NBL1 Central Recap | Men's Round 16

Ray of Light: Norwood Flames Ray Harding kept his side's finals chances alive with a lights out 28 points against the Eastern Mavericks  | CS Photographics

Saturday 23/07/22

South Adelaide Panthers vs Southern Tigers (Kayo Game of the Week)

Southern Showdown stirs Panthers to first since 2008

The Panthers with their eleventh win of the season have for the first time in fourteen years secured a finals spot with a stirring win over rivals the Tigers 83-71 at the Jungle. The Panthers were inspired by a 5-minute patch of 12-4 of pressure defence and scoreboard additions from the returning Alex Starling (23 points and 11 rebounds) and Jarryd Hoppo (9 points and 10 rebounds) who finished off a tyro Tigers outfit that came out firing. Jamie Smith stamped himself early with seven early points to finish with 14 points with Machar Machar electric all night with 17 points and 7 rebounds. Vionte Daniels was huge all night with 22 points and 5 assists and in the absence of Lachlan Olbrich (college), Christian Artacho reeled in 16 rebounds to go with 8 points to narrowly miss the double double. As has been the history between these two sides there was one standout with the “Mid-Range Marvel” Jeremy Smith dropping 29 points at 57 percent and 7 rebounds. Both Smith and Starling had the first 28 points for the Panthers in one of the games unusual occurrences.   

Forestville Eagles vs North Adelaide Rockets

Rockets Machar-d in final quarter ambush

It was game on at three quarter time with two in form teams and it was Malith Machar that ended the Rockets run and extended the Eagles with an 89-66 win at the Nest. Machar opened the fourth quarter with an incredible stretch of a long bomb, two huge slams to finish the quarter with 9 points and the game with 18 points and 16 rebounds. Adam Doyle controlled proceedings the whole night however with 21 points, 10 assists and 6 steals as the Eagles scored no less than 18 each quarter and collected 30 points from second chances and fast breaks. Jamar Akoh continued his huge form run with 22 points and 9 rebounds to lead the Rockets with Terry Winn and Riley Harrap quelled with 12 points each.

West Adelaide Bearcats vs Woodville Warriors      

Warriors Step-ney up to wane off West   

The Warriors which has been the case were challenged once again by the Bearcats but responded when it counted as the collected their fourteenth win of the season 78-99 at the Bearcat Cave. A huge season high from Jawan Stepney of 30 points and another big game from the player of the week Joe Jackson with 14 points and 9 rebounds set it up for the Warriors as they won their first game at the venue since 2019. Nik DeSantis lit up for 34 points at 75 percent and 5 triples, 5 rebounds and 4 assists as did Nate Sheppard with 22 points.

Eastern Mavericks vs Norwood Flames    

Flames first quarter fire puts out Mavs early      

The Flames burst out to an early 15-36 lead and were never headed as they locked in a crucial win 84-98 at the Shooting Gallery. Ray Harding cooked the Mavs with 28 points at 57 percent including 4 triples, 7 rebounds and 5 steals and along with Walter “Trey” McBride burned bright for 16 points whilst restricting former Flame James Legan to 16 points. The Mavs remained competitive across the remaining quarters with Ioannis Dimakopoulos posting another memorable set of numbers in 19 points and 17 rebounds as did Koop McCalop with 19 points and 9 rebounds.     

Central District Lions vs Sturt Sabres     

Tyrone tip severs Sabres finals chances in Lions last gasp win

A late tip in off the missed shot has caused a thrilling result in the Lions last home game of the season and severely severed the Sabres finals chances 83-82 at the Den. Tyrone Fui made the game winning tip off the Branden Jenkins perimeter attempt after Devin Haygood put the Sabres in front with his own tip in dunk. Both teams stuck at each other through the match with the Lions ascending to an 11-point lead 74-63 with the desperate Sabres making a last quarter lunge at them. Bijan Johnson dropped 19 points and Jenkins 18 points in game defining performances for the Lions while Jacob Rigoni collected 16 points and 6 rebounds. Haygood brought the Sabres back into the game with 15 points and 11 rebounds in one of the other notable performances of the night with the Sabres missing star Joel Spear but regaining Sam Daly from injury.