Round 3 – Waatu mine out wins in Ballarat – and show spirit in Melbourne

Round three for the UBL was a roadtrip for the Waatu with the women finding gold for the first time in their two year appearance and the men sweeping the weekly series thanks to the hot hand of Hunt – here’s the wrap of the Adelaide Waatu’s week across the border 

The "Waatu" had a successful road trip nabbing three of the four games with the men now knocking on the door of the top four. Photo by Federation University of Ballarat.

Harris and Haigh help Waatu women get the chocolates

The Waatu Women had a historic afternoon as they won their first game in the league 73-80 against the Federation Uni Falcons in Ballarat. Ash Haigh (Occupational Therapy) and Jo Harris (Civil Engineering) led the way with 18 points apiece to help the Waatu to 4-16 start. McKenzie of the Falcons helped get her side back into the contest before Evie Lovell (15 points) and Tamika Reid (12 points) helped steady the women to their first win of the season.

First name men muscle Waatu over Falcons

The Waatu Men continued the hunt for the top four with a convincing 81-88 win over the Falcons. Despite missing key NBL1 experienced players – Toby Hunt (Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering) and Bailey Nathan (Bachelor of Computer Science Advanced) went on a scoring spree as Hunt notched a career high 26 points and Nathan equally a career high 24. Harry Reemst (Chemical Engineering) also had a handy 19 points as they held off the Jackson Talbot led Falcons in the second half to complete a double delight for the Waatu on day one of their Victorian road trip.

Waatu spirited away by ACU

The Waatu Women held firm for a half in their second of two games for the week but a second half push from ACU spirited away the Waatu 57-44 in the finish at the Melbourne Sports Centre in Parkville. ACU dropped 28-12 in the second half to run away from the Adelaide side led by Emily Pickering with 11 points in the second half. Scarlett Miles (Law and PPE) had a huge game with 12 points and 19 rebounds and along with Kaitlyn Phillips (Business – three points, seven rebounds, four assists and steals) kept the Waatu in the contest till the half before ACU took over.

Spirit Hunt-er helps Waatu grab consecutive victories

The Waatu Men completed the double with a thumping 62-87 win over ACU. Toby Hunt trumped his career high of the previous day with 30 points at 50 percent including five of nine triples to lead all comers. Harry Reemst his Sabres teammate added a double double of 24 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and steals and a block to cap off a strong afternoon. ACU were led by a double double by Lachlan Clark with 16 points and 12 rebounds and Connor Mackenroth with 12 points, six rebounds and three assists.

RD 3 Women Federation Uni Falcons 73 defeated by AU Waatu (Haigh, Harris 18, Lovell 15, Reid 12, Miles 8)

RD 3 Women ACU 57 (Pickering, Woods 11, Rodda 10, Emmerton, Patterson 7) defeated AU Waatu (Miles 12, Phillips 7)

RD 3 Men Federation Uni Falcons 81 defeated by AU Waatu 88 (Hunt 26, Nathan 24, Reemst 15)

RD 3 Men ACU 62 (Clark 16, Mackenroth, Rickard 12, Robertson) defeated AU Waatu 87 (Hunt 30, Reemst 24, Brennan, Nathan 8, Homburg 7)

Catch the Waatu tomorrow afternoon in Round 5 on Uni Sports TV from 12pm AWST (1:30pm SA Time) as they take on the UWA Maali…

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What the greatest forfeit taught me about loss

From a basketball perspective, the last 12 months I’ve had a lot of losses on court as a coach, manager and player – but the prospect of “forfeiting” taught me a lot about myself and my year just past. 

In both my district and domestic basketball coaching I've nearly had to forfeit many games in the last 12 months - until I started to look at it differently

Its been a big twelve months in my life having all of a sudden found a dramatic increase in my involvement in basketball. Twelve months ago my jobs with the Adelaide Lightning and NBL had concluded after much hope had been placed in resuming those roles. I still had good work with my other community organisations and some small media roles but I thought my ship had sailed and the opportunity to write about basketball to support the community around me.

After much prayer to decide which direction to head next – I then made the decision off the back of this loss in faith to invest in my business TJ Prentice Media and registered it. I continued to cover the NBL1 Central independently while even focusing in on womens basketball local, afar and tournament play. Then my landscape began to change. 

The NBL reinstated me to my previous NBL1 Central reporting role while also being able to continue commentating games. I took on the GM role at my basketball club Holdfast Heat as well as my old scholars for Concordia College – which begun to re-up my involvement in basketball again. With that came the stress and worry of a weekly prospect that dogs the manager of a basketball club and groups of teams – the forfeit.

The decision to forfeit can sometimes be easy and accept loss of that weeks play but when you start to factor in the financial cost of doing so, the impact on your opposition that you were looking to play and the reputation you can garner for not turning up can sometimes overshadow that decision. I will count at least 20 times in 2022 where I nearly called in forfeiting games to our competitions head. 

As a GM of these teams I suffered a lot of anxiety and stress in the lead up to domestic games on weekends last year and I worked out why that was. I was trying to rely on my own strength and willpower to make things work and put it simply – that just wasn’t working.

As a man of faith – when your stressing about whether you have enough players for the weekend on Thursday night two days before a game in your own strength – you have a problem that needs addressing        

On Good Friday 2022 I remembered the greatest forfeit of all so that I would not have to rely on my own strength and that very thought changed it for me completely. Instead of panicking and thinking there’s no one out there that wants to play – I took the lack of my usual teams as an opportunity to reach out to old friends from past, to use fill in groups to find potential new inclusions and relied on the power of prayer to fill each team with what they needed. Somehow each game went ahead and regardless of result matches were played – but there was a greater impact on my life that I now understand looking back I needed in my life.

My world opened up as I reconnected with past players, friends and supporters – even if they couldn’t play that weekend it was my way of reaching out and saying “I thought of you and have not forgotten you.” The basketball fill ins group introduced me to so many new people I was not connected with and most which I found out already knew someone I did. The prospect of a loss actually helped me build relationships unexpecting and helped find key people in my future.

Building relationships with people rather than relying on my strength, gifts and talents has allowed these things to shine through and the fruits of that were realised in the second half of last year. The timing again of course was perfect even though it was not my ideal to have it all happen at the eleventh hour. I had been made redundant from one of my community roles I had done the last ten years but also had just made connections and relationships with some basketball media people in the Cluch network. Instead of a pause in my season my commentary continued with them for the Adelaide 36ers home games – another dream of mine from way back.

Little did I know that a small reach out to one of the esteemed basketball outlets of the last decade in the Pick and Roll Australia purely because I wanted the WNBL to be more in the spotlight – put me in a position to continue working in basketball media. A visit to the FIBA Womens World Cup and investing in volunteering and giving maximum effort yielded more connections and relationships that built on from what I had.

Instead of a quiet summer I was able to attend, commentate, write and bring to public awareness the WNBL, NBL, NBL1 off-season and much more. It allowed me to release my desire to restart my redundant program and continue onto the next working chapter of my life. I spent more time at grassroots district and domestic level developing a womens program for my beloved SA Church Stars and SACBA clubs which has yielded juniors for the first time in a long time.

Now I find myself with some key roles in the NBL1 Central and basketball media industry working contract for various organisations whilst continuing on with my grassroots programs – and of course one of my other community programs that has incorporated elements of my previous work for a larger youth cohort.

As a young man once on the spectrum and some areas of course still evident – relying on my own strength, gifts and talents alone would’ve not gotten me very far as you can see.

It is not by my works but by grace shown to me by the one that suffered the ultimate forfeit that has me where I am today…         

For those that have read this far let me tell you the most important thing you will hear today. The ultimate forfeit was my saviour in Jesus Christ on this day a long time ago as he gave his life for everyone – in every aspect of life he has taught me all I know, how to act, how to speak, listen, hear and show tremendous respect to all around me.

I can’t be this in my own self and you’ll see in me daily when I am leaning on myself rather than on him. Regardless of what you believe today know that it is because of the above you have the “TP” of today and not a different one. A wonderful woman in my life sees that now and I have the joy and excitement in going into an everlasting marriage with her later this year.

Given the above – should we not reflect on what loss means to us when we all suffer this daily in one form or another? How we look and view it from afar can change the direction of your life and as a basketballer – help you to focus on what is most important and a bit more than just what happens on the court.

I hope this day this is considered for as we navigate through life – loss can teach us the most about ourselves and who we actually want to be…

2023 NBL1 Central Round 3 Preview

We are getting some early treats of games prior to the Easter weekend with WNBL power and NBL Easter eggs to watch out for tonight and tomorrow afternoon – it’s Round 3 of the Womens and Mens NBL1 Central 2023…

Extra DLC - Jaedyn De La Cerda has been a must have addition for the Lions in 2023 - a huge task likely looms tonight against the 3x3 Asia Cup Champion in Ally Wilson - Picture by Picture IT Sport Photography/Sharnee Jones

3-Minute Read

For full season preview – checkout the Pick and Roll Australia

Round 3

Thursday 6/04/2023

Central District Lions vs Norwood Flames (STARPLEX – The Den)

Women (6:30pm)

The Lions women have roared in 2023 without chalking up a win just yet but you get the feeling its not too far around the corner. The combination of Imani Guy, Jaedyn De La Cerda and Tiahna Sears is starting to gel and they’ve already shown some improvement in patches under coach Jo Noone. The Flames fought hard minus some key players and should gain a superstar of the league Ally Wilson from a successful 3×3 Asia Cup trip.

Wilson’s inclusion is huge for the inexperienced but heart-fighting Flames who showed up against the Bearcats last Friday evening. It’s been a while since the Lions beat the Flames and I think they are a strong chance to win this one with De La Cerda and Wilson likely to go head to head in a thrilling clash – the Lions will hang on with their claws in this one just   

Key Stat – The Flames had 28 turnovers last week against the Bearcats and Wilson’s inclusion should drop these numbers.  

COD Prediction: Lions by 3 points

Men (8:15pm)

The Lions have some good pieces in place but just need that time to find continuity together under coach Rupert Sapwell. Jenkins kept his team in the contest with 30 points* and Sunday Bol stepped up after half-time to keep the Lions in the contest – they made it a scrappy game keeping pace with the Warriors. The Flames got everything they needed out of Matt Lycett with his 30-point haul but they’ll need some more out of Collin Smith again who started brightly but finished a little short of gas with 16 points and six rebounds.

How soon the inclusion of Trey McBride occurs is up to Itzehoe in Germany who are seventh in the North ProB league and may have at least a few more games remaining having made the playoffs. Until that happens the Flames look a little under-stocked so on their home floor and having seen how they can grind a team like the Warriors – the Lions may take victory here at the Den.         

Key Stat – The Flames gave up 25 turnovers to the Bearcats and conceded 23 points from them – they’ve got to find a way to look after the ball if they are to win this one…

COD Prediction: Lions by 14 points

Forestville Eagles vs Eastern Mavericks – (The Nest – Wayville Sports Centre)

Women (6:30pm)

The sisters stepped out of the shadow of their older siblings last week with Jess Simons (20 points) and Maddy Freer (16 points and 14 rebounds) – and they are doing all this minus gun recruit Izzy Borlase who was in Australia camp this week. In some ways this Eagles team led by Georgia Crouch has been the surprise of the season so far with players like Stamatelopoulos, Hines and Annetts -what’s been most apparent is the inside game and presence has increased for the Eagles.

The Mavs meanwhile have shown two incredibly competitive efforts – a 23 point third quarter showed the potential the Mavs have to hang with the big players in the league and with another week under her belt – Jannon Otto looks another superstar with 23 points and 14 rebounds. Keyway presence looks the decider in this one and in the past the Mavs have played reasonably well at the Nest – but I think the Eagles on their home floor will sneak over the top in a much tighter game that could swing either way.       

Key Stat – The Eagles were the cleanest with the ball in hand in Round two with just the five turnovers conceded…

COD Prediction: Eagles by 5 points

Men (8:15pm)

The Eagles have looked really balanced since the opening round and it again was started by the MU version of Malith Machar. However, Greg Mays once again looks like a new man in his freedom in the front court, Jake Rios has been freed to be a scoring machines, Brad Rathjen fills the pieces whether its scoring, rebounding or defence when needed and Doyle returned with a bang with 27 points, seven assists at over 60 percent from the field. The Mavs have that win early in the season over the Tigers but the big questions for any new side is – do they have a plan B. Jack Hemphill (33 points and 10 rebounds) has been huge for the Mavs with his impact but the Eagles do have the ability to shutdown both him and Legan (23 points, five rebounds and four assists) – that is my greatest concern for the visiting team from Mt Barker. I think the Eagles have a little more polish and nous now, but I expect the Mavs to hang deep in this contest until about mid-way in the third – when the Eagles will swoop in and claim their third straight win.   

Key Stat – It was a fast-paced game at the Nest on Sunday – with a combined 36 points from fast break…

COD Prediction: Eagles by 18 points

North Adelaide Rockets vs Sturt Sabres – (The Launch Pad – Lights Community and Sports Centre)

Women (6:30pm)

We get to see it for the first time with the combination of Lauren Mansfield and Brooke Basham for the Rockets on the floor together in round three. A potent combination they’ll need to counter the Sturt Sabres who have been ultra impressive but are we really that surprised about this? Tayla Brazel and Mikayla Williams have started superbly but still have plenty of ceiling to reach and credit to Zoe Walker-Roberts who dropped another double double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Tim Shortt has got his players rolling but the experience of WNBL for the Rockets and veteran savviness of Brenton Johnston on the other side makes this one – one of the games to watch. I think the Sabres will continue their run but would not be surprised if the Rockets swung it their way in another close to call to the finish line.  

Key Stat – The Sabres scored 79 points with six players notching double figures showing the “Sturt System” is still working..

COD Prediction: Sabres by 4 points

Men (8:15pm)

The Rockets did many things right last Sunday against the Eagles including putting a bunch of points on the board – it was the other end where it unravelled for a five minute period that cost them the win. They have a big four now with Riley Harrap, Durrell McDonald, Akech Aliir and Koop McCalop who contributed 83 points between them and if the Sabres are to get within striking distance – they’ll need to handle these players defensively. The Sabres only put 64 points on the board only making four triples from 27 attempts the main culprit of the lack of offensive firepower.

Jordan Forbes continues to impress with another double double of 19 points and 11 rebounds and Keanu Rasmussen’s return was handy with 14 points including a halacious dunk over one of the Panthers forwards. The Rockets at the moment have a little too much firepower and with the Sabres lack of ability to put big points on the board – they’ll get the win here you feel.     

Key Stat – The Sabres bench power has been their strength in the past – but only got the eight points out of it in their match against the Panthers.  

COD Prediction: Rockets by 15 points

Southern Tigers vs Woodville Warriors – (The Cage – Morphett Vale Stadium)

Women (6:30pm)

What a debut it was from someone who just arrived in the country and that’s the scary thought for the rest of the league. Mariah Martin the All-RMAC first team member for the Mavericks of Colorado Mesa University stepped off the plane literally with 22 points and seven assists – for the Tigers against ironically the Mavs. McKendrick meanwhile went close to a triple double missing by one assist with 19 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. The big Canadian centre Nicole Fransson made a few take notice with a huge 30 points and 15 rebounds and in a twist of irony again – there are some real Teige Morrell vibes about not only her play but also her off-court demeanour as well that is to watch for as a genuine big of the league. Fransson holds the key in this one and I feel the Tigers have the ability to limit her capacity having shutdown other bigs in the league in the cage in the past. The Tigers look like they are starting to find their stripes and think they’ll get the win here.    

Key Stat – The Warriors smashed the Lions in the paint with over 50* plus points in that area – with 30 of them coming from the Canadian centre.

COD Prediction: Tigers by 9 points

Men (8:15pm)

The Tigers reality has hit early in 2023 with the need for more time and development needed for Scott Freer’s lineup. The task gets no easier as they take on the unbeaten Warriors tonight. In positive signs a near triple double to Jett Thompson with 15 points, nine assists and rebounds showed his potential and Nic Logan broke through for 18 points and eight rebounds in one of his best showings in the league.

The Warriors have shown they can cover for the absences from their grand final side of 2022 with Ben Janssan stepping up from beyond the arc with five triples for 17 points and Jawan Stepney steering the ship with 24 points and nine rebounds. Both Anthony Green and Joe Jackson hold the key in this game with both nullified and quietish so far in 2023. I expect Jackson is going to be for real once again and lift the Warriors to their third win of the season but meet some fight from the Tigers.    

Key Stat – Despite the loss the Tigers shot 44 percent from the field with a majority coming from inside eight feet.

COD Prediction: Warriors by 16 points

Friday 7/04/2023

West Adelaide Bearcats vs South Adelaide Panthers (The Bearcat Cave – Port Adelaide Recreation Centre) – Kayo Game of the Week

Women (4:00pm)

A box office clash for Good Friday in the women’s will be indeed the game of the week – The Bearcats taking care of business against the Flames. Veteran Sky Langenbrinck filled it up with 20 points and Lightning rookie Molly Coleman chalked up another double double with 15 points, 11 rebounds and five steals to comfortably put away their young opponents.

The Panthers started well but then got done in the second quarter by the Sabres only managing to score 22 points across two quarters with rebounding and turnovers a huge problem. The Panthers were out boarded 36-54 and gave up 18 turnovers – that’ll need tidying up to the take on the Bearcats. The Bearcats should win this one but the special day on the calendar for NBL1 can throw up some big-time results.   

Key Stat – The three-point show continued for the Bearcats with Keely Pearce, Annaliese Watkinson and Langenbrinck draining nine of 22 from beyond the arc.  

COD Prediction: Bearcats by 11 points  

Men (5:45pm)

The contender against the champion in game of the week without a doubt. Current 36ers versus ex-36ers, superstars of the league only need to be listed to know this is a must watch. Drmic, McCarron, De Santis, Spear, Starling, Johns and of course likely this Friday returning to the club Daniel Johnson. What matchups eventuate out of this one is anyone’s guess – you could have Drmic guarding Johnson or Starling even guarding McCarron.

This one I genuinely have no idea how its going to play out as it could fall either way. It’s a big occasion for the home team needing a win over a top contender to prove their credentials – I however think the Panthers may sneak this one until the Bearcats show us how to stop the Grand Final MVP in Alex Starling.

That has not been proven by any team yet in 2023…       

Key Stat – Starling has been unstoppable against the Nyberg sides as well as the Bearcats with 26 points and nine rebounds (Bearcats first meeting) and 19 points, 13 rebounds and five assists (Rockets first meeting) at full fitness.

COD Prediction: Panthers by 3 points in OT

We are back to doing recaps for the NBL, Catch all the NBL1 Central action this weekend on the NBL1 website, app and game of the week in Round 3 between the West Adelaide Bearcats and South Adelaide Panthers on Kayo and Kayo Freebies Friday.

NBL1 – Australia’s League

Please continue to support SA basketball news and features content being written as well as national/international with the Pick and Roll – with our influx of work we are making content all free to read but need constant contributions to make this happen. $5 a month is all we are asking – If not keen to subscribe then please message to receive direct debit details how you can keep these quality features being produced