Tag: NBL1

BJ and the Bandit - Branden Jenkins comes to the league as no joke having topped the scoring averages in NBL1 East already this season to join Bijan Johnson at the Lions. Photo by James Wiltshire

5-Minute Read

Saturday 28/05/2022

Forestville Eagles vs Norwood Flames – (Wayville – The Nest)

Women (6:15pm)

Former teammates will come to clash as a game that looks to separate the table apart in the middle finally comes to the league. The Eagles are coming off a long break since their last game (against Sturt Sunday May 8) while the Flames won both their games back-to-back last weekend. Don’t be surprised to see an unlikely but also logical matchup with Wilson and Simons taking on each other. Both sides probably realise they are the match-winners and Stratford can take Basham in what looms as a battle worth the price of admission. It might come down to Genna Anderson who caused all sorts of problems for the Eagles last season with 17 points and 11 rebounds and 18 points and 10 rebounds in their fixtures. The Flames were one of my early favourites for the titles and I think they are getting on their rool now and the Eagles are next in the firing line.      

Key Stat – The Eagles are shooting 34 percent from beyond the arc and are number one in the competition; The Flames have launched an average of 21.6 from there compared to the Eagles 23.16. Might come down to who can hit the target from their 20 odd attempts best.   

ESPN Prediction: Flames by 7 points

Men (8:00pm)

The Eagles will be looking to put the pain on the team that knocked them out of the finals in 2022. Coming off a confident boosting victory over the COE, the Eagles machine is starting to click into place but the other confident group have also found their groove. After knocking off the undefeated Rockets perhaps Tim Odell has found the formula for his Flames. The Flames have some useful assets that could trouble many of the Eagles players, but I think it’s a case of just one too many to stop for this team. I think this one is likely to be a shootout with the Eagles getting home in a much closer contest than maybe we thought a few rounds ago.

Key Stat – Both teams are miserly with ball in hand with the Flames equal number 2 and the Eagles number 4 for turnovers in the competition.

ESPN Prediction: Eagles by 5 points

Woodville Warriors vs Southern Tigers – (St Clair – The Castle)

Women (6:30pm)

The Warriors look mis-matched in this one against the in-form Tigers who took out the top of the table Panthers last weekend. If the Warriors are to cause a major upset, they are going to need to hold the Tigers to a score if 50-60 for the game and force everyone but Yaeger, Skinner and McKendrick to beat them. I simply can’t see how they can hold all three that quiet and the Tigers should continue their strong run against the Warriors women in recent years.  

Key Stat – The Warriors will need more scoring production off their steals only averaging 59.9 points per game this season.  

ESPN Prediction: Tigers by 33 points

Men (8:15pm)

The Warriors are rolling for 2022 but have to continue the momentum going after starting 3-1 in 2021 they came up short of the finals with a 8-10 record. Now they are 6-1 and, in the territory, where they dropped games, they should’ve won. The young talented Tigers may prove a challenge with Olbrich in scintillating form having scored 17, 29 and 23 points and the two imports Martin and Daniels starting to find their niche. Overall, the Warriors are so potent and defensively locked in for 2022; can’t see them dropping this one and keeping a hold on the top of the table for now…   

Key Stat – The Warriors offence has been incredible this season number one in the league with an average of 98 points per game and 22.7 assists per game; they are a legit contender in 2022.  

ESPN Prediction: Warriors by 18 points

South Adelaide Panthers vs Sturt Sabres (Marion – Michael Ahmatt Court)

Women (6:30pm)

The top of the table clash sees once again the Panthers who have struggled against the Sturt Sabres defensive sets traditionally attempting to inflict their first loss of the season on the double blues. Last season the Panthers beat the Sabres in the qualifying final 79-93 with Ash “Splash” Spencer incredible in the final quarter to break the hoodoo; each side has one key difference with Jade Johnson now on the other side and the Sabres finding a key import fit in Williams. The Panthers however have a player that can counteract the impact of Williams in new import from Iceland Izzy Osk Siguardardottir who with a high arching jump shot should be a treat to watch for NBL1 Central fans. As good as the Sabres have been this season I think this time with Johnson in the blue and white corner; this match is going the way of South just…

Key Stat – The coach that masterminded the Panthers downfall numerous times for the Sabres is now a key assistant at South in John Turnbull; he knows the scout so he’s the difference from a strategic viewpoint…

ESPN Prediction: Panthers by 8 points

Men (8:15pm)

It a big moment for the Panthers as they continue to win the close ones, this is a stern test against Rigoni’s Sabres. The Sabres can get you in so many ways at both the offensive end and the defensive end. The son of coach Rigoni Jacob is emerging as a star of the league averaging 17 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3 assists per game but he’s got a long way to go to catch the “mid-range marvel” in Smith who towers above both line-ups with 27 points at consistently 55 percent, 4.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists. I think Ninnis’s men despite the close wins might be the real deal and a win over the Sabres proves they are a contender for the final five.

Key Stat – The Panthers have two of the top ten league scorers compared to the Sabres who have four in the top 50.  

ESPN Prediction: Panthers by 4 points

Central District Lions vs North Adelaide Rockets (Starplex – The Den)

Women (6:30pm)

Rejoice Lions fans that the drought is over and when it rains, it can pour. It was a matter of time before the draw finally showed the Lions are a competitive unit in 2022 and have been led magnificently from the front by Samuels but also we can’t underestimate the impact of championship experience from Washington and a big frame in Tyla Bennett. Rockets fans of course should be appreciating Taylor and watching out for their co-captain DeFrancesco who’s had good history against the Lions and may be one the aways side would need to quell (20 and an 11 point double double last season). Confidence is riding high now for the Lions and the Rockets who are clearly in some “putting games into youth” mode with the release of one of their two imports Thomas and no news of a replacement are being prowled for another kill by a club hungry to have more wins after tasting success once again.

Key Stat – The Lions are capitalising on their offence in 2022 averaging 62 points but surprisingly shooting the same from the field in 37 percent as they did in 2021; Last year’s grand finalist the Rockets have understandly dropped to 32 percent from 37 percent.

ESPN Prediction: Lions by 15 points

Men (8:15pm)

Exciting times for the league and the Lions with the arrival of #1 NBL1 East scoring machine from the Lauren Jackson Albury-Wodonga Bandits in Branden Jenkins who’s had some G-League experience as well gives the Lions a chance. Jenkins instantly will make this game a lot closer with Dowdell playing the team he won a championship with last year. The Lions can match the Rockets in all aspects with Jenkins matching up with Winn, Dowdell on Akoh, Manyang on Dau bound to be one of the highlights of the night and Bijan Johnson against Brad Rathjen. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Lions cause an upset but think the Rockets with homecourt will find a way to get it done.    

Key Stat – With Jenkins 25 ppg, the Lions now boost Manyang with 18 ppg, BJ with 17.7 ppg, Dowdell with 17.2 ppg, Nathaniel Koko with 11.7 ppg and Nate Deer off the pine with 10.7 ppg; they are now officially loaded offensively.  

ESPN Prediction: Rockets by 5 points

Eastern Mavericks vs West Adelaide Bearcats (St Francis – The Shooting Gallery)

Women (6:30pm)

This one I think is not as straight forward despite the Bearcats looking like a raging favourite in most people’s eyes. Stopping Jaz Fejo will be the key for the Mavs with the task likely falling to Gabriel as I think they’ll be able to contain reasonably Rintala through their import combo who troubled them most last season. The Mavs got the better of the Bearcats in their last home encounter but this unit from the West has stamped itself as a contender. The Mavs matchup well here apart from Fejo and I think that’s the difference in this game.

Key Stat – The Bearcats are extremely efficient in 2022 shooing 42 percent from the field and are number one for dominating the glass through their hardworking guards and forwards with 52 per game.

ESPN Prediction: Bearcats by 9 points

Men (8:15pm)

The SA version of the Greek-Freak has arrived in 7’4 giant Ioannis Dimakopoulos (that’s SA’s version of Giannis) and is the final piece of the Mavs puzzle for 2022. Against a West team struggling for consistency this is where the Mavs launch themselves off the bottom of the table as I predicted at the start of the season but if they are going to make a run from 0-7 eerily similar to the Rockets they must get off the mark tonight. A loss to the Bearcats who despite being 7^th are likely to slip from here on in and it could be all over before it started with 0-8. That’s not happening with a team boasting Legan, Cromarty, McCalop, Knibbs and the likely suit up of Dimakopoulos as its potential starting five; they break the duck tonight after coming so close last week…

Key Stat – Since suiting Legan and Cromarty, the Mavs have scored 84, 78 and 94 compared to 80, 60 and 66; that’s an increase in 16 extra points per game…

ESPN Prediction: Mavericks by 10 points

We are back to doing recaps for the NBL, Catch all the NBL1 Central action today on the NBL1 website, app and game of the week in Round 8 between the South Adelaide Panthers and the Sturt Sabres on Kayo and Kayo Freebies this evening.

NBL1 – Australia’s League

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Written by Tristan Prentice

The Flames Walter "Trey" McBride needs another big game if the Flames are to crack their heartbreaking streak of defeats. Photo supplied by Picture IT Sports Photography

5-Minute Read

Monday 25/04/22

Norwood Flames vs Southern Tigers – (ARC – The Firedome)

Women (1:30pm)

Two of the title contenders go head-to-head in a star studded duel of Wilson/Basham vs Yaeger/Skinner. It might take the likes of McKendrick and Thacker to knock off the other Flames key pieces in Akeun and Anderson. Wilson’s experience might just give the Flames the difference as well as her ability to bring others into the game with assists (7 against the Warriors on the weekend); that just gives the Flames the edge at home.

Key Stat – Ally Wilson (36 ppg) and Morgan Yaeger (32 ppg) are the top two leading points average scorers after three rounds.

ESPN Prediction: Flames by 3 points

Men (3:15pm)

I have it on very good authority that the Tigers will have some reinforcements back for today’s game and they’ll need them against the desperate Flames. The Flames statistically have been right up there and the only thing thats not in their column is a tick in the win box. Walter “Trey” McBride and Ray Harding look the game breakers in this one and expect Anthony Green to have a big one after a quiet first few rounds…

Key Stat – The Flames average 81 points per game compared to the Tigers 71; the Tigers are also averaging 21 percent from behind the arc.

ESPN Prediction: Flames by 14 points

North Adelaide Rockets vs Sturt Sabres (Lights – The Launch Pad)

Women (1:30pm)

The front court is where this game is potentially won and the Sabres showed through Nicola Mathews and import Williams they could dominate rebounding, but as has always been their strength is their number of players that can hit the scoreboard with 17 assists in their first outing. Peyton Taylor and Rayven Thomas will get some incoming help potentially from Lily Zbierski in those areas but the Sabres showed their system is still solid.

Key Stat – The Rockets are averaging 19.5 turnovers already this season, the imports have to help the home side look after the ball…

ESPN Prediction: Sabres by 20 points

Men (3:15pm)

The Sabres proved their system is still king but as we know in last season coach Dean Nyberg was able to exploit it and get his Rockets into the decider. Both teams look like they’ll be scoring at a high clip shooting it at over 45 percent but the Sabres we’ve only seen one game which mainly came from Spear and Rigoni. Not much separates these two so its bound to be a thriller much like we saw in Round one at the Launch Pad.

Key Stat – 11 triples at 45.1 percent was a key figure in the finality of the preliminary final result of 2021 along with 6-13 points from 22 turnovers of the Sabres; although different personnel, the impact of this will be evident again in this one.

ESPN Prediction: Rockets by 5 points

Woodville Warriors vs Eastern Mavericks (St Clair – The Castle)

Women (1:30pm)

The form line of these two teams is really hard to draw after a few games, the Warriors are on the improve and the Mavericks won it comfortably over the Lions on the weekend. It seems to come down to the two imports for the Mavs that will be the difference.

Key Stat – Lefebvre-Okankwu and Gouchie-Provencher had 41 points between them making up a huge percentage of the Mavs scoring in Round 3.

ESPN Prediction: Mavs by 11 points

Men (3:15pm)

The biggest question is where are the Mavs reinforcements and will they be ready for today? A big name is about to drop soon I’ve heard but until they are all on the court in uniform, this could be a struggle for the away side. The Warriors have been frustrating to watch but you can also see all the pieces coming together and its likely today we’ll see more of that coming together.

Key Stat – The Warriors average 13 offensive rebounds per game, an area the Mavs will need to be wary of…   

ESPN Prediction: Warriors by 30 points

West Adelaide Bearcats vs South Adelaide Panthers (Port Adelaide – Bearcat Cave)

Women (1:30pm)

The Panthers are getting it done in multiple ways and the Bearcats despite their loss are in very good early season form. There is quality across every line with the Jordan Hunter vs Jasmin Fejo matchup looking to be the key one after she caused problems for the Panthers in their last game at Marion in 2021. The influence of Hannah Stewart and Jasmine Simmons may decide this contest through their defence and contributions.

Key Stat – Simmons already averages 2 steals, 3 assists, 8.5 points and 15 rebounds in three games; officially on triple double watch for the season.

ESPN Prediction: Panthers by 7 points

Men (3:15pm)

The Panthers could not have started the season better and perhaps I have vastly underestimated the impact of this roster so far. In perspective they’ve beaten the Flames and an under strength Eagles (now one of the few times we’ll see this season) so this game against the Bearcats doesn’t necessarily tell us anything new about Ninnis’s men. Winning form is good form and with Smith and Starling starting the season inn a blaze; the Bearcats may find themselves playing plenty of catchup in this one. .   

Key Stat – Both these teams are in the top three for three point percentage; expect a show of shooting beyond the perimeter in this one.

ESPN Prediction: Panthers by 18 points

Forestville Eagles vs Central District Lions (Wayville – The Nest) – Game of the Week

Women (3:00pm)

The Lions are building and have shown some good signs they are heading in the right direction; already the recruitment of Samuels and Washington seems the right fit and Tyla Bennett looked like a player to keep an eye on. The Eagles however will have too much class in this one and will have too much firepower across all lines. Funnier results have happened on ANZAC day though in the past…

Key Stat – The Eagles have 7 players inside the top 50 point scoring averages led by Sam Simons and Izzy Stratford with 15.5

ESPN Prediction: Eagles by 28 points

Men (4:45pm)

This game of the week is now much closer than maybe when the draw came out. A battle of the basketball minds of Simons vs York is going to be a treat to watch and Dowdell is now “the man” at the Lions; him versus Greg Mays is going to be great to watch. Add to the quality viewing of ex 36ers Bijan Johnson and possibly Adam Doyle, a battle between young guns Tyrone Fui and Malith Machar; This is suddenly shaping as an ANZAC classic…

Key Stat – The Eagles take care of the ball the best in the league averaging 12.5 turnovers per game; the Lions only average 5 in steals. .

ESPN Prediction: Eagles by 5 points

Catch all the NBL1 Central action today on the NBL1 website, app and game of the week in Round 4 between the Forestville Eagles and the Central District Lions on Kayo and Kayo Freebies this afternoon.

Subscribe for

$5 a month or take up our annual subscription options as a once off

or jump on our “SA Basketball Story” subscription for $20 a month, with a chance to win an article written about your basketball story.

Written by Tristan Prentice

Can Casey Samuels (pictured middle) guide the Lions Women to their first win since 2019 Saturday night? Photo credit to NBL1 Central/AllStar Photos

5-Minute Read

Friday 22/04/22 – Woodville Warriors vs Norwood Flames – (St Clair – The Castle)

Women (6:30pm)

The Warriors come into this one on a high and with good form behind them with the key question of will Ally Wilson play? Last year it didn’t make the difference but this year’s corresponding fixture it will. On the Warriors side, McCarty and Winter for combined for 46 points and 14 rebounds together last round and must be stopped by the Flames. Even without Wilson though I still feel the Flames will be a little more gelled and have plenty of scoring avenues if they shut down McCarty and Winter but this will be a lot closer than the corresponding fixture in Round 1 last year regardless…

Key Stat – The Warriors had 15 second chance points after quarter time last week and those points were also the downfall of the Flames against the South Adelaide Panthers.

ESPN Prediction: Flames by 6 points

Men (8:15pm)

The Warriors men have shown they will be hard to stop in multiple areas. Joe Jackson was quiet last week but I expect him to put up his hand and have a huge game like he did twice against the Flames last season. Ray Harding was enormous for the Flames last week with a career high 32 points and will need to be that again and import Trey McBride will need to impact at both ends which I expect he will. The Warriors will I suspect have too many weapons and have some defensive grunt at this point for a Flames team still working out their system under coach Tim Odell.

Key Stat – Both teams shot above 45 percent from the field consistently for the game so its going to come down to who can defend the other best.

ESPN Prediction: Warriors by 11 points

Saturday 23/04/22 South Adelaide Panthers vs Forestville Eagles (Marion – Michael Ahmatt Court)

Women (6:30pm)

Richard Dickel has the Panthers clicking early but also will need some support for Jordan Hunter at the guard spot with likely Hatti Cox missing (U20 AJC) however it was Olivia Levecki and Ash “Splash” Spencer that did the damage against the Eagles in 2021. There is the likely absence of Jess Simons, Bianca Stasinowsky, Maddy Freer (U20 AJC) for the Eagles however with Sam Simons who performed well in both games as did Rachel Hines, they should have enough to cover their missing pieces. The Panthers were irresistible last week against a contender in the Flames so I have them claiming this one comfortably.     

Key Stat – The Panthers had more than 8 points per quarter in the “Nykiel Zone” and the Eagles gave up 42 of their points in that area in their overtime loss last round.

ESPN Prediction: Panthers by 15 points

Men (8:15pm)

Scott Ninnis will be on a high after their overtime win but know straight up that they are playing one of the contenders for the Championship this year. This game will tell us more about the Panthers than the Eagles with both teams likely to put on a show on the floor and above the Rim. Who the Eagles choose to guard Starling will be a key for Andy Simon’s as well as who the Panthers will choose to guard Greg Mays who dropped big numbers on them in previous meetings. The Eagles will I think slightly have the edge with Doyle, Brine and Malith Machar but if foul trouble ensures their depth may be tested likely without Fiston Ipassou (U20 AJC).    

Key Stat – Five Eagles notched double figures while three Panthers had double figures in Round 1

ESPN Prediction: Eagles by 3 points

Saturday 23/04/22 Central District Lions vs Eastern Mavericks (Starplex – The Den)

Women (6:30pm)

The Lions have not won a game since July 6 Round 18 2019 and this first up home game has a smell of a sneaky upset of sorts. Casey Samuels and Ranisha Washington have added to their much-needed firepower even without import centre Tyla Bennett likely to suit up. The Mavs will suit their two Canadian imports likely in Bridgette-Lefebvre Okanku and Oksana Gouchie-Provencher and regain AJC U18 Country standouts Olivia Bradley and Stephanie Formby. I think the two imports will fire early for the Mavs but if there is a chance for the Lions to break the streak, this is as good a chance as there has been in a long time…  

Key Stat – The Lions in their first game shot 39 percent from the field

ESPN Prediction: Mavs by 7 points

Men (8:15pm)

An intriguing Safari Cup matchup with both teams keen to get their season going with an early win. The Lions had a bright start last week and have kitted up with Bijan Johnson and Dowdell but are going to need more out of Nathaniel Koko in their second outing; he should fire this week. The Mavs will need plenty first up out of Nelson Kirksey and Koop McCalop to get across the line. The Lions being at home purely on that factor get this one for me early.

Key Stat – Koop McCalop was very quiet against the Lions last season and will be looking to make an instant impact for the Mavericks on the back of those performances.   

ESPN Prediction: Lions by 5 points

Saturday 22/04/22 Southern Tigers vs North Adelaide Rockets (Morphett Vale – The Cage)

Women (6:30pm)

The Tigers were shocked by the Bearcats on Good Friday and a homecoming spells the much-needed result this weekend. The Tigers will need to find some more contributors than Yeager and Skinner so it’s a good opportunity against the Rockets to find who’s going to be that third string scorer. The Rockets will be stung by the likely loss of Grace Facchini and Lily Zbierski (U20 AJC) but find themselves with their two handy inclusions in imports Peyton Taylor from the Euro League and Rayven Thomas from the Mexican League. The Tigers back at the Cage should account for a young North Adelaide side despite their two import additions.

Key Stat – Rockets import Peyton Taylor averaged 30.6 points, 13.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.6 steals in the Euro League. Those numbers alone should help the Rockets women increase their 54 points. 43 rebounds, 14 assists and 12 steals in their opening game.

ESPN Prediction: Tigers by 18 points

Men (8:15pm)

The Tigers will be most hit hard by the U20 AJC with likely most of their front court players in Lachlan Olbrich, Jamie Smith and guard Curtis Scott all unlikely to suit. That is going to leave a lot to imports Martin and Daniels in containing a Rockets front court of Jamar Akoh, Terry Winn and Jimma Dau. The Rockets imports looked solid last week and they’ve still got key guards in their starting five. The Rockets should win this one strongly and show they are a contender in 2022.   

Key Stat – In the Tigers win last Friday Lachlan Olbrich, Jamie Smith and Curtis Scott produced 17 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Much will fall to the other Tigers rookies if the starters find foul trouble.

ESPN Prediction: Rockets by 21 points

Saturday 23/04/22 Sturt Sabres vs West Adelaide Bearcats (Springbank – The Cave)

Women (6:30pm)

If the Bearcats were looking for the ideal start to 2022, they’ve got it with 2-0 record and facing a Sturt Sabres team yet to hit the floor. West added a key piece to their plans in Jasmine Simmons last week and she started brilliantly with a double double and is officially on triple double watch weekly. The Sabres will likely debut import Mikayla Williams and is a hugely important part of the front court with Nicola Mathews and Jasmine Rigoni will be keen to get off to a flyer. The Bearcats form led through Fejo and Rintala should get them the win at this stage of the season.

Key Stat – Fejo and Rintala combined for23 points and 16 rebounds in their 61-66 win over the Sabres in 2021; They are the keys for either side in stopping or playing through them.

ESPN Prediction: Bearcats by 11 points

Men (8:15pm)

Both teams for the Sabres will celebrate their “United Church” heritage and the Sabres will be raring to go. They’ve added import Devin Haygood to their front court along with Jacob Rigoni and Hayden Meakes to go along the “Batman and Robin” dynamic duo of Joel Spear and Sam Daly. The Bearcats will also need a lift from their centre Andre Washington to help the red-hot form of DeSantis and Sheppard. The Sabres will start their campaign off with a win but must fight hard for it against a Bearcats unit keen to turn around their performance last Friday.

Key Stat – The Bearcats had unanswered runs of 7 and 13 in the Good Friday fixture; it shows they can get points in a quick hurry if needed.

ESPN Prediction: Sabres by 8 points

Catch all the NBL1 Central action starting tonight on the NBL1 website, app and game of the week in Round 4 between the Forestville Eagles and the Central District Lions on Kayo and Kayo Freebies ANZAC Day Monday afternoon.

Written by Tristan Prentice