Category: Basketball Features

Photo Credit – VU Vulture Sports

3-Minute Read

Women

It took a late charge for the AU Waatu to eventually takedown the spirited VU Vultures on their home floor 50-56 at the Victoria University Community & Sports Stadium in Footscray.

Bella Woosnam (Exercise and Sports Science) rustled up the opening points for the Waatu, but Chelsea Suemai and Reyana Guzel were proving to be problems early. Woosnam picked up her seventh of the term with the tip in off the o-board with Meaza Otto (Health and Medical Science) compiling some key points in the tight opening term. The Vultures however continued to dry up the points for the Waatu with Flick Theodore edging them in front 18-11 after one.

The Vultures after some early struggles of performances continued to challenge the Waatu through some grinding defensive work throwing everything at them. Woosnam pushed the Waatu closer 22-18, but the Vultures capitalised again through Suemai to pull the home side out to a 32-19 lead. Otto’s triple just before the half though cut it back to a ten-point game 32-22 with a half to go.

Coach Lachlan Coppick made some changes at the half with Jemima Whitton (Viticulture/Oenology) responding with a bevy of points as she attacked the cup dragging it back to a two-basket game 36-30. Suemai was a strong contributor for the Vultures but star recruit for the Waatu in Caitlin Shillabeer (Physiotherapy) started to get moving to help the Waatu stay in touch winning the term and cutting it to 41-36 with one to play.

Despite plenty of petrol tickets expelled by the homeside they continued to keep the Waatu at arm’s length leading by eight with five minutes to go – it was Shillabeer from area code that started to finally make inroads on the Vultures. Her back-to-back triples coupled with an Otto jumper and timely triple finally bridging the gap with Shillabeer putting the Waatu in front with a tough contested finish for the first time since the opening minutes in the match 49-50. Opportunities started to emerge for the Waatu but couldn’t finish their work till Otto grabbed the huge steal and finished the strong layup. The Waatu’s pressure getting to the Vultures as they conceded a 1-6 run in the finish.

Shillabeer with 11 in the final term notched 17 points, nine rebounds with three steals and two blocks emerged as the player of the game closely shadowed by Whitton’s third term to give her nine points, seven rebounds and four steals. Woosnam was consistent throughout the match with 12 points and seven rebounds and Otto’s 12 points, five rebounds and four steals helped total 17 steals for the Waatu. Chelsea Suemai was strong in the first half lead gathering with 14 points, 12 rebounds and Brodie Hillier grabbing eight points, nine rebounds and three steals for the homeside.  

Men

The Waatu Men copped a blow despite a golden debut performance from the VU Vultures as they took their first win of the UBL season in a close encounter in the suburbs of Victoria 87-84.

While missing key scorers Harry Bruce and Emil Kourani – the more than handy debut of South Adelaide Panther Curtis Scott would help the Waatu up their punch in potential points and other key numbers for the match. It started with 0-6 start through Scott and Bailey Nathan (Computer Science) attacking the cup then draining some key triples, but Cooper Kirkman soared the Vultures back into the contest 8-17 with some timely triples of his own. A 6-0 run from the Vultures led by Mayuol Makuac and Jack Gandolfo cut it back to 19-21 before Scott finished off his debut opening term with another triple to make it 19-24 at the first change.

Ayual Garang (Architectural Design) stretched the margin at the start of the second term with a triple, but Bailey Bruce of the Vultures strung some key baskets together to bring it back close to level. Thomas Mestrov (Maths/Computer Science) kept the scoreboard ticking over but the movement of the ball and the execution of plays was stifled by the homeside for the Waatu. Mason Gaze coming off a big week for the family came out charging out of the timeout for VU as he paired nine points together in the final two minutes from the charity stripe and beyond the arc to give the Vultures the 48-38 lead at the half.

The Waatu fought back at the start of the third through captain Isaac Hampel (Electrical Engineering) and Scott returning the margin to 51-47. Garang got himself involved as well with the make in close with Scott and Hampel cutting it back even further with multiple baskets. The Waatu hitting the front finally after Scott made yet another strong layup and Ahmed Nawasany (Computer Science) put them in front with the floater 62-63 with one to play.

Scott began the fourth with another two strong baskets in close, but Makuac was not letting it go for VU. Gandolfo’s deep step-back triple levelled things up again 73-73 a piece with Garang finishing creatively for back-to-back baskets. Nawasany hit the important triple again, but Bailey Bruce made some key plays before Gandolfo once again made one go down from deep as did Makuac to give them back the lead 83-82. Out of the timeout from Scott Freer – Gandolfo picked Scott’s pocket giving Bruce the chance for more free throws making both successfully.

The Waatu grabbed the steal off the next play to cut it back to a point through Hampel, but Makuac was sent back to the line at the other end – making both 87-84. One play left for the Waatu to send it to overtime, Nathan fed it to Garang and got it back for the three-point look but was blocked by Bruce. Garang regathered the ricochet ball but his second triple attempt sailed wide of the target as VU grabbed their first win of the season and dealt a blow to the Waatu heading to the bye mid-season.

Curtis Scott was golden on debut with 31 points, seven assists and rebounds with three steals with Garang bringing 14 points with 13 rebounds nearly continuing their winning ways. The game of Mayuol Makuac however was the standout with 20 points with five triples, six rebounds and four assists well supported by Bailey Bruce with 17 points and Jack Gandolfo with 16 points with three triples and three assists.

The Waatu head into the club mid-season bye with the Women on a 3-2 record in 5^th and the Men on a 2-3 record in 8^th with big games upcoming against UWA Maali on Thursday September 11                                                      

Women – VU Vultures 50 (Suemai 14, De Riter, Hillier, Guzel 8) defeated by AU Waatu 56 (Shillabeer 17, Otto, Woosnam 12, Whitton 9)

Men – VU Vultures 87 (Makuac 20, B Bruce 17, Gandolfo 16) defeated AU Waatu 84 (C Scott 31, Garang 14, Hampel, Nathan, Nawasany 9)           

Catch all the action from this Thursday September 11 from 12:30pm ACDT on the UBL website and stay tuned to the crossoverdribble for match reports and features throughout the season.

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Photo Credit – Anthony Furina (AU) – Meaza Otto pictured in the first home games rattled off a game defining 24 points on the road to snare the points

3-Minute Read

Men    

The Waatu Men have continued their undefeated UBL record against the Fed Falcons with another all-around and beyond arc display to strike gold again in Ballarat 70-107 at the Fed Sport and Recreation Centre.  

Angus Crosby (Physiotherapy) got things rolling for the Waatu in a tight opening term – Bailey Nathan (Computer Science) picking up his mark from outside with multiple triples. Standing in their way was Luke Logan (Eight first term points) as the best for the Falcons made money from outside in the land of plenty. Harry Bruce (Commerce) closed out the first quarter with some timely makes on schedule to make it 26-29 after one.

Waatu burst out of the second term break with a quick 0-7 run led by Ayual Garang (The architectural designer with five quick points) executing the plans for the Waatu as FED coach Tyler Kennedy took the timeout 26-36. The Waatu upped their defensive intensity to clamp down on the home side but an off balance make from Matthew McAuliffe finally got the Falcons going breaking a 0-15 run. Bruce (15 points) however closed it out with a triple to take Scott Freer’s crew to a comprehensive 32-51 lead into the main change.

Isaac Hampel (the Engineer electrical with 13 points) sparked with a triple then followed it up with another then created the play on the rim to give him eight quick points. Heath McPherson made a cameo for the home side with some timely baskets but chipping into the margin was not easy as the Waatu maintained control. Crosby (15 points and four rebounds) continued to be active with ball in hand with Garang fancy with ball in hand crossing over his opponent and blowing by for the two off the window pushing the Waatu out beyond thirty with Lachlan Drummond and Carly Baptiste cutting it back slightly to a 48-75 three quarter time margin.

Trying to bring them back into the game Drummond nailed some quick shots with an aggressive layup and a turn around jumper with Freer calling the timeout just to settle down the away side 55-82. Thomas Mestrov (Banking & Finance) responded best on the numbers with five points of his own with Garang’s tip in pushing it out further and to pine time. Mitch Cretan nailed the triple in his first minutes before Everett Webb scored his first points in Waatu colours with a triple to complete the comprehensive 70-107 performance at Fed Sports and Recreation Centre.

With six players reaching double figures the two standouts across the four terms were Mestrov with 19 points and 12 rebounds and Ayual Garang with 14 points and 5 rebounds. Drummond the sure hand of the Falcons led from the front with 20 points, seven rebounds while Luke Logan proved tricky to handle at times with 16 points with four triples.               

Women

The Waatu Women returned to where they won their first ever UBL match in 2023 and got the job done once again in Ballarat 52-61 at the Fed Sport and Recreation Centre.  

Meaza Otto (Health and Medical Science) who missed the last trip in 2024 started healthily with some early scores for the away side as Bella Woosnam (Exercise & Sports Science with Nutrition) made an opening stanza triple 3-9. The Falcons hit back through Georgia Bodey and Millie Cracknell, but the opening quarter belonged to Otto with another two off the inbound then followed it up with a block on Emily Smyth to give the Waatu a slender 8-13 lead at the first change.

Demi Thompson opened the scoring in the second term with the triple with Woosnam returning the favour with two rainbow rainmakers of her own 11-19. Faith McKenzie made a couple of big baskets in a row who made some tough looks to bring it back to 18-23 with timeout going to Lachlan Coppick and the Waatu. McKenzie put the home side in front with the Waatu turning to Tamika Reid for the response with the finger roll and1 then stealing the lead back in through Chloe Gray (Primary Education) as she edged the away side in front 27-28 at the main change.

Abbey Noblett nipped away at the margin early in the third with an outside strike helping her Falcons to a 7-0 run to snare the lead back 34-31. Otto and Woosnam however found their money at the charity stripe, Madi Hughes (Occupational Therapy) made the huge block and Otto’s third stanza superb with nine points for the quarter as the Waatu won the term and took the ascendancy 38-45 with one to go.

Otto continued her run at the rack with another deuce to open the fourth before Noblett broke the run of points for the home side with a triple in the corner 41-48. Otto attacked from the front again, but Thompson kept the Falcons in touch 50-56. FED went for the press but left the back door open for an easy Reid finish off the window. Thompson brought them back within range of the margin again the curtain closed on this one once Otto’s final nail from outside finished things off 52-61.

Meaza Otto produced her best game of the season so far with 24 points, seven rebounds, six assists and fours steals backed up by the work of Bella Woosnam with 13 points with three triples, nine rebounds with fours steals. Faith McKenzie led from the front as skipper again for the Falcons with 16 points and 21 rebounds with eight offensive while Demi Thompson helped keep the home side in the contest with 10 points, seven steals and five rebounds.                       

Men – FED FALCONS 70 (Drummond 20, Logan 16, McPherson, Oellering 9) defeated by AU Waatu 107 (Mestrov 19, Bruce, Crosby 15, Garang 14)

Women – FED FALCONS 52 (McKenzie 16, Thompson, Bodey 10, Noblett 9) defeated by AU Waatu 61 (Otto 24, Woosnam 13)                

Catch all the action from this Wednesday August 27 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?

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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 – LaTrobe University Eagles Sports

3-Minute Read

Men    

The AU Waatu pushed last years champions to the edge of their nest, but the LTU Eagles eventually broke it open after three and a half quarters 92-73 at LaTrobe Sports Stadium

Missing Ayual Garang the Waatu’s nemesis from their last meeting in Sam Holland (eight first quarter points from the captain) came up big in the first term but Isaac Hampel (Engineering- Electrical) sparked the Waatu back into the contest with drives, drawings and dropping a big triple to bring the margin back to 21-19 at the first change.

Thomas Mestrov (Banking and Finance) begun the term well with a quick score out of the mini break, but Sam Tresize was proving to be an issue for the Waatu as the Eagles kept their beaks in front on the scoreboard 33-27. The timeout saw West Adelaide Bearcats back up bench guard Harry Bruce (Commerce) light up very quickly as he got down to business with a quick seven points but matching him was Nick Day at the other end for the Eagles as they took the 42-40 slight edge at the half.   

The issue for the Waatu at the start of third was the offensive rebounds which created opportunities for the Eagles with Matt Debney (12 points and 17 rebounds with eight offensive) once again difficult to guard against. Tresize threw down a couple of thunderous dunks for LTU but Hampel (12 for the term) once again kept their Waatu in the contest in their closest match against last years champions 62-56 with one left to play.

The Waatu kept on the heels of the Eagles containing both Holland and Day early in the fourth but a quick 8-2 run to the Eagles saw it slip out to 77-65 with coach Scott Freer taking a timeout to see of the Waatu could have another swing at the champions. Tresize, Holland (14 points, five rebounds, four assists) and Day thundering to the rim with the one-handed hammer finishing it off in style for the home side to take a solid victory but the Waatu hung hard for the full four terms in a much-improved performance from previous seasons against LTU.

LTU were led by player of the game Nick Day with 21 points and 5 rebounds while Sam Tresize compiled 27 points and seven rebounds. The Waatu got a great contribution from Hampel with one of his best for AU with 24 points and three assists backed up by Crosby (Physiotherapy – Honours) continuing to stretch his scores for the season with 16 points and three rebounds.   

Women

A similar story developed in the Women with the LTU Eagles eventually seeing off the AU Waatu but not without a fight and some tres in the fourth term 89-72 at LaTrobe Sports Stadium.

It was a tight opening in the quarter with neither team able to break away from the other. The Waatu grabbed the early lead through a pair of Flames in Annika Uzcategui-Montenegro (Project Management) and Caitlin Shillabeer (Physiotherapy) as they both set the assignment for the Waatu in motion. The Eagles Tahlia Leeson with seven points including a long triple however grabbed the lead back for the home side 25-20 at the first change.

LTU the champions of 2022 and 2023 got take-off to extend their margin through Jaida Reid with three consecutive triples forcing timeout to AU Waatu and coach Lachlan Coppick down 36-23. The response was swift through Jemima Whitton (The Viticulture expert sampling six for the quarter) as they cut it back to six points 37-31 with Shillabeer and Uzcategui-Montenegro making it a one basket game 39-38. Waatu however were beaten at the buzzer on the half 42-38 by Reid again with the bank triple off the window to finish with 13 points for the term.

Reid and Eleanor Bollands kept up their scoreboard pressure stretching it back out to double figures and holding it there for multiple minutes on end. Bella Woosnam (Exercise and Sports Science – Nutrition and Food science) finished the third quarter exceptionally well serving up a tough drive and the triple to close it to 66-53 with one to go.

Reid again was the catalyst for the Eagles with another brace of points including her fifth triple of the afternoon but Shillabeer with a couple of outside hits tried to keep the Waatu in distance. Getting it back to 15 points the Waatu suddenly were not out of it but steadying hoops to the Eagles saw them take the win in the final minutes 89-72.

Jaida Reid was dangerous throughout the match with 23 points with six triples along with four rebounds – Eleanor Bollands excellent in the second half with 15 points and three rebounds.

Shillabeer was the clear standout for the Waatu again in her second match with 25 points with five triples and nine rebounds while Annika Uzcategui-Montenegro dropped 11 points and nine rebounds in one of her best early in her debut season with AU.                       

Men – LTU 92 (Tresize 26, Day 21, Holland 14) defeated AU Waatu 73 (Hampel 24, Crosby 16, Bruce, Mestrov 7)

Women – LTU 89 (Reid 23, Bollands 14, Poulton 10) defeated AU Waatu 72 (Shillabeer 25, Uzcategui-Montenegro 11, Whitton, Woosnam 10)                 

Catch all the action from this Wednesday August 20 from 4:15pm 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 

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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

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