Category: UBL

Photo Credit – Adelaide Uni

6-Minute Read

The Waatu Men put up the brave fight against UTAS but a Jack out of the pack proved to be the difference as UTAS progressed at the expense of AU 91-74 at the Hobart Netball & Sports Centre.

The UTAS juggernaut rolled on early with an 8-0 start to the home side before Matt Thomson (Project Management) made an important tip in play to open the account for the Waatu. It was all control from Jack Stanwix and Jordan Straastma but after nearly seven minutes of play Curtis Scott (Health) finally got the heartbeat going from the free throw line then proceeding to complete the strong finish off the glass to cut it back to 18-12. Stratsmaa, Stanwix and Archie Stewart (11 points) delivered the SSSlashing plays to give UTAS the advantage 25-12 at the first change.

As has been the case in 2025 – Scott Freer’s men rallied out of the slow start led by a Bailey Nathan (Computer Science) calculate triples and Thomson glass work keeping them in touch 35-22. Up rose Ayual Garang (Architectural Design) who’s form against UTAS has been consistent the last few seasons as he made big plays in the second half term to finish with 10 points. Ahmed Nawasany (Computer Science) completed the comeback with the buzzer beating jump shot to amazingly level the scores 36-36 at the main break.

Scott started the third well with an early tip in off the offensive glass but the son of the gun Mark Nash in Caleb (11 points and nine rebounds) reeled off some triples but was also answered by Isaac Hampel (Electrical Engineering) with his electric energy from outside. The threes continued to flow for the UTAS side as Garang, Scott (11 points and five rebounds) and co tried to keep pace with the high scoring nature of the home side. Stanwix’s thunderous dunk started the opening of the margin however as he took it on himself with 11 for the term to have his team in front 69-60 with one huge quarter ahead to play.

A 16-4 run to start the fourth earmarked by another Stanwix slam saw the hopes of the Waatu begin to fade down 82-64 with a timeout needed to see if that hope could be regained. A quick five points from Nathan (13 points) and Nawasany (Eight points) wrestled the momentum back temporarily but Izach Collins (5 triples at 41 percent) deadly from outside all evening and pushed it back out to beyond reach again as UTAS sealed their home final win. The Waatu exited the finals series in the quarter finals for the third straight year but with it’s highest finish of fifth overall in its history.

Garang led the way again against UTAS with 15 points and six rebounds with Matt Thomson producing his best game for the season with 10 point and 11 rebound double double with five assists.

The damage from Stanwix was too much though with 35 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists along with Straatsma with 13 points, nine rebounds.               

Men – UTAS 91 (Stanwix 35, I Collins 15, Straatsma 13) defeated AU Waatu 74 (Garang 15, Nathan 13, Scott 11)

Season Summary 2025

5th – 5-4

Ultimately a third straight finals exit occurred however the five wins this season is the most number of wins in a season for the AU Waatu – they unfortunately ran into the red hot UTAS team on a mission to get it done in season 2025.

Team Highlights

• 16 triples against UNISC
• Strong three quarters against LTU
• Away win against UNISC
• Upset win over UTAS at Home

Individual Highlights

• Emil Kourani 20 points with 6 triples versus UNISC
• Isaac Hampel 24 points versus LTU
• Thomas Mestrov 19 points and 12 rebounds vs FED
• Curtis Scott 31 point debut versus VU
• Second and third highest individual score for Waatu of 39 points, nine assists and seven rebounds from Curtis Scott vs UWA then 41 points vs USYD
• Ayual Garang 23 points, nine rebounds versus UTAS

Surprise Packet

At the start of the season it looked like a lot of the front court responsibility would fall to Thomas Mestrov. The forward/centre was highly consistent on the glass only dropping below five rebounds once in his ten games and with the late addition of Matthew Thomson formed a strong one-two punch in the front court with 10 points and eight rebounds per game.  

Most Improved

This was a tough one this season given a large amount of this roster was relatively new with the access to new players at this stage of the calender year. I felt the improvement from the three regulars from last season came from Isaac Hampel off the back of a strong winter with the Southern Tigers NBL1 Reserves. Hampel averaged 10 points compared to 2024 with seven points and several times in games lit a spark under the Waatu for some key points with his 13 points and 15 points versus FED and UTAS telling in victories.

Player of the Season

He might have arrived later than expected and only played six games but he was clearly the front runner for the MVP this season. Curtis Scott off the back of a fast finishing NBL1 Central season with the South Adelaide Panthers including 26 points against his now new club the Eastern Mavericks – burst onto the UBL scene with 31 points to nearly drag the Waatu across the line against VU before backing it up over UWA Maali with the second highest score of the Waatu’s short history of 39 points. Add the curtailed but crucial 22 points against UTAS he then came out an backed it up with a 41 points performance against USYD in an incredible double header performance at home.

With 29.33 points to his name along with 6.83 rebounds and five assists to his name – the Eastern Hills have plenty to look forward to next NBL1 Central season no doubt.

You can catch all the games from the season past on the UBL website and stay tuned to the crossoverdribble for more match reports and features in season 2026.

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Photo Credit – Adelaide Uni

6-Minute Read

Women

The Waatu Women played in their first final in the short history of the UBL and gave another strong account of themselves – however a returning Caitlyn Martin inspired the home side USYD to a solid 79-71 win to secure their place in the semi-finals at the USYD Sports and Aquatics Centre.   

After defeat in Adelaide – both teams made a strong start particularly Madi Dalmeida whose size and strength would not reduce throughout the afternoon. Caitlin Shillabeer (Physiotherapy) however kept the scoreboard moving back in the away sides favour with multiple triples and ten first term points. Enter Martin however with the next seven points with her strength guiding USYD to the lead before the Waatu snatched it back through captain Jemima Whitton for a 17-19 edge.

Yvette Volk for USYD began the second better than anyone with multiple makes – but the scores remained tied throughout the second quarter. It took a little planning from Annika Uzcategui-Montenegro (Project Management) from beyond the arc and inside to give the Waatu the lead back with Madi Hughes (Occupational Therapy) putting in place the Waatu up by seven 32-39. Alex Kayrouz however slashed the margin back to a single basket at the half 36-39.

The Waatu made the most of their momentum prior to the half extending out to seven points again and that’s when the Martin flicked the switch. She proceeded to score 12 points to haul the lead back from the Waatu as USYD produced a 25-16 term – the Waatu however were only down 61-55 with one to play.

A quick fire opening to the fourth dented the Waatu’s chances with USYD through Kayrouz and Lauryn Walker 8-0 before Whitton (Viticulture & Oenology) picked the steal for a layup then a triple off the next play thanks to a Hughes block and assist to break the run. USYD with their experience however steadied again to get out to a game high 16 points 78-62 with Waatu needing answers with 4:27 to go. The fightback ensured with a 0-9 run led by Shillabeer and AUM was bold a valiant but ultimately time ran short with USYD progressing to the semi-final, but the seventh placed finish still ended up being the best in the Women’s history for the Waatu.

Whitton capped off a consistent season with a near triple double of 17 points, eight assists and seven rebounds which Uzcategui-Montenegro producing arguably her best game of the season with 16 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. Martin however with 31 points, seven rebounds and six assists proved the difference along with Alex Kayrouz finishing with 14 points, five rebounds and four steals.                 

Women – USYD 79 (Martin 31, Kayrouz 14, Dalmeida 11) defeated AU Waatu 71 (Whitton 17, Uzcategui-Montenegro 16, Shillabeer 13)

Season Summary 2025

6th – 5-4 (7th after Finals series due to Melbourne Uni upset of LTU)

You can’t compare the previous seasons for the Womens to this one – it was easily the most successful led by a strong recruitment drive of highly talented players from NBL1 Central sides.

Team Highlights

• Opening match against UON
• Pushing LTU in match away from home
• Away win against UWA
• Upset win against USYD at Home

Individual Highlights

• Caitlin Shillabeer 25 points versus LTU
• Meaza Otto 24 points versus FED
• Jemima Whitton near triple double versus UWA
• Jemma Tredrea debut versus UWA
• Alice Sabine double double versus UNSW

Surprise Packet

It was a surprise debut but a pleasant one from Jemma Tredrea becoming an important player to the foil of Shillabeer, Whitton and Woosnam – 16 points against UWA showed the talent the Forestville Eagles NBL1 Central backup. She continued to play a consistent brand across the remainder of the season to finish with 12.25 points and 9.25 rebounds in four games.

Most Improved

Taking large steps forward this season was the captain of the team in Jemima Whitton. She took on the most important defensive jobs but also produced ultra consistent numbers. The Norwood Flames NBL1 Central with 11.22 points, 6.11 rebounds and 4.56 assists along with 2.8 steals certainly should see more minutes in her side this season you would hope.

Player of the Season

The evenness of this side makes choosing an MVP tough however it has to go to newcomer Caitlin Shillabeer who historically has a strong record in big games. She finished the NBL1 Central season with the Norwood Flames with a bang and that showed in her first outing against UON with 14 points and had pivotal roles in wins over VU and USYD (17 points). She finished her first season with 15.86 points and 6.86 rebounds as we certainly hope of more from her in 2026.

You can catch all the games from the season past on the UBL website and stay tuned to the crossoverdribble for more match reports and features in season 2026.

We want to continue our work telling the stories of SA Basketball this summer and beyond with world championships, local legends, NBL and WNBL previews, reviews and NBL1 off season news and predictions – Can you PLEASE HELP US with a shotclock sub of $14 or $24 a year to help us do this?

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Photo Credit – Anthony Furina (Via Adelaide University)

3-Minute Read

Women

The Waatu have secured one of arguably their greatest ever victories taking out powerhouse of the competition USYD in a convincing 74-56 win at the State Basketball Centre.

Caitlin Shillabeer (Physiotherapy) sparked the early 8-0 run with some quick points to gain the early ascendancy with Bella Woosnam (Exercise and Sports Science) active in another 7-0 run. Despite no Caitlyn Martin for USYD and Tom Garlepp absent on coaching duties with the U16 Gems – USYD pulled it back with a quick six points thanks to captain Lauryn Walker 19-15 at the first change.

The defence of the Waatu however was keeping Alex Kayrouz and many of her Sydney Comets teammates quiet while Shillabeer kept ticking the scoreboard over as did Jemima Whitton (Viticulture and Oenology) with a pair triples. Both were dishing the damage to keep the Waatu in front 39-30 at the main break.

After a quiet first half Kayrouz rose to the challenge hitting the scoreboard hard for USYD but it was all on the Waatu’s terms with the grinding nature of the game in the home sides favour. Every challenge from USYD was answered by the Waatu and although Kayrouz grabbed 10 points for the quarter- the Waatu still held firm 60-42 with one to play but not quite out of range.

USYD made one final push the start of the fourth with Kayrouz carrying them through the fourth but a string of triples to Meaza Otto (Health & Medical Science) and some strong finishes to Jemma Tredrea (Physiotherapy) helped secure the huge win with now results likely to draw the Waatu to face their opponents once again in the first week of the finals.            

Tredrea once again came up big in the match with 11 points, 12 rebounds while Shillabeer had a huge three terms to finish with 17 points and five rebounds. Jemima Whitton’s leadership and influence on the game defensively couldn’t be underestimated either with 10 points, six rebounds and three steals. In the absence of Martin – Kayrouz collated 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists in the finish.

Men

The Waatu Men gave second place a scare but a third term fightback setup the eventual win for the powerful USYD unit 85-92 at the State Basketball Centre.

Ayual Garang (Architectural Design) burst out of the blocks with some big time plays and a huge dunk in the opening for 10 points as both teams traded blows. Matthew Wacher also showed his form of the past NBL1 East season with the North Bears grabbed a quick 10 points of his own to hand the lead back to USYD 20-29 at the first change.

The most potent second term of the season came to be led by Garang again, but soon foul trouble engulfed the mismatch for USYD. Curtis Scott (Health & Medical Science) however overtook him with several of his own as the Waatu grabbed a surprise halftime lead of 43-35.

A 0-9 run out of halftime lead by Robert Moore and Harrison Evans who USYD identified as their own mismatch wiped out the halftime lead quickly for the Waatu. Needing a solution Scott provided the antidote with 14 points of his own to keep the Waatu in touch 57-60 with one to play.

Jake Weinstein who stuck triples in the third hurt again from outside while Scott tried to carry the Waatu home. The longer the final term went on the bigger Evans grew as a target for USYD – Moore on target one too many times for his final 12 points to guide the away side home to end the regular season for the Waatu.                   

Scott tried hard to get the Waatu across the line with 41 points and three assists producing the second highest individual total for the Waatu in their history. Garang was impactful but hampered by foul trouble with 19 points, five rebounds and three steals. Moore was superb across the full match for USYD with 25 points, 10 rebounds and three assists while Evans second half proved to be pivotal with 18 points, 16 rebounds with 10 offensive boards.

The Waatu Women and Men finish sixth and fifth and will face USYD and UTAS respectively in their quarter finals interstate Tuesday 7 October

Women – AU Waatu 74 (Shillabeer 17, Tredrea 11, Whitton 10) defeated USYD 56 (Kayrouz 21, Walker 13, Oliver 9)

Men – AU Waatu 85 (Scott 41, Garang 19, Mestrov, Thomson 10) defeated by USYD 92 (Moore 25, Evans 18, Jake Weinstein 16)

Finals have arrived for both our teams – Catch all the action against UTAS & USYD from this Tuesday October 7 on the UBL website and stay tuned to the crossoverdribble for match reports and features throughout the season.

We want to continue our work telling the stories of SA Basketball this summer and beyond with world championships, local legends, NBL and WNBL previews, reviews and NBL1 off season news and predictions – Can you PLEASE HELP US with a shotclock sub of $14 or $24 a year to help us do this?

NEW – PITCH TO THE PUBLIC 

It takes 4 hours a week to write, research and produce our content but we want to write extra content this next few months so we thought we’d pitch to the public

Here are the next lot of articles up for pitching – subscribe to get these written

“All about Ability – the last five year’s of the Men’s Ivor Burge Program”

“The all-time Adelaide Lightning All-Stars Team – Naming the team of the past 30 years of Adelaide Lightning players”

Eight new $24 Shotclock subscribers will have the remaining of piece produced on the topic of

Another eight new $24 Shotclock subscribers or contributors directly will have both pieces done for production

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See if you can provide the assist we need to tell the South Australian Basketball story

All Episodes of the SA Shotclock available on podcasting platforms in the coming months