It was a very Good Friday for Jasmin Fejo and the Bearcats as they knocked off the Southern Tigers while a Sixers rookie and his fellow imports led the Men to Tom Hilbig’s first win as head coach last night…
Like the name of her WNBL side, Jasmin Fejo continued her lightning start to the NBL1 Central season in her sides 80-64 win over the Southern Tigers last night. Photo by Wandering Lion Photography
There was some basketball action last night as the West Adelaide Bearcats took on the Southern Tigers in the first of the stagnated Round 2 fixture at the Bearcat Cave…
Friday belongs to Fejo
A 28-17 second quarter led by WNBL Adelaide Lightning’s Jasmin Fejo setup the upset over last year’s champions the Southern Tigers 80-64. Fejo was back to her lightning best as she peeled off 30 points at 57 percent including 4 triples, 5 steals, 4 assists and 3 rebounds including 10 points in that quarter. It was an impressive debut from the former duck, U17 captain and AFLW Adelaide Crows player Jasmine Simmons as she clocked 10 points at a perfect clip, 14 rebounds and 6 assists while Bendigo Spirit’s Jennie Rintala dropped another double double of 13 points and 10 rebounds. The Tigers were led by Morgan Yaeger with another big one in 34 points with 5 triples, 4 rebounds and steals and 3 assists and Rintala’s teammate Demi Skinner dropped 13 points, 3 rebounds and assists. Overall it was a tough night for Lightning assistant coach Matthew Clarke and his team.
The key stat for the Bearcats was they dominated the “Nykiel” zone scoring no more than 8 points from that region in each quarter. It was the catalyst that gave them back-to-back wins and a huge start to the 2022 season.
Tigers final fling claws Bearcats
A huge final term from the Southern Tigers gave coach Tom Hilbig his first win in his head coaching career as the Tigers scratched their way to a 66-76 win. The 19-27 term was sparked by incoming 36ers rookie Lachlan Olbrich and imports Ricardo Martin and Vionte Daniels. Martin hit back hard after last week’s result with 15 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists plus some juicy dunks including one handed flush that put a couple of Bearcats on an insta post-er. Not to be outdone was stat sheet stuffer Daniels (13 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds and 3 steals), Brandon Holloway (11 points at 71 percent), Machar Machar (10 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks) and Olbrich (10 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks) in a very even performance for the yellow and black. For the Bearcats import Nate Sheppard backed up last week with 17 points and 7 rebounds as did Nik DeSantis (16 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists) and a cameo from Luke Cadzow (13 points with 3 triples) made things interesting in the second quarter. In the end the Tigers 81 percent from the field in the final quarter decided the entertaining Good Friday contest.
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This year is the second year of the University Basketball League (UBL) and South Australia has a representative team in the Mens and Womens competition. Here’s the wrap of the first four rounds of the UBL for the AU Waatu…
The "Waatu" are all in for South Australian University representation both on and off court for the UBL 2022. Photo supplied by Adelaide University Sport
The name of the new Adelaide University basketball team says it all about the representation of South Australian basketball at the University national level. “Waatu” is Kaurna language for “coming together for a common goal” which essentially means they are the Adelaide University “Team of success, enjoyment and pride.”
And no doubt this is exactly what they have displayed so far in their first few games of the season…
Mens WaatuRounds 1-3 (Away)
The Mens coached by Norwood Flames import Trey Mcbride have started reasonably well but could’ve been easily 2-2 heading into their inaugural homes games had it not been for USC Spartans dropping a 4-point play through Cooper Sparksman. The Mens grabbed a first win for the season in Round 1 against UWA Maali 92-71 with NBL1 Central’s Nick “Fassasin” Fassos scoring 26 points with 6 triples and 14 rebounds. Unfortunately they came up against two tough Sydney based teams in Uni of Sydney and Sydney Tech 54-98 and 48-96 respectively before dropping that close one to the Spartans 75-76. That left the Waatu 1-3 heading into their home fixtures against the Victorian teams of Latrobe (LTU Eagles) and Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT Redbacks)
Womens Waatu Rounds 1-3 (Away)
The Womens coached by Woodville Warriors Jawan Stepney also nearly snuck as win in Round 1 against the UWA falling agonisingly close 60-62. Evie Lovell had 16 points, 5 steals and 3 rebounds in that one with a youthful team full of many Division 1 U23 Central District Lions players. Much like the Men the road trip to Sydney was extremely tough going down to Uni of Sydney 36-90 and Sydney Tech 29-77 then played the Spartans going down 55-108 but showing some positive signs coming into their home games despite the tough three games against strong lineups. That left the Waatu 0-4 heading into their home fixtures against the Victorian teams of Latrobe (LTU Eagles) and Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT Redbacks).
Read on about the inaugural home games
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The Waatu Men won their inaugural home games by first defeating the LTU Eagles 74-69 in a thriller at the ABH Gym (Adelaide Botanic High School Gym). NBL1 Central Sturt Sabres Toby Hunt dropped 8 points in the final quarter (10 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists) and sealed the game with an inbound steal to give the Waatu their second win of the season. Fellow Sabre Harry Reemst dropped 24 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists shooting 12/13 from the free throw line while West Adelaide Bearcat Lachy Hunter was big on the glass with 13 points, 8 rebounds (5 offensive) and 5 assists adding to the 18 total for the team. LTU were led by Troy Schaeche with 12 points and 6 assists and NBL1 South Eltham Wildcats Sam Trezise (11 points) and Christian Yammouni (10 points and 9 rebounds). The game also featured Ovie Magbegor for the Eagles of course the older brother of WNBL Championship Melbourne Boomer, WNBA and Australian Opal player Ezi however the Waatu did a good job curbing his game on the glass and scorecard keeping him to 6 points and 11 rebounds.
Harry Reemst (front right) of the Waatu averaged 23.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and added 15/17 from the free throw line in Round 4. Photo supplied by Adelaide University Sport
The Waatu backed it up the next day in the round with a solid win over the RMIT Redbacks 85-70. Hunt started where he left off to finish with a double double of 23 points and 11 rebounds along with 7 assists but the sharp shooting of Norwood Flames SDL player Nikolas Stefanovic was player of the match as he torched the Redbacks beyond the arc. Stefanovic finished with 20 points including 6/7 triples and broke the game open. Reemst was outstanding in his second game of the week as well with 23 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. The Redbacks captain and centre James Smith was hard to contain as he finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds while fellow VBL players Caleb Bruggerman (14 points and 6 rebounds) and Hayden Mitchell (12 points and 6 assists) kept the Redbacks in the contest.
The Waatu now sit 6th on the ladder heading into their next games…
Waatu Women work hard but Eagles and Redbacks prevail
Keen to make an impression in their opening game, the Waatu women were solid for the opening minutes until the LTU Eagles super star Meghan Stagoll took over to open up a sizeable lead for the away side and eventually the 3rd placed La Trobe ran away with it 42-120. The NBL1 South Eltham Wildcat Stagoll finished with 39 points with counterpart Jamie Weddle not too far behind with 14 points while giant Eilish Feehan caused problems on the glass for Stepney’s women. Evie Lovell continued her solid form to lead the home side with 15 points and forward Abby Lowman dropped 11 points.
Bree Grillett (pictured) has brought a lot of energy and hustle to the Waatu Womens this season. Photo supplied by Adelaide University Sport
A huge chance awaited in the second game the next day against the equally winless RMIT Redbacks and the Waatu gave a good account of themselves. At quarter time it was 11-18 with the Waatu minus guard Tiara Hatchard missing the remainder of the game due to a whack to the mouth. Enter SDL player Sophie Cardillo (15 points) who influenced the contest heavily along with Josie Harris and Tamika Reid who struck some long bombs to keep them in it. In the end the Redbacks bite on the rebounds through Sophie Owen (19 points and 13 rebounds) and their captain Ruth Burrows (13 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists) was too much as they closed the Women out 45-63 in the finish; but it was along with the Round 1 game one of the best performances of the season for the Women.
The Waatu will next play at home in Round 5 of the UBL April 26 and 27 against the Curtin University Carnabys and the Federation University Falcons at the ABH Gym at 2:00pm and 4:00pm and even though its early in their introduction into this national college style competition; there is definitely already some success, enjoyment and pride for these teams…
The South Adelaide Panthers Mens win in OT leads a bunch of round one highlights including the welcome “McCarty Party”, Yaeger and Skinner slice and burn the Eagles, Nik and Sheppard herd Lions and Splash is all cash at the ARC. Here’s the Round 1 wrap of the NBL1 Central 2022…
Celebrations erupted for the South Adelaide Panthers as deadly Davies dropped the dagger to down the Flames. Photo supplied by Picture IT Sports Photography
5-Minute Read
Norwood Flames vs South Adelaide Panthers
Splash is all cash at the ARC
The South Adelaide Panthers have opened their campaign with a solid 52-79 win over the “Wilson-less” Norwood Flames at the Firedome (The ARC). Ash “Splash” Spencer dropped 20 in the first half to finish with 34 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists assisted by Olivia Levecki with 20 points and 10 rebounds. The Panthers second quarter of 9-20 is where the game swung despite newly recruited Brooke Basham (14 points and 4 rebounds) leading the charge back for the Flames. Genna Anderson was also solid for the home side with 15 points and 9 rebounds. The Panthers had 15-6 in second chance points and shot 58 percent from the field in their win.
Davies dagger delight for Panthers in OT
Guard Todd Davies found himself in the right place at the right time as he drained the game winning triple in front of the Flames bench and faithful as the Panthers won 72-75 in overtime at the Firedome. Davies finished with 14 points and 7 rebounds including the game winner, but it was Alex Starling that roared back to life with a monster double double of 34 points and 21 rebounds and Jarryd Hoppo stepped up for a double double of 10 points and 11 rebounds to give Scott Ninnis’s men the first win for the season. Ray Harding dropped a career high for the Flames with 32 points including 6 triples with import Trey McBride (14 points and 7 rebounds), Daniel Webber (13 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists) and Matt Lycett narrowly missing a double double (9 points and 12 rebounds) also impacting for the Flames.
Forestville Eagles vs Southern Tigers
Flaming Yaeger and Skinner slice down Eagles in OT
The spirit of Skinner and the flames of Yaeger returned to burn and haunt the Eagles as they helped their Southern Tigers down the Forestville Eagles 78-88 at the Nest. Both WNBL players reacted at the right time as the Eagles jumped out to a 29-19 quarter time lead led by Skinner’s Bendigo Spirit team-mate in Izzy Stratford (21 points and 8 rebounds) and Adelaide Lightning’s Sam Simons (16 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists). It was Skinner (30 points with 4/7 from beyond the arc and 7 rebounds) who made a massive triple in the last minute that tied the scores 74-74 to send the game to overtime where her, Jemma Thacker and Yaeger (35 points at 55 percent, 8 rebounds and 7 assists) took over.
Mays and Rios set Eagles in flight for 2022
A different story in the Mens game as Greg Mays and Jake Rios set the Eagles in flight for 2022 with a comprehensive second half demolition of the Southern Tigers 94-68 at the Nest. Mays finished with 24 points and 8 rebounds while Rios dropped 22 points with five Eagles notching double figures including former Rocket Fiston Ipassou (14 points and 11 rebound double double), returning Adam Doyle (10 points, 7 assists and rebounds) and Brandon Brine (10 point and 12 rebound double double). They setup a second half of 49-29 in a rough debut for former Eagle assistant Tom Hilbig against his senior Andy Simons. The Tigers got a bunch of even contributors with returning import Ricardo Martin (13 points), Christian Artacho (13 points with 3 triples and 6 rebounds) and young tyro centre Jamie Smith getting his first start and finishing with an impressive 13 points at 66 percent and 5 rebounds.
West Adelaide Bearcats vs Central District Lions
Rintala wrecks Lions in paint display
The Bearcats have started their 2022 season with a 92-54 win at home over the Central District Lions at the Bearcat Cave. They were never headed as WNBL import Jennie Rintala returned with a double double of 25 points at 62.5 percent with 13 rebounds. The Bearcats also got help from candidate for most improved this season in Abby Brenton (15 points and 5 rebounds), a near triple double to Lightning squad member Jasmin Fejo (14 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists) and a first time starter in Bethany Heaft with 13 points and 5 rebounds. In positives for the Lions new recruit WNBL’s Casey Samuels dropped 22 points and 7 rebounds on debut in the league with former Tiger Raynisha Washington (14 points and 7 rebounds) showing the Lions are going to be a competitive outfit in 2022.
Nik and Sheppard herd Lions for Bearcats win
A second quarter of 32-15 and third quarter of 23-9 gave Corey McLean’s Men a rousing first up win of the season over the Central District Lions 95-63 at the Bearcat Cave. New import Nate Sheppard did the damage with 28 points including 4 bombs beyond the arc and 7 rebounds with returning Bearcat Nik DeSantis equalling that with 28 points of his own along with 8 rebounds and 5 assists. Fellow import 7’1 giant Andre Washington contributed 16 points and 5 rebounds on debut who in two quarters gave the Lions the business. Tracy York’s Men held their own at times in the contest led by former 36er Bijan Johnson with 15 points but struggled to keep up with the Black and Red through the middle stages. The Bearcats did a huge amount of damage from the free throw line when it mattered with 21 of 33 for the match.
North Adelaide Rockets vs Woodville Warriors (Game of the Week)
“McCarty Party” starts season for Warriors
Wins were few and far between for the Woodville Warriors women in 2021 but new coach Matt Atkins started their 2022 season with a solid 54-71 win over the North Adelaide Rockets at the Launch Pad. The star of the night was Regan McCarty who finished with 24 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists but after a quiet start “The Storm” returned in Emily Winter to finish with 22 points and 9 rebounds. The Rockets featuring a much younger lineup then their last Grand Final team of 2021 were led by the returning Tayla Corrigan (13 points and 10 rebounds) and the youth of Lily Zbierski and Grace Facchini with 11 points each.
Winn ensures victory for Rockets in thrilling finish
Terry Winn ensured that he is here to win and here to dunk as he led the North Adelaide Rockets to a thrilling 82-80 win over the Woodville Warriors at the Launch Pad. Both teams were crying out for a game winner with Warriors import Jawan Stepney getting a look at the game winner and just shooting it long after an impressive 14 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists on debut. The Rockets Winn (17 points and 11 rebounds) was the most consistent throughout the night but crushing his previous best stepping up to the level was Riley Harrap with a career high 19 points including 3 triples. New Import Jamar Akoh notched a double double on debut with 13 points and 11 rebounds and looks like the replacement the Rockets needed for Dowdell and Jimma Dau played his role with 16 points and 13 rebounds for his double double. The Warriors Nick Wurm was unstoppable through the contest continuously playing with the on-ball screen and getting under the Rockets defence to scythe his way to a team high 23 points and 6 rebounds.
The game between the Sturt Sabres and the Eastern Mavericks has been postponed to Sunday May 1
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CROSS OVER DRIBBLE 