Category: UBL

Photo Credit – Anthony Furina (Via Adelaide University)

3-Minute Read

Women

The Waatu Women were undone on day two of the season at home by a returning familiar face from University of Sunshine Coast (UNISC) as a second quarter push elevated the margin in their favour 55-66 at the State Basketball Centre.

A quick start led by Bella Heath saw UNISC out incredibly quick, but the Waatu fought back through Bella Woosnam (Exercise/Sports Science – Nutrition and Food Sciences) and Jemima Whitton (Viticulture/Oenology) as they close it to 9-13 at the first change.

Coach of UNISC Nathan Arousi (NBL1 North Brisbane Capitals) pulled a run of six from his chargers as his team consistently shared the scoring around. Former Forestville Eagle Terran Wright having the biggest impact for the away side across all areas of the floor. Another 0-8 run making the Waatu’s task even tougher at the main break in the low scoring affair 19-32 but still very much in the contest.

Third term saw the Waatu mix it up through Whitton and Meaza Otto (Health/Medical Sciences) hitting the hoops needed to keep them in touch. Jazmin Blundell dropped a couple of key points for the UNISC crew to hold their 36-49 advantage with one to play.

The last term belonged to Wright though as she overcame any challenge thrown at her by the Waatu as they unfortunately fell short 55-66 in the finish.

Wright was the standout with 15 points at 71 percent, 13 rebounds and six assists along with Heath who accumulated 17 points, eight rebounds and four steals. Georgia Berry also grabbed a double double with 11 points and 13 rebounds with five assists. The Waatu were led by Whitton as she produced 14 points and seven rebounds with Woosnam getting her best numbers in her debut season with 11 points and seven rebounds.        

Men    

The Waatu Men bounce back after a disappointing final term the previous day as they downed the UNISC 88-80 in a highly entertaining contest at the State Basketball Centre.

A good start was achieved out of the first tip-off with Ayual Garang (Architectural Design) playing his third match within 24 hours as the Central Districts Lions roared early to give the Waatu a slight edge. The big imposing presence of James O’Hara however though a 0-10 run brought scores level 23-23 after the first stanza.

The game remained extremely tight but both teams had their moment – The Waatu first with a 0-7 run of their own got plenty through Angus Crosby (Physiotherapy) and Thomas Mestrov (Banking/Finance- Mathematics/Computer Science) to cash in on a 32-28 advantage. RJ Spicer and O’Hara helping UNISC back into the contest 39-39 at half time.

With only five points between them in the first half – Bailey Nathan (Computer Science) and Emil Kourani (Occupational Therapy) recalibrated their shot making abilities with great success. Nathan with nine points for the term and Kourani with six of his own shifting the momentum in the Waatu’s favour 27-19 for the quarter. Mestrov took care of O’Hara keeping him quiet. Only Spicer and a huge dunk from Oyin Oguntoyinbo keeping UNISC in it 66-58 with one to play.

Oyin continued to be a problem in the fourth term for the Waatu but so was Nathan and Kourani along with Crosby as neither team could break the in-term deadlock. The Waatu closing it out in strong fashion to split their first week of the season 1-1. Mestrov’s finishing touches bringing it to an 88-80 final note for the match.

Player of the Game was Bailey Nathan who’s impact after half time was immeasurable hitting a timely 15 points for the half with five triples and five rebounds but not far behind him was Kourani with 20 points with six triples, 10 rebounds and three assists. Mestrov was equally impressive with 14 points and 14 rebounds while Crosby backed up his total the following day with another 14 points and five rebounds.         

Both teams move on to play one of the strongest in the competition traditionally in Randy Shanklin’s Latrobe University (LTU) in Round Two action of the UBL.    

Women – AU Waatu 55 (Whitton 14, Woosnam 11, Otto 10) defeated by UNISC 66 (Heath 17, Wright 15, Berry 11)

Men – AU Waatu 88 (Kourani 20, Nathan 15, Crosby, Mestrov 14) defeated UNISC 80 (O’Hara 24, Spicer 22, Oyin Oguntoyinbo 12)                    

Catch all the action from this Wednesday August 13 from 10:45am ACDT 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 winter 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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“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”

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Photo Credit – Anthony Furina (Via Adelaide University)

3-Minute Read

Women

The Waatu Women started their season in sensational fashion with a convincing 83-52 win over newcomers the University of Newcastle (UON) in the first game of the day.

Led from the front by new Norwood Flames starter Caitlin Shillabeer (Physiotherapy) – they jumped out to a 10-2 start before the UON team led by their NBL1 East Newcastle Falcons Charlotte Cougle helped them back into the game 15-10. A quick run from the Waatu led by Eastern Mavericks Claire Hunter (Oral Health) splash them to a 20-12 advantage at the first change.

The second term under returning coach Lachlan Coppick started ideally for the home side with six Waatu players scoring four or more for the term as they rolled out a 14-0 run on UON. Dealing with injuries to key players early like Chloe Fraser and Cougle (10 points and nine rebounds) – the players through new coach Delion Sims rallied back with Georgia Bickhoff starting to show her potential. The Waatu’s 27-12 quarter putting them in a strong position with Scarlett Miles (Laws – Philosophy, Politics and Economics) taking advantage in her return to action this season as they led 47-24 at the main break.

The third quarter was scrappy as UON brought a defensive edge to the contest, but the Waatu also brought their hardened nature in the second half. Meaza Otto (Health/Medical Sciences) filling presecriptions on small opportunities to keep the Waatu very much in control 55-35 with one to play.

The Waatu women have been starved of success in recent years and that was not going to see them let this one slip. Every answer UON threw at them through Bickhoff (18 points and six steals with five rebounds) and Boston Pate (14 points with three assists and rebounds) who emerged in the second half was counteracted. Chloe Gray (Primary Education) and other fringe NBL1, Reserves and Youth players helping the Waatu women pass their first assignment guiding them to an 83-52 in the finish.

Shillabeer was the Player of the Game with 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and steals to lead the way for the Waatu backed up by Gray with 13 points and seven rebounds.

Men    

The Waatu Men faced a different prospect with a couple of significantly strong NBL1 East players – the talented group held their own for three quarters but the fourth proved to be the downfall as they went down to UON in it’s inaugural match 78-97.

UON started strong through Waratah League star Jude Jennings and along with Central Coast Crusader Alex Bailey swinging it in the away sides favour. The Waatu striking back though through Bailey Nathan (Computer Science) as they levelled it up 18-16 at the first change.

A high scoring second term entertained the crowd at the State Basketball Centre going toe-to-toe and basket for basket. North Adelaide Rockets Angus Crosby (Physiotherapy) announced his skill set early with a 10-point term but the big man from UON in Angus Seymour (10 for the term) and Cooper Harris (11 for the term) snuck UON in front at the main change 48-50.

The game remained tight in the third with Bailey Nathan continuing to hit the scoreboard and Harry Bruce (Commerce) was business as usual from his range as well. UON however kept lifting through Jude Jennings and Bailey again to have them just behind the Waatu 71-70 with one to play.

The cream of the inaugural UON rose to the top on the fourth as the Waatu’s scoring dried up against the Todd Turner led team. Head coach Scott Freer searching for answers turned to multiple familiar and new faces but UON”s 7-27 final term was too potent as they took their first victory in the new campaign 78-97.

While a tough first up assignment for the Men – Nathan’s return to the side yielded 19 points and five rebounds to be the Waatu’s player of the game. Crosby showing his scoring ability accumulating 14 points with seven rebounds.

Both teams would move on to play the UNISC team in the second of their opening round double header for the week.   

Women – AU Waatu 83 (Shillabeer 14, Gray 13, Miles 10) defeated UON 52 (Bickhoff 18, Pate 14, Cougle 10)

Men – AU Waatu 78 (Nathan 19, Crosby 14, Hampel 11) defeated by UON 97 (J Jennings 27, Bailey 21, Harris 20)            

Catch all the action from this Wednesday August 13 from 10:45am ACDT 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 winter 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

Please DM if you’d like to support another way than subscription

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

Photo Credit – Anthony Furina (Via Adelaide University)

3-Minute Read

The Adelaide Waatu have been around in the UBL since 2022 and have progressively made strides year in year out. The league shifting to a August-October calendar for the first time in it’s existence will lengthen then talent pool sitting in the sweet spot between the end of the NBL1 season and beginning of district preseason and other basketball opportunities.

Coach of the previous teams in 2024 Scott Freer shared on the SA Shotclock earlier this week it’s an opportunity for those who don’t take the college route to still play in a high quality competition. “UBL is designed for this – a lot of major universities got together and said we may have a lot of kids who don’t get the opportunity to go overseas to play college in the US – effectively it’s a elite level league designed to cater for the experience on both sides of the floor.” Freer shared with the podcast this week.

“It’s a stepping stone to elite basketball with all the important aspects included – it’s a great league and getting stronger every year.”

Here’s the run down of what to look forward to from our teams this season in the 2025 season including all our home games at the State Basketball Centre this season.

Round 1 – Tuesday August 5 vs University of Newcastle [NU] (Home)

Round 1 – Wednesday August 6 vs University of Sunshine Coast [USC] (Home)

Round 2 – Wednesday August 13 vs La Trobe University [LTU] (Away)

Round 3 – Wednesday August 20 vs Federation University [FED] (Away)

Round 4 – Wednesday August 27 vs Victoria University [VU] (Away)

Round 5 – Bye

Round 6 – Tuesday 11 September vs UWA Maali (Away)

Round 7 – Tuesday 16 September vs UNSW (Away)

Round 8 – Tuesday 23 September vs UTAS (Home)

Round 8 – Wednesday 24 September vs University of Sydney (Home)

Quarter Finals – Week of October 6

Semi-Finals – Week of October 13

Grand Finals – Week of October 20

Women

History

The Women grabbed their first home win in UBL history last year in their home game at the State Basketball Centre marking a turning point in overall competitiveness – then putting in solid showings against powerhouses such as Sydney Uni. With most of the core returning and some key NBL1 Central pieces added this season under returning coach Lachlan Coppick looks another step in the right direction.

Returning

The Norwood Flames duo of Alice Sabine and Jemima Whitton will return along with experienced Meaza Otto from the Southern Tigers. Sabine coming off the MVP for last season for the Waatu will be another key figure again this season finishing with multiple doubles – all these three have had limited NBL1 Central minutes and will be raring to go for the new season.

“Having the three girls comeback this year really gives a core we can continue to build around for the coming season ahead.” Freer summarised the returning players for the Waatu.

Recruited

With already two Norwood Flames – joining the Waatu will be another two who have been starters for the NBL1 Central 2025 side in Caitlin Shillabeer and Annika Uzcategui Montenegro.

“We still don’t have the combined university players just yet as that comes next year – Caitlin coming into the group is a really talented player as is Annika joining us this year with Scarlett Miles back as well.” Freer shared about the additions to the Womens team.

These will be two of the strongest with Shillabeer stringing together four consecutive double figure games for the Flames this past season plus an eight point performance for the club in the 2023 Grand Final. The Eastern Mavericks Claire Hunter joins averaging 5.8 points in NBL1 Reserves as will a host of other faces to support the core of the Women’s squad.

Men

History

The Men have been exceptionally close to progressing to the next stage of the UBL finals falling agonisingly short to UTS and MU after finishing eight in consecutive seasons of the UBL. There best chance to progress was blown on the road up at Alexandria – this season grabbing as many wins at home before pinching a few on the road will be go.

Returning

Hungry for more floor action Harry Bruce of the West Adelaide Bearcats will be back to back up his 26 points per game last season coming off 18 points per game in the NBL1 Reserves. Joining him will be Mitch Cretan (Woodville Warriors), Emil Kourani (Sturt Sabres), Isaac Hampel (Southern Tigers) as well as current finals bound Central Districts Lions Ayual Garang averaging a healthy 13 points per game. Bailey Nathan also makes his return after playing in the England college system with Tottenham after his tremendous finish to last season.

Recruited

An impressive core also sees some new faces for the Waatu this season from several NBL1 Central lists including Woodville Warriors Charlie Knowles, North Adelaide Rockets Angus Crosby and Central Districts Lions Makai Dornford. Adding to that is Under 19 Egypt national Ahmed Nawasany is one to watch with his game style.

Head Coach Scott Freer shared that even though plenty of these players features on NBL1 lists – spots are up for grabs and likely will have to leave out a few during the season.

“Looking going into week one we are going to have to turn around and say to someone who is on an NBL1 roster and say you’re not making our ten this week – we are very privileged position right now.”

The Scout – Who to watch incoming for at our Home Games

Women

Newcastle may be one of the newest editions to the league but they won’t be short on NBL1 East talent including Falcons Charlotte Cougle and Sophie Brennan who averaged 10.8 points per game and scored 20 plus multiple times this NBL1 season. A host of Waratah Youth Stars for the Central Coast Waves are led by Chloe Fraser averaging 17 points per game.

UNISC bring back a couple of familiar names including NBL1 North Sunshine Coast Phoenix Esther Fleming and Ava Nason while bringing in NBL1 North Georgia Berry and Zoe Drane as well from the Phoenix. A homecoming for a familiar face in Forestville Eagle Terran Wright also is on the cards in the squad for this season.

Up the top no doubt once again will be two powerhouses of the competition led by UTAS. Anthony Stewart’s group will be lead by Norwood Flames Championship player of 2023 in Sharna Thompson and Emmerson Wells with a group that’s been together for multiple seasons. The same can be said for USYD led by WNBL DP for the Sydney Flames Caitlyn Martin along with dynamic guard Alex Kayrouz.

Men

Newcastle Mens will be lead by the NBL1 East Central Coast Crusaders Jamal Shoaib with Newcastle Falcons Jude Jennings (28 ppg in WL) and a host of talented Waratah League players involved in their first match in the league.

It’s a fairly new UNISC lineup with the most recognisable Riley Spicer from the NBL1 North Sunshine Coast Phoenix – the team however is filled with talented youth players from the QSL and pair Ola and Oyin Oguntoyinbo.

Again two powerhouses of the competition will feature in the Men’s home fixtures led by Mark Nash’s UTAS. He’ll have Central District Lions 2025 Grand final player in Jack Stanwix and Archie Stewart at his disposal along with several key players that have featured on Tasmanian NBL1 South rosters. USYD make their first appearance in Adelaide led by NBL1 East North Bears Matthew Wacher and former Sydney Kings DP Ignatius Mitchell.

Catch all the action from this Tuesday August 5 from 10:50am ACDT 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 winter 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

Please DM if you’d like to support another way than subscription

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