Central ABL Round 13 - Flames Men Claim Top Spot
Norwood Flames v Eastern Mavericks
Women’s: Norwood Flames 111 – 74 Eastern Mavericks
The Flames women have torched another opponent this week, with the Flames feeling the heat on route to a 37 point demolition
Norwood put together a huge 70 point first half shooting at 55% for the half, and forcing 18 turnovers in the process. The game was all but over from there, however Norwood uncharacteristically lost the final frame 20 to 17 with their juniors playing. Norwood jumped out to their game winning lead on the back of starters, Amy Lewis (21 points, 5 rebounds and 5 steals), Jess Good (14 points, 11 rebounds and 4 steals) and Cara Boothey (18 points and 6 rebounds) all putting up big numbers in under 23 minutes a piece.
The Mavericks had a competitive second half, losing by only 5 points for the twenty minute period. Samantha Lubcke (17 points and 7 rebounds) by far their best for the game, with Shannon Tarran (12 points and 5 rebounds) also doing her best to stay competitive.
Norwood remain on top of the women’s ladder, whilst the Mavericks sit in 9th place, aiming to jump to 8th by the end of the season.
Credit: Photo Credit: Tanya Fielding Photography
Men’s: Norwood Flames 87 – 65 Eastern Mavericks
Norwood men have bounced back from a rough start to season 2014 to claim top spot, now undefeated since Round 5, and this week cruising to an easy 22 point win over cellar dwellers Eastern.
The Flames men won all but one period, whilst heavily rotating their list, every player registering between 12 and 20 minutes for the game. The most effective players during their stint were Ian O’Boyle (17 points on 5/8 from three in 18 minutes), Daniel Webber (16 points and 8 rebounds in 17 minutes) and Matthew Long (14 points and 5 rebounds in 19 minutes), the only players in double figures for Norwood, with only Andrew Webber going scoreless for the contest.
Eastern gave up a 51 to 28 first half, before remaining competitive throughout the second half whilst playing against the bench for the Flames. Dylan Shorne (18 points and 11 rebounds) was their best for the game, whilst coach captain Will Smith (15 points) the next top scorer, going 5 of 6 from deep. Curtis Scipio had an up and down game, with 4 assists, 6 steals and 5 rebounds, however he also had 6 turnovers and made only 3 of 12 from the field.
Norwood men sit one game clear on top of the table, and Eastern look doomed for a last place finish.
Southern Tigers v North Adelaide Rockets
Women’s: Southern Tigers 63 – 121 North Adelaide Rockets
North have put together the highest winning score of the year, by annihilating the struggling Tigers by 58 points.
The Rockets forced the Tigers into a shocking 46 turnovers, and racking up 34 steals along the way. North shot the ball at 48% for the night, and had they converted at a better clip from behind the arc (28%) and the line (67%), they may have pushed close to the 140 mark for the game. Veteran captain Jo Hill has utterly ridiculous in the most dominant game all season, racking up 24 points at 71%, 12 rebounds, 8 steals, 5 assists and 4 blocks in only 26 minutes of game time. Five other Rockets racked up double figures in a one way game.
With the exception of Kelsie Rutland (22 points), and Shayde Quintrell (7 points and 12 rebounds) Southern were terrible. 46 turnovers, giving up a +13 count on the boards, shooting 37% from the field, 33% from the arc, and 64% from the line. Every single player turned the ball over, and their final quarter of uninspired play which saw them lose the period 34 to 9, surely goes down as their worst performance for the year.
North remain in 2nd place on the ladder, equal with Sturt on wins but yet to play the Flames again, whilst Southern sit in 8th place, and likely to go backwards before the end of the season.
Men’s: Southern Tigers 69 – 63 North Adelaide Rockets
In a battle of two struggling sides, the Tigers managed to break the shackles of their losing streak to the secure their second win in a row by six points for win number six for the season to stay just in touch with the top 5. North’s season is over, and one would assume changes are going to be made heading into season 2015.
In a game of two halves, the Tigers jumped out to a 40 to 27 half time lead after North started very slow, however they didn’t make the same mistake out of the break as it was the Tigers that couldn’t buy a bucket. Southern held the slimmest of leads going into the final frame, putting the game away in the crunch time against an experienced Rockets outfit.
Sam McDaniel (16 points and 15 rebounds) was huge for the Tigers, with Codey Ellison (13 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 blocks) trying desperately to his previous seasons form.
Once again for the Rockets, Daniel Goodluck (17 points and 6 rebounds) was the main reason they stayed competitive, and Luke Mapunda (11 points, 11 rebounds, 5 rebounds and 3 assists) showing glimpses of what he is capable of.
Southern sit in 7th place, one game back from the Eagles and Lions, whilst the Rockets sit in 9th place, and unlikely to move.
Sturt Sabres v South Adelaide Panthers
Women’s: Sturt Sabres 71 – 69 South Adelaide Panthers
In the women’s game of the Round, the Sabres managed to win number game 6 in a row, sneaking past the tough Panthers outfit by 2 points, handing South their first away loss for the year.
A dominant second period by the Sabres saw them up 9 at the half, as the Panthers aimed to chip away at the deficit as the game went on. However time got the better of them as Sturt held on for victory.
Sturt have seen a big improvement since Natalie Novosel’s (14 points and 5 rebounds) arrival, however it was Lucy Spalding (15 points and 9 rebounds) and Hannah Richards (13 points, 13 rebounds and 7 blocks) that cashed in on Novosel’s ability to attract opposition defence.
The Panthers went to their go-to options, with Ashleigh Spencer (18 points and 6 rebounds) providing a handful inside, and Janae Howard (14 points and 5 rebounds) struggling to make consistent buckets shooting 23% for the game. Jess Mahony was once again South’s playmaker with 8 points and 9 assists, the only thing Mahony couldn’t create was another 2 minutes of game time as South carried all of the momentum late in the game.
A crucial game for final standings, now sees the Sabres one game ahead in 3rd place, whilst the Panthers behind them in 4th place.
Men’s: Sturt Sabres 73 – 61 South Adelaide Panthers
The Panther mens finals hopes are all but gone, with a crushing 12 point loss to contender Sturt, in what was a crucial game for both teams. A poor second and third period for the Panthers summed up their fate, unable to convert at a high enough clip, make their shots from deep or get to the line like the Sabres did.
Tim Klaosen (18 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists) was again a force to be reckoned with for the Sabres, along with Dylan Rawson (14 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists) proving to be a handful. Dexter Moore continues his cold streak, landing only 3 from 17 including 1 if 8 from deep for the game.
The Panthers found production in long term player Tom McKenzie (18 points and 8 rebounds) however he shot at an ineffective 9 of 22. Bradley Reid (12 points, 15 rebounds and 2 blocks) was again the cornerstone for the Panthers, however he couldn’t do it all himself.
Sturt move to 4th place with the Lions dropping out of the five, and South move to 8th place, two games out of the five and their season all but done.
West Adelaide Bearcats v Forestville Eagles
Women’s: West Adelaide Bearcats 70 – 65 Forestville Eagles
In another thrilling Round 13 match up, the Bearcats have upset the Eagles by 5 points. The game was tight through out the first half, before the Bearcats upped their defensive pressure in the third shutting out the Eagles 23 to 10 for the period. The Eagles won the final quarter but the lead had been built, and the Eagles ran out of time.
The Eagles were led by centre, and college Basketball come National Netball come State Basketball star Carla Borrego-Williams, who cleaned up for 29 points and 21 rebounds. Veteran point Jess Fergus (11 points, 8 rebounds) was crucial for the Eagles chances and her 26% conversion from the field simply not enough.
West have found themselves the bridesmaid all year, coming so close on many occasions, but this week they managed to get the hard fought win. Anna Carbo (28 points and 9 rebounds) carried the side, whilst Kate Shierlaw (17 points) and Sky Langenbrinck (10 points) again the only other players putting up numbers. The Bearcats are one key player away from being top five quality, so one must hope they can convince Carbo to come back to stand a chance next season.
The Eagles still sit in 5th place, whilst the win keeps the Bearcats in 6th spot, and only one game behind them.
Men’s: West Adelaide Bearcats 63 – 64 Forestville Eagles
These two sides have such a storied history, and another chapter was written in the recent memory of high stakes games with the tightest of finishes. The Eagles managed to pull off victory, after a dominant first quarter building the lead they needed to secure the win.
Forestville have enjoyed the inclusion of Adam Gibson (15 points, 3 assists and 3 blocks) to their squad, and Jake Rios (17 points and 7 rebounds) has found more space from Gibson’s offensive nous, and veteran Brad Haydon (14 points) becoming a critical piece to the Eagles title hopes.
West found production from five players, whilst the other five went scoreless for the game. Tristan Braithwaite (19 points and 4 rebounds) the top scorer for the night, but unfortunately suffering a dying seconds shoulder injury that may see his game time suffer. Blake Truslove (16 points and 8 rebounds) continues his all-star five season, and Kurtis Phillips (11 points and 11 rebounds) putting up his best numbers all year.
The Eagles climb to 5th place leapfrogging the Lions, whilst the Bearcats slide to third position, behind the Warriors on percentage.
Central District Lions v Woodville Warriors
Women’s: Central District Lions 75 – 78 Woodville Warriors
The Lions came so close to their breakthrough victory for the season, pushing the Warriors to the final minute in a last quarter turn around. Centrals closed the game out with a 24 to 13 run, however father time got the better of them as they couldn’t close the gap enough to force overtime.
Woodville should have won by more, but at this point of the season, a loss here would have spelled the end to their final aspirations. Katherine Perkas (27 points and 9 rebounds) continues to push her case for an all-star five award, with Jessica Voneinem (14 points and 7 rebounds) and Ashleigh White (11 points, 5 rebounds and 7 steals) all contributing in the win.
The Lions had their best game of the season, shooting 45% from the field and out rebounding the Warriors, however turnovers hampered their efforts significantly. Led by there three best players, Aimee Herriman (14 points and 8 rebounds), Amy Onaca (12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists) and Brianna Wedding (13 points and 5 rebounds), this was the closest to a W that the Lions are likely to see this year, with a rare golden duck looming for the cellar dwellars.
Woodville hold onto finals hope, in 7th place one game behind the Eagles, and the Lions stay without a win in last spot.
Men’s: Central District Lions 68 – 80 Woodville Warriors
The Lions men struggles continue, losing their third straight as they crash out of the five only weeks before the finals. The Warriors on the other hand continue to play reasonable enough Basketball to keep them fresh in the competitions head leading into August.
The Warriors were lead by offensive weapon Darren Ng (24 points and 4 steals) as he cashed in shooting 5 from 10 from deep. Alexander Starling (19 points and 16 rebounds) also found his early season form as he punished the Lions on both ends of the floor.
Centrals welcomed the return of Kyle Miller (17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists) however he could only manage 33% from the field. Chris Clausen (23 points and 11 rebounds) was the Lions best for the game, whilst Dan Carlin (18 points, 13 rebounds) also doing most of the work.
The Lions suffered back to back losses without Miller, and now another with him, now making their Round 17 clash with the Sabres a crucial game. The Lions sit in 6th place on percentage, whilst the Warriors are in 2nd, one game behind the hot Flames.
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