Category: NBL1

NBL1 Central Round One Mens – Eagles overcome stirring Mavs to avoid second upset

More winding back the clock was required for the Forestville Eagles through Daniel Johnson and Adam Doyle as they staved off a stirring Eastern Mavericks first up 87-94 at St Francis.

Photo provided by CS Photgraphicaus

3-Minute Read

After causing the boil over of the last two decades in the league – the Mavs are badged as contenders for the finals in 2026 and showed accordingly taking it up to the Eagles in the opening term 21-22.

A raft of new recruits led from the front with former South Adelaide Panther Curtis Scott (12 points, seven assists & four rebounds), Mt Gambier Pioneer Christian Peevy and Southern Tigers Harry Morris (Nine points, four assists and rebounds) rallied together.  The star-studded Eagles however got some quick points including a jam from Daniel Johnson to help them take a slight edge 44-45 at the half. 

Adam Doyle (15 points, four assists and three rebounds) wound back the clock again with a pair of triples in the third term but the Eagles  Returning power forward BJ Symons proved to be a telling factor against the Eagles once again as his influence and another former Pioneer in Dylan Marshall (12 points and five rebounds) kept the Mavs in touch 64-71 with one to play.

BJ’s Back – the paint poker player has returned in NBL1 Central 2026 and not lost any of his punch – Photo by CS Photgraphicsaus

Symons trips to the free throw line and work inside the paint created multiple opportunities for the home side however some late contributions from Fiston Ipassou (14 points & six rebounds) including a triple of his own helped the Eagles slip away from the Mavs on their home floor 87-94.

The Eagles were led by Daniel Johnson within a breath of a triple double of 25 points, Nine assists and rebounds with Greg Mays producing 16 points & four rebounds. Alex Starling also gave his usual output in his multi-dimensional role with 12 points, eight rebounds with four assists and steals with all five Eagles starters notching double figures. 

 The numbers that mattered 

  • A significant change even early in the season is that the pine played a total of 48 minutes with nine points, seven rebounds for the Eagles – Young gun James McKenzie the first to be given a bigger role in the absence of Jordan Wilson and Jordan Forbes
  • Paint is the process for the Mavs with 61 percent from 2pt range
  • The Eagles had an additional eight possessions off their offensive rebounding led by DJ with five    

The Three Takeaways 

  • If the Eagles can go deeper into their bench this season – they may have the fuel in the take to drop off anyone that comes near them late in the season
  • The Mavs have a raft of creative scorers all with different methods – makes them very difficult to defend once they get rolling this season 
  • Once the Eagles have Jordan Forbes – they are going to be a scary proposition that don’t have to play their best till seasons end

EASTERN MAVERICKS 87 (SYMONS 25, PEEVY 16, SCOTT 15, MARSHALL 12, MORRIS 11)

FORESTVILLE EAGLES 94 (D JOHNSON 25, MAYS 16, DOYLE 15, IPASSOU 14, STARLING 12)

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.

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NBL1 Central Round One Womens – Bearcat Morgan monsters again in opening round over Rockets

Morgan Yaeger returned to the centre stage of NBL1 Central with a commanding West Adelaide Bearcat dance over the North Adelaide Rockets 53-76 at the Lights Community & Sports Centre.

Photo provided by Sonya Connor Photography

3-Minute Read

It was a depleted start from the Rockets under new coach Georgia Crouch as her former counterpart at the Adelaide Lightning in Matthew Clarke returned to take the helm at the West Adelaide Bearcats. The red and black blitzed their way to a 0-17 start with Yaeger kicking things off with nine straight points including her first triple of the night. It took a visit to the free throw line for Jordyn Freer to break the run but the Bearcats already smelt blood in the water as Yaeger added another five for the term to give her 13 points with another Lightning returnee in Ashlee Strawbridge dropping the late finish off the window for a 6-30 start.

An immediate response was called upon by Crouch and she got from Olympian Lauren Mansfield (10 points & three rebounds) as she drained an early triple then managed to get former Eagle Maddy Freer up and running to cut it back to 18-35. Off the back of a strong performance for SA – the U20s brigade led by Coco Hodges with back to back triples resumed order as the Bearcats took a 26-49 handy lead into the halftime break.

New Sister Act – Coco Hodges (pictured) and Chloe Hodges could be the newest of sister acts in NBL1 Central 2026 with an impressive opening round of 22 points, 10 rebounds & steals and 7 assists – Photo by Sonya Connor Photography

The Rockets continued to try and fight back through the Freer sisters but a strong run of 2-11 from the away side had them in a commanding position of 33-60 with one to play. Yaeger shut the door on this one incredibly quick with a triple and a trademark setback three but knowing these two may be there at the end of the season – establishing a strong margin to chase down in their return meeting was clearly on the agenda as the Bearcats did not yield until the final buzzer.

Yaeger produced in Round one yet again with 30 points at 64 percent, five assists, four rebounds and three steals with both Coco Hodges (12 points, five rebounds & steals and four assists) and Chloe Hodges (10 points, five rebounds & steals and three assists) near identical numbers. The Freer’s will be the pair to watch for the Rockets together with Jordyn Freer adding 15 points & seven rebounds and Maddy in her first game for the new colours eight points & rebounds with five steals and three assists.

 The numbers that mattered 

  • Yaeger did her damage in the first term with 13 of her 30 points coming in the quarter 
  • The Rockets registered 10 turnovers with eight missed field goals before Abbey Jones made the first with 58 seconds left in the first
  • 29 steals were registered in the match with the Bearcats 19 of them led by the Hodges
  • Yaeger now has averaged 31.75 points in Round One of the NBL1 Central since 2021 after scores of 15, 35, 47 and now 30 in consecutive matches.  

The Three Takeaways 

  • Yaeger & Clarke are the combo – but we already knew that right?
  • Even though we know this Bearcats team is getting stronger – the quick adjustments under Clarke should have the whole league on full notice
  • The Rockets depth is concerning – health is a premium with plenty of experience but a slow start is looking likely now

NORTH ADELAIDE ROCKETS 53 (J FREER 15, MANSFIELD 10, M FREER, WARNER 8)

WEST ADELAIDE BEARCATS 76 (YAEGER 30, CH HODGES 12, CO HODGES 10)

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 Womens – Eagle Simons takes flight to down Eastern Import onslaught

Despite the absence of some key players the Forestville Eagles have managed to hold off the late charge of the Eastern Mavericks 74-79 at St Francis De Sales.

Photo provided by CS Photographicaus

3-Minute Read

In shades of Carmen Tyson-Thomas of past seasons – the women got a great first up impression from new US import Antigonie “Tiggie” Sanabria & recently graduated Hawai’i Rainbow Wahine college import Brooklyn Rewers as they just sat behind the Eagles 23-25 after the first quarter.

Getting “Tiggie” with it in 2026 – This looks like it won’t be the first time either as Antigonie “Tiggie” Sanabria showed shades of former Mavs import Carmen Tyson-Thomas and we know what happened that year – Photo by CS Photgraphicaus

 

The game remained tight in the second with the Mavs extending their lead to double digits before the Simons sisters of Sam and Jess cut it to 44-39 at the main change. After an even third term 59-61 – the Mavs chance to beat the Eagles for the first time since 2019 was there as Sanabria cut it back to a two basket margin with only a few plays left.

Despite whittling it back the Eagles prevailed 74-79 with some close out plays and makes in the final minute.

Sam Simons was the player of the game with 28 points, nine rebounds, fours steals & three assists and in a sister act with Jess (14 points & six rebounds) got the job done for the Eagles to give new coach Matt Paps a first up win. Rewers (21 points & seven rebounds) & Sanabria (20 points & nine rebounds) led from the front for the home side.

 The numbers that mattered 

  • While the pair of Sanabria and Rewers had 41 between them the Mavs did get another 33 points from the rest of their lineup compared to the Eagles 
  • Olivia Tredrea with Sydney Hunter not quite ready to go collected a career high Seven points, six rebounds and assists in a strong 31 minute showing.  
  • The Eagles had 18 offensive rebounds and forced the Mavericks into 15 turnovers to create an additional 15 scoring opportunities 
  • The Mavericks took all of their 2pt shots inside the paint except for one for the match  

The Three Takeaways 

  • The Mavericks new import need to stay healthy for them to stay competitive 
  • The Eagles are still working out a new system including using heavier rotations through the bench 
  • It was a missed chance by the Mavericks with the Eagles missing a few key personnel and in the same breath a huge step forward for the cellar dwellers of 2025.

EASTERN MAVERICKS 74 (REWERS 21, SANABRIA 20, A WATKINSON 13, RAMSEY 7)

FORESTVILLE EAGLES 79 (S SIMONS 28, J SIMONS 14, R KING 12, VIDMAR 9, O TREDREA 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