NBL1 Central Recap | Saturday Men's Round 9

When it Rane-burg, it pours: Young sharpshooter Owen Raneburg puts one up that helps break the three year drought for the Eastern Mavericks  | Photo credit Krista Healey

Saturday 4/06/22

Norwood Flames vs Central District Lions   

Cameron cannon blasts away Lions

College returnee Cameron Huefner backed it up again coming off the bench to sink the Lions 100-83 at the Firedome to give the Flames their fourth win in a row. Huefner led all scorers from the pine with 19 points at 77 percent along with Matt Lycett who peeled off a double double of 18 points and 13 rebounds to lead six Flames in double figures. Michael Clifford’s Lions in the absence of Tracy York (Sapphires) were led by Kalani Sapwell with 16 points and 5 rebounds and import Nathaniel Koko providing spark of the bench with 14 points and 5 rebounds.

West Adelaide Bearcats vs Forestville Eagles          

Eagles Sixers sixty percent sixteen sinks Bearcats  

It was a set of Eagles current and former Sixers that gave the Eagles an 86-100 win at the Bearcat Cave. The Eagles produced a 0-16 run and shot 60 percent in a 20-33 quarter led by current Sixer Daniel Johnson (24 points and 11 rebounds) while Malith Machar equalled off the pine with 24 points. Greg Mays produced another solid effort with 19 points and 7 rebounds. Nate Sheppard exploded again for 30 points including 4 triples and Nik DeSantis collected 14 points and 11 rebounds and along with Luke Cadzow (16 points) crept the Bearcats closer in the final margin.

Eastern Mavericks vs Southern Tigers  

Muscular Mavs break three-year drought  

They finally have done it; The Eastern Mavericks have won their first game since July 2019 rolling out the muscle on the Tigers 89-82 at the Shooting Gallery. The big three for the home side completed the drought-breaking victory with Ioannis Dimakopoulos dropping 22 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in his much-anticipated entry to the league with James Legan (24 points and 9 rebounds) sealing it with some key timely buckets. Koop McCalop (22 points and 9 rebounds) went big on his former side as the Mavs forced Vionte Daniels (19 points) and Lachlan Olbrich (22 points and 13 rebounds) into foul trouble and out of the final stanza of an enthralling finish.

Sturt Sabres vs Woodville Warriors

Warriors wreck Sabres in stirring second half    

The Warriors proved they are the real deal knocking off fellow contender the Sabres in a stirring second half 58-92 at the Cave. The Warriors produced a 22-56 second half forcing the Sabres into an unseen 24 turnovers so far this season. The Warriors got it done by committee with six players in double figures led by a physical fundamental Riley Meldrum with 15 points and 5 rebounds and Joe Jackson with 13 points, 8 rebounds and 2 huge blocks. The Sabres got a double double from Joel Spear with 17 points with 5 triples and 10 rebounds.

North Adelaide Rockets vs South Adelaide Panthers

Panthers emerge as championship dark horse hauling away Rockets

The Panthers grabbed their biggest scalp of the season hauling away last season’s champions 57-89 at the Lights. Former Rocket from seasons back Alex Starling sparked his side early with 19 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists with fellow import Jeremy Smith leading all scorers with 23 points and 6 rebounds. Andrew “Hawkeye” Barton was on target again with 18 points including 6 triples as the Panthers were never headed. Terry Winn collected 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Rockets who struggled to find multiple winners across the board.

North Adelaide Rockets vs Forestville Eagles (Kayo Game of the Week)

NBL1 Central Recap: Round 9 - Sunday June 5