Tag: health

Photo provided by Sarah Connor Photography

3-Minute Read

Second year recruit Joel Dyer made his intentions known from the opening tip finding an open triple to open the contest but making his return to the league Nik De Santis also announced his presence with eight opening quarter points. The match deadlocked at 25-25 a piece after the first ten minutes. 

Rockets recruit Oskar Jones struck a triple but some crafty play from another returning guard to league in Isaac Atuer (Nine points) kept things even, however Dyer kept things rolling for the Rockets. It took Riley Real searching for a bigger role in 2026 to finish the and1 to give the Bearcats the lead by the barest of margins 43-44 at the main break.

New import for West Braelan Bridges finally constructed some key makes as he opened the third with the and1 then Tom Kubank back in West colours for the first time in close to a decade hit an important triple to keep the Bearcats in front. Dyer again however struck back to along with Jones but almost like a rerun of the second – Real again finished on the buzzer to this time give the away side a 69-74 with one to play. 

Another savvy recruit over the preseason in Anok Magot showed some strong signs the Nyberg has nailed another role player recruit, getting the Bearcats out to double figures 71-81. The Bearcats had several attempts to close this one out earlier but with Kubank & De Santis missing closing baskets enter Dyer yet again raining in three triples in the final term to cut it to 84-88 with just over two minutes to play. It became habitual for the frustrating Bearcats down the stretch missing their makes and the Rockets believing they could steal it at the death. Kubank’s drawn foul for the and1 however left it teetering with 31 seconds to play.

Enter Oskar Jones with the attempt to take it to overtime 90-90.

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After nearly coughing it up during regulation the Bearcats would not let North get control from here as the Rockets shots dried up and Bridges built the response for the Bearcats with Real sealing the victory 95-104 in the finish

Through four terms and OT Bridges was the player of the game with 26 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks with De Santis notching a double double of 18 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in his first game since the 2023 championship. Kubank also added 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists while Real had a career high 12 points, six rebounds, three assists and steals. 

Dyer was outstanding with a career high 29 points with six triples and assists while Jones added 23 points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals filling all areas of the stats sheet. Machar Machar also pocketed 18 points and eight rebounds to boot. 

 The numbers that mattered 

• The Bearcats dominated the rebounds with a smashing 38-64 (with 27 offensive rebounds) but couldn’t capitalise on their opportunities with 42 makes from 92 attempts
• Riley Real was +22 on the floor for the night for the Bearcats in his minutes
• The Rockets had three returning players that clocked minutes in their first game for 2026 (Dyer, Machar and Al-Ani)     

The Three Takeaways 

• You just know the Bearcats have more coming but the additions of Atuer, Magot and Kubank are more than handy
• Rockets still can’t play 40 (45 minutes) of defence but they can certainly put the ball in the hole in different ways
• The Dyer/Jones combination will be how the Rockets live or die in 2026 on the floor

NORTH ADELAIDE ROCKETS 95 (J DYER 29, JONES 23, M MACHAR 18, KING 8, B MACDONALD 7)

WEST ADELAIDE BEARCATS 104 (BRIDGES 26, DE SANTIS 18, KUBANK 16, STOCK 12, REAL 12, ATUER 9, MAGOT 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.

All Episodes of the SA Shotclock now available on Spotify

Photo provided by CS Photgraphicaus

3-Minute Read

After causing the boil over of the last two decades in the league – the Mavs are badged as contenders for the finals in 2026 and showed accordingly taking it up to the Eagles in the opening term 21-22.

A raft of new recruits led from the front with former South Adelaide Panther Curtis Scott (12 points, seven assists & four rebounds), Mt Gambier Pioneer Christian Peevy and Southern Tigers Harry Morris (Nine points, four assists and rebounds) rallied together.  The star-studded Eagles however got some quick points including a jam from Daniel Johnson to help them take a slight edge 44-45 at the half. 

Adam Doyle (15 points, four assists and three rebounds) wound back the clock again with a pair of triples in the third term but the Eagles  Returning power forward BJ Symons proved to be a telling factor against the Eagles once again as his influence and another former Pioneer in Dylan Marshall (12 points and five rebounds) kept the Mavs in touch 64-71 with one to play.

Symons trips to the free throw line and work inside the paint created multiple opportunities for the home side however some late contributions from Fiston Ipassou (14 points & six rebounds) including a triple of his own helped the Eagles slip away from the Mavs on their home floor 87-94.

The Eagles were led by Daniel Johnson within a breath of a triple double of 25 points, Nine assists and rebounds with Greg Mays producing 16 points & four rebounds. Alex Starling also gave his usual output in his multi-dimensional role with 12 points, eight rebounds with four assists and steals with all five Eagles starters notching double figures. 

 The numbers that mattered 

• A significant change even early in the season is that the pine played a total of 48 minutes with nine points, seven rebounds for the Eagles – Young gun James McKenzie the first to be given a bigger role in the absence of Jordan Wilson and Jordan Forbes
• Paint is the process for the Mavs with 61 percent from 2pt range
• The Eagles had an additional eight possessions off their offensive rebounding led by DJ with five    

The Three Takeaways 

• If the Eagles can go deeper into their bench this season – they may have the fuel in the take to drop off anyone that comes near them late in the season
• The Mavs have a raft of creative scorers all with different methods – makes them very difficult to defend once they get rolling this season 
• Once the Eagles have Jordan Forbes – they are going to be a scary proposition that don’t have to play their best till seasons end

EASTERN MAVERICKS 87 (SYMONS 25, PEEVY 16, SCOTT 15, MARSHALL 12, MORRIS 11)

FORESTVILLE EAGLES 94 (D JOHNSON 25, MAYS 16, DOYLE 15, IPASSOU 14, STARLING 12)

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.

All Episodes of the SA Shotclock now available on Spotify