West Recap | Round 16 Saturday

Image credit: Travis Anderson | @andmediaphoto

Elijah Pepper finally banged the door down to set a new NBL1 scoring record with 59 points for Warwick Senators on Saturday night while Jerome Reid had 41 for Goldfields Giants and Awatea Leach 33 for East Perth Eagles.

WEST RECAP | ROUND 16 FRIDAY

WEST RECAP | ROUND 16 THURSDAY

LAKESIDE'S MACKENZIE STILL DARING TO DREAM

WEST RECAP | ROUND 16 TUESDAY

WOMEN

East Perth Eagles (114) defeated Kalamunda Eastern Suns (83)

Awatea Leach put up 33 points in her best performance in the NBL1 West, Madi Torresin was moving better and the East Perth Eagles made a statement with the 114-83 home victory.

It was the last home game of the season for the Eagles at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre and they came into the match up with the Eastern Suns needing a win to consolidate their hold on a playoff position.

The Eastern Suns also arrived at Peter Campbell Basketball Arena fresh off beating the Lakeside Lightning at home on Friday night to record their second victory of the 2025 season.

But the Eagles started a team on a mission with what might have been their best quarter of the season in the first term with 36 points on the back of shooting 11/15 from the field with 5/7 from downtown and 9/11 from the foul line.

Awatea Leach scored 17 of those 36 points as they opened up a 17-point lead and ended up leading 36-21 by quarter-time.

That lead for East Perth got out to 22 points in the second frame and by half-time the home team went into the break leading 63-42 in what was their highest scoring opening half of the season.

That lead for the Eagles only continued to grow with it getting out to 25 points in the third quarter and 35 in the fourth before they went on to score the 31-point victory.

East Perth scored the win on the back of a hot shooting night going at 59 per cent from the field along with 12/27 from downtown and 24/37 at the foul line. The Eastern Suns finished up shooting 36 per cent from the floor, 8/27 from three-point range and 19/29 at the foul line.

It was a breakout performance for the Eagles from Awatea Leach with the New Zealander tough nut having an offensive explosion with 33 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals with 5/6 three-point shooting and going 10/13 at the foul line.

Madi Torresin has been battling through a back complaint but was moving with much greater freedom once more and delivered 20 points, four rebounds and three steals.

Abby Cubillo only narrowly missed a second triple-double of the season with 13 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds with Sasha Goodlett delivering 18 points, nine boards and five assists on 8/11 shooting from the field.

Tessa Morrison added 11 points and six assists, and Ari van Vliet eight points and three rebounds.

The Eastern Suns are now 2-15 on the season with road games to finish against the Goldfields Giants and Mandurah Magic with Karly Murphy finishing with another 24 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Tayjanna McGhee-Pleasant added 23 points, four rebounds and three assists with Jemma Gartrell adding eight points and two assists, and Aisha Forrest seven points and three rebounds.

EAST PERTH EAGLES 114 (Leach 33, Torresin 20, Goodlett 18)

KALAMUNDA EASTERN SUNS 83 (Murphy 24, McGhee-Pleasant 23, Gartrell 8)

 

South West Slammers (78) lost to Warwick Senators (83)

The Warwick Senators were still missing their three superstar guards but dug deep to score the 83-78 road win over the bottom placed South West Slammers.

The Senators did arrive at Eaton Recreation Centre sitting in second position but having lost their past two games since being without the trio of Stacey Barr, Chloe Forster and Robbi Ryan.

Considering that trio has been averaging 59.3 points, 16.6 rebounds and 13.6 assists a game throughout the season, it's only reasonable that it's taken some time for Warwick to figure things out of how to still perform at a high level without them.

They did suffer losses to the Eastern Suns and Perry Lakes Hawks ahead of the trip to take on the Slammers who were attempting to win a third game of the season and to get out of bottom spot in the standings.

Warwick did only shoot 2/10 from downtown in the first quarter but still managed to build a 21-11 lead by quarter-time but the Slammers stayed in touch on their home floor limiting the Senators lead to 42-33 at half-time.

Even though Warwick managed to push out to a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter, South West wouldn’t go away and all of a sudden were back within two points early in the final term after scoring seven straight points.

Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard and Kyana Weir knocked down three balls to push the Senators back out to a nine-point lead before Weir hit another from downtown and Warwick were back out to a double-figure lead with 4:30 to play.

They would end up holding on to the five-point victory from there which will keep them in second position as a result with a 14-4 record.

Kyana Weir continues to do her very best to pick up the slack left with the absence of Stacey Barr, Chloe Forster and Robbi Ryan, and she delivered 22 points, four assists and two rebounds with 4/10 three-point shooting.

Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard also had 20 points, 16 rebounds and five assists, Nat Burton 16 points, nine boards and two steals, and Emma Gandini 10 points and four rebounds.

The Slammers have now lost their past nine matches with a 2-16 record with Mykea Gray once again top-scoring with 24 points, five rebounds and two steals with fellow import Cayla King contributing 18 points, four boards and three steals.

Zaya Black added nine points and three assists, Sarah Cannell eight points, 13 rebounds and two assists, and Bree Chalk eight points, three boards and two assists.

SOUTH WEST SLAMMERS 78 (Gray 24, King 18, Black 9)

WARWICK SENATORS 83 (Weir 22, Clinch Hoycard 20, Burton 16)

 

Goldfields Giants (81) lost to Perth Redbacks (103)

The Perth Redbacks further closed in on a top two NBL1 West finish with Patty Brossmann back to add some extra size, quality and experience in the 103-81 win against the Goldfields Giants.

The Redbacks made the trip to Kalgoorlie to take on the Giants at Niels Hansen Basketball Stadium attempting to bounce back from a last up loss to the Mandurah Magic but they remained in third spot and knocking on the door of second.

The Giants were back home after losing both games on the road last week by a combined51 points against the Rockingham Flames and Joondalup Wolves, but last time they were on their home floor they won a double overtime classic against the East Perth Eagles.

The Redbacks started strongly with 28 points to 21 in the first quarter with 12/22 shooting from the floor to 9/17 from the Giants.

That lead for Perth got out to 15 points in the second frame when they completed a 12-0 scoring run but the Giants worked back into the contest to limit the Redbacks lead to 51-44 at the half-time break.

Perth then produced another 27 points to 19 in the third quarter and 25 to 18 in the fourth on the way to the eventual 22-point victory thanks to shooting 52 per cent from the floor to 49 from the Giants.

The Redbacks did end up taking five extra field goal attempts and eight more free throws on the back of collecting 16 offensive rebounds and forcing the Giants into 20 turnovers from which they scored 12 points.

The victory in Kalgoorlie improves the Redbacks to a 14-5 record to be closing in on second position with just one game to go on Saturday night away to the Mandurah Magic.

Natalie Chou ended up with 26 points and four rebounds in the win for the Redbacks with Anneli Maley providing another 25 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Patty Brossmann returned to the line-up and had 17 points, 10 rebounds and two steals while Kyah Nichols contributed 11 points and three boards, Georgia Denehey eight points and five assists, and Sophie Doran six points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Goldfields are now 3-15 on the season following the defeat on their home floor with Nici Gilday delivering another 25 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

Erin Antosh also contributed 19 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, Rachel Pettit 14 points on 4/5 three-point shooting, and Hazelle Yam 13 points and 10 assists.

GOLDFIELDS GIANTS 81 (Gilday 25, Antosh 19, Pettit 14)

PERTH REDBACKS 103 (Chou 26, Maley 25, Brossmann 17)

 

MEN

Geraldton Buccaneers (107) defeated Cockburn Cougars (95)

The Geraldton Buccaneers remain the hottest team in the NBL1 West putting in another strong showing at home to beat the in-form Cockburn Cougars 107-95.

The Buccs were back home at Active West Stadium in a remarkable run of form having won their past seven matches by an average of 29 points and while putting up over 114 points a game in that stretch to have shot into second position in the standings.

The Cougars might have arrived in Geraldton out of playoff contention, but they were in their best form of the season too having won four straight matches and averaging scoring 108 points a game themselves in that run.

That set up a tantalising match up on Saturday night and by quarter-time it was the Buccs holding a narrow 24-23 lead.

It remained a tight affair with Geraldton putting up 27 points to 26 in the second term which saw the home team leading 51-49 at half-time thanks to shooting 17/32 from the field opposed to the 17/35 from the Cougars.

Geraldton only narrowly increased the lead to four by three quarter-time, but the Buccs were finally able to pull away from Cockburn in the final 10 minutes with 27 points to 19 on the way to scoring the 12-point victory.

The win improves the Buccaneers to the 15-4 record with eight consecutive wins to remain in second position with a home game to finish next Saturday night against the South West Slammers before two road clashes with the Perth Redbacks and East Perth Eagles.

Akeem Springs top-scored in the win for Geraldton with 23 points, four steals, three rebounds and two assists with 4/8 shooting from behind the three-point arc.

Joshua Keyes added 21 points, six rebounds and four assists with Johny Narkle adding 20 points, seven boards, four assists, three steals and two blocked shots.

Liam Hunt also delivered 16 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals, and Verle Williams 16 points, five assists and five steals.

Cockburn are now 5-14 on the season with their winning run coming to an end but there was still plenty to be encouraged by in the competition showing against a Buccaneers team in such hot form.

Import point guard Kortland Martin again top scored for the Cougars with 23 points and four rebounds with 4/13 three-point shooting with Josh Hunt adding 16 points, four assists, four steals and three rebounds.

Terrandus Smith added 12 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals, Harrison Fitzgerald 11 points and five boards, and Nathan Pond 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

GERALDTON BUCCANEERS 107 (Springs 23, Keyes 21, Narkle 20)

COCKBURN COUGARS 95 (Martin 23, Hunt 16, Smith 12)

 

East Perth Eagles (101) defeated Kalamunda Eastern Suns (99)

The East Perth Eagles led by double-figures most of the night but had to withstand some late heroics from Randy Bell and Marshall Nelson late to beat the Eastern Suns 101-99 and keep the finals hopes alive.

The battle over spots in the bottom part of the top eight remains a fascinating one and two of those teams involved are East Perth and Kalamunda as they locked horns on Saturday night at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre.

The Eagles came into the contest on their home floor having lost their past three matches in disappointing fashion but at 7-11 they were still within striking distance of breaking into a playoff spot should they get on a winning run.

The Eastern Suns, meanwhile, had lost their past couple of games to the Warwick Senators and Lakeside Lightning to miss a chance to secure a playoff spot but they did welcome back both coach Aaron Trahair and two-time NBL champion Terrico White to play the Eagles.

East Perth produced a tremendous start to the contest with 31 points to 20 in the opening quarter which included going on a 12-0 scoring run and shooting 11/22 from the field compared with the 8/20 from the Suns.

It was another 23 points to 18 in the second term from the Eagles to see the home team go into the half-time break still leading 54-38 having been up by as much as 19 points in the period.

East Perth were still leading by as much as 17 points in the third quarter but then the Eastern Suns got on a roll and the dynamic duo of Marshall Nelson and Randy Bell shot them right back into the contest.

Kalamunda put up 31 points in the third quarter and even drew back level at one point before East Perth was clinging to the 70-69 advantage by three quarter-time.

With so much at stake for both teams, the stage was set for a big finish and the Eastern Suns did earn the lead early in the fourth quarter with a trio of free throws from Nelson.

East Perth were able to respond with an 11-0 scoring run with Lee Roberts and Max Rice coming up big and once again it appeared the Eagles were back on top with the 13-point lead.

The Suns wouldn’t go away, though, and suddenly in the final minute when Nelson knocked down yet another three ball right in front of the Eagles bench, it was back to a two-point ball game.

The Eagles haven’t always handled tight late game situations well in recent times but they stood tall this time around with Roberts making a tough mid-range jumper to put them out to a four-point lead.

There was still some late drama with Matthew Lang missing a pair of free throws to keep the margin just two but the Suns couldn’t get off a shot with some impressive defence to deny Nelson the chance to get a shot off saw them hold on for the crucial two-point win.

The win keeps East Perth's finals hopes alive with an 8-11 record with games now to finish away to the Perry Lakes Hawks and Joondalup Wolves, and then at home to Geraldton Buccaneers.

Max Rice came up big time in the win for the Eagles with 28 points and seven assists with 5/11 three-point shooting while Chier Maker contributed 22 points, seven rebounds and two assists, and Lee Roberts 20 points, 10 boards, two assists and two blocks.

Matthew Lang also had 10 points, seven assists, five rebounds and four steals, Jonah Antonio nine points, six boards, four steals and three assists, and Sharif Watson eight points and four rebounds.

The Eastern Suns remain locked in a battle to make the playoffs sitting on a 9-11 record with the two losses this weekend with only two games remaining and both are on the road to the Goldfields Giants and Mandurah Magic.

Randy Bell finished with 29 points and five assists with 5/7 three-point shooting for Kalamunda with Mashall Nelson adding 28 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, Lewis Thomas 15 points, three boards and two assists, and Travis Fee 14 points, five rebounds and two assists.

EAST PERTH EAGLES 101 (Rice 28, Maker 22, Roberts 20)

KALAMUNDA EASTERN SUNS 99 (Bell 29, Nelson 28, Thomas 15)

 

South West Slammers (79) lost to Warwick Senators (130)

We have a new NBL1 single game scoring record holder and it's Perth Wildcats guard Elijah Pepper with the Warwick Senators after he torched the South West Slammers for 59 points in the 130-79 victory.

Th Senators arrived at Eaton Recreation Centre on Saturday night fresh off beating the Perry Lakes Hawks on Friday night as they attempt to try and break back into the top two that they dropped out of with last week's loss in Geraldton.

The Slammers were back on their home floor still hunting a second win of the season and trying to bounce back from a 24-point loss on the road the night before to the Joondalup Wolves.

However, it soon became clear that the Slammers had no answers for Pepper and the Wildcats guard was fresh off 44 points the night before of which 37 came in the first half against the Hawks.

He got going early once more to help the Senators to the 33-20 lead by quarter-time against the Slammers before Warwick produced another 34 points to 22 in the second period.

The Senators were then leading 67-42 by the half-time break thanks to shooting 27/41 from the field opposed to the 16/38 from the Slammers.

It was another 33 points to 20 in the third term and 30 to 17 in the fourth with the Senators again outscoring the Slammers 63-37 on the back of shooting 24/37 from the field to 13/38.

Along the way, Pepper surpassed the 55 points that Jack Purchase scored earlier this season in the NBL1 South to set a new NBL1 scoring record around the country by getting to 59 points in the 51-point victory.

The win improves the Senators to a 16-4 record on the season with Pepper ending up with those 59 points to go with nine assists, four rebounds and two steals on 22/31 shooting from the field, 6/9 from three-point territory and 9/11 from the foul line.

Mitch Clarke also added 18 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals, George Pearl 14 points, nine boards, two assists and two steals, Cooper Creek nine points and six rebounds, and Jordan Sandon eight points and three boards.

The Slammers have now lost six straight since their lone win of the season to sit at 1-19 with Jamal Poplar delivering 19 points and three rebounds.

Nathan Walsh added 12 points with Pharell Keats adding 11 points, six assists and four rebounds on 3/6 three-point shooting.

SOUTH WEST SLAMMERS 79 (Poplar 19, Walsh 12, Keats 11)

WARWICK SENATORS 130 (Pepper 59, Clarke 18, Pearl 14)

 

Goldfields Giants (119) defeated Perth Redbacks (108)

Former Goldfields Giants captain Jerome Reid had the performance of his 228-game career with 41 points and nine three-pointers to lead his team to the crucial 119-108 victory against the Perth Redbacks.

The Giants were back home at Niels Hansen Basketball Stadium on the back of losing twice on the road last weekend to the Rockingham Flames and Joondalup Wolves to see them only just clinging to their place in the top eight.

The Redbacks, meanwhile, might have been out of the playoff hunt but are now getting back close to full strength and have enough quality and experience to be more than nuisance value now in the back end of 2025.

Perth made an impressive start away from home with 26 points to 17 in the first quarter but the Giants then turned things around in the second term with 40 points to 28 on the back of shooting 13/18 from the field with 6/9 from behind the three-point arc.

That saw Goldfields open up a 57-54 lead by half-time before the home team pulled away further with 28 points to 16 in the third term, and then their lead got out to as much as 19 points early in the fourth.

The Redbacks did end up piling on 38 points in the last term to keep things interesting, but the Giants kept responding too with 34 points of their own to end up scoring the important 11-point victory.

The win improves Goldfields to a 10-10 record on the season to remain solid inside the top eight with games to finish at home to the Eastern Suns and away to the Perry Lakes Hawks.

Former Giants captain Jerome Reid had a night out and produced a career-best performance in his 228th game for the club by knocking down 9/14 from three-point territory for 41 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Shaun Stewart added 33 points, seven assists and four rebounds for Goldfields, De'Sean Parsons 21 points, 12 boards and six assists, and Michael Jok 14 points, nine assists, five rebounds and five steals.

The Redbacks can take plenty from the performance too even with a loss that takes them to a 5-15 record on the season.

Callan McDonald top scored for the Redbacks with 22 points to go with 13 rebounds and two assists with Emmanuel Kanwei adding 20 points and 12 boards, Michael Riley 20 points on 6/9 three-point shooting, and Joe Cook-Green 10 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

Lochlan Cummings then also had 20 points, 10 assists and three rebounds on the back of hitting 6/13 from behind the three-point arc.

GOLDFIELDS GIANTS 119 (Reid 41, Stewart 33, Parsons 21)

PERTH REDBACKS 108 (McDonald 22, Kanwei 20, Riley 20, Cummings 20)