Men's Teams of the Week - June 14

Each week the NBL1 will put a spotlight on a women’s and men’s team from each conference for a major performance, a big win or a special occasion for the club.

See the men's Teams of the Week below:

NBL1 South: Mount Gambier Pioneers 

The Pioneers had a major win on Friday night, beating ladder rival the Diamond Valley Eagles in a deceive win.

The Eagles have been a surprise threat in the NBL1 South, winning seven games already in the 2023 season (finishing with a total of 11 last season). 

They came into the game with a three-game losing streak and did not want to leave with another loss. 

Despite missing Nick Marshall, the Pioneers closed out the 91-77 win with an offensive showcase. Five players scored 13 points or more, while the team shot 54.7 percent from the field, with five points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks from Kane de Wit to round out the game. 

NBL1 West: Cockburn Cougars

The Cougars had a massive Round 11, winning two straight games with one coming down to the wire. 

Beating the Mandurah Magic on Friday at home, they then were in Warwick to tackle the Senators. In the 101-98 win, the Cougars clutched out the win with a tough-contested finish from Courtney Alexander II to make it a three-point game. Across Round 11, Alexander II averaged 26 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists. 

In an up-and-down season, the Cougars needed these wins to stay within the NBL1 West Finals hunt – sitting at 6-8 going into Round 12. 

NBL1 North: USC Rip City

The Grand Finals runners-up from last season are getting back on track with the return of the NBL1 North MVP Kouat Noi.

Ina one-point win, the formidable Northside Wizards came to USC’s home court and gave them a battle. Rip City managed to pull off the 86-85 victory, with two made free-throws from the now NBL champion Noi. 

Rip City is surprising 2-6 since Noi’s return, granted they have faced spoke of the top teams such as the Logan Thunder and Northside Wizards – but this win could be the first step of really building towards the NBL1 North Finals with a somewhat easier fixture towards July.