Central ABL - Warriors Men Secure Minor Premiership As Finals Set To Begin
Central ABL Round 18 is done and dusted, and the minor season has played its course. This will be the final wrap up for half the competition, as we lead into the business end of the season.
South Adelaide Panthers v Central District Lions
Women’s: South Adelaide Panthers 85 – 48 Central District Lions
The Panthers have dominated the Lions, sending the ladies from Centrals a winless season. The Lions were out of the game from the get-go, giving up a 20 point half time lead after a dreadful second period. It was elementary from there as the Panthers tuned up their squad leading into next Round.
South saw production from star centre Ashleigh Spencer, who has evolved into a true force after returning from the US mid season. Spencer had 29 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists, to go with Jess Mahony dropping a jaw dropping 8 points, 18 rebounds, 12 assists and 6 steals. The Nagy sisters combined for 28 points and 11 rebounds at 57%.
Centrals lent on newly named Austalian Under 17 player Demi Skinner, with a team high 16 points and 7 rebounds. Aimee Herriman was the next best with 9 points and 4 rebounds but shot the rock at 28%. The Lions could only convert at 23% as a team, as they succumbed to the Panther defense.
The Lions finish the season 0 and 18 with a percentage of 56% in perhaps the most lopsided result for any side in recent memory. The Panthers finished with 13 wins and 5 losses, equal with the Rockets, but behind on the split for 4th place, and headed into an elimination final with the Eagles first up.
Men’s: South Adelaide Panthers 63 – 76 Central District Lions
The Panthers season was already over but they were fighting for pride and to go out on a win, after promising early season form. However the Lions had more to play for, as they worked to find their rhythm for finals. The Lions pushed out a slim first half lead of 8 points, before dropping the third period by a pair, then turning up their defence to shut the Panthers out from getting back into the game.
South once again found production from big man Bradley Reid, with 20 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks, putting an exclamation on his MVP season for the Panthers. Jordan Robertson was their next best with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists, in a season that saw his production drop from last year.
Centrals import guard Kyle Miller splashed out for 28 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists as he took a large volume of his teams looks, however shooting at an inefficient 37%. Chris Clausen had a quiet night by his standards with 18 points and 7 rebounds, whilst role player Paul Joyce had a monsterous 18 rebounds in 27 minutes.
Credit: Photo Credit: Tanya Fielding Photography
The Panthers finished with 7 wins and 11 losses for 7th place but four games out of the five. Centrals locked up 3rd, facing the Flames in a qualifying final first up.
Sturt Sabres v Southern Tigers
Women’s: Sturt Sabres 121 – 46 Southern Tigers
The Sabres women have utterly embarrassed the Tigers, posting 121 points including an 82 point first half demolition. If it wasn’t for a poor 4th period shooting clip, the Sabres could have easily done more damage.
Sturt shared the load between their side with Hannah Richards cashing in the most with 23 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks in 25 minutes. Angela Marino enjoyed the lack of competition with 21 points, 8 assists and 5 steals. Lucy Spalding landed a double-double with 17 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals in 27 minutes.
For Southern, Shayde Quintrell continues to be their most valuable asset, scoring 17 points and 11 rebounds. Kelsey Murdoch had plenty of looks for her 15 points. Whilst the Tigers season was done and dusted weeks ago, they didn’t show any fight for pride in the worst loss for the season by any side. 25% field goal, 30 turnovers, and giving up 3 points per minutes is an embarrassment by any standard.
With the loss, the Tigers slip to 9th place behind the Mavericks. The Sabres lock up 2nd place on the ladder, and are set to face the Rockets in the first qualifying final this week.
Men’s: Sturt Sabres 92 – 74 Southern Tigers
In a dead rubber game, both sides wanting to finish the season on a positive note. It was the Sabres who prevailed as expected, polishing off the Tigers by 18 points after dominating the 2nd and 3rd periods.
The Sabres had multiple players in double figures, with Tim Klaosen again their best with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, in a most valuable season performance. Import Dexter Moore had a reasonable night out with 19 points, 4 assists and 4 steals after an up and down season.
Southern’s limited experience has played a toll on them as the season progressed, with their young players given huge responsibility game after game, and slowly falling of pace with the best. Michael Florence enjoyed another decent night out with 15 points and 6 rebounds, and Jacob Aciek Mayen had 10 points and 6 rebounds at 62%.
Sturt finish the season on the .500 going 9 and 9 for 6th place, whilst Southern have ridden a 5 game losing streak to close the season, finishing with 6 wins and 12 losses for 8th place.
Woodville Warriors v Eastern Mavericks
Women’s: Woodville Warriors 70 – 85 Eastern Mavericks
In another dead rubber game, playing for nothing by pride, the Mavericks have managed the shock the Warriors by securing a 15 point defeat and at the same time lead frogging the Tigers on the ladder. The Mav’s dominated all but the opening stanza, outplaying the Warriors on their home court.
Woodville once again went their predictable route of getting the ball to Katherine Perkas and Carmen Reynolds hands. Perkas had 14 points and 8 rebounds in 28 minutes, and Reynolds had a double double of 26 points and 10 rebounds. No other player saw double figures.
Eastern rebounding phenomenon Emma Hooley registered a mind boggling 19 points, 5 assists and 30 rebounds. Hooley had 11 points and 19 rebounds at the half before slightly cooling off in the final 20 minutes. Veteran Amanda Macdermot had 25 points and 5 assists, whilst Tamara Weiss had 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.
Eastern finish the season with 4 wins and 14 losses good for 8th place, whilst the Warriors finish with 8 wins and 10 losses for 7th place.
Men’s: Woodville Warriors 103 – 65 Eastern Mavericks
The Warrior men haven’t taken their foot off the pedal, demolishing the tough Mavericks side by 38 points as they steam towards August. The Warriors shot the ball at 50% from the field, forced 21 turnovers and outrebounded the Mavericks in the one sided game.
Woodville found production from Darren Ng, who found his range early and finished with 23 points at 53% including 6 of 12 threes, and 4 assists in only 25 minutes. Alexander Starling was a force again with 23 points and 7 rebounds in also 25 minutes of play.
The Mavericks only had two players in double figures as Haydn Barns with 14 points and 5 rebounds, and Brad Davis with 10 points. Dylan Shorne was solid in a foul interrupted game of 6 points and 9 rebounds in 18 minutes.
The Mavericks couldn’t manage to get off the bottom of the ladder, finishing with 3 wins and 15 losses but behind on the split with the Rockets. The Warriors secured the minor premiership with the win, with 14 wins and 4 losses, tied with the Flames but ahead on the split with the Flames.
Forestville v North Adelaide
Women’s: Forestville Eagles 67 – 56 North Adelaide Rockets
The Eagles women have sent a message to the rest of the competition, advising their intent as the finals loom, as a contender to the Flames throne. Forestville out together a dominating second period outscoring the Rockets 22 to 11 after a tied first period. This was the margin they retained to the final siren, as they flexed their notorious late season experience.
Forestville captain, and 200 gamer, Jess Fergus had a quality night with 16 points at 60% and 4 assists, whilst dominant centre Carla Borrego-Williams had 16 points and 6 rebounds in a foul interrupted 21 minutes of play. Role players Tara Robinson and Alexandra Duncan combined for 16 points and 16 rebounds off the bench, as they took advantage of their assignments.
The Rockets lent on veteran forward and captain Jo Hill, who finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Shannon McKay had a lot of looks for her 15 points, whilst centre Jamie-Lee Peris also found foul trouble for her 8 points and 5 rebounds in 28 minutes.
The Rockets stay in 3rd place due to face the Sabres in qualifying final, whilst the Eagles remain in 5th place facing the Panthers in an elimination final.
Men’s: Forestville Eagles 86 – 71 North Adelaide Rockets
The Rockets men have completed their worst season in over a decade, with loss number 10 in a row to the finals bound Eagles by 15 points. The Eagles won every period for the game despite being outrebounded by double digits. Forestville converted at 48% from the field as the Rockets could only manage a measly 35%.
Forestville guard and volume shooter Jake Rios lived up to this description, scoring 47 points landing 19 of 33 attempts. He was supported by Brad Haydon with 15 points, whilst Trent Fildes managed 10 points.
The Rockets lent on guard and their best player all year, Daniel Goodluck, who scored 19 points and 4 assists, whilst the experience Tom Rowe had a season high 16 points and 5 assists. Luke Mapunda was effective with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
North finish the season with 3 wins and 15 losses for 9th place, just ahead of the Mavericks on the split. Forestville secured 5th place with 11 wins and 7 losses, tied with the Bearcats but behind on the split.
West Adelaide Bearcats v Norwood Flames
Women’s: West Adelaide Bearcats 62 – 67 Norwood Flames
The Bearcats have taken the Flames to the limit, pushing them throughout all four quarters before falling short, in what is an accurate summary of their season. The Flames were down 6 at the main break, before a dominant third period that saw them take the lead and hold on down the stretch by 5.
West went to their three best players all night, with Anna Carbo their best with 20 points and 7 rebounds, Michaela Lappin had 12 points and 7 rebounds, and Skye Langenbrinck had 12 points.
Norwood looked to rotate their list ahead of this week’s break, giving their veteran players a solid rest before their first finals match up. Amy Lewis should take the gong for their best player all season, as she had 15 points and 4 rebounds, whilst Jordan Walker-Roberts had 12 points at 71% and Jessica Good had 8 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes.
West finish the season in 6th place with 8 wins and 10 losses, ruing some close games and losses leaving them short of finals. Norwood have taken out the minor premiership with 16 wins and 2 losses.
Men’s: West Adelaide Bearcats 84 – 96 Norwood Flames
In a game that had implications on final standings and double chances, the Flames have forced the Bearcats into an elimination final by securing a tough 12 point win on West’s home court. Norwood held the 12 point lead after the first period, and 20 at the half, before the Bearcats clawed back at the deficit but came up short.
For West, Kurtis Phillips was his sides top scorer with 20 points and 7 rebounds, whilst import guard Jason Dawson had 15 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. Anthony Spadavecchia had 10 points and 8 assists, whilst the experience Paul Rankin finished with 16 points at 61%.
The Flames had multiple contributors, with Daniel Webber their best on the night. Webber enjoyed extra game time, as he cashed in with 23 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals in 36 minutes, the minutes he should be playing every week. Andrew Webber wound back the clock for 23 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists, whilst Matthew Lycett had a huge double double of 14 points and 15 rebounds.
West finished their season in 4th place with 11 wins and 7 losses ahead of the Eagles on the split, whilst the Flames finished in 2nd place with 14 wins and 4 losses behind the Warriors on the split.
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