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Ten Burning Questions about NBL1 Central Womens 2022

We are at the halfway point of the Women’s NBL1 Central season and as we enter the second half of the season, there are questions that need to be answered about all ten teams and their fate for the 2022 season…

Is she the "Close-r" that the Sturt Sabres need to go deep into the finals this season?  Photo by Snap Shot Photography

3-Minute Read

How many wins can the Lions get to finish their second year of “re-growth”?

4… With one already up over the Warriors that broke the drought, the Lions should beat everyone that’s around them on the table except for the Eastern Mavericks who will be making a push for a finals spot. If two of those come against Warriors and Rockets then there must be an upset in there; the best chance the two Sunday afternoon fixtures at the Den in July against the Eagles and the Flames. I think they’ll get one of those two and in those other defeats make it a very hard exercise for their opposition.

Who needs to get going for the Mavs to make a charge at the finals?

Kaila Gabriel… The Mavs have plenty of pieces in place including some serious paint presence and if Olivia Bradley comes back from Sapphires in an uber aggressive mode and looks at shooting more outside shots in that mode they’ll make a charge. The one who knows can lift is Gabriel averaging 2.6 points, 2.1 assist and 2.2 rebounds, if she can lift that shooting percentage to 30-35 percent and points average to close to double figures which if its Toowoomba Mountaineers QBL version 2018 version of her in second half of season (7.6) they are still alive…

The Number 4? Tyla Bennett may be the key to the Lions grabbing a few more wins in the second half of the season. Photo by Archie Creative

Is Eliza Joynes about to show what she can do?

Maybe she will… Joynes stepped up for the Warriors in their last game against the Sabres with a career high 15 point and 10 rebound double double. The attributes she has can help the Warriors in the second half of the season and help Tunour-McCarty and Winter in the scoring department. With her size and ability, using her in on-ball actions will become a necessity for a competitive outfit in the second half of the season.

Do Grace Facchini and Lily Zbierski need to see starter minutes?

YES! Both these players have shown they are the part of the future of the Rockets and I love the way they both play the game. Both are getting 8-12 minutes a game in 2022 and realistically with 2-7 and each team ahead of them on the ladder likely to inflict a few losses in the second half of the season, turning an eye to 2023 may not be a bad idea. The Rockets need another aggressive scorer and stretch forward and Facchini with already an average of 5 points at 42 percent and a couple of double figure games and Zbierski with 4.6 points and 2.7 rebounds and a 17 point haul including three triples against the Panthers; they are ideal players to up to 20-25 minutes a game in this line-up. Bails, Facchini, Taylor/De Francesco, Zbierski and some more of Awur Ajak at times.

Need more Mon? The Eagles could do with a big second half of the season from Hanna. Photo by RQ Photographics

How do the Eagles be “More than Simons?”

Mon Hanna… Its time for the import to really find her groove and grab one of those two starting forward positions as her own. Averaging 3.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 10 minutes a game currently those numbers have to triple to really take the spotlight off Sam and Jess Simons getting it done night in night out. Bella Stratford spoke to The Hoopsters NBL1 Basketball Show about the team spreading the load amongst the group especially if the other two are silenced by opposition defenders. Sometimes you have to throw the key piece regardless of what form into the cooker of the starting line-up and see what they can do…

Can Coleman be the piece that delivers the championship to the Flames?

She’s the missing piece… I was big on the Flames being in the top two by the time the regular season concluded and even with a record of 5-4 under Terry-Jo McNamara they are still a huge threat to do that. The addition of Coleman just strengthened them further in the last month and her numbers are tracking sharply north quickly with an average of 17 points and 12.6 rebounds in her last three games. The test of whether she is the key comes against Panthers, Tigers and Bearcats in their next five games, contenders that will tell us if the Flames are burning bright or about to turn out the light…

Ice-Coleman – Molly Coleman has been a cooling influence for the Flames in the last month. Photo by Picture IT Sports Photography

Are the Tigers about to “sharpen up”?

You have to give it to them they pick their moment… Rebounding and finding enough consistent scoring winners on the floor was a chief concern when the MVP and Halls medallist exited stage left to the West; The Tigers seems to have covered those bases now with three key inclusions McKendrick, Skinner and have just added one more in import Jaedyn De La Cerda. McKendrick’s numbers early were a concern but then turned it around in a huge patch with an average of 20 points in her last five games to couple with her and De La Cerda is by the looks of things early going to give the Tigers pace and buckets. That means it doesn’t all rest on Yaeger and therefore Tigers are primed for a shot at back-to-back championships.

Is Fejo fast becoming the most influential player in the league?

Affirmative… The biggest indicator of this was not in the NBL1 but watched her at the 3×3 Hustle and that exhibition match showed off so much of her ability not all her pace and quickness but her ability to finish one on one at the rim and strength that she has regained in her body after maternity leave. Every game I’ve watched or seen for the Bearcats this season she can turn the game in an instance for her team and consistently has performed to the point we are now talking Halls medal contention. I’m hoping a WNBL club snaps her up quickly after the season though as with these attributes, a cross-code swipe could come from nowhere and nab us of an extremely talented player.

Jumpin Jazz Flash Fejo: Jasmin Fejo is changing games in the blink of an eye in 2022 and that should be catching the eye of WNBL clubs. Photo by West Adelaide Bearcats

Can the Sabres get one more to really step up to put them in contention?

It depends whether you want to tamper with the formula or not… The Sabres once again prove some doubters wrong by their list getting it done as a genuine collective although Williams has been a key piece of that as an undersized five this season. They are so hard to beat at the Cave with their press and match up zones but if they are to really shake the challenge tree for the championship they need someone to be the go-to scorer who will put the ball in the hole at the crucial time; that this year before the ACL would’ve been Tayla Brazel no doubt. My prediction is that the closer of game in the second half will already be halfway there in name, Emily Close. She averages 7.1 points per game and stepped up when Mathews was down last game; she can do it again you feel…

Can the Panthers win it all without Levicki?

Yes but the odds have lengthened significantly… The biggest move of the off-season came off-court in the past week when we learnt that Levicki’s move to AFLW Port Adelaide meant curtains for the 2022 season and possibly beyond for the #2 rebounder and #3 scorer. That’s going to be tough nigh impossible for Richard Dickel to replace but perhaps they were aware anything like this could happen. When the import signing of Izzy Osk Siguardardottir occurred; it raised eyebrows considering how potent the Panthers were already at the time. In hindsight though it was a smart move as she slots straight into the five position as we saw against the Rockets and with her in that slot; the most important piece of the lineup comes from Jade Johnson. She has warmed into this season slowly but has exploded now with 16 and 32 in her last two games. With history already against them, they are still the favourites but have to find a way to get to the big dance first…

Liv without Levicki for the Panthers is coming: The Panthers will be without the league gun having been thunderstruck by a cross-code club. Photo by Snap Shot Photography

The second half of the season with such an even women’s competition however is bound to throw up some unexpected outcomes and what will be a thrilling ride for supporters of all clubs. Make sure you keep up to date on the NBL1 App, Website and here on the Cross Over Dribble…

NBL1 Central Round 9 Preview

After 8 rounds the ladder can be deceptive but also perceptive to where teams are really at… This weekend houses plenty of clashes which are likely to start to see the contenders of 2022 emerge or confirm, the dark horses revealed, the teams in big trouble and those who need to start looking to youth development for the future. You’ll need to work out who these are in Round 9 of NBL1 Central action this weekend…

Dark Horse emerging? Despite a slip up last week, led by Jeremy Smith are the Panthers if they beat the Rockets Saturday night a surprise contender for the 2022 title. Picture by Snap Shot Photography

4-Minute Read

Saturday 4/06/2022

Sturt Sabres vs Woodville Warriors – (Springbank – The Cave)

Women (6:30pm)

The Sabres streak was brought to an end last week and tonight’s game with the Warriors should correct the direction of the dial on paper. It is likely a case of next cap off the rank with either Caitlin Dyer or Emily Close likely to start for Kayla Mathews who surely would be unlikely to play after a heavy floor collision last round. The Warriors will need to force the Sabres to beat them from beyond the arc and minimise the amount of touches Williams gets to remain competitive. They will also need 20 plus points and 10 plus rebounds from Tunour-McCarty and Winter and someone to step up for 10-15 points which I think the likely one that has looked possible is Loyola Marymount college returnee Eliza Joynes. The Sabres despite being down some key personnel should account for this one.

Key Stat – The Sabres in the second half dropped 17 percent from beyond the arc and in the final quarter only two points in the paint in their Round 8 loss to the Panthers.

ESPN Prediction: Sabres by 27 points

Men (8:15pm)

Blockbuster game of the night in the Mens with one vs two on the ladder and two of the leading contenders of the top three in NBL1 Central. The Sabres men have had a very good record against the Warriors winning their past 3 matches with the Warriors having not beaten the Sabres since Round 7 of the 2019 Premier League 88-76. There is never a better time for the Warriors to show they are the real deal this year and even after playing a close to full strength Eagles (and with the greatest respect a round one Rockets) this is the first real test for the top side of the season. Both teams are incredibly even across the board but the edge in this one goes to the Warriors with the Joe Jackson/Devin Haygood matchup pivotal in this contest.

Key Stat – Both teams average the equal lowest amount of turnovers per game 11.8 but the Warriors are number one in the league for steals per game with 11.3; expect the turnover rate of the Sabres to increase in this one.

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NBL1 Central Round 8 Preview

Its Euro-Trip to SA as several names arrive from Europe and interstate including Osk Siguardardottir, the SA version of the Greek freak and the number one scorer from the East. Plenty of teams starting to make moves despite negative records throws intrigue and suspense into the Round 8 of NBL1 Central action this weekend…

BJ and the Bandit - Branden Jenkins comes to the league as no joke having topped the scoring averages in NBL1 East already this season to join Bijan Johnson at the Lions. Photo by James Wiltshire

5-Minute Read

Saturday 28/05/2022

Forestville Eagles vs Norwood Flames – (Wayville – The Nest)

Women (6:15pm)

Former teammates will come to clash as a game that looks to separate the table apart in the middle finally comes to the league. The Eagles are coming off a long break since their last game (against Sturt Sunday May 8) while the Flames won both their games back-to-back last weekend. Don’t be surprised to see an unlikely but also logical matchup with Wilson and Simons taking on each other. Both sides probably realise they are the match-winners and Stratford can take Basham in what looms as a battle worth the price of admission. It might come down to Genna Anderson who caused all sorts of problems for the Eagles last season with 17 points and 11 rebounds and 18 points and 10 rebounds in their fixtures. The Flames were one of my early favourites for the titles and I think they are getting on their rool now and the Eagles are next in the firing line.

Key Stat – The Eagles are shooting 34 percent from beyond the arc and are number one in the competition; The Flames have launched an average of 21.6 from there compared to the Eagles 23.16. Might come down to who can hit the target from their 20 odd attempts best.

ESPN Prediction: Flames by 7 points

Men (8:00pm)

The Eagles will be looking to put the pain on the team that knocked them out of the finals in 2022. Coming off a confident boosting victory over the COE, the Eagles machine is starting to click into place but the other confident group have also found their groove. After knocking off the undefeated Rockets perhaps Tim Odell has found the formula for his Flames. The Flames have some useful assets that could trouble many of the Eagles players, but I think it’s a case of just one too many to stop for this team. I think this one is likely to be a shootout with the Eagles getting home in a much closer contest than maybe we thought a few rounds ago.

Key Stat – Both teams are miserly with ball in hand with the Flames equal number 2 and the Eagles number 4 for turnovers in the competition.

ESPN Prediction: Eagles by 5 points

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

Women (6:30pm)

The Warriors look mis-matched in this one against the in-form Tigers who took out the top of the table Panthers last weekend. If the Warriors are to cause a major upset, they are going to need to hold the Tigers to a score if 50-60 for the game and force everyone but Yaeger, Skinner and McKendrick to beat them. I simply can’t see how they can hold all three that quiet and the Tigers should continue their strong run against the Warriors women in recent years.

Key Stat – The Warriors will need more scoring production off their steals only averaging 59.9 points per game this season.

ESPN Prediction: Tigers by 33 points

Men (8:15pm)

The Warriors are rolling for 2022 but have to continue the momentum going after starting 3-1 in 2021 they came up short of the finals with a 8-10 record. Now they are 6-1 and, in the territory, where they dropped games, they should’ve won. The young talented Tigers may prove a challenge with Olbrich in scintillating form having scored 17, 29 and 23 points and the two imports Martin and Daniels starting to find their niche. Overall, the Warriors are so potent and defensively locked in for 2022; can’t see them dropping this one and keeping a hold on the top of the table for now…

Key Stat – The Warriors offence has been incredible this season number one in the league with an average of 98 points per game and 22.7 assists per game; they are a legit contender in 2022.

ESPN Prediction: Warriors by 18 points

South Adelaide Panthers vs Sturt Sabres (Marion – Michael Ahmatt Court)

Women (6:30pm)

The top of the table clash sees once again the Panthers who have struggled against the Sturt Sabres defensive sets traditionally attempting to inflict their first loss of the season on the double blues. Last season the Panthers beat the Sabres in the qualifying final 79-93 with Ash “Splash” Spencer incredible in the final quarter to break the hoodoo; each side has one key difference with Jade Johnson now on the other side and the Sabres finding a key import fit in Williams. The Panthers however have a player that can counteract the impact of Williams in new import from Iceland Izzy Osk Siguardardottir who with a high arching jump shot should be a treat to watch for NBL1 Central fans. As good as the Sabres have been this season I think this time with Johnson in the blue and white corner; this match is going the way of South just…

Key Stat – The coach that masterminded the Panthers downfall numerous times for the Sabres is now a key assistant at South in John Turnbull; he knows the scout so he’s the difference from a strategic viewpoint…

ESPN Prediction: Panthers by 8 points

Siguardardottir and delivered: Keep an eye out for the arching shot of Icelandic national centre new Panthers import Isabella Osk Siguardardottir

Men (8:15pm)

It a big moment for the Panthers as they continue to win the close ones, this is a stern test against Rigoni’s Sabres. The Sabres can get you in so many ways at both the offensive end and the defensive end. The son of coach Rigoni Jacob is emerging as a star of the league averaging 17 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3 assists per game but he’s got a long way to go to catch the “mid-range marvel” in Smith who towers above both line-ups with 27 points at consistently 55 percent, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists. I think Ninnis’s men despite the close wins might be the real deal and a win over the Sabres proves they are a contender for the final five.

Key Stat – The Panthers have two of the top ten league scorers compared to the Sabres who have four in the top 50.

ESPN Prediction: Panthers by 4 points

Central District Lions vs North Adelaide Rockets (Starplex – The Den)

Women (6:30pm)

Rejoice Lions fans that the drought is over and when it rains, it can pour. It was a matter of time before the draw finally showed the Lions are a competitive unit in 2022 and have been led magnificently from the front by Samuels but also we can’t underestimate the impact of championship experience from Washington and a big frame in Tyla Bennett. Rockets fans of course should be appreciating Taylor and watching out for their co-captain DeFrancesco who’s had good history against the Lions and may be one the aways side would need to quell (20 and an 11 point double double last season). Confidence is riding high now for the Lions and the Rockets who are clearly in some “putting games into youth” mode with the release of one of their two imports Thomas and no news of a replacement are being prowled for another kill by a club hungry to have more wins after tasting success once again.

Key Stat – The Lions are capitalising on their offence in 2022 averaging 62 points but surprisingly shooting the same from the field in 37 percent as they did in 2021; Last year’s grand finalist the Rockets have understandly dropped to 32 percent from 37 percent.

ESPN Prediction: Lions by 15 points

Men (8:15pm)

Exciting times for the league and the Lions with the arrival of #1 NBL1 East scoring machine from the Lauren Jackson Albury-Wodonga Bandits in Branden Jenkins who’s had some G-League experience as well gives the Lions a chance. Jenkins instantly will make this game a lot closer with Dowdell playing the team he won a championship with last year. The Lions can match the Rockets in all aspects with Jenkins matching up with Winn, Dowdell on Akoh, Manyang on Dau bound to be one of the highlights of the night and Bijan Johnson against Brad Rathjen. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Lions cause an upset but think the Rockets with homecourt will find a way to get it done.

Key Stat – With Jenkins 25 ppg, the Lions now boost Manyang with 18 ppg, BJ with 17.7 ppg, Dowdell with 17.2 ppg, Nathaniel Koko with 11.7 ppg and Nate Deer off the pine with 10.7 ppg; they are now officially loaded offensively.

ESPN Prediction: Rockets by 5 points

Eastern Mavericks vs West Adelaide Bearcats (St Francis – The Shooting Gallery)

Women (6:30pm)

This one I think is not as straight forward despite the Bearcats looking like a raging favourite in most people’s eyes. Stopping Jaz Fejo will be the key for the Mavs with the task likely falling to Gabriel as I think they’ll be able to contain reasonably Rintala through their import combo who troubled them most last season. The Mavs got the better of the Bearcats in their last home encounter but this unit from the West has stamped itself as a contender. The Mavs matchup well here apart from Fejo and I think that’s the difference in this game.

Key Stat – The Bearcats are extremely efficient in 2022 shooing 42 percent from the field and are number one for dominating the glass through their hardworking guards and forwards with 52 per game.

ESPN Prediction: Bearcats by 9 points

Men (8:15pm)

The SA version of the Greek-Freak has arrived in 7’4 giant Ioannis Dimakopoulos (that’s SA’s version of Giannis) and is the final piece of the Mavs puzzle for 2022. Against a West team struggling for consistency this is where the Mavs launch themselves off the bottom of the table as I predicted at the start of the season but if they are going to make a run from 0-7 eerily similar to the Rockets they must get off the mark tonight. A loss to the Bearcats who despite being 7^th are likely to slip from here on in and it could be all over before it started with 0-8. That’s not happening with a team boasting Legan, Cromarty, McCalop, Knibbs and the likely suit up of Dimakopoulos as its potential starting five; they break the duck tonight after coming so close last week…

Key Stat – Since suiting Legan and Cromarty, the Mavs have scored 84, 78 and 94 compared to 80, 60 and 66; that’s an increase in 16 extra points per game…

ESPN Prediction: Mavericks by 10 points

Our very own Giannis: The big 7’4 giant arrives on our shores this week and will need to get hooping straightaway if the Mavs are to compete for the final five…

We are back to doing recaps for the NBL, Catch all the NBL1 Central action today on the NBL1 website, app and game of the week in Round 8 between the South Adelaide Panthers and the Sturt Sabres on Kayo and Kayo Freebies this evening.

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