It was a first in over a decade for the West Adelaide Bearcats with the inaugural Lorraine Eiler Medal and their first top Women’s award in the NBL1 Central since 2006 while also taking the Noel Woollacott Medal for the first time since 2013…
Photo Credit – Sarah Reed (Via Basketball SA)
3-Minute Read
This year’s newly named Basketball SA Awards afternoon was where for the first time the Lorraine Eiler Medal (formerly known as the Halls Medal and named after a pioneer of Women’s basketball) and the Noel Woollacott Medal for the Fairest and Most Brilliant players of the league was presented.
For the first time since 2006 – a West Adelaide Bearcat took out the Women’s top award with Olivia Levicki‘s comeback complete becoming the first since Sam Woosnam and the ninth in the club’s history to claim the award. Levicki on 46 votes finished just ahead of Forestville Eagles Sam Simons on 41 votes while Woodville Warriors Jasmin Fejo‘s second half of the season saw her storm home into third place with 39 votes – 15 clear of fourth place and below. Joining the three in the All-Star Five was Ke’Shunan James and Jordyn Freer with Freer named an all-star for the first time after several strong seasons.
Mark Billington of the West Adelaide Bearcats won his first Coach of the Year award to beat out three-time winner Sturt Sabres Tim Shortt and Forestville Eagles Toby Schaftenaar. Keira Gardiner became the first ever winner of the Merv Harris award for the best U23 Youth Player of the Year from the South Adelaide Panthers beating out sister Hannah Gardiner and Eastern Mavericks Daisy Hocking. Jasmin Fejo added to her accolades with a first Defensive Player of the Year making her the first Woodville Warrior to do it since Tamara Norris (nee Haase) when the award was first given in 1999 – and the Coaches MVP to be the third Warrior to achieve it since Callan Taylor and Teige Morrell
The Mens was much tighter than anticipated but Keanu Rasmussen took the Woollacott medal for the West Adelaide Bearcats for the first time since 2013 on 31 votes. He beat out South Adelaide Panthers Christian Brandon on 26 votes and a fast finishing Eastern Mavericks BJ Symons on 24 votes. Alex Starling going for his fourth Woollacott Medal finished just behind in fourth on 22 votes.
Rasmussen also took out the Frank Angove Medal and Coaches MVP completing the quad for the first time since Jacob Holmes in 2004 named in the All-Star Five along with Brandon, Sharif Black (Sturt Sabres), Daniel Johnson (Forestville Eagles and last Bearcat to win the medal in 2013) and Efe Abogidi (Central Districts Lions).
Coach of the Year went to Rupert Sapwell of the Central Districts Lions just over 2022 winner Scott Whitmore of the Woodville Warriors and Andy Simons of the Forestville Eagles
Joe Jackson of the Woodville Warriors took out Defensive Player of the Year – the sixth Warrior to do so behind Craig Gilbert, Andrew Puddifoot, Paul Vandenbergh and Mitch Creek. He held off Efe Abogidi and five time winner Alex Starling to win the award by only a few votes.
For the officials the Phillip Yuill medal for the Womens was awarded to Bailey Dyer for the first time and for the Mens to Nathan Durant – his thirteenth award in either Mens and Womens since 2010.
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The race is between three it seems for the newly named Lorraine Eiler Medal (formerly known as the Halls) at the Basketball SA Awards this Sunday – Will we have a dual winner for the first time since Williams or will two long time participants who have won multiple Merv Harris awards finally take out the final gong???
Photo Credit – As Supplied
5-Minute Read
A huge thankyou to our experts, the commentators of the NBL1 Central that cast their own 3-2-1 each match of the season to help with the predictions below for the award…
Halls now to be known as the Lorraine Eiler Medal
(The following was released by Basketball SA earlier this year)
The Halls Medal has been a symbol of excellence in South Australian women’s basketball for over half a century. First awarded in 1964, the prestigious honour was established to recognise the best and fairest players in the District Women’s competition. Over the years, it has evolved into the award for the Fairest and Most Brilliant player, with referees casting votes after every game on a 3-2-1 basis.
With a history rich in talent, past winners include some of Australia’s basketball greats — Rachael Sporn (West Adelaide, 1989 & 1993), Suzy Batkovic (West Adelaide, 2002), Alex Wilson (Eastern Mavericks, 2017), and Kristen Veal (Norwood, 1999), among others.
The biggest multiple winner of the Halls is Vikki Kelson who has won it four times in 2000, 2001 and 2005 including a three-way tie in 1999 with Narelle Lindsay and Kristen Veal. In 2024 we had our first back-to-back Halls medallist in Mikayla Williams since Deanna Smith for the South Adelaide Panthers in 2003 and 2004.
The origins of the award date back to a time when the Woollacott Medal was the sole recognition for standout players. A push for a separate women’s award led to Halls Soft Drinks sponsoring the medal, creating a legacy that has stood the test of time.
Now, in recognition of the remarkable contributions of women in basketball and the sport’s ever-evolving landscape, the Halls Medal is set to be renamed. And there is no better figure to honour in this transition than Lorraine Eiler, a true trailblazer of women’s basketball in Australia.
Photo provided by Basketball SA in Media Release March 18
Eiler was a natural leader who captained South Australia’s state team at the first- ever National Championships in 1955, winning the first of nine consecutive titles.
She made history as the captain of Australia’s first-ever national women’s basketball team, leading the Opals at the 1957 FIBA World Championships in Brazil. What makes her story even more remarkable is that she had only taken up basketball three years prior to her historic selection.
A multi-talented athlete, Eiler excelled in basketball and netball, where she represented Australia and led the national team to victory over England in 1956. She was also an A-grade tennis and squash player. But it was her ground-breaking journey in basketball that saw her become the first Australian woman to receive a U.S. college scholarship — an opportunity that paved the way for future generations of female athletes.
Her legacy was cemented when she was inducted into the Basketball Australia Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Sport SA Hall of Fame in 2015. She remains one of the most influential figures in Australian women’s basketball history.
The official unveiling of the new name will take place at this Sunday’s Basketball SA Awards Gala, ensuring that the legacy of the Halls Medal continues to inspire generations to come.
The inaugural Lorraine Eiler Medallist will be awarded to the Fairest and Most Brilliant player of the 2025 NBL1 Central season.
Previous Decade Winners
2014 Amy Lewis (Norwood Flames)
2015 Callan Taylor (Woodville Warriors)
2016 Olivia “Levicki” Thompson (Forestville)
2017 Alex Wilson (Eastern Mavericks)
2018 Chelsea Brook (Sturt Sabres)
2019 Carmen Tyson-Thomas (Eastern Mavericks)
2021 Teige Morrell (Southern Tigers)
2022 Mikayla Williams (Sturt Sabres)
2023 Mikayla Williams (Sturt Sabres)
2024 Casey Samuels (Central Districts Lions)
Did you know???
In the Womens the club who has won the most Halls medals is North Adelaide with 10 followed by South Adelaide with nine and West Adelaide with eight. Out of the 10 current clubs, everyone has posted a winner with Sam Woosnam the least recent club player to win it for West Adelaide way back in 2006.
The Favourites
Olivia Levicki(West Adelaide Bearcats)
Our raging favourite going into the season and for good reason. Levicki did not miss a beat despite the rust coming into the season off three years away from the game in AFLW with Port Adelaide. The big part here is she’s a previous winner (2016) and has always caught the eye with her size and speed combination.
The dominant player on her team going through her numbers we think she’s polled at least 12 of her 17 games while being top five in points (21.5) and rebounds (14.1 at #1) while also capturing 1.4 steals and blocks to boot
West haven’t had a winner since Sam Woosnam in 2006 – Levicki could be the first of their new era…
Sam Simons(Forestville Eagles)
The time as a Tiger in NBL1 South has Simons peaking at the right time of her career. An incredibly consistent season playing every game in the team that finished top of the ladder. A multiple Merv Harris award winner across 2021 and 2022 for the most number of votes in the medal by an Under 23 player means she’s already a known poller in the counts.
Simons finished top five in points (20.8) but it will all depend on whether votes are shared in her side – however we are anticipating polling in at least 16 of her 18 games this season.
Jasmin Fejo(Woodville Warriors)
As the Warriors got their momentum rolling after a tough opening three matches – so did the multiple championship winner. The last six matches of 21, 28, 26, 15, 17 and 26 saw her finish the last third of the season 22 points per game and likely plenty of triple votes.
So our eye will be on how she polls early in the season – if she can snare a few votes in some of those losses as the Warriors best her run home could see her sweep into calculations just like her team this season…
The Smokeys
Katia Stamatelopoulos (Sturt Sabres)
Out and out the most improved player of the season – flourishing in her new environment at the Sabres. Stamatelopoulos upped her numbers by +5 in points, +2 in assists and +5 in rebounds – the style she plays with is impactful and has been one of the recruits of the season.
The key as always with votes in a Sabres side is the evenness of performance and while polling reasonably high and likely the most from her team – the Sabres top performances weekly are generally split amongst their band.
Mollie McKendrick(North Adelaide Rockets)
With Basham, Mansfield and Freer missing significant games a big reason why the Rockets are finals bound goes back to the veteran presence of Mollie McKendrick. Another known all-star five frequent flyer into those teams and recognised long term for her impact at both ends of the floor – McKendrick once again will poll strong.
Amanda Paschal(Norwood Flames)
Caught the eye of our commentators at the start of the season as to how much vote gathering she would do depending on where her team finished on the table. Stuffs the stat sheet for points (#7 at 18.8), rebounds (#6 at 8.9), assists (#10 at 3.9 ) and steals (#6 at 2.6) per game featuring in the top 10 in all key categories.
The simple fact is number of wins and a team-mate likely to pinch some votes for during the season in Ke’Shunan James…
Keep An Eye on
Iva Belosevic/McKenzie Johnston(Southern Tigers)
Its rare in prediction you nominate two players equally and while one by our account just shaded the other for top votes from the Southern Tigers – who knows if a few might pass the way of each other to elevate them right into a contending position.
Both have had excellent individual seasons but their downfall will be the number of wins for the Tigers – I also see them being some of the few players to still grab three or two per game in losses as well so well worth keeping the eye of on it.
Jordyn Freer(North Adelaide Rockets)
If it’s not McKendrick getting votes it’ll be Jordyn Freer that’ll be pinching them for the Rockets up top. Expect her to start strong in the polling but as the season went along and team-mates returned – may fade in the count late but still finish in a strong position and still feature in the all-star five conversation.
Kiera Gardiner(South Adelaide Panthers)
The breakout player of the year from the South Adelaide Panthers and if she polls well this weekend will be one to keep an eye on for the Eiler medal in the future. Could finish the season very strong grabbing votes for her wins for the Panthers and even in losses may take at least a vote across the competition.
Our final prediction for the Eiler medal will be announced on Episode 39 of the SA Shotclock
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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“The all-time Adelaide Lightning All-Stars Team – Naming the team of the past 30 years of Adelaide Lightning players”
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The Central Districts Lions and Forestville Eagles will take on the champions of NBL1 this weekend on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland – let’s get an insight into who these teams are and where they all stand coming into the NBL1 National Finals for 2024…
Photo Credit – As supplied by NBL1
5-Minute Read
The Lions in the Womens have some tough competition featuring ex/current WNBL players, long time faces and a couple of SA born known names. They’ll take on the Rockingham Flames (NBL1 West), Waverley Falcons (NBL1 South), Newcastle Falcons (NBL1 East) and call-ups in Southern District Spartans (NBL1 North) who the Lions will play first up this afternoon and last year’s champions the Bendigo Braves (NBL1 South).
Women’s National Champions
Rockingham Flames (NBL1 West)
Coaches: Marcus Wong, Ellyce Ironmonger
Brief History: The Flames while they didn’t have Opals Bronze medallist Sami Whitcomb still managed to torch the Cockburn Cougars for their fourth women’s title in their history. It was 21-2 in the final quarter as the Flames led by NBL1 West Grand Final MVP Alex Sharp finished the job.
Watch out for!!!
The WNBL off season has been great for Robbi Ryan and they brought it home strongly in the fourth for the Flames. Ryan scored five crucial points down the stretch when the game was on the line finishing with 14 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. She has a knack of knowing what role to fill when the game is on the line.
You would know them…
She’s a superstar, Alex Sharp having another Grand day out with 19 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. The former Tiger and current UC Capitals player continues to breakout like her award in WNBL24 – the cog that continues to turn for the Flames machine.
A familiar face is…
Townsville Fire’s Nes’eya Parker-Williams has grown even further in NBL1 2024. She has upped her numbers by plenty plus in a majority of categories. It’s been a solid move from the Joondalup Wolves following Marcus Wong across to the Flames. She capped it off with 18 points and 12 rebounds in 28 minutes. Just 21 years of age and one to continue watching for further WNBL opportunities.
The Crossover Closer
This team is really deep with the WNBL talent of Sharp, Ryan, Parker-Williams and Emma Gandini and that’s just the start. Throw in a flame thrower performance of Jessie Jakens of 23 points when it counted in the final, Georgia Pineau doing “Pineau” family genes kind of things and you have a serious contender. They are the #1 scoring team, steals which led to points accumulated from turnovers and second chance points. They are also the #1 defensive team conceding just 63.7 per game, a measly 4.6 PTO, 10.8 offensive rebounds allowing just 7.1 2CP and 6.6 steals with 9.9 fast break points. They have it all in every category and that makes them a serious threat to the overall title if they have their full arsenal.
Brief History: The Falcons have picked up their fourth title in the Womens since 2016 in the Waratah league. The team formerly known as the “Hunters” collected titles in 2016, 2019 and shared it in 2021 with the Sharks who they played in the decider with the season cut short due to the Pandemic.
*The following takes into account that Isla Juffermans has already headed off to college at the Louisville Athletics and won’t be avaliable
Watch out for!!!
Hannah Chicken I’ve been told about by my NBL1 East informats has had another solid season. She’s the do it all piece in this team averaging 10.22 points and 6.48 rebounds but to point out finished the season stronger than ever with 13 points on average across her past six matches – Newcastle will definitely do well with Chicken tonight…
You would know them…
The WNBL sniper of the UC Capitals in Nicole Munger is doing her usual thing. She finished the Grand Final MVP with 22 points, 17 rebounds, four assists and two steals. The finals have been her friend with 23 points on average in her past three matches.
A familiar face is…
Great to see SA born Elissa Brett be the third member of the Brett family to make a Grand Final in 2024. The Geelong United signing did her best work getting the Falcons into the final with a strong set of 22, 20, 22, 14, 16 and 17 points in consecutive games.
The Crossover Closer
The Falcons feature some strong individual players but potentially lack the depth and class of the other contenders of 2024 – however depending on what the others bring you can’t underestimate them whatsoever.
Waverley Falcons (NBL1 South)
Coaches: Elias Palioyiannis, Lisa Ewin, Tom Bandilovski
Brief History: The Falcons of NBL1 South scored their second championship in 30 years with their thrilling five point win over Keilor Thunder. They bounced back after going down to the undefeated Bendigo Braves in 2023 who will also feature in this National Finals.
Watch out for!!!
The WNBA draft pick of McKenzie Forbes may not have the most star studded numbers but she is an impact player for sure. Forbes averaged 14.92 points and three rebounds but her back end of the finals was extremely productive.
You would know them…
Hard to go past Southside Flyer Rebecca Cole who also had a cracking Grand Final and an elite last eight games of the NBL1 South season. Cole averaged 28 points during her side’s run back to the big dance and produced in the final with 21 points, seven assists and six rebounds – she also didn’t shoot below 50 percent in those eight matches.
A familiar face is…
A Carley Ernst special ensured in the decider with a MVP performance of 26 points, four rebounds and three blocks. The one time Adelaide Lightning player is well known across WNBL circles as a multiple championship player.
The Crossover Closer
This Waverley team is one of the deepest of the weekend and that’s just starting with the three above. Add in Amelia Todhunter, Irish recruit Orla O’Reilly, Norwood Flames Championship player Sharna Thompson and veteran Renae Mokrzycki. It’s hard to not see them not make the top two this weekend with this lineup.
Southern Districts Spartans (NBL1 North)*
*Have replaced the Rockhampton Cyclones who are unable to field their team for the finals
Coaches: Peter Crawford, George Robinson, Emma McDonald, Ashleigh Karaitiana
Watch out for!!!
The much travelled veteran of import Ariana Moorer has been all over the world and last appeared at the Rollers in the QBL of 2019, Red City Roar in 2022 and Rollers again in 2023. The Spartans called upon her services to produce 16.56 points, seven rebounds and five assists. A matchup with Jasmin Fejo likely awaits considering her need to be contained.
You would know them…
One of the best sixth women of the WNBL24 season Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard of the Perth Lynx is a star continuously on the rise. Making the journey from the West of the Warwick Senators – with nine points and six rebounds per game her numbers are much more underrated than on paper. A likely matchup with Georgie Garrard could occur here.
A familiar face is…
A Lightning favourite in Abby Cubillo also will make an appearance in this one with a matchup of one of the bench guards like Maddy Curry or Keely Wiseman a likely scenario.
The Crossover Closer
The Spartans who are in by chance have some WNBL experience but also are likely to be missing some as well – the Lions will be a good shot to get over them in the first matchup if it all clicks…
Bendigo Braves (NBL1 National Finals Champions 2023)
Coaches: Mark Alabakov, Michael Gibbins, Nathan Batchelor
*The following takes into account that Amy Atwell and Ally Wilson are not available due to their post Paris Olympics recovery
Watch out for!!!
Without Amy Atwell and Ally Wilson, attention turns to the next gun scoring force in the side in Cassidy McLean. Luckily the WNBL rookie for the Spirit in the past can put the ball in the hole with 15.76 points per game, five rebounds and four assists.
You would know them…
The golden hands of Kelly Wilson were a huge part of the Braves unbeaten season across NBL1. Wilson again leads the league in assists (8.71) and not far behind in steals (2.5) and will be a big problem for the guards she comes up against the weekend.
A familiar face is…
While Ally Wilson won’t likely feature the question is will Megan McKay I can confirm has returned for the Braves. Her last match was May 5th but was mentioned as a possible starter – I guess we’ll find out later today what kind of impact she can have…
The Crossover Closer
The Braves are likely to be right in the middle of the pack due to not having the one two punch of Olympians Atwell and Ally Wilson – but could surprise by flying under the radar.
The Eagles in the Mens have some equally challenging competition featuring ex NBL players, some of the highest quality imports the country has seen, long time faces and a couple of SA born known names. They’ll take on the Mandurah Magic (NBL1 West), Eltham Wildcats (NBL1 South) who the Eagles will play first up this afternoon, Maitland Mustangs (NBL1 East), MacKay Meteors (NBL1 North) and last year’s champions the Knox Raiders (NBL1 South).
Men’s National Champions
Mandurah Magic (NBL1 West)
Coaches: Mark Utley, David Groten
Brief History: The Magic (formerly known as the Kanyana and Mandurah Kings) have won their first title in 35 years in the SBL/NBL1 West. Much like the Lions in the Women’s in SA this was their first and only appearance in a grand final. They rolled home to win by a single basket off the back of a 14-28 final term to win 89-91 in the finish.
Watch out for!!!
The Joel Murray show is rolling into the Sunshine Coast and you better be ready for it!!! The Grand Final and League MVP has been outstanding. The West Texas Buffaloes and Long Beach State product is in his first season as a NBL1 player leading the Magic charge from the front. He’s dropped five 40 plus games including a 52 point outing against the Lakeside Lightning and averaged 33.25 points, seven assists, 4.71 rebounds and 2.33 steals.
You would know them…
A change of scenery for Julian Pesava a well known person to those who were involved for SA across the Australian Baptist Basketball Carnival Championships in the early 2010s – resulted in a chip for the champion. Julian had a huge final term in the Grand Final to finish with 24 points and seven rebounds.
A familiar face is…
I’ve been tracking the progress of young guard Lachlan Bertram who has now taken out the NBL1 West Youth Player of the Year. He’s shown up in Adelaide over the last few seasons of the New Balance University Basketball League for the Curtin Uni Carnabys where he was named League MVP for 2024. The former Perth Redback finished with 22 points, nine rebounds and four steals – it matches up with what I’ve seen over the last few years when he’s played Adelaide Waatu.
The Crossover Closer
The Magic are a serious chance to take out the whole thing with plenty of ingredients in the mix. With Murray the focal point of the next tier of Pesava, Defensive Player of the Year Michael Durr (21 and 19 in the decider), Jarrod Molnar and Bertram. Add in veteran Corey Easley and you have the #1 scoring team. Their chink by the looks is they give up the most points in the paint and second chance points but they have enough winners to overcome those potential gaps at the defensive end of the floor.
Maitland Mustangs (NBL1 East)
Coaches: Luke Boyle, Callum Wade, Trevor Gallacher
Brief History: They’ve finally done it the Mustangs – in their third consecutive grand final appearance they got over the line against the Canberra Gunners 67-86 after going down to the Gunners in 2022 and Sharks in 2023. Led by the unassuming Will Cranston-Lown and import Christian Little they broke their drought of multiple seasons.
Watch out for!!!
If you don’t know who Grand Final MVP William Cranston-Lown you will know by the end of the weekend. The dynamic guard is a star of the NBL1 East averaging 21.17 points, six assists and five rebounds and nearly doubled his numbers since last season. The Grand Final was his stamp of authority with 28 points, 11 rebounds and three assists.
You would know them…
There’s not too many familiar names but perhaps the sole import in Christian Little – Will Cranston Lown’s teammate at college at the Regis Rangers. Little has been a fantastic addition to the NBL1 and finished the season strong with 23 points and 16 points in the preliminary and grand finals.
A familiar face is…
A former NBL rookie from 2017-2018 in James Hunter features in this roster makeup for the Mustangs. Hunter has played all over Australia including Ballarat in the SEABL and played in the NZNBL with Southland Sharks. He played minimal minutes in the past matches but he’s still someone to watch out for.
The Crossover Closer
The names may not be as star studded but they have that finals pressure experience. They became also the #1 scoring team, points in the paint, second chance points, offensive rebounds, rebounds and steals. It’s hard to see them taking out the whole thing but you never know…
Eltham Wildcats (NBL1 South)
Coaches: Craig Stratford, Chris Cameron, Stephen Smith
Brief History: The Wildcats won their first title at the top level (SEABL/NBL1) in their history in remarkable circumstances. They had to win their last six games to get into the finals and the giant killers from there knocked off all in their path including Geelong, Mt Gambier then Frankston.
*The following takes into account that Angus Glover and Owen Foxwell were not named in yesterday’s squad on the club’s social media page.
Watch out for!!!
The Josh Sykes slam show is in town for the National Finals for the first time and without the other two above – he becomes the focal point of the offence. Sykes is a highlights machine this season once again and a matchup first up for Greg Mays looms immediately off the bat.
You would know them…
Former Melbourne United rookie Sam Short can still play this game no doubt. The guard is the Wildcats mister fix-it averaging 7.54 points, four assists and rebounds and has a likely matchup with Adam Doyle.
A familiar face is…
Freshly back from Paris watching his sister Ezi – Ovie Magbegor would be well known to Adelaide Waatu followers as a UBL player for the La Trobe Eagles. The experienced forward averages four points and three rebounds but could unleash in the finals this weekend. A matchup with Daniel Johnson is likely given his size in the block defensively.
The Crossover Closer
The Wildcats minus Glover and Foxwell look a lot thinner than then others on second glance. However the standard of the South conference far outweighs the others – if the Wildcats follow their formula of balance across all statistical categories they may still make a splash on the sunshine.
MacKay Meteors (NBL1 North)
Coaches: Joel Khalu, Adam Jurd, Nathan Arousi
Brief History: MacKay are a powerhouse of the NBL1 North having won the first title in the NBL1 era in 2021 then taking out this year’s title in a 2-0 sweep over the Brisbane Capitals. It’s their fourth overall title in the club’s history.
Watch out for!!!
You know at the NBL1 level that Grand Final MVP Todd Blanchfield can turn it on at the right time of the season. He’s enjoyed a rich run of form with 26.4 points in his past five matches
You would know them…
The forgotten man of the NBL with an elite junior career has been a big stat sheet stuffer in Emmett Naar. He went very near a triple double in game two of the finals series with 19 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds and surely an NBL team is still looking to acquire his services if a spot opens up.
A familiar face is…
The one we wish was home but is Captain of this side and a Brisbane Bullet locked in Isaac White. White had an electric finals series with 27.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists on average across his games and will be a player to watch if he suits for the Meteors.
The Crossover Closer
The Meteors if Blanchfield, Naar and White suit up will be a top contender. Add in Jerron Jamerson, Aiden Krause and Luca Yates it will be a top lineup for the home side in the National Finals.
Knox Raiders (NBL1 National Finals Champions 2023)
Coaches: Matthew Nunn, Kaleb Foster, Brenton O’Brien
Watch out for!!!
KJ Feagin proved a problem for all in the National Finals of 2023 in the West and no doubt he’s high on the list again. Back for a second year – Feagin brings 17.52 points per game, 5 assists and three rebounds.
You would know them…
My co-host on the SA Shotclock Kerry’s favourite Anzac Rissetto should provide some highlights as well for last year’s defending champions. The big young centre had a solid year for the Raiders with 10.96 points and five rebounds.
A familiar face is…
Could a former Eagle come up against the Forestville Eagles this weekend? It could happen in Malith Machar who has upped his game while in Raiders colours. Machar has averaged 15.79 points per game and five rebounds.
The Crossover Closer
The reigning national champions can absolutely bring it with the squad which includes newly signed Jackjumper Brody Nunn, SE Melbourne Phoenix rookie Austin Rapp and Melbourne United’s Kyle Bowen (12 points and 10 rebounds per game) – they are a good chance of going back to back…
I’m obviously hoping for the SA double with the Centrals Districts Lions and Forestville Eagles
But if you truly ask me, in the Women I feel it’s between the Rockingham Flames and Waverley Falcons with their WNBL experience and likelihood of squad available and expect them to be playing off on Sunday. In the Men’s the Eagles are a genuine shot of taking it out but I’ve been impressed by the Magic over in the West and the Meteors while the Raiders may have not had the NBL1 South season they’ve liked their team on paper could take out this whole thing still. I think maybe it’ll be between Magic and Meteors.
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
Photo originally supplied by Rachael Sporn for ESPN Australia
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
CROSS OVER DRIBBLE 