Category: NBL1

NBL1 Central Round One Womens – Brittany best hits back in Warriors last quarter hold-off of Flames

It was a case of the MVP best hits as a stirring return of Brittany Hodges guided the Woodville Warriors to an 81-86 win over the Norwood Flames at the ARC.

Photo provided by Sport in Focus

3-Minute Read

In her return to the league for the first time since 2024 – the MVP was pivotal in the final term comeback for the Warriors over the Flames. It started tight with Hodges and Ambah Kowcun, the new skipper for the Warriors, hitting the scoreboard early. Import guard Dara Mabrey made a strong impression first up with a pair of triples echoing WNBA sister Marina & Notre Dame sister Michaela in her stead but forging her own path. In a night of returns former Forestville Eagle Amy Cotton (feature image) back from Houston Christian University made her mark on the match with some tough makes early and a long triple as both teams ended the first in a tight spot 21-23. 

Notre Dame Downloaded: Dara Mabrey touched down as one of three sisters from the famous basketball family as is looking to make an impression after her first NBL1 Central outing for the Norwood Flames – Photo supplied by Sports In Focus

Mabrey continued to be an issue in the second drawing fouls and continuously finding the charity stripe but another returnee in Taylor Ortlepp back from AFLW duties made a carpark deep triple for the Warriors to keep it moving forward for the yellow and green. The game did not move beyond the two basket mark in the second as blow for blow was traded by Annie Elliott & Caitlin Shillabeer off the back of a huge UBL season with the Adelaide Waatu and Naomi Allotey (five points, 10 rebounds & five assists) tying it all up 44-44 a piece at the half.

The push came from the home side in the third as they gathered momentum through dynamic guard Maddy Hinton, imports Mabrey and Cali Clark (Six points and rebounds) and Cotton as the Flames jumped out to a 14-6 start. The Warriors quickly reversed it with a tough Ortlepp drive and some more Kowcun free throws to level it up 58-58 a piece before sharp shooter Brook Silby entered the frame for the Flames with a heater from outside to push it back out to 63-58 with one to play.

In the final term with the game on the line 64-64 the two experienced heads of the Warriors took the game by the scruff of the neck in Ortlepp and Hodges as they combined for a final term haul to push the Warriors out to their biggest lead of the game 64-72 with a 0-12 run. The run was broken by another Waatu product in Jemima Whitton and some work from young debutant and recent Sapphire contender Lara Gribben but Ortlepp and Hodges continued to control proceedings but the Flames weren’t done yet.

Cotton continued to have an impact late with a tip in then finished the floater in transition and fed Shillabeer to cut it again to single digits. It was cut further by the Flames as Shillabeer hit another triple from outside as did Hinton to slash it to a single basket again 80-83. It took a steadying Hodges make to right the ship for the Warriors as they escaped the ARC with the win. 

Brittany Hodges was stirring in her return with player of the game honours with 30 points and nine rebounds as was Taylor Ortlepp with 21 points, five assists, four rebounds and steals. A step up for Kowcun saw her relish some new responsibility in the absence of 2025 championship players Jasmin Fejo and Erin Phillips with 20 points with four triples, four rebounds and three assists. 

The Flames for their first up effort with some new pieces would’ve been pleased with what they got from Amy Cotton with 19 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three steals backed up by the sharp shooting Shillabeer with 17 points at 4/7 from downtown & three rebounds. Hinton also hit the scoreboard throughout the night with 14 points, eight assists and new import Mabrey will only get stronger and better with 12 points, three assists and rebounds.

 The numbers that mattered 

  • The Warriors gained multiple additional possessions with 19 offensive rebounds to seven led by Naomi Allotey (5) and Hodges (4)
  • The Warriors however couldn’t capitalise on the outside triple with 26 percent on 8/30 from beyond
  • The Flames had 26 turnovers with three offensive foul turnovers in the final term
  • Taylor Ortlepp & Brttany Hodges had 9 points in the final term    

The Three Takeaways 

  • Amy Cotton is one of the local recruits of the season – both ends of the floor and physically strong and influential in contest 
  • Another AFLW player has an impact in a final quarter in Taylor Ortlepp 
  • Warriors have the pieces and balance to be top three – the Flames will be vast improvers and dangerous the more weeks go by

NORWOOD FLAMES 81 (COTTON 19, SHILLABEER 17, HINTON 14, MABREY 12) 

WOODVILLE WARRIORS 86 (HODGES 30, ORTLEPP 21, KOWCUN 20)

WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO TELL THE STORIES OF THE NBL1 CENTRAL

Every game deserves to be reported on including the history and background of the league – in 20 years time we may find it very difficult to look back at history and find data (as we are finding already in searching for past results and impact) so writing these articles is essential for capturing the essence of the league.

We have 300 plus players on lists of the NBL1 Central – $5 a week from every player and the NBL1 community will help you make sure you get written about by a local who knows the league in and out and has been active in the space the last five years and beyond. We need your support with more so please consider our options or consider sponsoring the website which also has an accompanying podcast and broadcasting of the NBL and WNBL through the Collective group.

Support local writing for nbl1 central

All Episodes of the SA Shotclock now available on Spotify

NBL1 Central Round One Mens – Ragz to return riches as Sabres sneak over South

A ragz to riches return from Sturt Sabres favourite Jacob Rigoni has inspired the Sabres to snap a three game streak against South rivals the South Adelaide Panthers in a scintillating opening encounter 96-93 at Springbank. 

Photo provided by @Picture It Sport Photography

3-Minute Read

It was the Panthers superstar in mid-range marvel himself in Jeremy Smith returning for the first time since 2024 that looked unstoppable early in a high scoring opening term. Young Sabre guard Luke Pfitzner with no Sam Daly and Jack Turnbull made his debut as the Concordia College product got to work early with the opening scores from the charity stripe. With the Panthers rolling out COE product Rio Bruton and Ukrainian forward Yevgen Sakhniuk – it was another source in a small surprise but his 17 reserve point average coming into the season in Jonty Smith showed his form in the first. Jonty Smith entered the contest three triples in the opening term to give the Panthers the lead 26-32 after one.

The second continued to be the Jeremy Smith show as he showed out from beyond the arc and inside the paint taking on all and sundry. Off the back of a season with the Cairns Taipans as a development player – second year returnee Lloyd McVeigh also showed his range as he and Smith kept the scoreboard ticking over. Playing his former side though Jarryd Hoppo had a point to prove and did so with three triples of his own in the term before icing his fourth to close out the second term with the Sabres taking a 52-46 lead. Jeremy Smith already with 19 points to the half and looking impossible to contain. 

South Adelaide Panthers Jeremy Smith was athletic, crafty and magic from mid-range in his first game back since the 2024 Grand Final – photo provided by @Picture It Sport Photography

An adjustment by stand-in coach Paul Rigoni (with Jaklb Dorricott away with 36ers duties) was needed at the half on Smith and he got from that the “big body” of Seb Griffin (Eight points, four rebounds, three assists and steals) and Rigoni as the Sabres forced the Panthers to beat them a different way. With a Tasmanian Jackjumper former development player in their midst Josh “Big TOM” Tomasi got rolling with paint attack, a long three ball Rigoni continued to motor in the second half as well with continuous contributions to the scoreboard but standing in their way was the long makes of Lloyd and Sakniuk with a slam to give the Panthers the lead back 76-77 with one to play.

Starved of opportunity Joel Spear put some down from deep to energise the Sabres into action but McVeigh continued to hit back at the home side. The momentum even in the tightness shifted with a sensational tip-in off some offensive glass work from Tomasi.

The turning point of the match however came with 2:37 left as Smith drove to the basket and slipped with Griffin stealing the ball – Smith reaching and making contact with the leg of Griffin then Rigoni and Smith having words to each other. The situation was assessed with an unsportsmanlike and technical foul on Smith and technical on Rigoni with Smith fouled out of the game.

With the mid-range marvel out of the game the Panthers turned to McVeigh to keep the scoreboard ticking over and he did with makes and free throws. Wanting to complete the comeback after missing all of last NBL1 Central season Jacob Rigoni rose to the occasion with clutch free throws and an important layup with only five seconds remaining. The ball game was in the hands of McVeigh but his shot steered right as the Sabres took a thrilling win over their rival.

Bleed Blue Now: Sturt Sabres Jarryd Hoppo made no secret where his allegiance now lies with an impressive opening 15 point performance for his new side – Photo provided by @Picture It Sport Photography

Jacob Rigoni was the player of the game returning to the league with a 29 point & 10 rebound surging effort supported by Tomasi with 21 points & 12 rebounds. Hoppo brought it against his former side with four triples in his 15 points, three assists and rebounds while Spear silently shot his way to a return of 17 points, six assists, three rebounds and steals. 

McVeigh nearly had the Panthers into OT with a huge 17 points in the second half to finish with 22 points and six rebounds backed up by an impressive debut from Rio Bruton adding 18 points with four triples and three steals. Jeremy Smith finished with 23 points at a highly efficient 75 percent, seven assists and three steals with Jonty Smith gaining a career high 12 points & five rebounds. Koby Moir also made his debut and had an up and down first match with Seven points, five rebounds, four assists and rebounds and looks an exciting top player to watch in 2026 with a bit of spark for South.    

 The numbers that mattered 

  • The Sabres defeated the Panthers for the first time in three meetings snapping a streak since 2024
  • Both teams couldn’t miss throughout the night shooting at over 46 percent from the field including three points range with 22 triples made
  • The Sabres smashed the glass with 18 offensive rebounds led by Tomasi with six of them 
  • Jeremy Smith had 19 points in the first half but was held to just four points with just three attempts in the second half     

The Three Takeaways 

  • Rigoni has not missed a beat in his recovery 
  • The Panthers size on the glass is a concern
  • The experience on the floor of Spear, Hoppo and Rigoni was the defining factor

STURT SABRES 96 (RIGONI 29, TOMASI 21, SPEAR 17, HOPPO 15, GRIFFIN 8)

SOUTH ADELAIDE PANTHERS 93 (MCVEIGH 24, JE SMITH 23, BRUTON 18, JO SMITH 12, SAKNIUK 9, MOIR 7)

WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO TELL THE STORIES OF THE NBL1 CENTRAL

Every game deserves to be reported on including the history and background of the league – in 20 years time we may find it very difficult to look back at history and find data (as we are finding already in searching for past results and impact) so writing these articles is essential for capturing the essence of the league.

We have 300 plus players on lists of the NBL1 Central – $5 a week from every player and the NBL1 community will help you make sure you get written about by a local who knows the league in and out and has been active in the space the last five years and beyond. We need your support with more so please consider our options or consider sponsoring the website which also has an accompanying podcast and broadcasting of the NBL and WNBL through the Collective group.

Support local writing for nbl1 central

All Episodes of the SA Shotclock now available on Spotify

NBL1 Central Round One Mens – Opener to Dyer for but Bearcats survive Rocket fuelled flash in OT

The preseason predictions could not contrast more the outcome of this contest however the West Adelaide Bearcats found enough to stave off one of the upsets of the weekend from the North Adelaide Rockets 95-104 in an overtime thriller at the Lights.

Photo provided by Sarah Connor Photography

3-Minute Read

Second year recruit Joel Dyer made his intentions known from the opening tip finding an open triple to open the contest but making his return to the league Nik De Santis also announced his presence with eight opening quarter points. The match deadlocked at 25-25 a piece after the first ten minutes. 

Rockets recruit Oskar Jones struck a triple but some crafty play from another returning guard to league in Isaac Atuer (Nine points) kept things even, however Dyer kept things rolling for the Rockets. It took Riley Real searching for a bigger role in 2026 to finish the and1 to give the Bearcats the lead by the barest of margins 43-44 at the main break.

New import for West Braelan Bridges finally constructed some key makes as he opened the third with the and1 then Tom Kubank back in West colours for the first time in close to a decade hit an important triple to keep the Bearcats in front. Dyer again however struck back to along with Jones but almost like a rerun of the second – Real again finished on the buzzer to this time give the away side a 69-74 with one to play. 

Another savvy recruit over the preseason in Anok Magot showed some strong signs the Nyberg has nailed another role player recruit, getting the Bearcats out to double figures 71-81. The Bearcats had several attempts to close this one out earlier but with Kubank & De Santis missing closing baskets enter Dyer yet again raining in three triples in the final term to cut it to 84-88 with just over two minutes to play. It became habitual for the frustrating Bearcats down the stretch missing their makes and the Rockets believing they could steal it at the death. Kubank’s drawn foul for the and1 however left it teetering with 31 seconds to play.

Enter Oskar Jones with the attempt to take it to overtime 90-90.

After nearly coughing it up during regulation the Bearcats would not let North get control from here as the Rockets shots dried up and Bridges built the response for the Bearcats with Real sealing the victory 95-104 in the finish

Through four terms and OT Bridges was the player of the game with 26 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks with De Santis notching a double double of 18 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in his first game since the 2023 championship. Kubank also added 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists while Real had a career high 12 points, six rebounds, three assists and steals. 

Dyer was outstanding with a career high 29 points with six triples and assists while Jones added 23 points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals filling all areas of the stats sheet. Machar Machar also pocketed 18 points and eight rebounds to boot. 

 The numbers that mattered 

  • The Bearcats dominated the rebounds with a smashing 38-64 (with 27 offensive rebounds) but couldn’t capitalise on their opportunities with 42 makes from 92 attempts
  • Riley Real was +22 on the floor for the night for the Bearcats in his minutes
  • The Rockets had three returning players that clocked minutes in their first game for 2026 (Dyer, Machar and Al-Ani)     

The Three Takeaways 

  • You just know the Bearcats have more coming but the additions of Atuer, Magot and Kubank are more than handy
  • Rockets still can’t play 40 (45 minutes) of defence but they can certainly put the ball in the hole in different ways
  • The Dyer/Jones combination will be how the Rockets live or die in 2026 on the floor

NORTH ADELAIDE ROCKETS 95 (J DYER 29, JONES 23, M MACHAR 18, KING 8, B MACDONALD 7)

WEST ADELAIDE BEARCATS 104 (BRIDGES 26, DE SANTIS 18, KUBANK 16, STOCK 12, REAL 12, ATUER 9, MAGOT 7)

WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO TELL THE STORIES OF THE NBL1 CENTRAL

Every game deserves to be reported on including the history and background of the league – in 20 years time we may find it very difficult to look back at history and find data (as we are finding already in searching for past results and impact) so writing these articles is essential for capturing the essence of the league.

We have 300 plus players on lists of the NBL1 Central – $5 a week from every player and the NBL1 community will help you make sure you get written about by a local who knows the league in and out and has been active in the space the last five years and beyond. We need your support with more so please consider our options or consider sponsoring the website which also has an accompanying podcast and broadcasting of the NBL and WNBL through the Collective group.

Support local writing for nbl1 central

All Episodes of the SA Shotclock now available on Spotify