Isaac
Years ago
ABL Round 12/13 POTW
Colin Thompson is back with a vengeance, emailing out game reviews for the multitude of games over the weekend.
Player of the Week awards went to Monique Bowley (44 points at 55.5%, 31 rebounds and 7 assists) and Erin Phillips (38 points at 39.3%, 31 rebounds and 17 assists) in the womens league. For the men, the award was shared by Jye Watson (a huge 79 points at 47.2%, 7 rebounds and 8 assists) and Jason Dix (52 points @ 42.2%, with 32 rebounds and 10 assists).
The reviews follow:
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Round 12 produced at least one surprise with the narrow defeat of the Eagles by the Mavericks in a buzzer beater. The remaining Saturday night games went to predictions with the Rockets snatching top position from the Panthers. The Bearcats at last unleashed their potential, albeit against the lowly Warriors.
Sturt's Bowley sisters, Monique (22 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals), Brigid (17 points and 7 rebounds) and Hannah (14 points, 14 rebounds and 3 steals) provided enough firepower to counter Norwood's entire offence. Whilst the Flames remained competitive throughout the game, reducing a half time deficit of 11 points to only 3 points at the last change, the Sabres remained in control of the game.
In a blistering first half the Rockets stamped their authority on the game against the Panthers to lead by 20 points. The second half was a more even affair but the damage had been done, enabling the Rockets to regain top position on the ladder. Erin Phillips and Jenah Piwanski both produced 22 points, Erin with a triple double (11 rebounds and 10 assists) whilst Jenah had a double double (10 rebounds and 4 assists). For the Panthers Jenni Carberry led the scorers with 19 points, while Vikki Kelson (18 points and 7 assists) and Tracey Braithwaite (14 points, 12 rebounds and 3 blocks) were also productive.
Southern Tigers made sure that they would not finish at the bottom of the ladder by taming the competitive Lions at Morphett Vale. Both teams have improved during the course of the season, particularly with respect to controlling the ball and in terms of overall shooting percentages. The Tigers established a firm grip on the game during the first three-quarters to go into the final break with a lead of 22 points. Simone Nelson (Tigers) was the game-high scorer with 22 points and 8 rebounds while Larkin Lamarche produced a double double for the Lions with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
The Mavericks pulled the greatest surprise from the hat by defeating the Eagles on a 3-point buzzer beater from Amanda Williams. Desperate to make the playoffs, the Mavericks opened with an aggressive first quarter to lead the Eagles 28 to 17. The Eagles pegged the deficit back to lead by a single point at the last break. In a thrilling final quarter the Mavericks' guard nailed a 3-pointer to snatch victory in the final seconds. Cayla Francis played a brilliant role with a game-high 28 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks, while Amanda Williams put in 24 points with 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Opals squad member Jenni Screen had a double double for the Eagles with 12 points, 16 rebounds and 8 assists.
The Bearcats, with a brilliant first quarter (31-10), at last played to their potential in a route of the Warriors. All 23 players hit the court during the game with the twelve Bearcats scoring and none of them playing more than half of the available court time. Kate Jenner (20 points and 10 rebounds) and Leah Mencel (18 Points and 12 rebounds) had double doubles for the Bearcats, Shannon Gates was the only Warrior in double figures.
The Tigers put up a game effort against the league leader, North Adelaide but failed the challenge when it counted. At quarter time the scores were level but a second quarter lifted the Rockets to a half-time break of 14 points. The Tigers took the points in the third quarter only to be overrun in the final term. Erin Phillips was impressive with 16 points, 20 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks for the Rockets. Simone Nelson also had a double double with 13 points and 16 rebounds for the Tigers.
The Panthers made up for their loss the previous night by defeating the Bearcats by a comfortable margin. Defence was tight by both teams resulting in particularly low field shooting percentages by both teams. The margin was close up until the final change when the Panthers made their move with a 24-8 fourth quarter. Vikki Kelson was the game-high scorer with 22 points.
Stung by their last second loss to the Mavericks, the Eagles consolidated their fourth position with a solid win against the Flames. The Flames were only 8 points down at half time, but the Eagles put the game beyond doubt with a 25-11 third quarter. Jenni Screen was the top scorer with 24 points at 61.5%, with 6 rebounds and 5 assists.
Held to a first quarter season low of two points, the top team Sturt Sabres blitzed the winless Lions. Six of the seven Sturt players scored double figures with Monique Bowley (22 points, 16 rebounds and 3 steals) and Sarah Chapple (14 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists) scoring double doubles. Whilst the Lions had improved on their previous encounter, they were no match for Sturt.
Men
Round 12 reopened the race for a playoff position with the top three teams consolidating their spots. The Lions pegged back teams above them and the Panthers all but knocked the Rockets out of contention.
Sturt Sabres maintained the hold on top of the ladder with a comfortable win over the Flames. In the continued absence of players such as Paul Bauer, Tom James-Martin and Todd Gower, it was the junior players in Mark Bauer, David Shepherd, Marcus Hakendorf and Tom Finkemeyer who led Sturt. Darren Ng was the game-high scorer with 29 points, 7 assists and 5 steals while Tom Finkemeyer had a double double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Mark Bauer's 16 points came at 5/5 from the field and 6/6 from the foul line. The Flames' loss severely hinders their chances at competing in the playoffs.
The Panthers continued their drive for the five and dented the Rockets hopes when they were shaken out of their comfort zone. After the Rockets led at the end of the first quarter by 31 to 18, the Panthers redressed that situation over the next three quarters to record an important victory. Michael Zorich (18 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists) and Nick Hambour (18 points and 13 rebounds) were impressive for the Rockets, but despite this, North was unable to sustain their first quarter effort with a consistent team effort from the Panthers.
The Lions prevailed in their game against the Tigers, re-igniting their hopes of playoff participation. They made their break in a dominant second quarter burst in which they produced 32 points to the Tigers' 17. Jye Watson was the game-high scorer with 45 points at 55.5% (including six 3-pointers). Paul Vandenbergh produced a triple double for the Lions with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
The Eagles established a winning lead in the first quarter of 32 to 18 over the Mavericks. To their credit the Mavericks fought back in the second half to reduce the final deficit to only 12 points. Jason Dix again was the backbone for the Eagles with 30 points, 21 rebounds and 8 assists. Jason Farman also scored a double double with 11 points, 15 rebounds, 5 blocks and 4 assists. Brad Davis was the game-high score with 34 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals.
The Warriors consolidated third position with a solid win against the Bearcats, having led at every change. Despite Blake Truslove's 18 rebounds for the Bearcats, the Warriors held an edge on the boards through Elder, Puddifoot, Rees, Pascoe and Reeves. There were a number of interesting tussles with some fine individual performances, in particular Matt Elder (29 points and 10 rebounds) and Andrew Puddifoot (24 points, 16 rebounds and 8 assists) for Woodville. Danny Phillips put in 29 points for the Bearcats, including 9 three-pointers, a season high.
The Rockets resurrected their chances of making the final five with a convincing win against the tigers, keeping them to a season low score. Bouncing out to lead of 16 points at quarter time, the Rockets did not ease up. They contained the Tigers' principal offensive threats in Brad Gerlach and Josh Wood as well as gaining ascendancy on the boards. Nick Hambour played a strong role for the Rockets with 22 points at 64%, 17 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
The Bearcats won this "must win" game against the Panthers, by a margin high enough to give them head to head advantage. The Bearcats opened up with a devastating first half to lead by 16 points at the main break. Tightening their defence, the Panthers were able to reduce the deficit by retsricting the Bearcats to only 28 points in the second half. Blake Truslove gave the Bearcats an edge on the boards with 18 rebounds and 2 blocks to go with his 25 points.
After a close first quarter, the Eagles gained the upper hand in the second quarter to lead by 14 points at half time. They eked out the margin in the second half. The Eagles had three players with doubles: Jason Dix (22 points and 11 rebounds), Jason Farman (12 points, 15 rebounds and 3 assists) and Matthew Sutton (11 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists). Christian Bell was statistically best for the Flames with 19 points at 63.6% with 7 rebounds and 4 assists.
In a closely fought game the Sabres emerged narrow winners against the tenacious Lions. Whilst the Sabres broke the game open in the second quarter to establish a half time break of 15 points, the Lions gained the upper hand by the last break after a brilliant third quarter, 35-16. The final quarter saw the lead changing several times. Three Sturt players scored double doubles: Oscar Forman (26 points and 18 rebounds). Tom Finkemeyer (23 points and 12 rebounds) and Darren Ng (13 points, 13 rebounds and 9 assists). For the Lions Jye Watson scored a game-high 34 points with 6 rebounds and 6 assists.
