Rockets rise into Grand Final despite Titanium Thompson

The North Adelaide Rockets continued their amazing post-season run from fifth place as they booked themselves a spot in the 2021 NBL1 Central Womens Grand Final with a thrilling 72-76 win over the South Adelaide Panthers at what could be the final game at the Shed on Michael Ah Matt Court.  

Teresa “T-McG” McGreehan got the Panthers underway with a triple with the home sides transition game translating to an early 8-0 run. DPOY Jess Good got to the rim to get the Rockets going with a 0-7 run via the charity stripe with both teams attacking the rim early off actions up top. The O of Olivia Thompson (Pictured) turnaround jumper was falling while both teams were giving up plenty of second chance rebounds early in a tense opening quarter. The final minutes were bookmarked by back-to-back triples from Shannon Webber to give the Rockets a 17-19 lead after one.

Taylor Ortlepp (Pictured) kicked into gear in the second with a pair of triples to give the away side 14 consecutive points in a row before Thompson snapped it with a running hook. The Rockets playing some up-tempo defence were worrying the home side out of makeable shots and making them pay at the offensive end through Good and Ortlepp. It took Ash “Splash” Spencer’s triple then bank shot from the inside pass before turning her opponent inside out under the hoop sparking a mini run for her side. Webber was having none of that burying another triple as both teams looked to take advantage of a tight foul count getting to the charity stripe numerous times. The Rockets taking a slight 35-40 lead at the half with Thompson on 17 points and 7 rebounds for the Panthers and Ortlepp 13 points with Jess Good already in double double territory with 7 points and 8 rebounds.

Sammy “DeFran” DeFrancesco closely marked in the first half opened with a triple for her team, both teams trading buckets in a strong run but with Jess Good in foul trouble Thompson was starting to takeover as she jumped into the 20s. The turnover count started to climb for the Rockets as T-McG took a charge then dropped a triple. DeFran responded before Thompson emerged again determined to take the Panthers to their first Grand Final since 2003. DeFran then dropped a triple on three quarter time to give them the slightest of edges 56-58 setting up a perched preliminary final finish.

The 7 consecutive point run of the Rockets was broken by Thompson at the start of the last before Ortlepp splashed a triple but the game already marred with more turnovers than you need to make an apple dish for Sunday lunch was the growing number for both sides. Both Good and Thompson went toe to toe as the DPOY and All-Star set up a thrilling finish. Stewart got the steal from another turnover pass and capitalised then Spencer hit a mid-range before causing a jump ball off a missed dribble pickup from Ortlepp with her legs. Thompson spun Courtney “Chook” Hansen inside out to level 70-70 before she hit back next play with her own and1. Ortlepp then drew the contact and showed she was cool at the line with the first then the second as the Rockets grabbed a 70-74 lead with 31.8 to go. Spencer missed the triple but Thompson hauled in probably the biggest offensive board of the night as she wrestled it from two Rockets defenders hands and put it off the glass 72-74. The Panthers won the ball back with some pressure as it came down to the last seconds.

Hatti Cox missed the deuce to tie before Good hauled in a huge defensive rebound to go to the stripe, Good made the first then the second, Hunter with a long shot to try and draw the unlikely four-point play resulting in the Rockets continuing their 5-0 rampant run through the NBL1 Central finals and into their first Grand Final since the Premier League 2018. Ortlepp finished with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists and Good 13 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists however the biggest additions of the night was “Chook” Hansen with her first double double of the season 13 points and 13 rebounds and the blitzing second half of De-Fran with 14 points and 6 rebounds. Thompson for the Panthers finished with a game high 35 points and 17 rebounds and nearly dragged her side across the finish line with Spencer (13 points and 3 rebounds) and McGreehan (12 points and 2 rebounds) serviceable but really missed the offensive contributions of Jordan Hunter (9 assists) and Hannah Stewart.               

The North Adelaide Rockets will meet the Southern Tigers in the NBL1 Central Womens Grand Final next Saturday night at venue to be confirmed with the South Adelaide Panthers run ended for the 2021 season after a strong season finishing third.

Photo Credit: @emmahoppo_photography @Emma Hoppo Photography