Central ABL Round 4 - Bearcats Pluck Eagles in Double Overtime Thriller
Eastern Mavericks v Norwood Flames
Women’s: Eastern Mavericks 57 – 114 Norwood Flames
The Flames continue to steam roll the opposition, piling on 114 points on route to a 57 point demolition of the lowly Mavericks. Norwood won every quarter, every stat line, and forced 29 turnovers, in a game that was never in doubt.
Norwood had 6 players in double figures, with their starting five playing minimal minutes. Amy Lewis (21 points, 4 rebound, 3 assists, 3 steals) was the games leading scorer. Eastern put more points on the board than expected, with Shannan Tarran (13 points, 6 rebounds) and Emma Hooley (12 points, 17 rebounds) the only real resistance the Flames faced.
The win takes the Flames to 26 in a row, on top of the ladder, and clearly the team to beat. The Mavericks share bottom place with the Lions, just in front on percentage.
Men’s: Eastern Mavericks 85 – 98 Norwood Flames
The Mavericks men continue to give their opposition a fright, however can’t open their season tally just yet. The Flames have overcome a sluggish start to their season, to be back into familiar territory, with a determined win over the tough Mavericks side.
The Flames dominated the first 3 quarters, up by 25 at the last change. However a valiant last quarter effort that saw some Norwood players rested and rotated, the Mavericks just ran out of time.
Matthew Lycett (18 points and 6 rebounds) continues his post-injury comeback, and was supported by veteran guard Todd Matthews (15 points) in 18 minutes of game time. Curtis Scipio continued his break through season with a highly efficient 19 points and 7 assists and he was supported well by Dylan Shorne with 13 points and 4 rebounds.
The Mavericks are secured to the bottom of the ladder at 0-4, whilst the Flames scrape into the 5 on percentage with a .500 record.
North Adelaide Rockets v Southern Tigers
Women’s: North Adelaide Rockets 74 – 65 Southern Tigers
The Rockets remain unbeaten this season, taking care of the Tigers more comfortably than the 9-point margin might suggest. North didn’t drop a quarter, and their ability to get to the line 35 times, compared with 13 for the Tigers, the big difference in the game.
Rockets captain, and superstar Jo Hill once again had a stellar game, with 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals and a perfect 10 from 10 from the stripe, in 29 minutes of game time. Her partner in crime once again Jamie-Lee Peris (8 points and 14 rebounds) provided much needed support in the paint. For the Tigers import centre Jade Barber was important, with 17 points and 13 rebounds and she was supported well by Kelsie Rutland (16 points). The Tigers carelessness with the ball (21 turnovers) and their inability to draw fouls, whilst their starters got into foul trouble, made the task that much harder.
The win sees the undefeated North take 2nd place on the ladder, whilst the Tigers now 2-2, slip to 6th place.
Men’s: North Adelaide Rockets 64 – 63 Southern Tigers
The Rockets men have finally registered their first win for the season, taking down the highflying Tigers, in a 1-point thriller. In a game that saw both teams match up well, and not much in the game, the Rockets finally saw some production from their starters, in what should kick start their season.
Pero Vasiljevic has broken the shackles in Round 4, taking home 22 points and 16 rebounds. John Wernham continued his form also knocking down 22 points and 9 rebounds, in only 22 minutes of game time. Southern lacked production from their usual sources, with the exception of Sam McDaniel (18 points, 7 rebounds). Sam Johns (15 points), Codey Ellison (11 points) were passable, but the Tigers lacked contribution from the rest of their team.
Both teams shot the ball poorly (33% FG), however North dominated the glass with a +20 count. Whilst North registered their first win of the season, the game felt more like Southern lost their first.
The loss moves the Tigers to 2nd place behind the Warriors, with North still lodged in 9th place.
South Adelaide Panthers v Sturt Sabres
Women’s: South Adelaide Panthers 54 – 67 Sturt Sabres
The Sabres have ended the Panthers dream start to Season 2014, running over the top in the second half by 16 points, to secure an important win.
Enter Natalie Novosel. Number 8 pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft, and current Rangers WNBL player, she had 23 points and 13 rebounds on the night in only 27 minutes of game time. The Sabres seemed a bit off the pace this year, but this looks like the catalyst to see them compete.
South Adelaide have been heavily reliant on league leading scorer Janae Howard (16 points and 8 rebounds), and star playmaker Jess Mahony (5 points, 6 turnovers) for the first 3 rounds of this year. When both players were fouled off, in 24 and 26 minutes respectively, the question marks about the Panthers bench would need to be asked. Whilst they performed admirably, the inexperience showed, as they couldn’t hold off the fast finishing Sabres.
South struggled to find the bottom of the net, converting at only 29%, whilst the Sabres dominated the boards, and forced 23 turnovers.
This certainly isn’t panic stations for the Panthers, but certainly a blueprint to show their weakness. The Sabres on the other hand, look potent, and will continue to grow as the season progresses. Sturt slide into the 5, with the Panthers one game ahead.
Men’s: South Adelaide Panthers 93 – 82 Sturt Sabres
South men continue their 2014 revival with a solid win over the previously undefeated Sturt Sabres. The Panthers led from a tightly contested first period, and continued to build their lead into the fourth. The Sabres outscored the Panthers in the last period, but the damage was already done.
Starting South centre Brad Reid (25 points and 9 rebounds) building on his impressive form, whilst veteran Shane Boal (19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists) continues his career resurgence. Jordan Robertson (17 points and 11 rebounds) has found his 2013 form, with valuable contribution. The Sabres were without swingman Tim Klaosen, and their offense suffered as a result. Import Dexter Moore (31 points and 10 rebounds) did what he could to make up for their lack of firepower. Shane Breheny (14 points and 11 rebounds) supported well, but Sturt struggled to find the bottom of the net.
The loss sends Sturt to 4th place, and moved the invigorated Panthers to 7th, one game behind.
Woodville Warriors v Central District Lions
Women’s: Woodville Warriors 108 – 55 Central District Lions
It was the Warriors turn to pour on the pain to the Lions this week, lighting up the scoreboard to a 53-point decimation of the last placed Lions.
Credit: Photo Credit: Tanya Fielding Photography
Carmen Reynolds (25 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists) was outstanding again for the Warriors, with Katherine Perkas cashing in with 15 points and 5 rebounds. Six Woodville players made it into double figures, with only one player not registering a score. The Lions Brianna Wedding (11 points and 17 rebounds) was their best by far, with Aimee Herriman (11 points) the only other player in double figures.
Woodville shot the ball at 51.9% from the field, 57.1% from deep, and went to line 26 times. The Lions took 20 less shots, and could only convert at 32% from the field.
The maiden win for the Warriors, moves them to 7th place and not to be underestimated. The loss fixes Centrals to the bottom of the ladder, at 52.85%.
Men’s: Woodville Warriors 79 – 48 Central District Lions
One would have to imagine that the Lions will spend this week on the park, jacking a lot of shots, to try and find some rhythm. The Lions struggled offensively, and whilst the Warriors weren’t exceptional, they did enough to get the win.
Before this game, the league leading scorer, Kyle Miller, was averaging 26ppg. On the night Miller went 0/8, and fouled out in 20 minutes of game time. Only two Centrals players ended in double figures with Chris Clausen (12 points and 6 rebounds) and Kyle Williams (10 points and 6 rebounds) the best.
For the Warriors, their best player so far, Alex Starling only registered 3 seconds of game time, after what is believed to be a broken cheek bone from Round 3. Luke Stanbridge (24 points, 12 rebounds) relished in the extra minutes available, and was supported by Domenic White with 16 points and 6 rebounds.
The Lions would have expected to start this season a lot better than what they have, and now find themselves in a precarious position of 1-3 and anchored near the bottom of the ladder. The Warriors on the other hand have steadied the ship, and have regained top spot.
Forestville Eagles v West Adelaide Bearcats
Women’s: Forestville Eagles 62 – 57 West Adelaide Bearcats
In the Women's Match of the Round, the Eagles have won their third on the trott, coming from behind to beat the ever present lady Bearcats by 5.
A huge fourth quarter effort from the Eagles, draining 21 points, including 3/7 from deep, and out-rebounding West 2 to 1, saw them run over the top in the dying minutes.
Tara Robinson (14 points and 11 rebounds) was the Eagles best, with support from Samantha Defrancesco (20 points). The usually ever-reliable Jess Fergus had a shooting night to forget, going 3/16, but her contribution on the defensive end of the floor, 8 rebounds and 4 assists, was as invaluable as ever. Sky Langenbrinck (15 points and 5 rebounds) and Kate Sheirlaw (13 points and 11 rebounds) were the Bearcats best on the night.
The Eagles shot at an unimpressive 27.3% from the field and 24.1% from deep, however had 24 extra looks, and shot the ball significantly better in the fourth.
Another close loss crashes West to 8th on the ladder, but good enough to beat all but Norwood above them on any given night, whilst the Eagles storm into 3rd place, and will look to consolidate this position.
Men’s: Forestville Eagles 82 – 88 West Adelaide Bearcats
In the Men's Match of the Round, the heated rivalry between the Eagles and the Bearcats, went to a nail biting double overtime finish, to see West get home by 6 after 50 minutes of game time.
West Import Jason Dawson was unable to convert with 6 seconds remaining in regulation, before Kyle Home-Tipene turned the ball over to finish the period.
Both teams struggled to convert in the first extra period, the Eagles going 1/8 and West going 3/11 from the field, however the Eagles got to the line 6 times. Tied at 73 a piece, West had 18 seconds for one final play, before Blake Truslove got pinged camping in the key to give the Eagles one last go. Trent Fildes was unable to make the go ahead basket.
Forestville’s cold shooting streak continued in the final overtime period, only going 3/12, whilst West converted at 5/12. Anthony Spadavecchia closing it out from the line.
For the Eagles, Jake Rios (25 points) had a hot first quarter sinking 17 points, however was injured midway through the third period and did not return. Trent Fildes (25 points and 16 rebounds) continues to stamp his authority on the league.
West were led by Blake Truslove (15 points and 23 points), Anthony Spadavecchia (22 points and 11 rebounds) and import Jason Dawson (23 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds).
This makes for one mouth-watering match up come round 13!
West are now tied on 3-1 with four other teams to take 3rd spot, with the Eagles going to 2-2 for 6th place.
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