NBL1 South Recap | Saturday ANZAC Round

Rachel Antoniadou helped spark the Nunawading Spectres to a thrilling win while Jack Davidson put up 41 points in a win for the Ballarat Miners and that was just the start of the Saturday night NBL1 South action.

The Saturday night women's results saw the Waverley Falcons beat the Sandringham Sabres 106-74, Nunawading Spectres defeat the Kilsyth Cobras 83-82 in overtime, Knox Raiders down the Hobart Chargers 74-59, and the Geelong United Supercats down the Casey Cavaliers 90-61.

Launceston Tornadoes also defeated the Ballarat Miners 96-58 with the Frankston Blues beating the Diamond Valley Eagles 68-64, Dandenong Rangers prevailing 80-72 over the Melbourne Tigers, and the Mount Gambier Pioneers beating Keilor Thunder 90-59.

In the men's matches, Sandringham defeated Waverley 97-82 while Nunawading beat Kilsyth 108-92 and Hobart downed Knox 76-73, Casey beat Geelong United 90-63, Ballarat defeated North West Tasmania Thunder 94-84 and Frankston beat Diamond Valley 94-78.

Melbourne defeated Dandenong 95-82 and Mount Gambier beat Keilor 106-82.

WOMEN

Falcons catch fire for big win away to Sabres

The Waverley Falcons showcased their offensive arsenal with a 106-74 demolition of the Sandringham Sabres on Saturday night.

It was a tight game for the first half with Waverley only leading by a point at quarter-time and by eight at half-time. But the Falcons pulled away with 39 points in the third quarter on the way to the eventual 32-point win.

Carley Ernst delivered 24 points and nine rebounds on 4/8 three-point shooting for Waverley with Maddi Utti contributing 24 points and 10 boards, Bec Cole 20 points, Renae Mokrzycki 13 points and six rebounds, and Sophia Locandro 10 points and three boards.

Georgia Pineau finished with 17 points and five rebounds for the Sabres, Britt Smart 15 points and two assists, Funda Nakkasoglu 14 points, and Elidh Simpson 10 points, five rebounds and three steals.

Spectres win overtime heartstopper over Cobras

It was a cracking overtime contest between Nunawading and Kilsyth with the Spectres claiming the 83-82 win on the back of the go-ahead basket and then a brilliant defensive play to close the extra period.

Even once the game got to overtime after scores were tied at 73-apiece at the end of regulation, it took until the dying stages for the result to be decided.

With Nunawading leading 81-79, Georgia Booth delivered a massive three-pointer with 18 seconds remaining to put Kilsyth back on top as Spectres coach Paul Flynn called for a timeout.

Out of that, Rachel Antoniadou made a brilliant pass to find Devon Brookshire under the basket to put the home team back on top. 

There was still time for the Cobras to get the ball up the other end, but a terrific defensive play from Rachel Brewster and Antoniadou denied them the chance and the Spectres won by that one-point.

Antoniadou ended up with 31 points, 11 assists and five rebounds for Nunawading with Brookshire adding 14 points and 11 boards, Cassidy Mihalko 12 points and three rebounds, and Brewster 10 points and eight boards.

Alexa Hart had a terrific game for Kilsyth made up of 26 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three blocks with Nikita Young contributing 22 points and four boards, and Georgia Booth 18 points, six assists and five rebounds.

WHAT A FINISH in Nunawading!

Watch the thrilling final plays in OT as Nunawading prevail with the dramatic 83-82 win against Kilsyth! ?

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— NBL1 (@NBL1) April 22, 2023

Raiders make it a double win weekend in Tasmania

The Knox Raiders continued to enjoy their road trip to the Apple Isle with a 74-59 win against the Hobart Chargers.

The Raiders opened the weekend in Tasmania beating the Launceston Tornadoes on Friday, and backed that up on Saturday at Hobart Netball and Sports Centre with the 15-point win against the Chargers.

The victory improves Knox to 4-1 in an impressive start to the NBL1 South season with Alicia Froling starring once more with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Kiera Rowe added 18 points and seven rebounds, and Emilie Hesseldal 12 points, 10 rebounds, six steals and five assists.

The Chargers are 1-4 following the defeat on their home floor with Kayla Steindl top-scoring with 18 points and seven rebounds. Sarah O'Neill added 16 points and three assists, and Angeliki Vintsilaiou 15 points, eight boards, four steals and three assists.

How about the court vision here from Leah Santomaggio ?

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— NBL1 (@NBL1) April 22, 2023

Supercats back up first win with thrashing of Cavs

The Geelong United Supercats built on their Friday night momentum to win big 90-61 on the road to the Casey Cavaliers on Saturday.

The Supercats broke through for their first win of the season winning a thriller by three points over Sandringham on Friday and backed that up with a dominant display away to the Cavs on Saturday to end up winning by 29 points.

There were plenty of standout performers in the win for Geelong United with Sarah Elsworthy finishing with 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals, Jess Scannell 17 points, four boards and three assists, Ella Tofaeono 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Eva Braslis 17 points, 10 boards and three assists.

Rachel Bell top-scored for the still winless Casey with 23 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals, Jacinta Beckley 13 points and five boards, and Shereesha Richards 12 points and six rebounds. Hailey Merrigan pulled down 12 boards.

Tornadoes hit back for thumping win over Miners

The Launceston Tornadoes bounced back from losing at home on Friday to win big 96-58 against the Ballarat Miners at Mazda BT-50 Thunder Stadium.

The Tornadoes went down to the Knox Raiders the previous night, but bounced back emphatically on Saturday including starting with 32 points to 22 in the opening quarter against the Miners.

Launceston then held Ballarat to just three points in the fourth period while scoring 27 themselves to win by 38 and improve to 2-3 on the season with the Miners now 1-5.

Olivia West had another strong showing for the Tornadoes with 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists while knocking down 5/9 from beyond the arc.

She had plenty of help too with Keely Froling delivering 18 points, eight assists and six rebounds, Riley Lupfer 18 points and six boards, and Micah Simpson 14 points, three rebounds and three assists.

Abbey Wehrung top-scored again for Ballarat with 17 points, seven assists and six rebounds with Emma Karamovic contributing 16 points, seven boards, four assists and two steals.

Frankston hold out Diamond Valley in tight affair

It was a thriller at Dreamstreet Lending Arena with Ella Batish icing the 68-64 win for the Frankston Blues against the Diamond Valley Eagles.

It was a tight battle all evening with the Blues leading by six points at quarter-time before the Eagles cut that deficit to two by half-time.

Frankston was up by five at three quarter-time, but it was a game destined to go to the final buzzer and it did. Ultimately, a three-pointer from Batish in the dying stages put the Blues on top by four.

Kara Tessari missed one up the other that could have made things interesting in the last seconds with Frankston winning by four to improve to 2-3 against the now 2-2 Diamond Valley.

Louise Brown ended the night with 18 points and 18 rebounds for Frankston with Chloe Bibby adding 15 points, seven boards and five assists, Batish 13 points and three assists, and Micaela Cocks 11 points, two rebounds and two assists.

Tessari top-scored for Diamond Valley with 18 points, six rebounds and six assists with Jennie Rintala contributing 16 points, seven rebounds and three steals, and Jade Dunne 10 points and three boards. 

Rangers overrun Tigers on home floor

Nothing separated the two teams coming into the contest and it was a tight affair with the Dandenong Rangers ending up beating the Melbourne Tigers 80-72.

Both teams came into the match up on 2-2 records and it was a close battle at Dandenong Basketball Stadium until the home team pulled away in the fourth quarter.

The Rangers had to come from five points down at three quarter-time, but put up 28 to 15 in the fourth period to end up beating the Tigers by eight points.

Nyadiew Puoch ended up top-scoring for Dandenong with 20 points and six rebounds with Amber Smith adding 17 points and eight boards, Sarah Boothe 15 points, 13 rebounds and three assists, and Briahna Whatman 13 points and five assists.

Sam Simons finished with 27 points, five assists and four rebounds for the Tigers with Nikki Metcalfe contributing 20 points and four boards, and Lily Carmody 12 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Mount Gambier dominate at home to stay undefeated

The Mount Gambier Pioneers remain undefeated this NBL1 South season after a dominant 90-59 home win against the Keilor Thunder.

It was a flying start on their home floor from the Pioneers with 32 points to 18 against Keilor before going into half-time leading 60-36 and converting that into the eventual 31-point win.

The victory improved Mt Gambier to a 5-0 record to start the season with Miela Goodchild outstanding with 30 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Haliegh Reinoehl added 17 points, eight boards and three assists, Imogen Rock 13 points and four rebounds, Isabella Brancatisano 12 points, seven boards and three assists, and Sherrie Calleia 10 points, eight assists and four rebounds.

Keilor slipped to 1-3 with the defeat with Lana Hollingsworth putting up 22 points on a perfect 6/6 three-point shooting. Jaz Salon added 11 points and two steals.

MEN

Sandringham continue winning form at expense of Waverley

The Sandringham Sabres scored their second win inside 24 hours beating the Waverley Falcons at home 97-82 on Saturday night.

Sandringham was fresh off beating the Geelong United Supercats in a tight affair on the road on Friday before returning to Southern Basketball Stadium on Saturday to play host to Waverley.

The Sabres opened up in terrific fashion with 26 points to 12 in the opening quarter and that set up the eventual 15-point win to see them improve to 3-3 on the season with the Falcons now 1-3.

CJ Asuncion-Byrd was the star in the win for Sandringham with 30 points and seven rebounds with Ben Ayre putting up another 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

Campbell Blogg added 15 points, four rebounds and two steals, and Dane Pineau eight points and nine boards.

Dillon Stith produced 21 points and 10 rebounds for Waverley with Bennie Lewis contributing 13 points and five boards, Jake Heath 11 points and three steals, and Tristan Forsyth 10 points and nine rebounds.

Spectres start on fire to set up win over Cobras

The Nunawading Spectres delivered a blistering first half to set up an eventual 108-92 victory against the Kilsyth Cobras.

Nunawading was looking to hit back from a loss to the Melbourne Tigers on Thursday night as they hosted Kilsyth, and the Spectres were outstanding early with 58 points in the first half to take a 20-point lead into the main break.

Nunawading converted that into a 16-point win to improve to 3-2 on the season while handing Kilsyth their second loss in the process.

Will Carius continues to make a significant impact for the Spectres producing another 30 points and seven rebounds on 13/20 shooting from the field.

Josh Tomasi added 22 points and seven rebounds, Tristan Devers 12 points and three assists, and Kingsley Box 12 points and six boards.

Jamie Ahale top-scored for Kilsyth with 25 points, six rebounds and four assists with Adrian Tomada contributing 23 points and six assists, Mitch Dielemans 12 points and two rebounds, and Tim Lang 11 points and two boards.

Chargers start strong and hold out Raiders

The Hobart Chargers might have started on fire but only just managed to hold on for the 76-73 win against the Knox Raiders at home on Saturday night.

The Chargers had lost at home as well on Friday night to Ballarat while Knox began their Tasmanian road trip this weekend with a 38-point hammering of the North West Tasmania Thunder.

However, the reigning champs started in blistering fashion on Saturday with the Chargers scoring the opening 11 points of the contest. The Raiders did work back into the contest, though, and even hit the front early in the fourth quarter thanks to Ke'Jhan Feagin.

That put the onus back on Hobart to respond and once Jacob Richards put them back in front that's where they remained ultimately with a dunk from Callum Boucher helping to seal the three-point victory.

It was a second win of the season for Hobart with Devin Watson finishing with 20 points and five assists, Sam McDaniel 17 points, eight boards, four steals and two assists, Jacob Richards 10 points, seven rebounds and three steals, and Jarred Bairstow 10 points and six rebounds.

Bailey Nunn ended up with 16 points and two steals for Knox while hitting 4/8 from three-point land while Ke'Jhan Feagin added 16 points, and Madut Akec 14 points, 13 rebounds and two assists.

Cavs with second thumping win of the weekend

The Casey Cavaliers kept the Geelong United Supercats winless to start the NBL1 South season with Saturday night's 90-63 home victory.

The Cavs opened their account on Friday night with their first win of the season against Bendigo by 32 points and they kept that momentum going at home to Geelong on Saturday.

Already by half-time and Casey were leading 51-26 on the way to the eventual 27-point win meaning that despite coming into the weekend winless, they've now won twice within 24 hours by a combined 59 points.

Jack Perry finished with 20 points and three rebounds for the Cavs in the win on shooting 6/7 from three-point territory.

Nathan Frost added 13 points and three rebounds, Hunter Marks 12 points and four boards, Preston Bungei 12 points, eight rebounds and six assists, Malcolm Bernard 12 points, six assists and four boards, and Sidy Djitte 10 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.

Gabe Hadley top-scored on another tough night for Geelong United with 16 points and two assists with George Blagojevich contributing nine points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots.

Davidson hits 41 as Miners overrun Thunder

The Ballarat Miners made it a perfect weekend in Tasmania by backing up Friday's win by beating the North West Tasmania Thunder 94-83.

The Miners started their weekend in the Apple Isle by beating the Hobart Chargers on Friday ahead of taking on the Thunder at Mazda BT-50 Thunder Stadium on Saturday.

North West were coming off a hefty loss as well on Friday to the Knox Raiders and it was the home team on top for the opening three quarters leading 71-62 by three quarter-time.

However, Ballarat turned it on in the fourth period with 32 points to 13 to turn that nine-point deficit into a 10-point victory and improve to 4-2 on the season as a result.

Jack Davidson lit it up once more for the Miners delivering 41 points, three assists and two rebounds while knocking down 6/13 from three-point range, 11/18 overall and 13/13 at the free-throw line.

Tyler Rudolph added 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals, Adam Thoseby 13 points, Jake Lloyd 11 points and seven boards, and Nic Pozoglou 10 points, 12 rebounds, four steals and three assists.

Tre Armstrong continues to impress with the Thunder with the young gun putting up another 26 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals while going 6/18 from three-point range.

Joe Chilcott also had 14 points and three rebounds, and Venky Jois 10 points, nine boards, three steals, two blocks and two assists.

Impressive Blues have too much for Eagles

The Frankston Blues showed their credentials this NBL1 South season once again in an impressive 94-78 home win against the Diamond Valley Eagles.

Frankston started on fire at home to Diamond Valley putting up 31 points to 17 in the first quarter which set the tone for the evening with the Blues going on to score the 16-point win and improve to 4-1 on the season.

There was a lot to like in the performance from Frankston with Lucas Barker top-scoring with 22 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists.

Jordan Evans added 21 points on 5/12 three-point shooting for the Blues with Brad Newley delivering 18 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two blocks, Igor Hadziomerovic 14 points and seven rebounds, and Daniel Trist 11 points, 10 boards and three assists.

Dual NBL champion DJ Vasiljevic finished with 22 points, three rebounds and three assists for Diamond Valley with Ngor Manyang contributing 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Mandrell Worthy 13 points and five boards.

Purchase lifts Tigers to win over Rangers

The Melbourne Tigers found their best form of the NBL1 South season beating the Dandenong Rangers 95-82 on Saturday night.

The Tigers started well at Dandenong Basketball Stadium to head into the half-time break leading the Rangers 49-38. Melbourne was then able to hold out the Rangers through the second half to win by 13 for their second win of the season.

Jack Purchase finished the night with 22 points, nine rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks for the Tigers while knocking down 5/9 of his three-point shots.

Taj Chehhal added 22 points also going 5/10 from deep with Michael Wearne contributing 17 points, five assists and four rebounds, and Callan McDonald seven points, 11 boards and eight assists.

Jack Roberts top-scored for Dandenong with 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists, Deng Puoch 13 points and 11 boards, Jesse Ghee 13 points, four rebounds and four assists, and Lawson Eales 11 points and five boards.

Mount Gambier continue undefeated run

The Mount Gambier Pioneers continued their unbeaten start to the season beating Keilor Thunder 106-82 at home on Saturday night.

Keilor did fight hard to stick with Mount Gambier for much of the opening three quarters but the Pioneers put their foot down in the fourth period with 29 points to 15 to end up winning by 24.

The result improves the Pioneers to a 5-0 record on the season while the Thunder are 2-2.

Jacob Lampkin led the charge again for Mount Gambier finishing with 21 points, 14 rebounds and four assists on 10/14 shooting with Nick Marshall adding 20 points, 12 boards and seven assists.

Kane de Wit added 14 points, six boards, four steals and two assists, Will Mayfield 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists, Julian Pesava 12 points and six assists, and Dylan Marshall 12 points and three rebounds.

William Jenkins III put up 20 points and nine rebounds for Keilor with Oliver Hayes-Brown contributing 17 points and 10 boards, Robbie Heath 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists, and Theus Evan Wardlow 10 points and four assists.