Category: NBL1

12 teams, two titles: The best from east to west come together to fight it out for the NBL1 National Championship in the finals tonight - photos by NBL1 

5-Minute Read

Women’s National Champions

Warwick Senators (NBL1 West)

Watch out for!!!

The superstar that is Stacey Barr has had a huge season. In 22 games she scored an average of 25.1 points and 7.5 rebounds and has been a big reason for the Senators winning it all this season. Expect a matchup of Jasmin Fejo to quell her at both ends of the floor though Skye Langenbrinck could also see some time on the star Senator.  

You would know them…

A known quantity is recently retired WNBL and Perth Lynx centre in Natalie Burton and at the NBL1 level she’s still producing the same type of numbers. Catching the ball close to the hoop keeps her average of 59 percent from the field and in a balanced lineup the Senators have – it’ll be up to Jennie Rintala or Madelynn Utti to stop her.  

A familiar face is…

A South Australian that provides some serious kick off the bench for the Senators is Jessica Goodluck. Brother Dan also played over in WA but Jess who’s just returned from the University of Hawaii in Division 2 gives the Senators some quality. She averages 3.73 per game in 11 minutes per contest and I’m sure SA fans will be hoping to see some quality courttime for her over the weekend as part of the Senators rotations.

The Crossover Closer

The Champions were number one for scoring (92.8), assists (23), field goal (47.3) and three-point percentage (37.3) and steals (11.8). That’s a lot of indicators that the Bearcats who they’ll meet on opening night need to be aware of as they face off in the first clash of the evening.

Albury-Wodonga Bandits (NBL1 East)

Coaches: Matt Paps, Sam McDonald, Brad McNeil

Watch out for!!!

She’s a unique talent and its Unique Thompson’s game that’s been super impressive this season. The Grand Final MVP has averaged 29.67 points at 66 percent, 15 rebounds and averages 2.8 steals per game which contributes to the bandits 92 fast break points. Expect Madelynn Utti to see plenty of time on the talent of the East if the Bearcats meet them.  

You would know them…

If she suits after Opal’s camp (highly unlikely but we can hope) “The GOAT” Lauren Jackson will be a privilege to watch after the comeback of the decade. She averaged 31 points at 58 percent and pulled in an average of 12.64 rebounds per game. This is an assignment for Rintala that would be a significantly mission impossible-esque challenge about it, but you know she’d give it a crack.    

A familiar face is…

Basketball aficionados will have noticed a Japanese star in the lineup in Ai Yamada. She’s a member of the youth team and one to watch for the rise of the national team in coming years. Yamada runs the point for the Bandits averaging 19 points, 5.8 assists and 4 rebounds – that’s efficiency.

The Crossover Closer

Regardless of whether LJ plays this one – the Bandits have looked a gelled unit all season. They are one of the favourites and if LJ does play then they’ll be a treat to watch.

Townsville Flames (NBL1 North)

Watch out for!!!

She finished the WNBL season in a blaze of glory and continued it into the NBL1 North season. Steph Reid has been the go-to for the Flames as she had been for the Fire under Shannon Seebohm. In 22 games she’s averaged 22 points and hit 93 triples making her always a dangerous commodity. If she meets the Bearcats – expect Fejo to come under plenty of attention from her.  

You would know them…

She had some big games against the Adelaide Lightning last season so it’s no surprise that Courtney Woods has comeback stronger than ever. Woods averages the most minutes for the Flames and shoots the ball at nearly 50 percent from the field including 44 percent from beyond the arc. That’s a job for either Langenbrick or Jasmine Simmons to stop her getting heated up early.    

A familiar face is…

The artist formerly known as Newley is a South Australian product that recently has joined Chris Lucas at the Melbourne Boomers and it’s no surprise. Mia Murray is still providing the impact for the Flames meanwhile and continues to be a useful veteran presence in this lineup. It’ll be a job for Simmons to make sure she doesn’t catch fire.  

The Crossover Closer

The Flames are a little cooler without Alanna Smith (Europe) but don’t let that fool you of their potential. There’s a reason that Reid and Woods have improved under Seebohm and continuity with plenty of WNBL experience – that makes them a huge favourite for this weekend but one team could be in just that slightly better form.

Ringwood Hawks (NBL1 South)

Watch out for!!!

I can’t wait to watch this import live. Marta Hermida turned it one in the Grand Final for the Hawks in the second half and did some special things. The Spanish import has averaged 16.2 points in 25 games but winning form is good form for the guard who dropped 19 points. It’s a Fejo or Langenbrinck job again if they meet this weekend.

You would know them…

The energy spark and Grand Final MVP has elevated her game to another level. Marena Whittle dropped 33 points and 19 rebounds in the decider and is a hot tip to be most improved player in the WNBL this season. This feels like a Utti job but a teammate in Fejo is a solid matchup given she can match that energy on the glass as well.

A familiar face is…

Jacqueline Trotto for those who follow their WNBL is a rookie player with the Melbourne Boomers. As we know at NBL1 level often these rookies have more key roles, and the young forward is starting to grow into her role through the Hawks averaging 7.8 and 8.68 rebounds per game.   

The Crossover Closer

The fact we haven’t been able to even include Digna Strautmane, Zoe Jenkins, Bella Niven-Brown, Paige Price and Toni Farnworth in this list suggested that this Hawks side is one of the most stacked of the weekend – that’s why I have them favourites to take it all out.

Southern District Spartans (NBL1 North) – Wildcard Winner

Watch out for!!!

You know a coach like Shane Heal is onto a good thing when NBL1 form gets you across the line as a signing which is the case for Madelyn Allen. Allen who has signed with the Flames and was a development player replacement for the Townsville Fire in 2018/2019 – is the do it all player with 17.30 points, 6.85 assists and 5.05 rebounds on average this season. As a scoring guard again it’ll be Fejo/Langenbrinck combination likely if they meet.    

You would know them…

Another former Lightning name and WNBL known figure in Nadeen Payne has been stacking her usual solid numbers shooting the highest percentage from the field for 10 games or more (58 percent) and her usual clip of 41 percent from beyond the perimeter. Given her ability to get to the perimeter you need mobility and Simmons would be a solid matchup for her ability.

A familiar face is…

We only just saw her recently for New Zealand in the Commonwealth Games however you would most recognise Kalani Purcell from her WNBL career. She hasn’t travelled around for a player in the WNBL much having represented mainly the Melbourne Boomers and only just shifting to the Flames last season. Purcell is a bang and crash operator and is the number one rebounder for the Spartans which creates plenty of second chance opportunities for her team.     

The Crossover Closer

Don’t sleep on the Spartans just because they are a wildcard team! They have a rematch of their dogged semi-final with the Flames first up and that could put them in battle mode for the weekend ahead. There’s plenty of quality on this roster to really throw the Womens draw wide open.

Men’s National Champions

Rockingham Flames (NBL1 West)

Watch out for!!!

There might be suddenly no Devondrick Walker (Bullets), but Marshall Nelson has shown he can mix it with the best at the top level. Nelson in his 20 games averaged 21.85 points, 6.50 rebounds and 4.50 assists notably though he had a key hand in the Grand Final with 19 points in 22 minutes off the bench. He’ll need to step up to get the Flames across the line and is likely to wear a fair bit of Jeremy Smith tonight.   

You would know them…

The king of the glass himself former Perth Wildcat Greg Hire is definitely the kind of player coach Ryan Petrik likes in his team. Hire hasn’t lost any of his ability hauling in 44 offensive rebounds for the season. We know the veteran is one of the craftiest and intelligent players under the basket – It’s a big job for Codey Ellison to make sure he stays on the ground.

A familiar face is…

Another former Wildcat still commands the centre position in Tom Jervis. Back to where it all started when he was plucked out of obscurity selling radiators at mining sites by Trevor Gleeson – Jervis continues to deliver his usual output averaging 9.86 and contributing a handy 13.33 points as well.  

The Crossover Closer

The Flames may have been burned by the absence of the league and Grand Final MVP in Walker, but they are still man to man one of the toughest teams of the weekend. If the Panthers can overcome them tonight – that gives us a clear picture as to how much of a real chance the Panthers are overall.

Canberra Gunners (NBL1 East)

Watch out for!!!

The backs to the wall Gunners team channels much of its punch through William Mayfield. The forward has been a focal point with 18.1 points and 6.6 rebounds rebounds per game. It’s another assignment for Ellison if the Panthers meet them over the weekend.

You would know them…

You can drop the extra R from Glenn Morison as he’s already shown he’s a rising talent. 28 points in the Grand Final along with 11 rebounds already tells you that. You’d know him as one of the teammates of Bul Kuol and Tre Armstrong over at California Baptist in the USA – of course it’s a big assignment for none other than Alex Starling if they meet.  

A familiar face is…

James Toohey you may not know directly but his sibling Alex is making waves at the COE. They’ve played each other this season too the former Marist College players but James ain’t no joke either. He’s still dropping 12.9 per game and a big part of the Gunners starting five. Todd Davies seems the likely matchup for the weekend ahead.

The Crossover Closer

The Gunners are rolling now and with all their travel together over the season, that connection may cause some headaches for teams this weekend. The talent pool compared to other squads may be the issue for the Canberra team – but you just never know.

Hobart Chargers (NBL1 South)

Watch out for!!!

A hungry Amos Harris Junior will be keen to have a huge weekend after a quiet Grand Final. He’ll need to have a big one too with no Sam McDaniel, Harry Froling and Jared Bairstow on NBL duties. Harris had 7 points but has been important this season averaging 14 points, 4.6 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game. He’s likely to see plenty of Jeremy Smith if they matchup.  

You would know them…

Ole Angerstein is going to be fun to watch this weekend and if you didn’t know them – you’ll work out above the rim is where this kid likes to play. The “Dunk machine of Deutschland” has dropped 14.2 points and 8.8 rebounds per game and no doubt is on the radar of many teams. I’d love to see Starling matchup on this guy and see them go toe-to-toe.  

A familiar face is…

Jacob Richards will need to step up for Bairstow and Froling – but he’s already used to doing this. He played alongside Harry’s brother Sam and other NBL faces in Callum Dalton, Tamuri Wigness, Wani Swaka-Lo-Buluk and incoming Kody Stattmann. Richards is highly efficient with 52 percent from the field and 6.5 points per game – expect those numbers to be slightly higher with more court-time.   

The Crossover Closer

Two teams have really lost a bulk of what got them here to the NBL but Anthony Stewart has had this group together for some time and they haven’t missed a beat. Finishing top of the tree again in South means they are a real smokey to take out this whole weekend.

Gold Coast Rollers (NBL1 North)

Watch out for!!!

It’ll be no easy task to replace Jason Cadee but Jaze Morris is going to bring it his hardest. The Rollers impact player’s numbers look small but with extra time out on the floor he’ll be someone that can light it up quickly. He’s a 40 percent three-point shooter and will likely see some Davies if matchups occur.

You would know them…

There’s no NBL contract at this stage for Lamar Patterson who seems to have settled for Australia as a location to play hoops – but this veteran ain’t done yet. He’s coming off pine now but don’t be surprised to see him into the starting line-up this weekend in place of Tanner Krebs. Patterson still is giving 16.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game so it might be time to call on the NBL “Lockdown” man in Sam Johns for this one if the Rollers see them this weekend.   

A familiar face is…

Coach and player what can’t this man do? Anthony Petrie with the number of important outs is likely to suit as a player this weekend and is the only player coach this whole weekend for the finals. “Peach” all Adelaide fans will know having played under Joey Wright here and at the Gold Coast Blaze – a storied 11 season career before retiring in 2018. If the Gold Coast get their NBL licence in the future – who knows we might see the first player coach suiting for the NBL since Matt Flinn for the Illawarra Hawks in the mid-2010s…

The Crossover Closer

Plenty of “Bullet” holes in the Rollers but that’s why they are called what they are – they are rolling as well as anyone. They still have plenty of depth and any team out of NBL1 North is going to be competitive. They currently in my mind have the slight edge on most teams and are my favourite to win the weekend.

Frankston Blues (NBL1 South) – Wildcard Winner

Watch out for!!!

There is a distinctively Melbourne NBL flavour to the Blues and Dillon Stith is one that immediately jumps off the page of this team. Continuously called upon as a roster player – Stith will once again be looking to prove to everyone he deserves another recall. He averaged 15.8 points and 6.8 rebounds but his explosiveness off the dribble in this powerful team will worry opposition. It’s a matchup for Starling to go head-to-head if they meet.  

You would know them…

Daniel Trist has been on the fringe and shown his potency as a low block player. The former NBL player with South-East Melbourne Phoenix and New Zealand Breakers has been solid yet again with 15.3 points and 6.8 rebounds in a very even team. Ellison will likely see some time on a player who may yet still at least become and injury replacement selection for an NBL side.

A familiar face is…

It wouldn’t be the national finals preview without pulling out a character of the team such as Igor Hadziomerovic. You’d recognise the former Melbourne Tiger and United player who has an important role off the bench energising his side. Averaging 10.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and shooting it at 46 percent – Igor is another not to ignore.  

The Crossover Closer

The fact this team is as stacked as it is and still isn’t talked about in the conversation for the title this weekend is flabbergasting. While they may be wildcard winners – this team has the potential to go very deep into Sunday and could even pull off the unlikely victory in a Mens draw.

I’m obviously hoping for the SA double

But if you truly ask me, in the Women it’s hard to go past the Albury-Wodonga Bandits with or without LJ, I’ve seen a bit of them this year but my smokey is the Ringwood Hawks. For the men, the ‘Bullet’ holes in the Gold Coast Rollers hurt and it evens out the candidates. Rockingham Flames looks solid even if Devondrick Walker doesn’t play – Hobart Chargers have been a consistent unit under Anthony Stewart so I’ll take them as a smokey but despite the outs, the Rollers would still be a huge favourite to win it.

Catch all the NBL1 action tonight on the NBL1 website, app on Kayo and Kayo Freebies

NBL1 – Australia’s League

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How does this story end: A drought of 8 or 24 years will be broken tonight and there are some key protagonists in this unfinished script. 

5-Minute Read

*The following article may have excerpts appear on the Basketball South Australia website to broaden reach of analysis

Men’s Grand Final Preview: Woodville Warriors vs South Adelaide Panthers

When: 8:30pm (ACST), Saturday September 3

Where: The Lights Community and Sports Centre, Lightsview 

Broadcast: Kayo Freebies, www.nbl1.com.au

The last time
Woodville Warriors 97 (Stepney 29, Humphries 18, Jackson 14, A Maiorana 12, Meldrum, Wurm 11) defeated South Adelaide Panthers 77 (Smith 33, Starling 15) – Qualifying Semi-Final at the Castle

How they got here

The Warriors came in after the first week off in questionable form but also many suspected they were just readying themselves for when it counted. They have done that so many times this season and another opportunity presented itself at the beginning of the fourth quarter of the Qualifying Final. That’s when an incredible haul from import Jawan Stepney stepped the Warriors up to their first Grand Final since 2014 as they grabbed hold of the Panthers 97-77 at the Castle. Stepney showed up and showered them in as he dropped 19 final quarter points including 5 of 5 beyond the arc as the last resistance of the Panthers who clung on after leading at quarter time were washed away.

For the Panthers, it was two incredible turning back the clock performances that stunned the Eagles and gave them their first finals win in 14 years 90-105 at the Nest. Orchestrated by master coach the legendary Scott Ninnis, the Panthers channelled every part of him and the way he played to a tee particularly through two-time Woollacott medallist Alex Starling and veteran Sam Johns. After being stunned by Stepney and the Warriors- the Panthers made their move in the Preliminary Final. It was incredible scenes that awashed the Jungle as the Panthers booked their first Grand Final appearance since 1998 with an upset 85-70 win over the pre-season favourites Forestville Eagles. The Scott Ninnis led team had no shortage of cameos and another superstar performance from Woollacott Medallist Jeremy Smith.

It’s the “Fairytale” Panthers and the “Last Dance” Warriors who have been building to this moment with likely several players having their last crack at the ship. Led by the two Scott’s – an all-time classic is on the cards.  

Championship history

Woodville Warriors who formed in 1982 have been a part of four Grand Finals winning three of them in 2000, 2005 and 2014. This will be their fifth Grand Final upcoming where their average winning margin in the big dance has been 5 points. The 2014 Grand Final remains memorable for the performance of Woollacott Medallist and current Panthers star Alex Starling (36 points) and the late heroics of Adam Miller and Darren Ng (having a single season with the club in between his NBL career wind-down). Notable Championship winners of this club include Cameron Wilson who played in all three Grand Finals as Captain, Craig Gilbert who was also Captain of the 2000 team and the coach who could add to his already studded CV- Scott Whitmore.    

It has been a long time for the South Adelaide Panthers in fact 24 years since their last championship and 19 years since their last appearance. In their long history they have made seventeen Grand Finals including a string of seven in a row from 1963-1973. That was the era of the great Michael Ah-Matt, Dean Whitford, Scott Davie and starting centre Bruce Ninnis. They won five of those while the Panthers of the late 80s and 90s made eight winning five of them through stars Mark Davis, Scott Ninnis, Craig Adams, Darren Breeding, Matt Reece and Ron Nunnelly. Much like Whitmore, Ninnis can further elevate his colours into the ceiling of the Shed at Marion if he adds this one.   

These two teams have also never met in a Grand Final in over 40 years of playing each other- history again will be made Saturday night.

The stats

– The Warriors are one of the most evenly balanced teams in the Mens in 2022. They have had seven times this season 5 or more players score double figures plus 15 games where they have had 4 or more with at least one more player on 8 or 9 points. In their three losses this season it’s been 4, 3 and 2 players in double figures. That’s generated from the high assist count as the number two team in the competition with 22.3 and their highly efficient number one in field goal percentage 47.8, 36.6 in three-point percent, 10.1 in steals and least in turnovers 11.5.    

– The Panthers rely on getting opposition to turn the ball over hence the high steal count ranking them number two in the competition of 9.9. That produces the third most number of points per game (85.1) however their other key statistics rank fourth or below. It’s a team where the stats don’t tell the full story of how far they’ve come.       

– The Warriors evenness is proven in the rankings with Jawan Stepney, Nick Wurm, David Humphries, Joe Jackson in the top 50 scoring averages but Stepney the highest averages 17.3 at #16. In rebounding – it’s Jackson, Humphries, Stepney and McGee with Jackson grabbing 8.3 at #9. In assists – it’s Stepney, Humphries, Wurm, Riley Meldrum, James Boonstoppel and Jackson with Stepney at 4.4 at #10. The steals are where they really excel though with Humphries ranked #3 with 2.6 and five others in the top 50 in 2022.        

– The Panthers have two clear standouts in the statistics that drive everything. Smith is #1 in points per game (26.6), #30 in rebounds per game (5.4), #23 in assists per game (3) and in the top 50 for steals per game. Starling is highly ranked as well as the #2 for steals (2.8), #3 for rebounds (11.8), #9 for points (19.5) and #21 for assists (3.1). The rest get it done by committee.  

The Money Men

David Humphries – The quiet achiever for the Warriors is also their ultra-consistent go to player in the crunch. You know he’s going to produce game in game out and the big final should be no exception.
 
Jeremy Smith – If the Panthers are to break their drought, then Smith must produce 25 plus for them to be a chance. The Warriors defence have been “The Mid-Range Marvel’s” kryptonite having averaged 18.3 against the top of the table side.    

The Reliable Men 

Joe Jackson – Jackson surprisingly hasn’t been in the spotlight you feel as much in his second season compared to 2021. That won’t worry him whatsoever as his production of close to a double double on a weekly basis is the glue that holds the Warriors front court together. He’s a permanent fixture in the Warriors lineup.  

Alex Starling – Part of the last Warriors championship is on the other side of the fence this time. Speaking to him time and time again, Starling feels very comfortable with his game despite being not quite the player he was a decade ago. The numbers if anything have slightly peaked in other areas and that makes him extremely reliable for the Panthers. The most impressive thing is in the Preliminary Final he played with three fouls for over three quarters- that’s reliable.

The X-Factors

Jawan Stepney – If the last time they met is anything to go by- everyone knows that Stepney is the game breaker for the Warriors. 19 points including 5 from 5 ridiculous triples sunk the ship for the Panthers at the Castle. If the game is on the line the ball will be likely in his hands and we might see something special in the finish just like we did for the Warriors in 2014.    

Jarryd Hoppo – His impact, enthusiasm and importance is unquestionable. The Panthers huge victories of this season have seen this young man grow the confidence Ninnis has exuded. When the Panthers need a late hero; it could be fittingly the fan favourite that finds the match winning play in the finish.

COD Prediction: Warriors by 5 points/David Humphries Grand Final MVP

Catch all the NBL1 Central action tonight on the NBL1 website, app on Kayo and Kayo Freebies

NBL1 – Australia’s League

Please continue to support SA basketball news and features content being written, with our recent influx of work we are making content all free to read again but need constant contributions to make this happen. If not keen to subscribe then please message to receive direct debit details

A decade two years apart: Its been over a decade since both teams tasted success in 2007 and 2008. 

5-Minute Read

*The following article may have excerpts appear on the Basketball South Australia website to broaden reach of analysis

Women’s Grand Final Preview: West Adelaide Bearcats vs Sturt Sabres

When: 4:30pm (ACST), Saturday September 3

Where: The Lights Community and Sports Centre, Lightsview 

Broadcast: Kayo Freebies, www.nbl1.com.au

The last time

West Adelaide Bearcats 94 (Fejo 32, Utti 21, Rintala 13, Langenbrinck 11) defeated Sturt Sabres 82 (Williams 22, Close 14 Prosser 13, N Mathews 11) – Qualifying Semi-Final at the Bearcat Cave

How they got here

The fury of Jasmin Fejo was felt fully by the Sabres as she lifted the Bearcats to their first Grand Final since 2016 at the Bearcat cave 94-82 in the Qualifying Semi-Final. Pushing her case for a WNBL recall the All-Star Five guard amassed 32 points including 12 of 12 from the free throw line to steer her side to the lead through close to a full game. She got rolling with 12 for the second period and slicing her way through the Sabres for a 9-0 run. She fueled them in the fourth keeping the Sabres at more than arm’s length. Apart from the superstar Fejo’s hand, Madelynn Utti was the other force of nature with 21 points and 17 rebounds.

Meanwhile the Sabres had to take out one of the favourites at the halfway point of the season. In the Qualifying Final, The Sturt Sabres were not short on answers every time the Panthers tried to make a run as they sealed a convincing 55-69 win at the Jungle. It all changed in the second quarter as the Sabres turned up the claws on their fellow cats holding the Panthers scoreless for 3 minutes and reeling off runs of 0-11 and 0-7. That was instigated by the return of Emily Close, Jasmin Rigoni, the Mathews sisters and Mikayla Williams who dropped 7 points and 5 rebounds for the term. After their slip up against the Bearcats they looked in trouble at halftime in the Preliminary Final. It was a second half defensive clinic coupled with the Halls Medallist Mikayla Williams who when the game was there to be won grabbed it with both hands as the Sabres closed out the South Adelaide Panthers 74-70 at the Cave. The Halls Medallist had a season high 31 points, 19 rebounds and an efficiency rating of 41- she was the match winner in the final term.

The Bearcats have rolled in on a four-game winning streak and won 14 of their last 15 games with several players in and out during the season. Their coach in Kay-lee Stuart as well during that time had been absent with Australian duties. The Sabres found their match winner when it counted and once again showed their system stands up in finals.

Championship history

The Bearcats Women have waited a long time to get back to the big dance with their last appearance in 2016 going down to the North Adelaide Rockets 45-63. The Bearcats have won the championship six times and been in the Grand Final seventeen times. They made five in a row across 1989-1993 with back-to-back championships in 1992 and 1993. Notable players across these era were superstars Pat Mickan, Rachael Sporn, Cass Pujals, Sam Woosnam, Trina Balter, Debbie Miller and Heather McKinnon. They have not won since 2007 to which another club legend in Kaye-Lee Stuart will be looking to steer them to the promise land.  

This is the Sabres third grand final in a decade having made the 2011, 2014 and 2019 deciders with the two most recent going down to an average margin of just 3 points. While not an official NBL1 season they also won the ABC 2020 against the Southern Tigers. The Sabres have been in the championship decider just eight times winning five of those encounters. This included two across 2006 and their last one 14 years ago in 2008 featuring stars Renae Camino (Garlepp) and the Bowley sisters of Monique and Hannah.

These two teams have never met in a Grand Final in over 65 years- history will be made Saturday night.

The Stats

The West Adelaide Bearcats are number three or above in points per game (80.2), field goals (41), three point percentage (29.3), free throws (70), assists (21.4), offensive rebounds (16.3), defensive rebounds (34.6) and total rebounds (50.8). In their losses this season they have lower assist numbers then their season average in 14, 18 and 15 so stifling supply of the Bearcats and making them beat you one on one is the key.

The Sturt Sabres are number three or above in three point percentage (31), Offensive rebounds (14.6), free throws (72.5) and points per game (78.5 3rd). That tells you the Sabres often from their second chance points create plenty of free throw opportunities. As a result, their field goals (39.5), assists (18.1), defensive rebounding (29) and total rebounds (43.6) drop significantly in the numbers.

The Bearcats have five players averaging 9 or more points, three players with 10 or more rebounds and 3 or more assists.

Williams is the only player that averages over 10 points and 10 rebounds per game, but they have three players that average between 9 and 10 points.  

The Money Women

Jasmin Fejo – The star Bearcat is breathing down the neck of a WNBL contract and she’s a big-time performer. She was pivotal last time they met and will drive all aspects of this game. She can write herself into NBL1 Central folklore with another huge game performance from a player that has bounced back from some challenges.  
 
Mikayla Williams – She showed last week what a bonafide superstar she was by showing she had another gear we didn’t know. You know you are going to get a double double from her but if she plays like she did in the Preliminary final, taking her side and the Grand Final MVP will not be beyond her.

The Reliable Women 

Jasmine Simmons – You notice when she’s there by not noticing her and that’s the real gift of Simmons. The quiet achiever of the Bearcats averages 9.5 points including 60 percent from the field, 10 rebounds and 4.6 assists. She is the ultimate all-rounder for this team and should get a jersey for this game despite being on the Adelaide Crows AFLW list.    

Kayla Mathews – It was apparent when Mathews struck foul trouble in the semi-final how important her impact on the floor is. When she’s played 30 minutes plus in the finals her opponent averaged 9.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.5 turnovers. When she played under 20 minutes versus the Bearcats it was a very different set of numbers. She’s also scored some big-time go-ahead buckets and set the tone defensively for her side in the full court defensive sets.  

The X-Factors

Madelynn Utti – She has flown into this league and for a player her height has dominated the glass and the scoreboard. Potentially she can rip the Sabres apart like she did in the second half the last time they met with 15 points and 10 rebounds in the second half. The import is the smokey for the MVP in on the big stage.

Meg Prosser – Prosser is one spotlight game away from taking the next level to be a Sabres star player. She’s hit 8 of 14 from beyond the arc in the finals and in the absence of star junior Tayla Brazel had a huge season. I think she’s ready to show us what a special player she really is.

COD Prediction: Bearcats by 7 points/Jasmin Fejo Grand Final MVP

Catch all the NBL1 Central action tonight on the NBL1 website, app on Kayo and Kayo Freebies

NBL1 – Australia’s League

Please continue to support SA basketball news and features content being written, with our recent influx of work we are making content all free to read again but need constant contributions to make this happen. If not keen to subscribe then please message to receive direct debit details