NBL1 Central Recap | Saturday Men's Round 8

A Star Sabre has emerged: Jacob Rigoni dropped a season high 31 points to stop the South Adelaide Panthers winning streak at three | Photo credit @snapshotphotography31 @Snap Shot Photography / Emma Hoppo  

Saturday 28/05/22

Forestville Eagles vs Norwood Flames

Flames burning bright as they fire down DJ-less Eagles

The Flames have won three in a row as they downed the DJ-less but nevertheless inform Eagles 90-95 at the Nest in a high scoring thriller. The Flames scorched in a 13-23 last quarter led by import Trey McBride with 7 of his 20 points for the night along with 8 rebounds and 5 assists coming at the crucial time. Matt Lycett and Anthony Green continued to coincide with their teams rise in form with 17 points and 7 assists and 16 points and 9 rebounds respectively. Pittsburgh State College returnee Cameron Huefner also impacted heavily off the pine in 24 minutes to note for a game high 21 points and 7 rebounds. For the Eagles their who starting five reached double figures with Adam Doyle the best with 18 points and 13 rebounds and Jack Purchase with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Malith Machar came off the bench for 14 points and 7 rebounds as a punch for the Eagles from the pine.  

Woodville Warriors vs Southern Tigers

Wurm Warriors ward off tenacious Tigers

The Warriors led by as many as 21 points in the final quarter but had to ward off a tenacious Tigers fightback to hold top of the table 86-80 at the Castle. The Tigers pulled off a 14-27 final quarter to reduce the margin after their former teammate Nick Wurm tore them apart in the first three quarters. Wurm finished with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists and Jawan Stepney finished it with a dunk for his 21 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Joe Jackson also chalked up a double double for 14 points, 10 rebounds and 5 enormous blocks while Dave Humphries was consistent again with 9 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. The Tigers Lachlan Olbrich notched another 22 points and 16 rebounds with Ricardo Martin dropping 20 points and 8 rebounds as all five starters made double figures.

South Adelaide Panthers vs Sturt Sabres (Kayo Game of the Week)

Rigoni rocks Panthers in stirring finish

Jacob Rigoni stepped up to stardom as he dropped the final 7 points and stopped the Panthers in their tracks 76-83 at the Shed of Michael Ahmatt Court. Rigoni clocked a career high 31 points including 5-10 triples and 15 rebounds to silence the army’s roar of the Shed. Joel Spear not only guarded Alex Starling most of the night but also added 16 points and 9 rebounds and Sam Daly spent most of the night on the “Mid-range marvel” of Jeremy Smith with 12 points and 5 assists. The Panthers still got big time buckets from Smith with 29 points and Starling with 14 points and 11 rebounds. The “Hawkeye” Andrew Barton shot some arrows from deep for 13 points for 4-7 beyond the arc.

Eastern Mavericks vs West Adelaide Bearcats

De Santis baptises Mavs at St Francis    

De Santis of Bearcats poured his points all over the Mavs as they were shot down at the Shooting Gallery 73-99. He struck 33 points at 71 percent and along with import Nate Sheppard’s 29 points and 8 rebounds snapped any chance of the Mavericks breaking their drought at home. The “Spud” Anthony Spadavecchia was good again as he continues to defy age with 7 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. Koop McCalop bounced his way to 24 points and 14 rebounds to lead the home side scorers with star guard James Legan constricted to 16 points in a team that just missed suiting 7’4 giant “Greek Freak of NBL1 Central” Giannis Dimakopoulos.

Central District Lions vs North Adelaide Rockets   

Dau delivers helping Marshall against former side

It came down to the final play as the Rockets survived a huge scare from the second half leaping Lions 85-86 at the Den. The Rockets staved off a 50-30 second half after leading 35-56 at half-time on the back of a big first half from Jamar Akoh with 16 points and 6 rebounds and Dylan Marshall who finished with 14 points and 7 rebounds. The comeback was launched by Bijan Johnson (20 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds) and as he flicked the switch along with Sunday Bol (8 points in a quick flash) and Magok Manyang (15 points and 8 rebounds) at fast break pace and caught the Rockets off-guard. It took former Lion Jimma Dau to drop a season high 26 points and 9 rebounds and one final dive on a loose ball from Marshall to seal a thrilling win for the Rockets. New Lions recruit Branden Jenkins looked dangerous but came up short on a few shots and finished with 8 points and 5 rebounds.