Tigers Teige Morrell (#3) and Bearcats Jennie Rintala (#31) launch for the tip off in their Round 2 clash – photo by NBL1/Ryan Rintala
If Tiger Teige becomes an “Aussie”, WNBL clubs will come knocking
The Southern Tigers are undefeated after six rounds and leading the way for their charge is import centre Teige Morrell. Averaging 18.3 points and 4 offensive and defensive rebounds per game she has already chalked up three double doubles in an impressive start to this season. She’s been in the country with husband and NBL1 Mens coach David Morrell for quite a number of years and with the pair quite settled, citizenship can’t be too far away at that means without using up an import spot, WNBL clubs will most certainly come knocking for her services as an “Aussie”.
You have to beat the “Sturt System” to win the state title
Despite dropping a game to the now top of the table Tigers in round one, the Sturt Sabres I am convinced remain the team you must beat to win the league this season. While its impressive what offensive weapons they have in star guard Jade Johnson, power forward import Kylee Smith and the Mathews sisters its what John Turnbull’s side do at the defensive end of the floor that continues to rattle the opposition. The whole team no matter what five is on the court is in complete sync, can stop a scoring opposition run in its tracks and continues to bat away the contenders week in and week out. Whichever team can be there at the end and unlock the “Sturt System” will deservedly take the title.
Despite the late Simons signing, we underestimated the Forestville Eagles
In my power rankings I had the Forestville Eagles sitting around fifth or sixth prior to the season. I had already identified that while they had some key bigs, the wings looked like a huge gaping hole and that the side in its front court would be quite one-dimensional. The signature of Sam Simons dropping of course was the missing piece as it added the dimension the Eagles have been missing however with injuries to star guards Brooke Basham and Aimee Brett, you’d be forgiven for thinking their record should’ve been lower than what it is. Its scary to think that after only losing one game to last year’s ABC champs the Sabres the Eagles are not even at full strength yet and even when they do; coach Simon Pritchard has them going and its clear I underestimated them prior to the season.
Stewart is the South Adelaide Panthers key to making next bracket
The South Adelaide Panthers are making a run at the title this year with their recruiting and their form already however if you can stop former WNBL Players and league stars Olivia Thompson and Ash “Splash” Spencer then most think that you can shut them down. What is proving to be the key to the Panthers finishing in the lower half of the top five and the next bracket is the emergence of young tenacious guard Hannah Stewart. Stewart in the Panthers wins averages 10.4 points, 3 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 2 assists showing her efficiency. She also blankets the star guards with one of her key performances standing out on ANZAC day for coach Richard Dickel holding Ally Wilson to 15 points and 2 assists; her lowest assist count of the season.
We still aren’t quite sure where West are at
Looking at the Bearcats list prior to the season, you cannot really identify where exactly they are in the big picture of things and after five games at 3-3; I still can’t see. There is a solid 50/50 divide in the playing roster with some quality veterans like Skye Langenbrinck, a star centre in Jennie Rintala and some really solid young talent in Abby Brenton, Keeley Pearce and Isabella Woosnam. With games against the Warriors, Eagles and Sabres, the next month will tell us a lot whether the Bearcats are contenders or are battling to make the top five.
Ortlepp could single-handedly launch Rockets into finals run
If there is a player in the league that can lift their team to the finals its utility and all-round 23-year-old super star Taylor Ortlepp. The 2020 Adelaide Lightning roster player has had an outstanding start to the season averaging 19.2 points, 7 rebounds, 3.8 assists per game along with two double doubles for the North Adelaide Rockets and without her, it would be a struggle to see the other Rockets players having the impact that they are having under coach Brenton Johnson.
When the young core play elite, the Flames are a finals lock
The Norwood Flames are an interesting proposition and teams are already starting to lock down some of the star power they have. Led by star guard Ally Wilson, solid veteran and league X-Factor Genna Anderson and an inform Bride Kennedy-Hopoate the Flames will always be in the contest. Their wins however have been built on the contributions of their next unit with coach Derrick Washington Junior putting some “faith” in players like Chelsea Apacible, Sophie Kerridge, Georgie Garrad and Paige Kennihan. When they fire the Flames win and that is what will be the difference between them being a lock or just missing the five come end of July.
Winter is a storm to be reckoned within the country
When you play for an outstanding team in the Mt Gambier Pioneers you can fly under the radar in terms of the nation. Well its no secret and with the added exposure of the NBL1 branding in South Australia, the former Pioneer in Emily Winter is now attracting the attention she deserves. She is producing some career high numbers as the star of her team. In 2019 Winter averaged 11.52 points, 7.13 rebounds and shot the ball at 33 percent; in that season Amanda Frost and Pachiyaana Roberts were ahead of her in the statistical area. Compare that to being the number one in the Warriors line-up she is destroying those numbers with 21.8 points, 13.66 rebounds and is shooting the ball at 38.5 percent. They are some serious numbers that will have several WNBL clubs scrambling for her phone number if she keeps producing those numbers and importantly eeking out some wins for Woodville.
We need to see more of Allie Garcia on the court for Mavs
Its very clear the Eastern Mavericks are lacking some import presence that the other teams have but as is said the window of opportunity opens when this situation occurs. One of those is the minutes of young guard Allie Garcia need to increase. She may make some turnover errors but I love the way she’s going about her early NBL1 Central career already. The Mavs will lose nothing by giving her some extended minutes and seeing her rise up before our very eyes on the national stage.
The Lions are able to rebuild with everyone watching with key pieces in place
Lets be clear, it’s a rebuild no doubt but perhaps this time the pieces are in place for a solid two to three year plan for incoming coach Scott Herriman. He’s landed a talented centre from the NT in April Rummery-Lamb producing some great numbers, got a good mid core in Casey Banwell, Rebecca Wells, Sam Kennett and hopefully a revitalised Meaza Otto and some exciting youthful talent in Shelby Lee-Sutcliffe, Evei Kleinig, Madi Curry and Sarah Deng. The great thing is we’ll watch the rebuild weekly, look for the little things and while some nights are gonna be ugly; it looks like there is a plan in place and that’s a good sign for Lions.
NBL1 Central Womens is full of future WNBL talent that clubs should be looking at
The single biggest attraction of NBL1 Central is the talent that is on display of the future of not only Adelaide Lightning potential players but also the WNBL. The number of incredible 18–25-year-olds is amazing with a high ceiling that some of them aren’t close to reaching led by Sam Simons the recent Adelaide Lightning signing but names like Jade Johnson, Aimee Cotton, Abby Brenton and Hannah Stewart just to name a few are worth your money and presence at games to watch weekly.
Written by Tristan Prentice
CROSS OVER DRIBBLE 