A huge Season defining round in the Central ABL, as the finals picture becomes clearer. The Flames continue to rule the roost, but are they more vulnerable than ever? This is Round 16.

North Adelaide Rockets v Central District Lions

Women’s: North Adelaide Rockets 83 – 25 Central District Lions

The Rockets have handed the Lions there worst defeat in recent memory, and perhaps have held them to the lowest score in CABL history – I will need to check the record books on that one.

North rotated their entire list through out the game, with Jo Hill posting 12 points, Kirsty Williams landing 12 points, Genna Anderson scoring 10 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, and Jamie-Lee Peris had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The Lions couldn’t crack double figures in any quarter, and finished shooting the ball at 19% for the game. Combine that with 32 turnovers, it was a very dark night for the Lions. Demi Skinner the only player to do anything on the night, scoring 14 of their 25 points to go with 8 rebounds.

North are in 3rd position, ahead of the Panthers on percentage. The Lions remain winless, and are more than likely going to finish that way.

Credit: Photo Credit: Tanya Fielding Photography

Men’s: North Adelaide Rockets 58 – 60 Central District Lions

The Rockets men slump to loss number 8 in a row, as their dreadful Season 2014 continues. This week the Lions had a tough fight to secure the win as both sides played evenly for the entirety of the game. The difference lied with the Lions making it to the line more frequently than the Rockets.

North rode on the back of Luke Mapunda, who continues to play at the level he should have all season, with 15 points and 16 rebounds in a full 40 minutes. Luke Pike had a quality evening, with 17 points and 6 rebounds in only 21 minutes.

Centrals went to their go to options, as Dan Carlin top scored with 19 points and 8 rebounds, and Kyle Miller had 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.

The Lions move one game ahead of the Eagles in 4th place, with this weeks game against the Sabres highly important. The Rockets stay in 9th place, and if the Mavericks can secure a win will move the last place.

South Adelaide Panthers v Eastern Mavericks

Women’s: South Adelaide Panthers 91 – 62 Eastern Mavericks

The Mavericks managing to stay with the tough Panthers side up until the main break, only 5 points behind. However a strong third period saw the Panthers extend the lead to 13, before a last quarter push saw the deficit blow out.

South saw production from Janae Howard with 22 points, 5 steals and 7 rebounds, whilst Jess Mahony was terrific from the line converting 14 of 15 to finish the game with 22 points, 9 rebounds, 5 steals, and 10 rebounds in another almost triple double.

South are locked in a battle for 3rd place with the Rockets, currently sitting in 4th on percentage, whilst the Mavericks sit in 9th place, desperately searching for win number four to overtake the Tigers.

Men’s: South Adelaide Panthers 73 – 87 Eastern Mavericks

The Mavericks men have broken through for win number three, defeating the hot and cold Panthers on their home court.

South struggled to find the bottom of the net, shooting 38% for the night, and 3 from 11 from deep. Tom McKenzie was his sides most efficient, with 18 points and 6 rebounds at 46%. Jordan Robertson went for 19 points and 7 rebounds, but could only convert at 36%, and Shane Boal had 14 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals but also shot the ball at 31%.

Eastern found buckets from Curtis Scipio, who had 20 points and 7 assists, Dylan Shorne finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Thomas Giles had 12 points, 3 blocks and 9 rebounds.

The Panthers sit in 7th place, with no chance of seeing finals action, whilst the Mavericks are in 10th place and have potential to move up if they can cause an upset.

West Adelaide Bearcats v Sturt Sabres

Women’s: West Adelaide Bearcats 60 – 86 Sturt Sabres

The Sabres have pushed to win number 9 in a row, as they continue to build steam for finals, this week dispatching the always tough Bearcats on the back of a super dominant second half.

West had the game tied at the half, but a 26-11 third period, followed by a 20-9 fourth, undone all of their hard work. Anna Carbo had a reasonable night, going for 11 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists but could only convert at 27%. Skye Langenbrinck also found the bottom of the net, with 18 points, however it took 22 shots to get there.

The Sabres found buckets from multiple options, with Angela Marino splashing from deep for 21 points and 5 assists, going 7 of 10 for the night including 5 of 7 from three. Lucy Spalding had a good night out, scoring 12 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing 4 assists.

Sturt still one game behind the Flames in 2nd place, whilst West can still mathematically make the finals from 7th place, but it seems unlikely.

Men’s: West Adelaide Bearcats 95 – 80 Sturt Sabres

The Bearcats have bounced back with a win, knocking off the Sabres in a game that will shape the final placings for the top five. An enormous third quarter by West, scoring 32-14 set the game up, as they cruised to an easy win.

West’s Daniel Johnson was the games best player with 25 points and 18 rebounds, whilst import point Jason Dawson found some form with a game high 27 points at 59%. Blake Truslove played a smaller role than he has all season, but put up a massive 17 points and 14 rebounds at 63% in 26 minutes as he demands more of DJ’s minutes.

The Sabres 2 pronged attack of Tim Klaosen and Dexter Moore combined for 43 points, however they struggled to find production outside of these two. Dylan Rawson had 12 points whilst Jordan Heading had 11 points.

West sit in 3rd place, ahead of the Lions on percentage, as the Sabres sit in 6th place, one game behind the Eagles. The Eagles face the bottom two sides so the Sabres will need an upset to see finals action.

Woodville Warriors v Southern Tigers

Women’s: Woodville Warriors 90 – 86 Southern Tigers

The Tigers have put up a valiant performance against the Warriors, leading by six points going into the 4th period, however they came unstuck shooting the ball at 28% for the quarter, and throwing six costly turnovers. The Warriors snuck home for a much needed, finals saving, four points.

Woodville were once again led by Carmen Reynolds, with 22 points, 11 rebounds, 5 steals and 8 assists, in a player of the match performance. Tiger ex-pat Deanna Troia had a season high 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, as she relished playing against her old side.

Southern’s core group worked well, with point Lauren Fisher landing 18 points, 5 assists and 12 rebounds for the night. Shayde Quintrell played a vital role for the Tigers as she has all season, finishing with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.

The Warriors sit in 6th place, tied with the Eagles on wins face the Flames and Mavericks over the next two weeks. They will need to win both games to knock the Eagles off. Southern sit in 8th place, and in danger of slipping to 9th if the Mavericks can find an upset.

Men’s: Woodville Warriors 90 – 66 Southern Tigers

The Warriors have flexed their muscle, downing the out of form Tigers comfortably as they rotated their list. A big second and third period, which saw the Warriors outscore the Tigers 59-33 set the big win up.

Woodville’s Alexander Starling had another quality performance, with 18 points and 10 rebounds, as did Claybrin McMath who had 19 points and 6 rebounds.

Southern saw four players in double figures, however they couldn’t go on to have a bigger impact on the game. Michael Florence was the Tigers best, with 12 points at 62%, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in 25 minutes. Sam Johns also contributed, with 12 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.

The Warriors sit in 2nd place, one game behind the streaking Flames, and two in from of the Bearcats. The Tigers continued to slide down the ladder, now in 8th place.

Forestville Eagles v Norwood Flames

Women’s: Forestville Eagles 64 – 68 Norwood Flames

In the women’s match of the round, the Eagles have put the Flames on notice, taking them all the way to the line, however falling short at the death. The Flames Amy Lewis sparked an early fourth quarter fight back, with 6 points and 3 steals in the space of 1 minutes of game time, bringing the game back to two points for the final grind.

The Eagles lent on their veteran players, with Jess Fergus scoring 19 points and 5 rebounds and Carla Borrego-Williams landing 12 points, 4 blocks, 3 steals, and 10 rebounds in only 29 minutes.

Norwood found production from this seasons MVP, Amy Lewis, who finished with 28 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 7 steals, as came up big in the clutch to lead the Flames over the line.

Forestville sit in 5th place, and with the Mavericks and Rockets to come, should go 1 and 1 and hold out the Warriors. The Flames sit in 1st place, should see the season out on top.

Men’s: Forestville Eagles 88 – 93 Norwood Flames

In the men’s match of the round, the Flames have managed to down the Eagles in overtime to keep their winning streak alive, at 11 in a row.

The game swayed like a pendulum all night, with the Eagles holding a slim 4 point lead at the half. The Flames blew the game out in the third, pushing the lead to 10, before the Eagles fought back to tie the game in regulation. Matthew Lycett took the go ahead shot with 3 seconds left, however couldn’t convert. The Eagles had one last chance at the death, as veteran Brad Haydon couldn’t find the bottom of the net.

The Flames grabbed six offensive boards in overtime, as they lead by 2 points with 7 seconds left on the clock. Trent Fildes took the go ahead attempt this time round for the Eagles, as he couldn’t make the bucks in the dying seconds.

Forestville found production from Adam Gibson with 22 points, 9 rebounds and 4 points, whilst Trent Fildes had 21 points and 10 rebounds. Jake Rios had a cold night from the field, going 3 of 21 for the night and 2 of 13 from deep for 14 points.

The Flames were led by Matthew Lycett with 26 points and 15 rebounds, whilst Daniel Webber stepped up for 17 points and 13 rebounds. Matthew Long had an enormous game on the offensive glass with 10 boards to go with 13 overall and 10 points.

The Flames sit in top spot, and look to lock it up this week, whilst the Eagles are in 5th place, with the easiest of runs home for an almost guaranteed finals finish.

For more information regarding the Central ABL, head to their website, here.

Central ABL Round 16 - Flames Clinch Thrilli…

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