NBL1 South Recap | Saturday Round 4

Alicia and Keely Froling starred in Saturday night NBL1 South wins for the Knox Raiders and Launceston Tornadoes while the Bendigo Braves produced a stunning 9-0 run to snatch a win while Adam Thoseby and Jack Davidson combined for 12 threes for the Ballarat Miners.

Saturday night's women's results saw the Sandringham Sabres beat the Eltham Wildcats 79-56, the Frankston Blues defeat the Geelong United Supercats 81-68, the Dandenong Rangers down the Ballarat Miners 76-37, and the Knox Raiders prevail 81-65 against the Casey Cavaliers.

The Bendigo Braves also beat the Kilsyth Cobras 93-42 while the Launceston Tornadoes beat the Melbourne Tigers 83-76, Ringwood Hawks downed the Mount Gambier Pioneers 87-77, and the Diamond Valley Eagles defeated Keilor Thunder 94-64.

Then in the men's contests, Keilor defeated Diamond Valley 93-85, Sandringham beat Eltham 89-75 and Geelong downed Frankston 79-73, Ballarat beat Dandenong 97-88, the Tigers beat the North West Tasmania Thunder 84-69, Knox beat Casey 74-60 while Bendigo defeated Kilsyth 94-92, and Mount Gambier beat Ringwood 92-79.

WOMEN

New coach does wonders in win for Sabres

A new coach seemed to do the world of good for the Sandringham Sabres on Saturday night as they scored the 79-56 home win against the Eltham Wildcats.

The Sabres parted ways with coach Jacqui O'Neill during the week after a 2-4 start to the NBL1 South season with Simon Giovannoni taking over, and his time at the helm got off to a perfect start.

After the eventful week, Sandringham came out on fire with 26 points to 11 in the opening quarter. 

The Sabres continued to pull away through the rest of the evening to end up winning by 23 points to improve to 3-4 on the season with the Wildcats slipping to 1-4.

Funda Nakkasoglu led the charge for Sandringham with 22 points and three rebounds on 8/13 shooting from the field and 3/6 from three-point range.

Eilidh Simpson added 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals, Klara Wischer 11 points and eight boards, and Britt Smart 11 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Bec Pizzey top-scored for Eltham with 19 points and six rebounds with Louise Forsyth adding 16 points and six boards.

What a start by the Eltham Wildcats! ?

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Bibby leads Blues over Supercats despite Tofaeono's 20-20

Two teams on .500 records coming into the round locked horns at The Arena on Saturday night and it was the Frankston Blues beating the Geelong United Supercats 81-68.

Frankston started well away from home with 21 points to 16 in the first quarter. Then after leading 39-32 at half-time, the Blues pulled away in the third quarter with 26 points to 16 to set up the eventual 13-point win.

The victory improves Frankston to 4-3 on the season with Geelong United now 2-3.

Perth Lynx WNBL star Chloe Bibby was outstanding for the Blues with 33 points, four rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks while knocking down 6/10 from three-point land.

Chelsea D'Angelo added 19 points, six assists, four steals and three rebounds, Ella Batish 12 points, four assists and three rebounds, and Louise Brown six points, 15 boards, three steals and three blocks.

Ella Tofaeono had a remarkable performance for Geelong United with 22 points and 25 rebounds with Eve Braslis adding 12 points and 11 boards, Sarah Elsworthy 11 points, five steals, four assists and three rebounds, Jess Scannell 11 points and four boards, and Monica Okoye 10 points, four rebounds and four assists. 

Chloe Bibby is on FIRE ?

She's hit 5?? triples and there's still a quarter left ?

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Miserly Rangers win big in Ballarat

The Dandenong Rangers held the Ballarat Miners to just 20 points in three of the four quarters on Saturday on the way to the 76-37 road victory.

The Rangers started on fire at Selkirk Stadium with 25 points to eight in the opening quarter but the Miners did fight hard with 17 points in the second term to limit the Dandenong advantage to 45-25 at intermission.

However, it was all the Rangers in the second half as they outscored the Miners 31 points to 12 to end up winning by 39 and improve to 4-3 on the season with Ballarat now struggling at 1-6.

Sarah Boothe was outstanding for Dandenong with 25 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks while shooting 10/17 from the floor and draining all four of her three-point attempts.

Nyadiew Puoch added 21 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals, and Elly Morgan eight points and two assists.

Molly Matthews top-scored for Ballarat with 11 points and four rebounds with Emma Karamovic adding nine points, four rebounds and two steals. Abbey Wehrung had 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals but just one point on 0/10 shooting.

MVP Froling leads Raiders past winless Cavs

Another standout performance from Alicia Froling has helped the Knox Raiders keep the Casey Cavaliers winless this NBL1 season with the 81-65 victory.

The Cavs arrived at the State Basketball Centre still searching for that first win of 2023 and they started impressively with 25 points to 19 in the opening quarter.

However, Knox worked its way on top in the second quarter with 18 points to 10 and then dominated the third period with 27 points to 13 to set up the eventual 16-point triumph.

The win improves the Raiders to a 5-1 record on the season with the Cavaliers now 0-6 with the defeat.

Reigning league MVP Alicia Froling was again an unstoppable force for Knox with 26 points, 15 rebounds, two assists and two steals on 11/22 shooting.

Kiera Rowe added 17 points and eight rebounds, Leah Santomaggio 12 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals, and Paige Burrows 11 points, five boards and four assists.

Jacinta Beckley top-scored for Casey with 15 points to go with four rebounds and four steals.

Steph Blicavs added 12 points and four rebounds, Taylah Gillam 12 points and six assists, and Esra McGoldrick 11 points and eight rebounds.

McKay lifts Braves to another dominant win

The undefeated Bendigo Spirit flexed their muscles once more on the back of a dominant showing from Megan McKay to beat the Kilsyth Cobras 93-42.

Bendigo came into the clash at Red Energy Arena having won the opening six matches of the NBL1 South season with the Braves starting well again on Saturday with 19 points to 10 in the first quarter against the Cobras.

Another 23 points to 13 in the second period and the Braves were on top 42-23 by half-time before they went on with the job including 34 points to seven in the fourth term to win by 51.

The victory improves Bendigo to a perfect 7-0 record on the season with Kilsyth slipping to 2-5 with the defeat.

There are a host of stars who can take over any given night for the Braves and this time it was Megan McKay's turn and she delivered 26 points, seven rebounds and two steals on 12/14 shooting.

Amy Atwell added 19 points, seven rebounds and two assists despite going 2/11 from downtown with Cassidy McLean contributing 12 points, six boards, five assists and three steals, and Kelly Wilson eight points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and five steals.

Isis Lopes produced 10 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals for Kilsyth with Alexa Hart contributing 10 points, 10 boards and five blocks, and Georgia Booth nine points and five rebounds.

Froling the difference for Tornadoes over Tigers

A monstrous performance from Keely Froling was instrumental in the Launceston Tornadoes overcoming the Melbourne Tigers 83-76 on Saturday night.

Both teams were attempting to win their third games of the NBL1 South season and ultimately it was the performance of Froling that was the major influence on the result.

The Tornadoes did hold a slender lead most of the evening before ending up winning by seven points to improve to a 3-3 record while the Tigers slip to 2-5 with the defeat.

Keely Froling was brilliant for Launceston finishing with 38 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals on shooting 16/23 from the floor and 6/7 from the free-throw line.

Riley Lupfer added 12 points, six rebounds and two assists, Macey Crawford 11 points and four assists, and Olivia West seven points, four boards, three assists and two steals.

Lily Carmody top-scored for Melbourne with 22 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks on 9/11 shooting with Sam Simons adding 20 points, and Angelique Francis 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Ringwood hand Mount Gambier first loss of season

The Mount Gambier Pioneers have suffered their first loss of the NBL1 South season with the reigning champion Ringwood Hawks beating them 87-77.

The Pioneers had won their opening five matches of the 2023 season ahead of Saturday night's clash on their home floor, but the Hawks arrived on a four-game winning streak of their own.

Ringwood started well with 19 points to 12 in the opening quarter and then the Hawks turned it on in the second term with 30 points to 15 in the second term to go into the half-time break in control 49-27.

The Hawks were able to convert that into the 10-point win after withstanding a fast finish from the Pioneers with Ringwood improving to 5-1 with the victory while Mount Gambier joins them at 5-1 with their first defeat.

Ariel Johnson knocked down 5/11 of her three-point attempts for Ringwood on the way to 27 points and six rebounds with Shelby Britten adding 19 points, 12 assists, three rebounds and three steals.

Marena Whittle added 16 points, 13 rebounds and four assists for the Hawks, Jacqui Trotto 14 points and five boards, and Piper Dunlop six points and seven rebounds.

Miela Goodchild produced a big showing for Mount Gambier despite the loss with 31 points, 14 rebounds, two assists and two steals with Haliegh Reinoehl adding 16 points and five boards, Isabella Brancatisano 12 points and eight rebounds, and Sherrie Calleia 10 points and four assists.

Eagles get it done over Thunder at home

The Diamond Valley Eagles produced a commanding performance at home on Saturday night to defeat the Keilor Thunder 94-64.

Diamond Valley broke the game open against Keilor in the second quarter with 27 points to 15 to go into the half-time interval leading 44-29.

The Eagles then went on with the job in the second half outscoring the Thunder 50 points to 35 to end up winning by 30 to improve to 3-3 on the season with Keilor sliding to 1-4 with the defeat.

Jennie Rintala continues to show why she's one of the hardest working bigs in the country by leading the charge for Diamond Valley with 17 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Kara Tessari added 14 points, eight assists and five rebounds, Monique Andriuolo 13 points and 10 boards, Allison Day 13 points and five rebounds, and Jade Dunne 12 points, three assists, two rebounds and two steals.

Lana Hollingsworth top-scored for Keilor with 23 points and six rebounds with Meg Lucas adding 10 points and 10 rebounds, Macey Boyle 10 points and six boards, and Grace Graham eight points, three blocks and two rebounds.

MEN

Sandringham hands Eltham first loss of season

The Eltham Wildcats have tasted defeat for the first time this NBL1 South season with the Sandringham Sabres scoring the 89-75 home victory.

The Wildcats arrived at Southern Basketball Stadium having won their opening four matches, but the Sabres were determined to change that and started well with 23 points to 17 in the opening period.

Another 22 points to 17 in the second term and Sandringham was on top 45-34 at the half before the Sabres went on with the job in the second half to win by 14 points and hand the Wildcats their first defeat, and improve to 4-3 themselves.

Dane Pineau had a massive impact on the result for Sandringham with 22 points and 19 rebounds on 11/14 shooting with Campbell Blogg adding 18 points and three boards.

Ben Ayre also contributed 12 points, four assists, four steals and three rebounds, Nic Gabsch 11 points and three boards, and 387-game NBL veteran David Barlow 11 points, three rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

What a no-look pass from Ben Ayre ?

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Supercats open account with win over hot Blues

The Geelong United Supercats are on the board for the 2023 NBL1 South season and they did it in style beating the on-fire Frankston Blues 79-73.

The Supercats hosted the Blues at The Arena with Frankston arriving on fire including being fresh off a 28-point hammering of the Dandenong Rangers on Monday, but Geelong United came out with a point to prove.

The Supercats started well with 26 points to 18 in the first quarter but the Blues hit back with 22 to 15 in the second, and by three quarter-time, it was Geelong United leading narrowly 59-56.

However, the Supercats used the home crowd to spur them on and claim the six-point win to open their account for 2023 after four consecutive losses and to hand Frankston their second defeat in the process.

Gabe Hadley finished with 21 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals for the winners, George Blagojevic 21 points, 15 boards, three assists and three steals, Maalo Hicks 10 points and four rebounds, Nick Velasquez eight points, and the returning DeMarcus Gatlin seven points, six rebounds, three assists and three blocks.

Daniel Trist finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds and three assists for Frankston with Brad Newley contributing 16 points, Igor Hadziomerovic 11 points and six rebounds, and Jordan Evans 10 points and eight boards.

Professional bucket getter: Lachlan Barker ?

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Thoseby, Davidson combine for 12 triples in Ballarat win

A massive third quarter set up the Ballarat Miners to score the important 97-88 home victory against the Dandenong Rangers.

The Rangers were looking to bounce back from a hefty loss to the Frankston Blues on Monday, but it was always going to be a challenge against the Miners at Selkirk Stadium.

It was a tight first half with scores level at quarter-time and then Dandenong narrowly leading 45-42 at half-time, but it was in the third quarter that the Miners made their move.

The home team outscored the Rangers 29 points to 14 and that's where the Miners set up the eventual nine point victory to see them improve to 5-2 on the season with Dandenong now 2-5 with the defeat.

Adam Thoseby knocked down 6/12 from three-point range for Ballarat to finish with 30 points and two assists with Jack Davidson nailing 6/9 from beyond the arc for 27 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

Nic Pozoglou also finished with 18 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals, and Tyler Rudolph 17 points, 13 boards, three assists and two steals.

Jack Roberts finished with 26 points, five rebounds and three assists for Dandenong with Mike Amius contributing 23 points and nine boards, and Jacob Eyman seven points, nine rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots.

Acouth leads Knox to win over Cavs

With both teams hunting their third wins of the NBL1 South season, it was the Knox Raiders who prevailed at home to beat the Casey Cavaliers 74-60.

Both teams entered the clash at the State Basketball Centre with identical 2-3 records and it was the visiting Cavaliers who started the better with 22 points to 11 in the opening period.

However, from there the Raiders worked their way on top with 18 points to 12 in the second quarter, 17 to nine in the third, and 28 to 17 in the fourth to end up claiming the 14-point victory.

The result improves the Raiders to a 3-3 record on the season with the Cavs now 2-4.

Deng Acouth led the assault for Knox finishing the night with 20 points, 14 rebounds, three steals and three blocks on 6/11 shooting from the floor and 8/9 at the free-throw line.

Bailey Nunn also had 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists, Madut Akec 15 points and 12 boards, Ke'Jhan Feagin 13 points and five steals, and Austin Rapp eight points, nine boards and two steals.

Preston Bungei ended up delivering 18 points, six rebounds and three assists for Casey with Malcolm Bernard contributing 16 points, four boards, two assists and two steals, and Sidy Djitte eight points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots.

Mayen, Johnson deliver miracle win for Braves with 9-0 run

The Bendigo Braves were staring down the barrel of a sixth loss already this NBL1 South season before scoring the last nine points to beat the Kilsyth Cobras in spectacular fashion, 94-92.

The Braves had been struggling coming into Saturday night's clash at Red Energy Arena with an in-form Kilsyth team, and it appeared the Cobras were on track for their fifth victory of the season.

Kilsyth was leading 92-85 with a minute and-a-half remaining and the result appeared all but settled, but nobody told that the Braves coach Steve Black and his team.

Bijan Johnson was aggressive and scored twice going to the basket to quickly make it a three-point ball game and then Lat Mayen took on the role of hero starting with a game tying three-point bomb.

With the Cobras seeing their offence dry up before their eyes, Mayen was fouled by Auryn MacMillan attempting another three.

He would make two of the three free-throws and it would ultimately be enough for the two-point win for Bendigo with Mitch Dielemans' attempted winner from beyond the arc not falling for Kilsyth.

Adam Pechacek finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals for Bendigo on 11/19 shooting with Bijan Johnson delivering 26 points and five assists on 9/14 shooting from the floor, 3/6 from downtown and 5/7 at the free-throw line.

Lat Mayen also ended up with 17 points, three rebounds and three assists, and Luke Rosendale 10 points and seven boards.

Jamie Ahale produced 21 points and four rebounds for Kilsyth with Ben Ursich adding 22 points and seven boards, Adrian Tomada 17 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals, and Auryn MacMillan 11 points and six boards.

LAT MAYEN IS CLUTCH ?

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Purchase lifts Tigers to road win over Thunder

Another standout showing from Jack Purchase has led the Melbourne Tigers to an 84-69 road win against the North West Tasmania Thunder.

The Tigers started their weekend in Tasmania with an 11-point loss to the Hobart Chargers on Friday, but they started on fire on Saturday with 25 points to 11 in the first quarter against the Thunder.

That ultimately proved the difference between the two teams with Melbourne able to maintain that advantage to end up winning by 15 points to improve to 3-4 on the season with North West Tasmania now 2-4 after the defeat.

Jack Purchase had a significant say in the final result as he delivered 26 points, 11 rebounds and three assists while shooting 5/12 from three-point territory for the Tigers.

Taj Chehhal added 19 points, four rebounds and two assists for Melbourne, Mason Gaze 15 points and six boards, and Callan McDonald nine points and 11 rebounds.

Sekou Sylla top-scored for the Thunder with 21 points and 11 rebounds on 10/17 shooting with Venky Jois adding 17 points and six boards, and Vionte Daniels seven points, four rebounds and four assists.

Pioneers maintain perfect start to the season

The Mount Gambier Pioneers continued their imposing start to the NBL1 South season beating the Ringwood Hawks 92-79 at home.

Having won their opening five matches in impressive fashions this season, the Pioneers kept their momentum going with 21 points to 15 in the opening quarter against the travelling Ringwood.

Another 26 points to 17 in the third quarter and Mount Gambier would go on to win by 13 points to improve to a perfect 6-0 record on the season with the Hawks now slipping to 2-4.

Jacob Lampkin produced a big showing in the win for the Pioneers made up of 21 points, 17 rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Will Mayfield also contributed 18 points and seven rebounds, Austin Shelley 17 points, three boards, three assists and three steals, and Nick Marshall 15 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Kyle Daggett top-scored for Ringwood with 18 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two assists with Adrien Sturt adding 17 points and three rebounds, and Jonathan Lawton 11 points, seven boards and three assists.

Keilor prevail over Eagles minus Vasiljevic

The Diamond Valley Eagles threw everything at getting the win minus DJ Vasiljevic but it wasn’t to be with the Keilor Thunder claiming the 93-85 victory on the road.

The Eagles hosted the Thunder at Diamond Valley Sport and Fitness Centre but needed to try and get a win without their two-time NBL championship winning star.

Diamond Valley did start well with 25 points to 22 in the opening quarter but Keilor began to work on top in the second period with 26 points to 21 to lead 48-46 at the main break.

It then wasn’t until the fourth quarter when Keilor put their foot down outscoring Diamond Valley with 27 points to 18 to end up winning by eight to improve to 3-2 on the season with the Eagles now 3-3.

Zac Triplett finished up with 25 points, five rebounds and two assists for Keilor while Oliver Hayes-Brown added 19 points and 16 boards, Robbie Heath 18 points and three assists, and William Jenkins III 13 points and eight rebounds.

BJ Symons ended up top-scoring for Diamond Valley with 17 points and eight rebounds with Ngor Manyang adding 12 points and six boards, Mandrell Worthy 11 points, three assists and three steals, and Joel Capetola 10 points, six rebounds and six assists.

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