Category: NBL1

Former WNBL and current South Adelaide Panther Olivia Thompson will have a big say on where her team finishes in the home run – Photo By NBL1/Emma Hoppo Photography

2-Min Read

Note: With fixtures being redrafted, the order of games is subject to change

South Adelaide Panthers (3^rd)

Record – 11 wins/4 losses, 117% (15 Games played)

Run Home: Eagles (Away), Sabres (Home), Lions (Away)

Splits: Eagles (16 points ahead), Sabres (14 points behind), Lions (73 points ahead)

Prediction: The Panthers are in the box seat to finish with at least 12 wins and lock away third spot and if it gets down to a fight with the Eagles on the ladder they would need to drop their game at the Nest by 17 points for it to be a disaster even if they only beat the Lions in the final round. Likely hood is they fancy themselves against the Sturt Sabres already securing their finals berth with their game style and win two of these three games and secure a podium finish.

ESPN Prediction: 3rd   

Forestville Eagles (4^th)

Record – 10 wins/5 losses, 115% (15 Games played)

Run Home: Panthers (Home), Bearcats (Away), Tigers (Home)

Splits: Panthers (16 points behind), Bearcats (1 point ahead), Tigers (1 point ahead)

Prediction: The game against the Panthers is key as it could setup a 3-0 finish for the Eagles even with the top of the table Southern in a non-table position shifter game for them. The splits is the most interesting as they have to make up 17 points on the Eagles and to make sure the Bearcats don’t sneak up on them from behind secure at least a win against them. Even if they get the win against the Panthers and grabbed all three wins, I can’t see them getting to 13 wins and knocking off the Panthers ahead of them which means they’ll most likely land on the next rung down the ladder    

ESPN Prediction: 4^th

North Adelaide Rockets (5^th)

Record – 8 wins/7 losses, 114% (15 Games played)

Run Home: Tigers (Home), Mavericks (Away), Flames (Home)

Splits: Tigers (7 points behind), Mavericks (21 points ahead), Flames (35 points ahead)

Prediction: This is a tough run for the Rockets with the Tigers, in-form Eastern Mavericks and then what looms as a likely early elimination final against the Norwood Flames. The advantage is that the Flames need to win by 36 points to grab the head-to-head so if they can mitigate that, they can sneak into the fifth spot but think with a loss to the Flames in the run home will finish just short of 10 wins and the finals by one spot.

ESPN Prediction: 6th

Norwood Flames (6^th)

Record – 8 wins/7 losses, 99% (14 Games played)

Run Home: Sabres (Away), Bearcats (Home), Lions (Home), Rockets (Away)

Splits: Sabres (37 points behind), Bearcats (5 points behind), Lions (54 points ahead) Rockets (35 points behind)

Prediction: The Flames are the most intriguing of the finals contenders they could go anywhere between 4-0 or 0-4 as their record suggests. The struggle is that they have 99 percent on the board and are about 10 percent behind the contenders but could make that up in their games against the Bearcats and the Lions. The advantage is they still have an extra game compared to their opponents so they are much higher than their ladder position suggests. I reckon they’ll grab 10 wins and a thrilling win against the Rockets to seal the fifth spot in the final five likely on the back of some outstanding hoops from Ally Wilson.

ESPN Prediction: 5th

West Adelaide Bearcats (7^th)

Record – 6 wins/8 losses, 111% (14 Games played)

Run Home: Warriors (Away), Flames (Away), Eagles (Home), Sabres (Away)

Splits: Warriors (41 points ahead), Flames (5 points ahead), Eagles (1 point behind), Sabres (34 points behind)

Prediction: There is still “a chance” for the Bearcats with still four games left but they will rely on the Eagles, Flames and Rockets losing a host of remaining games and the Flames beating the Rockets in the run home by a small margin. There is also the small matter of them winning all three of their final games with the Sturt Sabres the toughest of the set ahead. With significantly simpler equations for the competing teams, it just seems too much has to go the Bearcats way for them to get in.  

ESPN Prediction: 7th

Written by Tristan Prentice  

Julian Jacobs has been a revelation in the NBL1 Mens league this season – Photo by All-Star Photos/Kelly Barnes

We must stop underestimating the Sturt Sabres

No imports, no Adelaide 36ers in-coming recruits (that we know of) and lost Alex Mudronja to South Adelaide but as usual no worries for the 6-0 top of the table Sabres. Paul Rigoni’s side is absolutely clicking like their female counterparts on all cylinders. Certainly, the addition of Sam Daly and young gun Keanu Rasmussen has been impactful but the gelling of the core in Joel Spear, Jack Turnbull, Tom Goodall, Nick Fassos and Ben Griscti particularly has been evident game to game. Its clear the Sabres have no need for an imports when the chemistry is flowing double blue.

Whitmore has got Warriors working for each other

While the Warriors recruiting has been top shelf for the inaugural NBL1 season with some of the other teams having players that have been together and played in the league for multiple years all gelled, my chief concern was would this group gel with the new import additions in time to make a finals run? Well that concern has been well and truly blown out of the water, you have to hand it to coach Scott Whitmore who has not only recruited the import of the season in Julian Jacobs that has slid into the Warriors jigsaw puzzle and fitted but both with Joe Jackson filling his output to a tee. I have got no doubt now with the line-up they have that the Warriors will now be a lock for the top five but where they finish is going to come down to how they play against their fellow contenders currently 1-2 against them but have most of the current bottom ranked teams in the next month.

Jamie Petty has finally got the right combination, how will Mud and Hulland fit though?

Putting some of the stars in cotton wool late in the Adelaide Basketball Challenge 2020 was a calculated move by the head coach of the South Adelaide Panthers and its paying dividends. The group sit at 4-2 having pulled off some solid road wins with plenty of the mainstays from the last few years in incredible form like Kristian Ciabattoni, Codey Ellison and Todd Davies. There are of course still two major pieces to add to the Panthers in Adelaide 36ers recruits Alex Mudronja and Owen Hulland who are likely to see more court time with their NBL side the last few weeks of their season due to couple of the star sixers shutting their season down. The role players have complemented Alex Starling so well while not worried I do wonder if bringing in these two will disrupt some of the chemistry that’s been created by these players who are playing at a level above where its expected. I will be watching this team with interest.   

Cameron Coleman is bringing “the truth” weekly

The Southern Tigers are sitting much higher than my power rankings suggested prior to the season, a big reason for that is the recruitment from NSW Waratah League of Cameron Coleman. Coleman is a genuine threat in the league averaging 20.4 points at 52.6 percent and 6 rebounds per game and is forming a nice connection with fellow big Koop McCalop. He is the reason that coach David Morrell’s Tigers are sitting much higher than initially predicted.       

The Forestville Eagles five is elite but what about the rest?

The Eagles have the elite five that can win the whole thing once again but their record is 3-3 currently and while its definitely not panic stations, the Eagles are clearly not as stacked as last season. Elite guard Adam Doyle was replaced by Lions Isaac Auteur and they lost Christian Artuticho, Zac Camerlengo to other clubs so the depth Andrew Simons could call upon is not there so the rotations have shortened significantly. So if the stars are quelled as they have been marginally enough in their losses, where does the bench impact come from? A question still to be answered in the coming month.     

Ross is the boss and Bryan is waiting for opposition defenders

If you are a basketball fan, a night out watching Earnest Ross and Bryan Michaels go to work is worth your hard earned and they are putting on a show regardless of results. Both former NBL Perth Wildcats are averaging 22.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.7 steals and 20 points, 3.83 rebounds, 3.16 assists and 1.16 steals respectively. These two are so fun to watch in our league and show exactly why the NBL1 branding has been a boost for the now defunct SA Premier League model.    

The Flames finals hopes still hinge on CJ and Green Dunking Machine

If the Norwood Flames are to feature in the post season, then they will still need to ride the eliteness of star CJ Turnage and the powerful impact of 6’10 centre Anthony Green. Green has been a guaranteed highlight reel each week but also provides some solid numbers at both ends of the floor averaging 10.6 points, 7.16 rebounds and some seriously good rim protection per game. Turnage has turned it up another level this season and like Taylor Ortlepp for the Rockets women’s team is a genuine match winner off his own hand as proved against the Eagles and the Panthers this season. Turnage is averaging 28.66 points with no less than 21 points per game, 7.83 rebounds and 3.83 assists and hitting one out of every two shots consistently compared to his ABC numbers last season of 25.73 points with no less than 14 points per game. If the Adelaide 36ers were looking for a local import to fill a third spot on their roster, Turnage would not be a bad option coming off the bench in NBL 2021/2022 you feel.   

They have the athleticism and ability, but Atkins Lions haven’t quite found their winning formula… yet

Oh man the Lions are also fun to watch like the Bearcats and an enthusiastic team to boot but I’m sure the patches in games where some of the decisions Matt Atkin’s players make would be driving him up the wall. Often the Lions have led games at half-time but have fallen away as the game has gone on but its clearly not a fitness issue but a gelling and understanding the process he wants to run from the outside looking in. Every game the Lions have been within 12 odd points except for the blowout on double header weekend against the Warriors and the Sabres. They do have a good run coming up with the Mavs, Flames (at the Den), Panthers then Bearcats (at the Den) which will tell us much about if these issues can be solved.   

How long can the Rockets bleed losses hanging on for Sunday and Jack to start?

Head Coach Dean Nyberg’s poker hand is on the table right now this early in the season knowing that the aces in the pack are still a little distance away in Adelaide 36ers Sunday Dech and Jack McVeigh. The chips are bleeding though at 1-5 with the next month being crucial. They have a month of winnable games but that has also been compounded with the high likely hood now that short term recruit Jack Purchase will not be available due to being re-activated by the Adelaide 36ers. They need 3 of the next 4 to set themselves up for the second half of the season, any less and considerably the North Adelaide Rockets may fold this season before even able to play the aces in the pack.    

Who’s the next “wise” player up to the plate for the “Rojo” Mavs?

The Mavs in theory are a well-balanced team and any other season probably would be up around the mid-table but this is the NBL1 model now and you gotta bring the star power. The Mavs don’t have that but a very quiet signing for Michael “Rojo” Rogers team last week might turn that around. Import William Wise the third is back and by the looks of the roster last week potentially Nathaniel Koko’s teammate at the Port City Power may be injured or have been released in Paul Aleer. The 6’9 forward/centre when he last played for the Mavs averaged 19.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game after some time in Romania with CSM Sighetu Marmatiei. Adding him saw him produce 19 points against the Bearcats in Round 6 but along with him, the Mavs will need potential role players Cohen Creeper and Lachlan Knibbs to step up to the next level.   

NBL1 Men’s have some of the countries elite showstopping dunkers

You only have to look at the top ten plays of the week across NBL1 to know we have some elite showstoppers in our league above the rim and my are they fire to watch. If its not Greg Mays, it is the Anthony Green, Alex Starling, Tom Goodall, Julian Jacobs, Koop McCalop, Bryan Michaels, Lual Diing, Manel Ayol and no doubt the incoming William Wise the third show. Get your popcorn as the sky show will continue as the season rolls along and that puts bums on seats when it comes to men’s basketball.    

Written by Tristan Prentice

Tigers Teige Morrell (#3) and Bearcats Jennie Rintala (#31) launch for the tip off in their Round 2 clash – photo by NBL1/Ryan Rintala

If Tiger Teige becomes an “Aussie”, WNBL clubs will come knocking

The Southern Tigers are undefeated after six rounds and leading the way for their charge is import centre Teige Morrell. Averaging 18.3 points and 4 offensive and defensive rebounds per game she has already chalked up three double doubles in an impressive start to this season. She’s been in the country with husband and NBL1 Mens coach David Morrell for quite a number of years and with the pair quite settled, citizenship can’t be too far away at that means without using up an import spot, WNBL clubs will most certainly come knocking for her services as an “Aussie”.    

You have to beat the “Sturt System” to win the state title

Despite dropping a game to the now top of the table Tigers in round one, the Sturt Sabres I am convinced remain the team you must beat to win the league this season. While its impressive what offensive weapons they have in star guard Jade Johnson, power forward import Kylee Smith and the Mathews sisters its what John Turnbull’s side do at the defensive end of the floor that continues to rattle the opposition. The whole team no matter what five is on the court is in complete sync, can stop a scoring opposition run in its tracks and continues to bat away the contenders week in and week out. Whichever team can be there at the end and unlock the “Sturt System” will deservedly take the title.

Despite the late Simons signing, we underestimated the Forestville Eagles

In my power rankings I had the Forestville Eagles sitting around fifth or sixth prior to the season. I had already identified that while they had some key bigs, the wings looked like a huge gaping hole and that the side in its front court would be quite one-dimensional. The signature of Sam Simons dropping of course was the missing piece as it added the dimension the Eagles have been missing however with injuries to star guards Brooke Basham and Aimee Brett, you’d be forgiven for thinking their record should’ve been lower than what it is. Its scary to think that after only losing one game to last year’s ABC champs the Sabres the Eagles are not even at full strength yet and even when they do; coach Simon Pritchard has them going and its clear I underestimated them prior to the season.   

Stewart is the South Adelaide Panthers key to making next bracket

The South Adelaide Panthers are making a run at the title this year with their recruiting and their form already however if you can stop former WNBL Players and league stars Olivia Thompson and Ash “Splash” Spencer then most think that you can shut them down. What is proving to be the key to the Panthers finishing in the lower half of the top five and the next bracket is the emergence of young tenacious guard Hannah Stewart. Stewart in the Panthers wins averages 10.4 points, 3 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 2 assists showing her efficiency. She also blankets the star guards with one of her key performances standing out on ANZAC day for coach Richard Dickel holding Ally Wilson to 15 points and 2 assists; her lowest assist count of the season.      

We still aren’t quite sure where West are at

Looking at the Bearcats list prior to the season, you cannot really identify where exactly they are in the big picture of things and after five games at 3-3; I still can’t see. There is a solid 50/50 divide in the playing roster with some quality veterans like Skye Langenbrinck, a star centre in Jennie Rintala and some really solid young talent in Abby Brenton, Keeley Pearce and Isabella Woosnam. With games against the Warriors, Eagles and Sabres, the next month will tell us a lot whether the Bearcats are contenders or are battling to make the top five.

Ortlepp could single-handedly launch Rockets into finals run

If there is a player in the league that can lift their team to the finals its utility and all-round 23-year-old super star Taylor Ortlepp. The 2020 Adelaide Lightning roster player has had an outstanding start to the season averaging 19.2 points, 7 rebounds, 3.8 assists per game along with two double doubles for the North Adelaide Rockets and without her, it would be a struggle to see the other Rockets players having the impact that they are having under coach Brenton Johnson.

When the young core play elite, the Flames are a finals lock

The Norwood Flames are an interesting proposition and teams are already starting to lock down some of the star power they have. Led by star guard Ally Wilson, solid veteran and league X-Factor Genna Anderson and an inform Bride Kennedy-Hopoate the Flames will always be in the contest. Their wins however have been built on the contributions of their next unit with coach Derrick Washington Junior putting some “faith” in players like Chelsea Apacible, Sophie Kerridge, Georgie Garrad and Paige Kennihan. When they fire the Flames win and that is what will be the difference between them being a lock or just missing the five come end of July.

Winter is a storm to be reckoned within the country

When you play for an outstanding team in the Mt Gambier Pioneers you can fly under the radar in terms of the nation. Well its no secret and with the added exposure of the NBL1 branding in South Australia, the former Pioneer in Emily Winter is now attracting the attention she deserves. She is producing some career high numbers as the star of her team. In 2019 Winter averaged 11.52 points, 7.13 rebounds and shot the ball at 33 percent; in that season Amanda Frost and Pachiyaana Roberts were ahead of her in the statistical area. Compare that to being the number one in the Warriors line-up she is destroying those numbers with 21.8 points, 13.66 rebounds and is shooting the ball at 38.5 percent. They are some serious numbers that will have several WNBL clubs scrambling for her phone number if she keeps producing those numbers and importantly eeking out some wins for Woodville.  

We need to see more of Allie Garcia on the court for Mavs

Its very clear the Eastern Mavericks are lacking some import presence that the other teams have but as is said the window of opportunity opens when this situation occurs. One of those is the minutes of young guard Allie Garcia need to increase. She may make some turnover errors but I love the way she’s going about her early NBL1 Central career already. The Mavs will lose nothing by giving her some extended minutes and seeing her rise up before our very eyes on the national stage.  

The Lions are able to rebuild with everyone watching with key pieces in place

Lets be clear, it’s a rebuild no doubt but perhaps this time the pieces are in place for a solid two to three year plan for incoming coach Scott Herriman. He’s landed a talented centre from the NT in April Rummery-Lamb producing some great numbers, got a good mid core in Casey Banwell, Rebecca Wells, Sam Kennett and hopefully a revitalised Meaza Otto and some exciting youthful talent in Shelby Lee-Sutcliffe, Evei Kleinig, Madi Curry and Sarah Deng. The great thing is we’ll watch the rebuild weekly, look for the little things and while some nights are gonna be ugly; it looks like there is a plan in place and that’s a good sign for Lions.  

NBL1 Central Womens is full of future WNBL talent that clubs should be looking at

The single biggest attraction of NBL1 Central is the talent that is on display of the future of not only Adelaide Lightning potential players but also the WNBL. The number of incredible 18–25-year-olds is amazing with a high ceiling that some of them aren’t close to reaching led by Sam Simons the recent Adelaide Lightning signing but names like Jade Johnson, Aimee Cotton, Abby Brenton and Hannah Stewart just to name a few are worth your money and presence at games to watch weekly.

Written by Tristan Prentice