Category: NBL1

Trey delivery needed - The Flames Men have a crucial double header this weekend and will need the impact of their improved import guard in Walter "Trey" McBride to go to another level to stay in the finals conversation - Picture by Picture IT Sports Photography 

4-Minute Read

Round 10

Saturday 3/06/2023

Norwood Flames vs Central District Lions – (The ARC – Firedome)

Women (6:00pm)

LTTM: Central District Lions 39 (Sears 18, De La Cerda 8) defeated by Norwood Flames 95 (Thompson 26, Akuen 21, Wilson 12, Sabine 10, Kerridge 8)

The Flames took it all the way to the precipice against the unbeaten Sabres without Wilson and are shaping as a major dark horse after to be honest I had them no where near the finals this season. A bit of mid-season recruiting goes a long way for a big club like them with Smith and Rice fitting in nicely to this lineup that will welcome back Wilson very soon. Wilson destroyed the Lions in multiple ways last time and while she’s not there – the turnover instigators in Kerridge and Smith are just as bigger concern for the Lions.

The Lions have been almost there for the dub, and they are going to get someone very soon- as many of us have been saying. They need a fourth contributor to the scorecard with Sarah Deng or even Renai Fejo the capable types – the good news for the Lions is they are building their culture under coach Joe Noone who I have no doubt will be able to attract some big names to the club to get them into winning positions in future seasons.   

Even without Wilson – Kerridge, Smith, Rice and Thompson will be too much firepower for the Lions to handle on this occasion resulting in a comfortable win for the Flames in an important double-header weekend for them.      

Key Stat – The Lions were forced into a whopping 29 turnovers last time they met with which the Flames scored 16 points off them.

COD Prediction: Flames by 12 points

Men (7:45pm)

LTTM: Central District Lions 83 (Baker, Nai 20, Jenkins, Sapwell 14, Bol 10) defeated by Norwood Flames 92 (Smith 27, Lycett 19, Nuangki 18, Stanwix 15)

The Flames are starting to fall behind the pack slightly and have an incredibly tough run coming up including this Lions men’s team which can blow you away offensively in a short space of time and really junk up the game. Trey McBride is a better version than last year after his European season, and it’ll be interesting to see how Isaac Miller-Jose integrates into this group after just under ten minutes last game.

The Lions as we know are long, athletic and disruptive and a little chaotic, but it does make for a fun team to watch when they put it all together and no doubt stuffs the highlights reel weekly. Sapwell knows that and is trying to use that to gain advantage on a weekly basis, but you can see the building blocks going in place where if they can keep a core of this group they might be a threatening force in coming seasons again. With the run home for both sides I see three very winnable games for the Lions whereas the Flames have a string of teams around them on the fixture meaning they need this one especially with a double header ahead this weekend.

The Flames pinch this one in a scrappy thriller just…   

Key Stat – The Flames final term was huge last time they met with their 11-24 quarter engineered by the free throw line with 12 of 16 made.

COD Prediction: Flames by 2 points

Eastern Mavericks vs Forestville Eagles – (St Francis – The Shooting Gallery)

Women (6:30pm)

LTTM: Forestville Eagles 75 (Freer 22, Annetts 11, A Brett, J Simons 9, Hines, Morello 8) defeated Eastern Mavericks 69 (Otto 27, Levy 21)

It was a great contest between two teams desperate for different reasons. The Mavs have been developing steadily through this season and are starting to put together patches of terrific basketball. It’s been off the back of the combo of Tayla Levy and Otto who last time caused serious problems for the gold and blue. They setup 20 of 21 from the charity stripe and helped win the rebounds 38-51.

The Eagles have been a team that have featured regularly in the top five but are again in threat of missing their second consecutive finals series in multiple seasons. They have responded to the obvious hole in their front court bringing in Merrimack College recruit Marissa Hamilton who played a steady 21 minutes for six and four and will be better for the run. The Eagles had 25 assists distributing the ball plenty and many of the other players like the Brett’s are starting to get their hands on the ball and to operate under Georgia Crouch.

The Mavs took a stepback against the Panthers but I feel an upset is on the cards on their home floor with the Mavs winning this one to really gain some reward for their recent efforts beyond last week.

Key Stat – The Eagles had an 18-5 final quarter to over-run the Mavs who dominated for three quarters…

COD Prediction: Mavericks by 5 points

Men (8:15pm)

LTTM: Forestville Eagles 103 (Mays 18, M Machar 17, Rathjen, Wilson 10, Doyle, Rios 9, Hulland 8) defeated Eastern Mavericks 69 (Hemphill 18, Ciabattoni, Legan 10, Robertson 9)

The Mavs need to grab one of the top teams if they are to have any chance of sneaking into the top five but unlike last season they are two wins closer than they were at this point in 2022. The potency but consistency of the Mavs is the big question mark trying to string it all together and if the Eagles are sleeping at the wheel defensively could get hurt in their trip up to Mt Barker.  

With the Panthers, Sabres and Bearcats all breathing down the neck of the Eagles – securing these wins against tricky opponents is a must and I just think the Eagles have one too many depth players including Owen Hulland who’s hit some nice form in recent times that will run away with this one with one big quarter – just like last time.   

Key Stat – A huge second quarter of 33-9 put away this one early last time they met off the back of 68 percent from the field…

COD Prediction: Eagles by 15 points

South Adelaide Panthers vs West Adelaide Bearcats (Mitchell Park – The Jungle)

Women (6:30pm)

LTTM: West Adelaide Bearcats 64 (Coleman 20, Fejo 16, Anderson 11) defeated by South Adelaide Panthers 85 (Spencer 26, Johnson 20, Forbes 17, Hunter 13)

A huge breath of relief for both sides last week as they secured important wins – but tonight’s contest between these two is going to show us where both teams are really at. The Panthers went back to the tried-and-true method dominating glass, creating quality outside threats, and getting busy with their hands in the steal column. Sitting third on the table they are possibly looking at building their momentum steadily so that when they hit the end of the season – they’ll be clicking and raring to go. Getting Darcy Rees going is the key to this one as the opponent at the other end could cause some big problems for the home side.

The Bearcats found a bit of their tenacity in the second half against the Warriors – it could still be a defining moment for this up and down rollercoaster of the defending champions and it looks like rather than waiting for teams to come and sweep over them – they’ve revealed their hand their taking to the end of the season. Honoka Ikematsu a Japanese sharp shooting guard who was sixth all-time at her university of RMU joins Aquino and Fejo as the players that can keep the Bearcats in the conversation about top five, but can they get it all gelled together or will it be a last-ditch effort to have a crack at defending their title???

I feel the latter till other evidence suggests and feel the Panthers will make their move soon to make sure they secure top three – then we’ll learn if they have heeded the lessons of past seasons.     

Key Stat – The Panthers fast start of 36 points in the opening quarter floored the Bearcats last time – expect Dickel to give the green light to the shooters of the white and blue at home from the tip-off.  

COD Prediction: Panthers by 4 points

Men (8:15pm)

LTTM: West Adelaide Bearcats 95 (Drmic 26, Roxburgh 20, DeSantis 17, Spear 15, McCarron 13) defeated by South Adelaide Panthers 110 (McVeigh 32, Starling 28, Johnson 15, Barton 13)

The last team to beat the Bearcats was the Panthers with a full-strength lineup but both have significantly changed since last time they met. Hoppo is still injured for the Panthers and while McCarron is out with 3×3 so is Daniel Johnson who is averaging about 7 points per game for the Australian Gangurrus (which is very good in the 3×3 landscape) and the Bearcats have Olbrich in since last time.

This could be a Grand Final preview potentially between these two as to who the x-factors might be stepping up – but with two extremely experienced coaches in Ninnis and Nyberg this one I think might go down to the wire with the Panthers maybe just snaring it at home.       

Key Stat – The Panthers offensive assault of 38 points in the third quarter setup the last loss the Bearcats suffered thanks to an incredible five triples in the term…

COD Prediction: Panthers by 2 points

Sturt Sabres vs North Adelaide Rockets – (Springbank – The Cave)

LTTM: North Adelaide Rockets 66 (Basham 19, Mansfield 17, Corrigan 8) defeated by Sturt Sabres 68 (Brazel 22, Williams 15, N Mathews 8)

Women (6:30pm)

It was a super tight one last time they met coming down to the brilliance of Brazel down the stretch. Based on last week she’ll be there again for this one, but the brilliance of Basham now looms as another game breaker. She is in peak form right now as one of the top scorers in the country but the key matchup in this one of course is the Corrigan versus Williams matchup with rebounding another key. If the Rockets can address that issue and shutdown Williams which I’m sure Brenton Johnston has been thinking about the method of how to then perhaps they can be the first to knock over the undefeated Sabres.  

I’m going to take the Rockets in the upset with the playing roster depth and potential to do so with the away side.

Key Stat – Williams equalled the league high numbers of rebounds with 26 the last time they met – it gave them a league high 59 rebounds in the match.

COD Prediction: Rockets by 2 points

Men (8:15pm)

LTTM: North Adelaide Rockets 75 (Aliir 20, McCalop 16, Carlisle 13, McDonald 12, Harrap 9) defeated the Sturt Sabres 74 (Rasmussen 21, Forbes 17, Rigoni 16)

Two very inform teams clash head-to-head with big streaks of six and five respectively with someone’s momentum going to be temporary snapped tonight. It’s the offensive firepower of the Rockets versus the defensive tenacity of the Sabres. That’s what the Sabres lacked in their thrilling match last time and that tenacity has been returned with a fully fit Sam Daly and Jacob Rigoni.

That’s suggests to me that the Sabres will continue their streak just on their home floor but their finishing deserted them down the stretch last time and could play a part in the final result.            

Key Stat – There was not much between these two last time they met but the one thing that stood out was the finishing at the charity stripe – the Rockets shooting 93 percent and the Sabres 54 percent which proved the difference.

COD Prediction: Sabres by 3 points

Woodville Warriors vs Southern Tigers – (St Clair – The Castle)

LTTM: Southern Tigers 74 (Martin 19, Hall 17, McKendrick 16, Hernandez 9) defeated Woodville Warriors 58 (Fransson, Perkas, Winter 15)

Women (6:30pm)

The Warriors showed they could take it right up to the top teams with some quality basketball – the next step of their season is to from those positions finish games off now. A test of whether this can be done may be afforded against the Tigers who have been roaring since the return to form of Morgan Yaeger forming a potent combination with Mariah Martin. Martin was terrific the last time they met with 19 points, four assists and rebounds. The Tigers are one of the top teams now of this 2023 season so its hard to see the upset occurring in this one with a four and one record away from home.  

Key Stat – Statistically there wasn’t much between these sides the last time they met with the Tigers gathering an extra nine points from the free throw line but the Tigers also sunk five more triples than the Warriors.

COD Prediction: Tigers by 6 points  

Men (8:15pm)

LTTM: Southern Tigers 61 (A Machar 17, Thompson 12, Logan 10) defeated by Woodville Warriors 75 (McGee 18, Stepney 17, B Janssan 11, Jackson 10)

Last round there were aspects of both teams performances that were encouraging despite their losses – however for the Warriors this looms as one they can’t afford to slip up on as they attempt to hang onto reach of the top five with a run of Tigers, Rockets, Mavericks and Flames which could determine whether they can return to the last day of the season as they did in 2022. The return of Humphries is an important piece coming up with 13 points before understandably fading away in his first game back from retirement.

The Tigers pushed hard at the Eagles at different times last weekend but were overwhelmed by the firepower and class of one of the top teams of 2023. The 15-year-old Alex Dickeson is showing maturity beyond his age as the “professor” dropped a career high 15 points and is one to keep a close eye out on in tonight’s contest.

The Warriors should grab this one comfortably as its too important not too with their run ahead, but the Tigers are vastly improved from the last time they met and should give them a nudge across the first half at least.   

Key Stat – The Warriors were clean with the ball in hand conceding just 12 turnovers compared to the Tigers with 24 of their own.

COD Prediction: Warriors by 22 points

Sunday 4/06/2023

West Adelaide Bearcats vs Norwood Flames – (Port Adelaide – The Bearcat Cave) – Kayo Freebies Game of the Week

Women (4:00pm)

LTTM: Norwood Flames 54 (Akuen, Kerridge 16, Sabine 11) defeated by West Adelaide Bearcats 78 (Langenbrinck 20, Watkinson 17, Coleman 15, Fejo 9)

It’s a must win for either side with both teams being able to set themselves up. The Bearcats found some touch against the Panthers last night with one of the key aspects getting back that tenacity. The Flames would be in shock after dropping one to the winless the Lions but it could be the wake up call they need to overcome the home side on their floor this afternoon. Although the game might be a bit tighter now than I thought I’ll still take the Flames to go 1-1 on the weekend as a loss puts them at the bottom of the pack and they need it for when Wilson returns – they start to turn their embers into well who they are…

Key Stat – The Bearcats dominated the smaller Flames last time they met hitting eleven triples and visiting the charity stripe for 19 of 31 attempts.  

COD Prediction: Flames by 4 points

Men (5:45pm)

LTTM: Norwood Flames 80 (Lycett 30, Smith 16, Nuangki 10, Webber 9) defeated by West Adelaide Bearcats 94 (Drmic 22, McCarron 20, De Santis 16, Spear 14, L Hunter 8)

It’s a must win for the Flames who may need this one to stay in the overall hunt after Saturday night. They suffered another heartbreaker going down at the buzzer to the Lions and are now three wins behind the sixth placed Rockets after their loss. The Bearcats meanwhile are eyeing off top spot by dousing this Flames unit and after taking care of the Panthers last night – I expect them to find a way to go 2-0 on the weekend and be top of the ladder by late Sunday evening.

Key Stat – In their last encounter the Bearcats had 20 steals and scored 23 points off the Flames turnovers.  

COD Prediction: Bearcats by 11 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 10 between the West Adelaide Bearcats and the Norwood Flames on Kayo and Kayo Freebies Sunday afternoon.

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

TD Forbes - A former Tiger in Jordan Forbes has been a big reason the Sturt Sabres men have been on a huge streak securing second on the ladder - Picture by Picture IT Sports Photography 

3-Minute Read

Round 9

Saturday 27/05/2023

Forestville Eagles vs Southern Tigers – (Wayville – The Nest)

Women (6:15pm)

LTTM: Southern Tigers 58 (McKendrick 26, Hernandez 15, Stasinowsky 11) defeated by Forestville Eagles 64 (Hines 16, Freer 14, Simons 13, Annetts, Stamatelopoulos 8)

The last time these teams met things were very different on court as a scrappy opening half of the season descended into a thrilling finish. Since then the Tigers have been eyeing off the top of the table crushing their way defensively to a 5-1 record with only the Sabres blotting the copybook. It’s been off the back off increased offensive production as well thanks to the return of Morgan Yaeger who has yielded 17.8 per game and upping the overall point average to 78.9 per game which is now #3 in the competition.

The Eagles have needed to make a move to keep up with the other teams recruiting and they may have found that missing piece announcing the signing of 6 foot forward/centre Marissa Hamilton from Merrimack College Athletics in Buffalo to complement Annetts and Hines in the line-up. Landing a key signing has been what I’ve wanted to see from the Eagles to take them to the next level and that’s what they’ve done.

I don’t think it’ll be enough to stop this Tiger train but should give us good glimpse if the Eagles are finals contenders or going to miss just by seasons end…   

Key Stat – The Tigers in their last five wins are averaging 80 points per game compared to their season average of 67 per game earlier in the season.   

COD Prediction: Tigers by 15 points  

Men (8:00pm)

LTTM: Southern Tigers 59 (Green, Logan 13, Dickeson 8) defeated by Forestville Eagles 101 (Machar 25, Mays 22, Rios 16, Wilson 9)

The Tigers second half of the season must be now aimed at a couple of key areas according to some stats. The league average for offensive and defensive rating is 99.9 for both categories (points scored and conceded per 100 possessions) – The Tigers average 84 per 100 possessions – that’s about ten points behind the Mavericks and Lions. The Tigers then concede around 108 points per possession just ahead of the Lions and Mavs. The top four concede around an average of 94 points so getting back that 14 point margin per 100 possessions is the key for the next half of the season. Freer has the personnel in place now and I’m sure we’ll all watch with interest.

Its not an ideal time to try and turn it around against a savage awaiting Eagles who suffered twin blows just before the state champ’s break. The lack of offensive firepower against both Bearcats and Rockets was slightly surprising only putting up an average of 75.5 across the past two games. The ironic thing is that Doyle, Mays, Machar and Rathjen were all down against the Bearcats and all fired against the Rockets – so where did they drop off? It’s a question that won’t be answered this weekend against the revamping Tigers but one to watch with interest…

The Eagles win this one but the Tigers will take a small amount out of this one if they can hold them to less than 90 points defensively in the process…        

Key Stat – In their three losses the Eagles are in their defensive rating 111.4 compared to their seven wins where they are 88.7.

COD Prediction: Eagles by 28 points

Eastern Mavericks vs South Adelaide Panthers – (St Francis – The Shooting Gallery)

Women (6:30pm)

LTTM: South Adelaide Panthers 82 (Forbes 21, Hunter 14, DeFrancesco, McDonald 12, Stewart 8) defeated Eastern Mavericks 59 (Bradley 17, Dumesny 11, Levy 7)

The Mavs are a real shot in this one after finding some momentum with a win all be it against the Lions and a highly competitive effort against the Tigers last round. The impressive thing last week about the Mavs women was the fightback in the second half maybe not on scoreboard but little things like keeping Yaeger to just two points after halftime, shooting seven of seventeen in the third quarter and after conceding twelve threes in the opening half – cut it to five in the second half. It shows Kelson is getting change mid-game from her Mavs and shows progress and development in moving forward.

The Panthers are either ducking and draking right now or there are some concerns around their ability to put away some of the top teams. They’ve dropped to both the Tigers, Rockets and Sabres in recent matches to slide to three game losing streak and the Mavs is always a danger game. We need to see the Panthers roar back with victory now to silence doubters but more likely games against the Bearcats and Eagles might show us more. At the very least running Hatti Cox and Darcy Rees into touch might start to show us the Panthers can cause the top team’s problems – with that in mind they take this one in a tight one in preparation for a testing run ahead.        

Key Stat – The Panthers losses in 2023 have shown glaring deficiency in scoring with 66.2 points at 33 percent and minus 13 rebounds per game!  

COD Prediction: Panthers by 7 points

Men (8:15pm)

LTTM: South Adelaide Panthers 94 (Starling 36, Davies, Hoppo 20) defeated Eastern Mavericks 79 (Hemphill 26, Rentoy 22, Legan 10, Ciabattoni, Gur 8)

The Mavs continue to improve in competing weekly with the next half of the season now the challenge of translating plenty of good building blocks into wins. Potentially this is one, but it does rely on who will be suiting up in a Panthers singlet this weekend. Regardless the potent form of Rentoy, Hemphill, Legan in combination and a surge in Gur action has seen the fans of Mt Barker with some hope they can indeed before the season is out more than smash their season best record in nearly half a decade.

The Panthers will miss DJ with 3×3 but will they get their other 36er back in Alex Starling? Big announcement and big performances come hand in hand with the star of our league and after notching 36 points, 21 rebounds, five assists and two blocks last time they met – if he plays look out for the impact he’s going to have in this one.

I do sense an upset in this one but there’s a bit more at stake with the fellow contenders around the Panthers having some slightly more winnable contests this weekend, so I think they’ll find a way to get it done – but its likely to be another thriller at the gallery.

Key Stat – The Panthers offence has dried up in its three losses this season with just the 66 points with alarmingly 23 percent from the three-point line.  

COD Prediction: Panthers by 4 points

North Adelaide Rockets vs Central District Lions (Lights – The Launch Pad) – Kayo Freebies Game of the Week

Women (6:30pm)

LTTM: Central District Lions 63 (Guy 25, De La Cerda 20, Sears 8) defeated by North Adelaide Rockets 80 (Mansfield 24, Corrigan 14, Freer, Zbierski 10, Meyer 8)

A minor danger game for the home-side and this Lions unit have been not too far off in recent games sniff an upset. The Lions last few games against the Warriors (9 points), Mavericks (4 points) and Bearcats (7 points) show since getting blown out by the Sabres they are finding their groove. It’s a combo of Imani Guy and Jaedyn De La Cerda who’ve upped their contribution at the offensive end of the floor that’s seen that competitiveness – add to that keeping teams to an average of 78 points means the opposition score has been in striking distance.

The Rockets once again go into this one without Mansfield who was huge the last time they met minus Basham. This time Basham is there and starting to produce MVP like numbers. Basham now is number one in the league for points per game (25.3) thanks to scores of 26. 31 and 30 in her past three games – she staking her claim for another WNBL contract when free agency movement is rife. I think the Rockets have found some serious grunt in their team and even minus Mansfield – they should have too much on the floor for the competitive Lions who are going to get someone soon…    

Key Stat – Guy since her 24-point second half against the Sabres has produced 14, 15 and 18 in her past three while De La Cerda has produced 15, 23 and 26.   

COD Prediction: Rockets by 9 points

Men (8:15pm)

LTTM: Central District Lions 70 (Jenkins 29, Baker, Garang, Nai 10) defeated by North Adelaide Rockets 95 (Harrap 31, Aliir 21, McDonald 17, McCalop 15)

Hello North Adelaide Rockets has it finally come time for take-off??? An uber talented offensive line-up scored two massive victories after starting the countdown with two wins against teams at the lower end of the table. The knock on this team has been defence for four quarters and that’s something we saw against the Panthers and the Eagles keeping them to an average of 85 – a very achievable mark considering they are still number in the league for offensive production with 85.4 points per game. It’s been driven by elevated from Akech Aliir and Riley Harrap but there has been remarked improvement from Donoven Carlisle and Durrell McDonald.

The Lions sitting in ninth need to win this one to be any chance of sneaking into the top five with only eight games left out of tonight the best they can achieve record wise is 10-8 which may not even be enough to sneak in with their opponents 6-4. They’ve got some personnel back that certainly can help their cause with Mangok Manyang and Nate Deer back to give them some depth but too much lays on the shoulders of Branden Jenkins.

With that in mind I think the Rockets chalk up win number five in a row…  

Key Stat – Akech Aliir and Riley Harrap average over 16 per game in game rating in wins while in losses its less than ten.

COD Prediction: Rockets by 13 points

Sturt Sabres vs Norwood Flames – (Springbank – The Cave)

LTTM: Norwood Flames 55 (Thompson 22, Akuen 11, Kerridge 10) defeated by Sturt Sabres 88 (Brazel 17, Williams 16, K Mathews, Z Walker-Roberts 9)

Women (6:30pm)

The Sabres unbeaten and unmovable once again strike some luck of a team that could take them down. They also will have to do without the services of Tayla Brazel likely as she prepares for U19 World Cup – it’s a big loss taking out the #1 stealer in the game and likely top five in defensive pressure.

The opposition though have lost the #2 in Ally Wilson to 3×3 duties again but have the reinforcements and backup from smoky for the Halls medal in Sophie Kerridge and Mia Parkin who’s hit some good recent form.   

The Sabres should take this one with next woman up – but it’ll be intriguing to see how both teams manage their players in this one minus such talent out of the line-ups.

Key Stat – The Flames get torched in losses with 24.3 turnovers – and struggle to win possession minus six in steals per loss.  

COD Prediction: Sabres by 22 points

Men (8:15pm)

LTTM: Norwood Flames 66 (Stanwix 22, Nuangki, Lycett 11, Dodson 8) defeated by Sturt Sabres 102 (Forbes, Turnbull 19, Dowdell 17, Rigoni 15, Nash 13)

Sabres are hot property right now on a five-game winning streak and defensively sound which is what you need heading into the second half of the season. They are the tightest team in conceding points in the league with a measly 74.8. They did that against both last year’s finalists – not bad form after that 44-point whacking at the hands of the Bearcats. Depth and time together on the floor have been the key to success along with Mr Triple Double (surely you can call him that after doing it twice and nearly multiple times in the season now) Jordan Forbes.

The Flames are simmering at the moment and now with Trey McBride back and a mysterious utility New Zealand recruit awaiting lighting up in the darkness – they are looking to strike now. Sitting 4-5 with one game in hand compared to other teams they have three of the next five against teams below them but of course need to pinch one or two off top sides to get back into the five. The Sabres have proven me wrong in season 2023 and have shaken some off the Jekyll and Hyde nature at the start of the season – and will continue the streak despite the Flames needing this one more…          

Key Stat – The Sabres are ruthless in wins over their opposition holding opponents to 71.1 points per game, 35 percent from the field and 21.7 percent from beyond the arc.

COD Prediction: Sabres by 17 points

Woodville Warriors vs West Adelaide Bearcats – (St Clair – The Castle)

LTTM: West Adelaide Bearcats 81 (Watkinson 15, Fejo 14, Anderson 12, K Pearce 11, K McKay 9, Coleman 8) defeated Woodville Warriors 63 (Fransson 18, Perkas 10, Apacible 9)

Women (6:30pm)

The Wild West Showdown in the womens has extra spice tonight with just looking at who played the last time they met showing the story. The Warriors who sit just two wins behind the third placed Panthers can start by upsetting their cross-town rival and have brought in some handy recruits. Returned last round was Eliza Joynes and Annaliese Watkinson who continues her season and the green and gold but joining them will be also likely Molly Whitmore strengthening their push under returned coach Matt Atkins in the second half of the season.     

The Bearcats despite escaping with an overtime win over the Forestville Eagles have many questions now left unanswered? Why are there so many name players missing the last few weeks, who’s going to step up into their space and how can they turn it around from here? The roster still with those absences still has a plethora of talent with McKay, Fejo, Aquino, Coleman, Simmons just to name a few – but as we’ve seen in the womens this year talent sometimes won’t be enough to get you the result. I think that’s the case this week with a much more seemingly gelled Warriors getting an important win to start the backend of their 2023 campaign charge.   

Key Stat – The Bearcats were big from outside in round one draining ten triples at 48 percent – that deserted them in recent games ranked now seventh with 5.6 made at 27.2 percent.

COD Prediction: Warriors by 11 points

Men (8:15pm)

LTTM: West Adelaide Bearcats 83 (Drmic 24, DeSantis 22, McCarron 16, Hunter, Spear 8) defeated by Woodville Warriors 93 (Stepney 23, McGee 21, Jackson 14, Osborne 11)

On the flip side for the Warriors in the men’s – finding that spark from last season is key against a powerful Bearcats unit. It might come in a former quiet finalist who may return tonight which has been swirling around the circuit. Joe Jackson has been steadily finding form and influence but nothing like a win against the local rival might see the Warriors find their groove.

The Bearcats have been in cruise mode since getting Olbrich – they are currently 6-0 but tonight is a danger game against last years finalists minus 3×3 squad member Mitch McCarron. It gives a great opportunity for the depth to be tested with likely not wanting to tinker too much the very faithful Hamish Staude I predict likely to get this first start of the season. We are likely to see more of Sean Stock and Fraser Roxburgh as well – the depth runs deep in Port Adelaide.

I’m not sure I can despite no McCarron the Warriors halting the seventh straight win for the Bearcats.     

Key Stat – Since acquiring Olbrich not only has their record been perfect but they also average a winning margin of 39.8 per game.

COD Prediction: Bearcats by 20 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 9 between the North Adelaide Rockets and the Central District Lions on Kayo and Kayo Freebies tomorrow.

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