Tag: fitness

NBL1 Central Round One Womens – Bearcat Morgan monsters again in opening round over Rockets

Morgan Yaeger returned to the centre stage of NBL1 Central with a commanding West Adelaide Bearcat dance over the North Adelaide Rockets 53-76 at the Lights Community & Sports Centre.

Photo provided by Sonya Connor Photography

3-Minute Read

It was a depleted start from the Rockets under new coach Georgia Crouch as her former counterpart at the Adelaide Lightning in Matthew Clarke returned to take the helm at the West Adelaide Bearcats. The red and black blitzed their way to a 0-17 start with Yaeger kicking things off with nine straight points including her first triple of the night. It took a visit to the free throw line for Jordyn Freer to break the run but the Bearcats already smelt blood in the water as Yaeger added another five for the term to give her 13 points with another Lightning returnee in Ashlee Strawbridge dropping the late finish off the window for a 6-30 start.

An immediate response was called upon by Crouch and she got from Olympian Lauren Mansfield (10 points & three rebounds) as she drained an early triple then managed to get former Eagle Maddy Freer up and running to cut it back to 18-35. Off the back of a strong performance for SA – the U20s brigade led by Coco Hodges with back to back triples resumed order as the Bearcats took a 26-49 handy lead into the halftime break.

New Sister Act – Coco Hodges (pictured) and Chloe Hodges could be the newest of sister acts in NBL1 Central 2026 with an impressive opening round of 22 points, 10 rebounds & steals and 7 assists – Photo by Sonya Connor Photography

The Rockets continued to try and fight back through the Freer sisters but a strong run of 2-11 from the away side had them in a commanding position of 33-60 with one to play. Yaeger shut the door on this one incredibly quick with a triple and a trademark setback three but knowing these two may be there at the end of the season – establishing a strong margin to chase down in their return meeting was clearly on the agenda as the Bearcats did not yield until the final buzzer.

Yaeger produced in Round one yet again with 30 points at 64 percent, five assists, four rebounds and three steals with both Coco Hodges (12 points, five rebounds & steals and four assists) and Chloe Hodges (10 points, five rebounds & steals and three assists) near identical numbers. The Freer’s will be the pair to watch for the Rockets together with Jordyn Freer adding 15 points & seven rebounds and Maddy in her first game for the new colours eight points & rebounds with five steals and three assists.

 The numbers that mattered 

  • Yaeger did her damage in the first term with 13 of her 30 points coming in the quarter 
  • The Rockets registered 10 turnovers with eight missed field goals before Abbey Jones made the first with 58 seconds left in the first
  • 29 steals were registered in the match with the Bearcats 19 of them led by the Hodges
  • Yaeger now has averaged 31.75 points in Round One of the NBL1 Central since 2021 after scores of 15, 35, 47 and now 30 in consecutive matches.  

The Three Takeaways 

  • Yaeger & Clarke are the combo – but we already knew that right?
  • Even though we know this Bearcats team is getting stronger – the quick adjustments under Clarke should have the whole league on full notice
  • The Rockets depth is concerning – health is a premium with plenty of experience but a slow start is looking likely now

NORTH ADELAIDE ROCKETS 53 (J FREER 15, MANSFIELD 10, M FREER, WARNER 8)

WEST ADELAIDE BEARCATS 76 (YAEGER 30, CH HODGES 12, CO HODGES 10)

WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO TELL THE STORIES OF THE NBL1 CENTRAL

Every game deserves to be reported on including the history and background of the league – in 20 years time we may find it very difficult to look back at history and find data (as we are finding already in searching for past results and impact) so writing these articles is essential for capturing the essence of the league.

We have 300 plus players on lists of the NBL1 Central – $5 a week from every player and the NBL1 community will help you make sure you get written about by a local who knows the league in and out and has been active in the space the last five years and beyond. We need your support with more so please consider our options or consider sponsoring the website which also has an accompanying podcast and broadcasting of the NBL and WNBL through the Collective group.

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NBL1 Central Round One Womens – Eagle Simons takes flight to down Eastern Import onslaught

Despite the absence of some key players the Forestville Eagles have managed to hold off the late charge of the Eastern Mavericks 74-79 at St Francis De Sales.

Photo provided by CS Photographicaus

3-Minute Read

In shades of Carmen Tyson-Thomas of past seasons – the women got a great first up impression from new US import Antigonie “Tiggie” Sanabria & recently graduated Hawai’i Rainbow Wahine college import Brooklyn Rewers as they just sat behind the Eagles 23-25 after the first quarter.

Getting “Tiggie” with it in 2026 – This looks like it won’t be the first time either as Antigonie “Tiggie” Sanabria showed shades of former Mavs import Carmen Tyson-Thomas and we know what happened that year – Photo by CS Photgraphicaus

 

The game remained tight in the second with the Mavs extending their lead to double digits before the Simons sisters of Sam and Jess cut it to 44-39 at the main change. After an even third term 59-61 – the Mavs chance to beat the Eagles for the first time since 2019 was there as Sanabria cut it back to a two basket margin with only a few plays left.

Despite whittling it back the Eagles prevailed 74-79 with some close out plays and makes in the final minute.

Sam Simons was the player of the game with 28 points, nine rebounds, fours steals & three assists and in a sister act with Jess (14 points & six rebounds) got the job done for the Eagles to give new coach Matt Paps a first up win. Rewers (21 points & seven rebounds) & Sanabria (20 points & nine rebounds) led from the front for the home side.

 The numbers that mattered 

  • While the pair of Sanabria and Rewers had 41 between them the Mavs did get another 33 points from the rest of their lineup compared to the Eagles 
  • Olivia Tredrea with Sydney Hunter not quite ready to go collected a career high Seven points, six rebounds and assists in a strong 31 minute showing.  
  • The Eagles had 18 offensive rebounds and forced the Mavericks into 15 turnovers to create an additional 15 scoring opportunities 
  • The Mavericks took all of their 2pt shots inside the paint except for one for the match  

The Three Takeaways 

  • The Mavericks new import need to stay healthy for them to stay competitive 
  • The Eagles are still working out a new system including using heavier rotations through the bench 
  • It was a missed chance by the Mavericks with the Eagles missing a few key personnel and in the same breath a huge step forward for the cellar dwellers of 2025.

EASTERN MAVERICKS 74 (REWERS 21, SANABRIA 20, A WATKINSON 13, RAMSEY 7)

FORESTVILLE EAGLES 79 (S SIMONS 28, J SIMONS 14, R KING 12, VIDMAR 9, O TREDREA 7)

WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO TELL THE STORIES OF THE NBL1 CENTRAL

Every game deserves to be reported on including the history and background of the league – in 20 years time we may find it very difficult to look back at history and find data (as we are finding already in searching for past results and impact) so writing these articles is essential for capturing the essence of the league.

We have 300 plus players on lists of the NBL1 Central – $5 a week from every player and the NBL1 community will help you make sure you get written about by a local who knows the league in and out and has been active in the space the last five years and beyond. We need your support with more so please consider our options or consider sponsoring the website which also has an accompanying podcast and broadcasting of the NBL and WNBL through the Collective group.

Support local writing for nbl1 central

All Episodes of the SA Shotclock now available on Spotify

NBL1 Central Round One Womens – Sabres steady in Nicola of time once again

It took till the second half but the Sturt Sabres finally saw off the South Adelaide Panthers 62-52 in a solid showing at Springbank.

Photo provided by @Picture It Sport Photography

3-Minute Read

The Sabres took control with a dominant 33-14 including a 20-2 stretch across the halftime period. 

It was the Panthers however that jumped out under new coach Scott Rattus on the Sabres missing Paige Padroth. The Panthers missing Argentinian centre Emmy Garcia Leon charged through the play of Kiera and Hannah Gardiner as the sister act went to work with eight points between them in the first term. Aimee Brett in return from the Cairns Dolphins in NBL1 North last season also looked strong in her distribution and attack on the basket despite Sabres skipper Nicola Mathews breaking her ankles with a smooth crossover move.

The Sabres however were off target from beyond the arc early were rushed into error as the Panthers took a 12-21 first quarter lead. 

The grind was real early in the second with both teams struggling to find scoring opportunities. Despite a welcome return of WNBL Betty Watson Breakout Player of the Year Tayla Brazel to the fold – the Panthers held a commanding 15 point lead with some great assistance from Bianca Stasinowsky and Woodville Warriors recruit Sophie Evans. Stasinowsky and Evans’ length troubled the Sabres, holding a 21-36 with 2:30 left in the second. That’s when the Sabres struck back through defensive maestro Zoe Walker-Roberts and Brazel as they edged the Sabres back into the contest with a quick 7-2 run to trail 29-38 at the main change. 

South Adelaide Panthers Sophie Evans provided a spark in Round One with a career high night in extended minutes – photo provided by @Picture It Sport Photography

ZWR and Brazel led the Sabres out of the break as the Sabres brought their colellective nature back to the fore with a stout 14-2 run. Brazel made one of the first triples from the night and it opened the gates as Nicola Mathews saw her opportunity to seize. With a young group and newish combination the Panthers spark in the first half looked to have gone out as last year’s runner ups grinded the game back in their favour. The Sabres took the lead back late in the fourth and held a 48-45 lead with one to play.

It was the Sabres turn to jump out of the blocks in the fourth with a 6-0 start as Katia Stamatelopoulos took control of the point position between the sides. In her second year the long guard was active with her hands and positional outworking her opponent on the floor. Given space to operate late however was Nicola Mathews as she drained a triple then made the tip in off the offensive rebound as the Sabres took game one of the season in a controlled and calm manner. 

In the Nicola of Time: Sturt Sabres Captain Nicola Mathews had a strong four quarter match with 19 points including an important triple in the final term – Photo provided by @Picture It Sport Photography

Mathews emerged as the player of the game with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, backed up by Brazel with 10 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists in a solid all-round return to the league. Zoe Walker-Roberts started on the pine but had her usual influence with 11 points and 7 rebounds with Stamatelopoulos churning out a handy nine points, four rebounds and two assists with two steals.

It was a bright start from Merv Harris medallist of 2025 Kiera Gardiner with ten points in the first half but finished with 12 points and eight rebounds as her influence was shut down in the second half. Stasinowsky had one of her best games in a long time with 7 points and 8 rebounds and the young core of Daisy Hocking (six points and nine rebounds) and Sophie Evans (Career high 7 points and four rebounds with expanded opportunity) showed some spark for South.

 The numbers that mattered 

  • This was the Sturt Sabres fourth win in a row against the South Adelaide Panthers since 2024
  • The Sabres took 34 attempts from beyond the perimeter but only made two for the night 
  • The Sabres trailed by 15 points but turned the game with a 20-2 stretch across the halftime break
  • The Panthers won the rebound count 50-36 including 11 offensive rebounds 
  • The Panthers had 26 turnovers compared to the Sabres 13 in the contest – the Panthers guards had 18 between     

The Three Takeaways 

  • Nicola Mathews timing is still and always impeccable when needed
  • Sophie Evans is a handy pickup for the Panthers
  • Panthers downhill style will be fun to watch but will take some time to put together over four quarters in terms of motoring management

STURT SABRES 62 (N MATTHEWS 19, BRAZEL 11, Z WALKER-ROBERTS 10, STAMATELOPOULOS 9, M WALKER-ROBERTS 7)

SOUTH ADELAIDE PANTHERS 52 (K GARDINER 12, COX 8, STASINOWSKY 7)

WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO TELL THE STORIES OF THE NBL1 CENTRAL

Every game deserves to be reported on including the history and background of the league – in 20 years time we may find it very difficult to look back at history and find data (as we are finding already in searching for past results and impact) so writing these articles is essential for capturing the essence of the league.

We have 300 plus players on lists of the NBL1 Central – $5 a week from every player and the NBL1 community will help you make sure you get written about by a local who knows the league in and out and has been active in the space the last five years and beyond. We need your support with more so please consider our options or consider sponsoring the website which also has an accompanying podcast and broadcasting of the NBL and WNBL through the Collective group.

Support local writing for nbl1 central

All Episodes of the SA Shotclock now available on Spotify