting a 30-40 point game from him alone in response and the Eagles to close this out after the Mavs battle hard for three and a bit quarters.
Key Stat – Last week the Eagles were 31 percent from the field and 21 percent from beyond the perimeter compared to their season average of 44.3 and 28.9.
ESPN Prediction: Eagles by 7 points
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The AU Waatu are representing South Australia well in the UBL, here’s your catchup as to what’s happened in Round 5 of the UBL for the Waatu…
The "Waatu" Men had some players step up over Round 5 like Luke Mollett who nearly had a triple double of 9 points, 8 assists and rebounds against the Falcons. Photo by Picture IT Sport Photography
The Adelaide University Waatu continued their UBL season in Round 5 with the Men grabbing a clean sweep at home 4-0 as they knocked off the Curtin Uni Carnabys and the Federation Uni Falcons with some coaching and NBL royalty in the house. The Women fought hard with spirit and nearly grabbed their first win of the season against the Falcons.
Read on about the home games in Round 5…
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Waatu Men sweep Carnabys and Falcons to jump into Four
The Waatu Men kept ABH Gym a fortress as they won both their home fixtures to jump into fourth place on the UBL table behind Sydney Tech, Sydney Uni and Victoria Uni.
That started with a solid 82-66 win over the Curtin Uni Carnabys led in coaching by 482 NBL game legend of the Perth Wildcats Ricky Grace off the back of a 28-18 start led by Lachy Hunter of the other red and black team of SA, the West Adelaide Bearcats. Hunter was unstoppable all week in a rich vein of form as he registered 28 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 blocks. Toby Hunt had the first quarter dominance to setup the win with 11 points to finish with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists while fellow Sabre Harry Reemst dished out 11 assists to go with his 10 point and 7 rebound double double. The Carnaby’s had two of their young NBL1 guns played very well for them in Perth Redbacks Lachlan Bertram (31 points and 5 rebounds) and Tobias Martin (19 points).
The Waatu Men were dominant against the Carnabys in Round 5 led by several sources. Photo supplied by Adelaide University Sport
The Waatu then knocked off the Fed Uni Falcons 93-71 comfortably despite being led by 518 NBL game legend Ray Borner. Hunter again went hunting for the Waatu with 31 points and 19 rebounds (6 offensive) and a couple of thunderous dunk while Hunt fed much of Hunter with 10 assists and a 14 point double double. There were special contributions from backup players stepping up in Luke Mollett (9 points, 8 assists and rebounds), Jun Datario (16 points), Patrick Moriarty (10 points and 6 rebounds) and Sam Homburg (7 points and 12 rebounds). The 27 -14 second quarter setup the win with 18 points in the paint and 15 fast break points. Lachlan Drummond was best for the Falcons with 21 points and Connor Carey chalked up 8 points and assists.
The Waatu now sit 4th on the ladder heading into their next games against University of Melbourne and top four contender Victoria University…
Waatu Womenfall just short of Falcons for First
Our women showed some quality basketball in patches and nearly were able to put it all together to get their first win of the season at ABH Gym. After sticking with them early 14-22, the Waatu were outdone by the Curtin Uni Carnabys 35-105. Tamika Reid was the most consistent throughout the match for the Waatu with 15 points and 12 rebounds along with Evie Lovell with 10 points in a team already missing Lateasha Lambert and Abby Lowman. The NBL1 weapons of the Carnabys were evident with Joondalup Wolves Akim Lual dropping 31 points and 7 rebounds, Perth Redbacks Shenae Hartree with 21 points at 64.3 percent and 11 rebounds dominated for the away side.
Tamika Reid (pictured) had a big couple of games for the Waatu Womens this week. Photo supplied by Adelaide University Sport
It was oh so close in the second game of the week as the women fell just short to the Fed Uni Falcons 60-65. Lovell was huge for the home side with 19 points and 6 assists while Josephine Harris had clearly her best hit out of the season with 14 points and 17 rebounds. The Waatu had the lead after three quarters and looked like they may be able to break their duck but the Falcons swooped defensively and on the back of a 3-15 last quarter were composed in the last minutes when it counted. The Falcons were led by Layla Iglesias with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists, Alison McMahon with 18 points and 12 rebounds and Elisa Pica with 14 points
The Waatu women will close out their season against University of Melbourne and Victoria University on the road next week with the first game a chance to grab that elusive win.
RD 5 Men AU Waatu 82 (Hunter 28, Hunt 15, Stefanovic 12, Fassos 11, Reemst 10) defeated Curtin Uni Carnabys 66 (Bertram 31, Martin 19, Griechen 7)
It was a weekend full of surprises as the deadly Fejo lights up the Bearcats, Jeremy Smith steals win from the Lions for the Panthers, McCalop monster can’t rile Rigoni’s Sabres and Mikayla Williams puts Tigers to the Sabre. Here’s the Round 5 wrap of the NBL1 Central 2022…
This Humphries ain't silent, David dropped a season high 33 points at 59 percent, 10 rebounds, 5 steals and assists in the Warriors crushing win over the Eagles. Picture by Luke J Media
5-Minute Read
Saturday 30/04/22
Woodville Warriors vs Forestville Eagles
Simons unstoppable as Eagles ease over Warriors
Sam Simons once again proved the difference as the Forestville Eagles comfortably overcame the Woodville Warriors 58-78 at the Castle. Simons dropped 31 points with 4-6 triples, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals while Rachel Hines found her range with 17 points with 3 of 4 from beyond the arc along with 3 assists and rebounds. The Eagles put the game away early in the third quarter opening with a 2-13 run that shut any chance of a Warriors a fightback after leading 44-31 at the main break. The Warriors got big second halves from Emily Winter who finished with a double double of 19 points, 11 rebounds and 6 steals while Regan Tunour-McCarty ended up with 15 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.
Warriors hold fortress, lock up Eagles in incredible performance
The Warriors shocked the Doyle/DJ laden Forestville Eagles not just a little bit but in a canter as they locked them up at the Castle 108-57. The Warriors were switched on from the get-go shooting over 50 percent from the field while the Eagles could only manage 20 percent in the first half. 22 points in the first half to guard Nick Wurm at 85 percent set the scene for an incredible performance from the home side as they won every statistical category imaginable. Wurm finished with 28 points at 61 percent with 6 triples but it was David Humphries that made sure there would not even be a sniff with a season high 33 points at 59 percent, 10 rebounds, 5 steals and assists. The Eagles did not score over 20 in each quarter with Adam Doyle (14 points) and Brandon Brine (10 points) the best for the Eagles; Daniel Johnson in return to the league for first time since 2018 did not score for the whole contest in nine attempts…
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CROSS OVER DRIBBLE 