Central ABL Round 14 - Flames Men Push Win Streak to 9
Welcome to Round 14 of the Central ABL Season. Round 14 see’s the return game of the heralded Rivalry round. The competition is wide open on the men’s side of the league with the top 5 still being battled for, whilst in the women’s the race for 5th place is heating up.
Eastern Mavericks v Central District Lions
Women’s: Eastern Mavericks 80 – 49 Central District Lions
The Mavericks have taken one more step to securing an 8th place finish, after defeating fellow cellar dweller Centrals, in a bottom of the table clash at Mt Barker.
Eastern blew the game away in the first half, posting a 48-27 lead, before a fourth quarter pasting put a stamp of the game. The Mavericks won every key statistic, with Emma Hooley raining down 24 points at 64% and grabbing 14 rebounds along the way. Shannon Tarran continued to play well, finishing her night with 16 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes of play.
The Lions were trashed for the 14th time this season, their inexperienced and under talented line up, unable to keep pace with even the second worst team in the league. Demi Skinner finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds, playing only 24 minutes.
Eastern stay in 9th place, now equal on wins with the Tigers and a fraction behind on percentage whilst the Lions sit bottom, winless for the year.
Men’s: Eastern Mavericks 83 – 99 Central District Lions
The Lions men have found a victory when they needed it the most, as they maintain their position in the five, however battling out with the Sabres on percentage.
The Mavericks did a reasonable job of staying with the Lions, but a third quarter collapse put the game out of reach. Dylan Shorne continued his rich vein of form, posting 20 points and 10 rebounds, whilst experienced point Curtis Scipio fought out of his slump for 19 points at 61%.
Centrals found production from their usual avenues, with Kyle Miller landing 16 points, Dan Carlin had a huge double double with 22 points and 14 rebounds, and Chris Clausen was efficient with 17 points and 8 rebounds. Jordan Centernera had the hot hand, with 16 points at 75% and 5 assists in 19 minutes.
Eastern stay in last place, with the solitary win for the year, whilst Centrals are in 5th place, and their Round 17 game with the Sabres looming to be critical.
North Adelaide Rockets v Norwood Flames
Women’s: North Adelaide Rockets 42 – 76 Norwood Flames
The lady Flames have dispatched of the Rockets for the second time this year, with North captain Jo Hill unable to impose her will on the game in a crushing defeat.
The Rockets had a shocker from the field, shooting only 25% for the game, and the 1st and 3rd period a combined 5 from 34 attempts for 14.7%. Whilst Jo Hill was unable to impose her will on the Flames, she was still the Rockets best for the night, with 11 points and 7 rebounds in a foul-interrupted 23 minutes of play. Jess Smart took over the shooting responsibility, for 11 points. North were without go to centre Jamie-Lee Peris, which no doubt had significant impact on their play.
Norwood wanted to send a message to their finals counterparts, with Amy Lewis scoring 16 points and 5 rebounds, Jess Good firing for 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Jess Foley taking home 13 points, 11 rebounds and 5 steals.
Norwood remain on top and almost a surety for the Minor Premiership, with North now tied for 3rd place, in front of the Panthers on percentage.
Credit: Photo Credit: Tanya Fielding Photography
Men’s: North Adelaide Rockets 63 – 88 Norwood Flames
The Rockets have slumped to loss number 6 in a row, in what has been their worst season in decades. The Flames on the other hand move to outright 1st place, riding 9 wins in a row as they storm towards August.
North struggled to score the rock, converting at 28% for the game, and allowing the Flames 48%. Daniel Goodluck, who has been their most consistent player all year, had 17 points at 63%. Veteran Ryan Franceschinis was their next best, with 9 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. The rest of the team combined for 11 of 53.
Norwood moved the ball, rotated their options, and continued to play the team basketball that is seeing them perform so well. Matthew Lycett their best for the night, with 20 points at 69% and 15 rebounds with 4 assists, whilst Dillon Ford and Daniel Webber had 10 points a piece, and shooter Ian O’Boyle had 13.
Norwood move one game clear for top spot, while the Rockets will finish in 9th place.
South Adelaide Panthers v Southern Tigers
Women’s: South Adelaide Panthers 97 – 82 Southern Tigers
South continued their push for finals relevance, as they took care of the underwhelming Tigers, who performed better than they have a recent weeks. The game was tied at the main break, before the Panthers poured on 59 second half points at 50%, putting the game out of reach.
The Panthers managed to win every key statistic, particularly in the second half as they managed to pull away. However they wouldn’t be happy with giving up 82 points to the offensively inept Tigers. Jess Mahony posted this season first triple double with 16 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists in a full 40 minutes of game time. Ashleigh Spencer continued to dominate against her old side with 14 points and 10 rebounds, as so did ex-Tiger captain Teresa Kinross with 18 points at 60% and 6 rebounds.
Southern found some offensive swagger, with Kelsie Rutland scoring 24 points and 6 rebounds, Shayde Quintrell with 14 points and 14 rebounds, and guard Lauren Fisher with 18 points, 4 assists and 5 rebounds. The Tigers inability to defend Mahony, and the ever looming threat of Janae Howard for the Panthers, Southern’s best chance to win slipped away when their defense broke down.
The Pamthers are in 4th place, behind the Rockets on percentage, whilst the Tigers ride a 4 game slide, in 8th place, and potentially going backwards.
Men’s: South Adelaide Panthers 88 – 77 Southern Tigers
A win here for the Tigers would have kept them in striking distance of a top five finish, however with the loss both sides, whilst still mathematically possible, are highly unlikely to see any finals action for season 2014. Pride was on the line when these traditional rivals battled it out, as the Panthers held onto a slim lead to take the win.
The Panthers found production from all players, with Bradley Reid their best for 22 points and 11 rebounds. Forward Tom McKenzie had a poor shooting night with 23%, however still finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Swingman Jordan Robertson looked to break out of a mid-season slump, with 16 points @ 50% and 5 assists.
Southern continue to find output from their obvious channels, as Sam Johns scored 16 points, 5 assists, 3 steals and 6 rebounds. Sam McDaniel had 15 points, 3 assists and 5 rebounds, and Codey Ellison took home a double double with 15 points, 4 assists and 12 rebounds. The Tigers jumped out to a very hot start to the season, mixing it with the leagues best, but their mid season form will now see them look to 2015.
South and in 8th place tied on wins with the Tigers in 7th place, both teams sit two games out of the five.
Woodville Warriors v West Adelaide Bearcats
Women’s: Woodville Warriors 83 – 77 West Adelaide Bearcats
The Warriors rollercoaster season has continued, this week defeating the Bearcats in a shock upset at St Clair. Woodville posted a slim lead at the main break, and held off the dangerous West all the way to the final siren.
Woodville again look to their stars to get them over the line, as Carmen Reynolds posted a massive double double and cashed in for 35 points at 70% and 11 rebounds. Katherine Perkas played bridesmaid with 23 points at 75% as the two pronged attack tormented West. The Warriors shot at 53% for the game and had 19 extra looks, as well as throwing 30 turnovers, in what was a get out of jail game.
The Bearcats would be ruing the missed opportunity, and their lack of defensive pressure on Reynolds and Perkas resulting in this tough loss that now makes their final aspirations almost out of reach. West found their production from the ever reliable Sky Langenbrinck who has 22 points, and Anna Carbo who registered a double double of 12 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 steals. Michaela Lappin was also important, with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 5 steals.
Woodville take 6th place, tied on wins with the Eagles in fifth but behind on their season split, so must finish a game clear. West sit in 7th place one game behind, and whilst still mathematically possible, are unlikely to see finals action.
Men’s: Woodville Warriors 80 – 60 West Adelaide Bearcats
The Warriors have sent a statement to fellow contender West only 1 month out from the start of the finals, with a first half domination of the tough Bearcats side. Woodville converted at 48% for the game, and won every statistic except for free throws. West struggled to find the bottom of the net, making only 31% from the field, 22% from deep, and 57% from the line.
Woodville called the doctor, and he responded, with Darren Ng splashing 27 points at 50% including 5 of 10 from deep, and 5 rebounds. Star Alexander Starling is regaining his early season form, cashing in with 16 points and 14 rebounds.
West couldn’t find production from its usual sources, so it had to look elsewhere for points, as the Warriors had the defensive plan to stop them. Blake Truslove still performed with 14 points and 9 rebounds, however only took 8 shots but saw the charity stripe 13 times. Kurtis Phillips had 12 points and 4 rebounds, whilst point Jason Dawson had a shocked, with 4 points, 5 rebounds and 6 turnovers, shooting 1 from 12 for the night. The Bearcats missed sharp shooter Tristan Braithwaite, who spaces the floor better than anyone else on the list, as he was out with a dislocated shoulder.
The Warriors move to 2nd place one game behind, and West go to 3rd one game back from the Warriors.
Forestville Eagles v Sturt Sabres
Women’s: Forestville 55 – 68 Sturt Sabres
With a loss, the Eagles slip into a precarious position, now in a must win spot to prevent missing out on finals for the first time almost a decade. The Sabres push their win streak to 7, as they firm up as the best contender to the Flames title. The game was tied going into the last period, but the Sabres ability to get to the line, force 11 turnovers and shut the eagles down to 23% from the field, saw them secure the win.
Forestville one again went to centre Carla Borrego-Williams for inspiration, as she reeled in 16 points and 14 rebounds. Jade Johnson also found the bottom of the net with 13 points, but converted at an inefficient 29%. Poor shooting outside of Borrego-Williams was the Eagles undoing, as the rest of the team shot 14 from 55 for the game.
The Sabres continue to impress, with a well-balanced potent attack, that can turn on both ends of the floor with the flick of a switch. Natalie Novosel had another big night out with a double double of 22 points, 11 rebounds, 5 blocks, 5 assists and 4 steals. Angela Marino had 11 points in 16 minutes as she now qualifies for finals with another game down.
The Sabres are in 2nd place, one game in front of the Rockets and two behind the Flames. The Eagles sit in 5th place, ahead of the Warriors on head to head, but three games behind the Panthers, they wont finish any higher.
Men’s: Forestville Eagles 82 – 80 Sturt Sabres
In the Men’s game of the Round, the Eagles win game number four in a row, as they storm towards the playoffs. The Eagles were 7 points behind going into the last period, but an 18-9 period on the back of the Sabres converting at 22%, was enough to secure the victory.
Forestville looked to volume scorer Jake Rios, who had 23 points on the nights, and Trent Fildes had 24 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks. Star Adam Gibson had a quiet night, with 7 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, however looked dangerous as always.
Sturt, much like the Eagles, looked to their proven players in the clash, with Tim Klaosen stepping up for 24 points, 5 assists and 8 rebounds. Dylan Rawson had a solid game with 19 points, 4 assists and 6 rebounds, whilst Jordan Heading continues his good form with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Import Dexter Moore finds himself in the middle of a form slump, as he could only manage 8 points, but contributed well on the boards leading the Sabres with 9.
The Eagles are in 4th place, tied on wins with the Lions and Sabres, and have the easiest run home. The Sabres are in 6th place, and their impending Round 17 clash with the Lions likely to form the five.
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