Central Recap | Round 12 Saturday

By Tristan Prentice for NBL1.com.au

Feature images supplied via NBL1.com.au /  @snapshotphotography3 / Snap Shot Photography

Round 12 of the Mitsubishi Motors NBL1 Central was another historic night in the league with debut starters sparkling on the scene, streaks broken and top teams finding their mark to stay tied with each other on the table  

Here are the results of Saturday games:

Brutal Brazel Sabres scythe Mavs in monumental fashion             

The Sturt Sabres were not letting any slip ups happen tonight as they kicked off the the Kayo Freebies Game of the Week night with a scything of the Eastern Mavericks 30-71 at St Francis De Sales.

Tayla Brazel was brutal from the first buzzer as she collected nine points in the opening term to dominate the Mavs - a disappointing start from the homeside saw the Sabres lead 5-26 after one. 

Sydney Mech (14 points and nine rebounds with three steals) was allowed to catch and shoot mid-range and the Sabres pressure increased as they produced more but the Mavs tried to stifle them defensively with a rear guard led by Bella Schaftenaar (Six points and rebounds with four steals) with her first start of the season with no Airlie Ramsey. 

Elli Constantopolous battled hard in place of Aspen Williston as the most youthful team of the season tried in spurts to take it to the seasoned finalists - but they still found themselves struggling to score 11-40 at the main break.

The Sabres scythed their way even further into the Mavs defensive end going to a 9-22 third term through their own defensive tenacity and some bench points. All that was left in the fourth was for the homeside to prevent any unwanted records and they did that just with some late points to Rosie Williamson (7 points) and Daisy Hocking - in a night where nothing much went right for Maroon and silver…  

Brazel took out the Footlocker Player of the Game with 19 points, four rebounds and three steals and two blocks and shared how from the get go like she’s done in her first matches back to not come out playing in a fear after a long injury layoff. “A had a real focus before the game to be aggressive and not let my knee hold me back now I’m healthy” she shared with the Game of the Week team. Brazel also spoke about the current ladder position and how wins are still so important to stay ahead of the others - especially when they play each other in the top three.  “We know it's tight (on the ladder) so we aren’t oblivious to that but we just keep focusing on one game at a time.”

     

EASTERN MAVERICKS 30 (Williamson 7, Schaftenaar, D Hocking 6)

STURT SABRES 71 (Brazel 19, Mech 14, Z Walker-Roberts 10)

 

Panthers pinch split and win over Warriors           

One of the biggest results of the night was pulled off by the South Adelaide Panthers as they pinched a season-defining split and win against the Woodville Warriors 79-90 at the Castle of St Clair. 

The first term was tight between the two desperate teams with Hatti Cox (9 points) bouncing the Panthers out of the gates along with Hannah Gardiner. Jasmin Fejo, Erin Phillips (10 points, six assists, five rebounds with three steals) and Ambah Kowcun (20 points with six triples) however combined to bring it to 20-19 at the first break in play. 

Another tight term saw both teams go bucket for bucket but were separated by the hand of Ash Spencer (15 points and seven rebounds) as she splashed some triples to give the Panthers the lead at the half 38-43. 

Laura Erikstrup (17 points and six assists) found some more points after the half for the Warriors but Hannah Gardiner and Bella Stratford (12 points) were causing plenty of havoc for the away side taking the Warriors on right now the middle. Ida Andersson’s triple (10 points) kept the Warriors in the frame at three quarter time 62-70 with one to play.

Enter Darcy Rees who was not getting any smaller for the medium sized front court of the Warriors as the Panthers found answers at all moments. 

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Rees (15 points and five rebounds) was resilient down the stretch as was Hannah Stewart (Eight points) as she came up with some big scores and the split for South Adelaide. 

Hannah Gardiner was huge through four terms with 19 points, four assists and three rebounds while Fejo for the Warriors led on all fronts with 21 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals.

          

WOODVILLE WARRIORS 79 (Fejo 21, Kowcun 20, Erikstrup 17)

SOUTH ADELAIDE PANTHERS 90 (H Gardiner 19, Rees, Spencer 15, Stratford 12)

 

Fly home Eagles fan Flames hot start in streak breaking win         

The Forestville Eagles flew home in the final term to clinch a first win at the ARC since 2022 over the Norwood Flames 81-84. 

They had to fan the Flames hot start as Amanda Paschal lit up from the first tip as did Sophie Kerridge (12 points, five assists and four rebounds with three steals) as they jumped out to a 18-9 start. The Eagles joined the three point party early through Gabby Vidmar (12 points on four triples) and Sam Simons. The Flames amassed a hot start of 38-22 in a high scoring opening stanza. 

Footlocker Player of the Week KJ James (25 points and six rebounds) started to heat up in the contest along with Cailtin Shillabeer (A fourth consecutive double figure match with 12 points on four triples). The Eagles hit back through Ella Ogier and her flock to close the margin a little further back to 57-43 at the main change. 

Momentum continued to swing the gold and blue’s way through Rachel King (15 points, eight rebounds and four assists) the Simon’s as they cut it to 62-52 in the third term. A quick five points to the Flames via Paschal (A near triple double of 15 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists) again saw them back out to a comfortable lead but the hand of Ogier (Season high 14 points and six rebounds) and Jess Simons (18 points, seven rebounds with three assists) had it right back to 72-61 with one to go. 

The Eagles then brought their squadron to the fore as they flew over the Flames with a 9-20 final term led by Ella Sawyer (Five points, eight assists and six rebounds) as she served and scored herself to trim it back to a single basket with less than a minute to play. 

Sam Simons (20 points, six assists, four steals and three rebounds) finished the secondary opportunities presented and the charity stripe struck with the Flames getting one last look through Paschal but it carried long off the backboard to give the Eagles first win at the ARC since 2022. In a very even performance five Eagles scored 12 or more for the night to lead the way in the finish. 

        

NORWOOD FLAMES 81 (James 25, Paschal 15, Kerridge, Shillabeer 12)

FORESTVILLE EAGLES 84 (S Simons 20, J Simons 18, King 15)

 

Lions final roar records long awaited Cage win over Tigers             

It’s been over a decade since the Lions last one at the Tiger cage in Morphett Vale and they roared in the final term to take down the Southern Tigers for their second win of the season 59-72.  

A strong start was needed by the away side went toe to toe with the Tigers but a splashing start from Tara Dodman with back to back triples gave them some separation early. A late couple of swipes from Sydney Wright and Beth Dittmar however gave the Lions the tight lead 17-20 at the first change. 

The start of the second belonged to the giant Tiger herself in Iva Belosevic (18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists) giving them the lead who along with Charlotte Southam-Clark (Nine points) and a buzzer beater from McKenzie Johnston (10 points, seven assists with three steals and rebounds) the handy half time lead 35-32. 

The Tigers pushed out to lead further through Annie Bartsch (Nine points and seven rebounds) and Dodman (13 points with four triples and seven rebounds) again 42-34 and that’s when the Lions defence switched on as they gained plenty of possessions and found a red hot Tiahna Sears in transition as she did what her name implies and branded the Tigers with her points as their captain Wright (12 points, six rebounds and five assists) with two good decisions with ball in hand brought it to their favour 49-51 at three quarter time.

Having been starved of wins this season and historically at the Cage the Lions played high tempo and style and tired the Tigers out as Clare Maree-Hunt (10 points) launched them from deep and Shanique Lucas (16 points, six assists with four steals and rebounds) with steals in hand and Sears (20 points and 11 rebounds) sealed the elusive win away from home and the Safari Cup for the Womens in 2025.                           

SOUTHERN TIGERS 59 (Belosevic 18, Dodman 13, Johnston 10)

CENTRAL DISTRICTS LIONS 72 (Sears 20, Lucas 16, Wright 12)

 

Levicki leaps Bearcats to two game gap over Rockets              

Their destiny was in their own hands tonight and the West Adelaide Bearcats thanks to a MVP like performance from Olivia Levicki leapt them to a two game over the North Adelaide Rockets 65-74 at the Lights. 

The start was ideal for the away side as they leapt off the mark with a 0-9 start before Jordyn Freer broke the run. The Bearcats through Chloe Hodges and Levicki though topped off their fine start in transition consistently with a 8-21 opening. 

Needing some steadying hands from experience - Mollie McKendrick (26 points, seven rebounds and four assists) brought the mid-rangers as did Freer again. The bank was open at both ends for Hodges and Freer (21 points, seven assists and six rebounds) as the teams traded twos but despite the Rockets rocking back into the contest the Bearcats held their nerve to hold the lead at the half 29-44. 

The Rockets through Tayla Corrigan (Six points) and McKendrick tried to chip the home side back into the contest getting it back to eight points and sneaking the margin back to 42-53 with one to play out and still a chance. 

Levicki and Hodges however combined with Krystal Thompson (13 points with five rebounds and four assists) taking toll in the final term as they sliced and diced their way through the Rockets defence to come away with victory and stay tied with the top three on eleven wins for the season. 

Levicki over four quarters never became any smaller and out of the contest grabbing 28 points and 15 rebounds forming a dangerous front court duo with Chloe Hodges who produced 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds)

The Bearcats can keep increasing the gap - can they notch up another win over the resurgent Central Districts Lions - catch the action of Kayo Sports Freebies via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App from 6:30pm ACDT.                        

NORTH ADELAIDE ROCKETS 65 (McKendrick 26, J Freer 21, Corrigan 6)

WEST ADELAIDE BEARCATS 74 (Levicki 28, Chloe Hodges 18, K Thompson 13)

Starling helps stave off late Flames firing             

The Forestville Eagles seemed to comfortably secure the win but the Norwood Flames kept flickering in the fourth to make things interesting in the Eagles 72-79 win at the ARC.  

Trey McBride (15 points and five rebounds) was all treys early for the Flames as did Louis Bleechmore with the Eagles having Dejan Vasiljevic return to the court after a mid-season hiatus. The Flames lit it up from beyond the ARC early with Greg Mays (13 points and six rebounds) in full flight as the scores levelled at quarter time 15-15. 

Aydan Janssan kept the scoreboard ticking over for the homeside as the Flames stuck with the top two Eagles. Alex Starling and co though dived into the trick bag offensively and grabbed a quick 0-8 run to close the first half 29-40 with the lead. 

DJ Vasiljevic (14 points with five rebounds) found his touch early in the third minus the other DJ in Daniel Johnson as the time and points of his were swooped on by Starling as the Eagles soared to the ascendancy 33-48 on the back of a 0-10 run. Rising up for the Flames was Janssan (16 points and 11 rebounds) with a huge block and finishing with the alley-oop jam as well. .  

The Eagles held their lead at the start of the fourth 43-56 but Bleechmore’s pretty highly contorted contested finish under the hoop in the mid part of the term still had the Flames in burning distance.

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Adam Doyle found timely floaters and drives to step it up further than nailed the triple to take it back out to 17 points but the Flames flickered one more time to bring the margin to a respectful total in the end as the Eagles controlled landing for both sides in the conclusion. 

Doyle was consistent in the final term and throughout the four quarters with 10 points and six assists with Starling stepping up when needed for his side with a double double of 23 points and 13 rebounds with three assists. Louis Bleechmore for the Flames posed problems for the away side through four terms as she notched up 22 points with four triples, six rebounds and three assists.

                

NORWOOD FLAMES 72 (Bleechmore 22, A Janssan 16, McBride 15)

FORESTVILLE EAGLES 79 (Starling 23, Vasiljevic 14, Mays 13)

 

Mayen helps Bearcats rally in fourth to ground Rockets           

The North Adelaide Rockets' new found confidence was on display but the West Adelaide Bearcats thanks to Lat Mayen eventually grounded the buoyant current cellar dweller 84-92 in a highly competitive contest at the Lights.  

Tobias Dowdell got off to a rocketing start as needed for the homeside with Keanu Rasmussen finding finishes early and Bijan Johnson finding his mark early from area code distances to give the red and white pinstripes the lead 27-24 after one. 

Koop McCalop (16 points and six rebounds) picking up from last week continued his return to some of his old touch but Cam Huefner and Lat Mayen combined as the Perth Wildcats duo drove the game back to the Bearcats favour as they drew the quarter. Jacob Tryon with a couple of late baskets bringing it to 49-46 at the main break. 

Johnson kept finding his triples and touch against the Bearcats to keep the Rockets in the lead as they attempted to keep throwing everything at their opponents. The Bearcats snuck closer though through Tryon (Eight points, seven rebounds and three assists) and Rasmussen (22 points with six assists, steals and rebounds) to cut it to 67-65 with one to go. 

Dowdell kept the Rockets reasonably level headed half way through the term but Mayen and the Bearcats telling run off in the final minutes finally saw off the challenge of the homeside to claim the important win as the teams below them continued to charge towards them on the table. 

Mayen finished the match strong with 27 points with four triples, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals while Huefner was a threat all night at three with 26 points with five triples and seven rebounds. The Rockets pair of Johnson with 25 points with four triples and four rebounds and Dowdell with 24 points, six rebounds and three assists with two blocks kept the Rockets in touch all night in another encouraging performance the last three matches. 

              

NORTH ADELAIDE ROCKETS 84 (BJ Johnson 25, Dowdell 24, McCalop 16)

WEST ADELAIDE BEARCATS 92 (Mayen 27, Huefner 26, Rasmussen 22)

 

Manyang marches Lions to Safari Cup win over Southern          

The Central Districts Lions have taken turns this season having stars turn out and this time it was Magok Manyang who produced a career high to take the away side to a solid Safari Cup win over the Southern Tigers 75-89 at the Cage in Morphett Vale. 

Minus Efe Abogidi and Kevin Baker - Clayton Jewell stepped into the starting role and wasted no time getting comfortable as the Lions leapt out to a 0-13 start bookend by Jewell jam. The Tigers finally found their first points four minutes in through Jarvis Summers with the corner make with the Tigers turning to Nic Logan (Eight points) to light their spark as the Lions took a 9-19 lead into the end of the first. 

Lachlan Dennis with his first start in his career made the most of his opportunities as well with some handy points as Harry Morris (13 points, five assists and four rebounds) fired for the homeside with a couple of key makes. Manyang however was crafty, powerful and potent with jams, touch off the window and moves a plenty to set up a halftime lead for the Lions of 30-50. 

Jarvis Doles (19 points and 12 rebounds) found some dollars from the corner via the dimes of his partner in crime Summers (16 points, seven assists and three rebounds) as the Tigers found their bite with a quick 12-3 start to the third term. A reset from the Lions was led by Jewell, Jack Stanwix (14 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals) and a pair of Sapwell’s as Doles continued to drag them closer with a pair of triples from Brandon Gillespie to leave it 58-66 with one stanza to play out. 

Doles down main street had the Tigers back to six points but the Lions steadied through Manyang and Jewell (17 points and eight rebounds) as the Lions pulled away in the final minutes to close the contest and claim the Safari Cup for the men. Manyang was momentous at times with a career high 30 points and 15 rebounds haul again showing the Lions depth and contendership in 2025.

            

SOUTHERN TIGERS 75 (Doles 19, Summers 16, Morris 13)

CENTRAL DISTRICTS LIONS 89 (M Manyang 30, Jewell, Koen Sapwell 17, Stanwix 14)

 

Panthers hold off waring Warriors in classic at Castle           

The South Adelaide Panthers claimed the crucial head to head but were nearly warred over by the Woodville Warriors in another classic at the Castle in the modern history between these two teams 93-95. 

The Panthers came out snarling as they were looking to level up with the Warriors on the table and hold third - led from the start by a 0-7 run. The start elevated by the white and blue with a 4-19 had Lloyd McVeigh with three triples to start things off as the Panthers peeled off triples in the term in a dominant display. It was nailed shut by a reverse jam off the feed from Tom Kubank (10 points, nine assists and seven rebounds) to Christian Brandon (15 points, eight rebounds and three assists) as the Panthers took the 17-35 start. 

The Warriors turned to Uzo Dibiamaka (20 points) in the first term to get them back into the contest and he continued to deliver as the Warriors worked their way slowly back into proceedings through Jackson and Troussel in tandem - cutting it back to 33-49. Kaleb Warner (15 points, five assists and four rebounds) and McVeigh topped off the first half for the away side as they took a strong 41-65 lead into the main change. 

Bryce Sloan after a quiet first half got motoring for the Warriors in the third as the Panthers started to panic a little as Jackson (18 points, 16 rebounds with five assists) and Steve Parfitt emerged as tough matchups. Parfitt, who has a good personal record in a short career against the Panthers, helped drag the Warriors back within some semblance of the margin 66-86 with one to go. 

The Warriors came warring in the fourth as the Panthers appeared to have thrown their last punch offensively. Parfitt and Troussel worked them back within two baskets as they amazingly came from nowhere - a Parfitt jam closing it to a single basket. McVeigh who started it all with his seventh triple kept the Panthers noses in front but a goaltend call via Brandon to the Warriors had it back to 91-93 with less than a minute to play. Parfitt’s baseline bulocking jam tied it all up 93-93 with the Panthers in possession out of the timeout. 

The individual brilliance of Lloyd McVeigh channeling brother Jackjumper and Rocket Jack down the stretch gave the Panthers a real chance of finishing third or higher. The Warriors had one last chance to send it to overtime through Sloan (17 points, six rebounds, four assists and steals) who’s mid-range contested 45 degree jumper was just short and the Panthers claimed one of their big wins of the season setting up their top three finish in the process. 

McVeigh’s 30 points with seven triples for the night with five rebounds was class when needed for the Panthers leading them home but when his number was called Parfitt’s 20 points and eight rebounds nearly stole the show from South in another Castle classic between the two teams.

                              

Both teams go at it again this Sunday as they take on the Central Districts Lions and the Forestville Eagles in their double header weekend - catch the action of Kayo Sports Freebies via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App from 3:15pm ACDT.

WOODVILLE WARRIORS 93 (U Dibiamaka, Parfitt 20, Jackson 18)

SOUTH ADELAIDE PANTHERS 95 (McVeigh 30, Brandon, Warner 15, Scott 11)

 

Symons strong hand brings six year drought to end for Mavs         

The Eastern Mavericks finally closed out a close one out at home as the strong hand of BJ Symons brought a six year drought to an end in the Kayo Freebies Game of the Week against the Sturt Sabres 91-84 at St Francis. 

The Sabres however were all awing early, led out of the blocks by Sharif Black with 11 points as they rushed their way to an 11-27 start. BJ Symons for the maroon and silver was electric making everything he touched though but need some help from his teammates. 

The second term was all Symons as he got in the truck and along with Broderick Robinson who found his touch outside rained them in dangerous territory running over the Sabres 32-18 in the second to tie things up 43-43 a piece at the half. 

The Symons show rolled on as he became the immovable object and Robinson found basket after basket. Only Jordan Forbes (26 points with five assists and rebounds) after a quiet first half could get the scoreboard ticking over for the Sabres and the Sabres 10 game winning streak against the Mavs was under threat 71-57 - but history suggested the Mavs have struggled to hold off fast finishing teams and the Sabres knew they were still a chance. 

Answering the call of the Sabres was Ben Griscti (Nine points and eight rebounds) struck by foul trouble as he found some inside points in the paint and Black (27 points, five assists and four rebounds) found touch again after being nullified for two terms as they bared their claws and the Mavs looked like they may flinch again. Symons on one leg though with calf and leg tightness carried his team home to a historic win snapping a ten game streak for the first time since 2019 and more importantly putting the Mavs back in the finals picture. 

Footlocker Player of the Game Symons delivered the strong hand needed for the Mavs with a season high 30 points and 14 rebounds and five assists. Not to be outpaced Broderick Robinson was electric and sparked when called upon and needed throughout the night with 30 points, seven rebounds, three assists and steals. 

Symons spoke to the Game of the Week team after the match about how the Mavs overcame their inner demons at the death and mentally how tough they were in the final stretch. “We don’t lose those type of games twice in a row, it was great to see our composure tonight.” 

“It’s means a lot to us as a team but also means a lot for the club and the community…” 

                       

A big test awaits the Mavs next weekend against the South Adelaide Panthers - catch the action of Kayo Sports Freebies via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App from next Sunday afternoon 3:15pm ACDT.

EASTERN MAVERICKS 91 (Robinson, Symons 30, Raneburg 14, Bowden 8)

STURT SABRES 84 (Black 27, Forbes 26, Griscti 9)

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