NotJackToft
Years ago
Round 6: SA State Basketball League Preview
Welcome back after a week off for Round 6 of the South Australian State Basketball League Preview. Huge weekend of games yet again!
Women's: South Adelaide Panthers (3rd 4-1) v Norwood Flames (1st 5-0)
The Flames had their first real test of the Season last round defeating the experienced Rockets outfit by 7 points, as their starters saw more minutes than they have all season. Lewis dominant with 19 points and 7 boards, and Jess Foley had 14 points and 6 assists. Norwood boxed out the Rockets, and had Peris in foul trouble early, which was the biggest impact on the game.
The Panthers also managed a 7-point win, against the up-and-down Tigers unit. South were outscored in the second half 40-27, which is a concerning sign for the Panthers, going against the leagues most dominant force this week. Howard retained the women’s leading scoring position with 27 points, and Mahony had 10 points and 12 rebounds. South went 7 from 30 in the second half, and going against the Flames stifling defence, will need to find better looks to improve that.
South’s heavy reliance on Howard, Mahony and Kinross will be a focus for the Flames, and locking down Howard a priority. If Norwood can stop Howard from having a big impact, it will go a long way to securing victory for them, and they have the personnel to do exactly that.
Flames by 18.
Men’s: South Adelaide Panthers (5th 3-2) v Norwood Flames (7th 2-3)
South men have won game 3 on the trot, and have been impressive in victory. South took out the depleted Tigers unit by 21 points, in a confidence booster for the invigorated side.
For the Panthers, Shane Boal is in career form, currently 4th for the scoring title with 20.2ppg at 41%. But inclusion on centre Bradley Reid has perhaps had the biggest impact for this team, with 17ppg and 10rpg, allowing Boal, Robertson and Mckenzie better looks. The Panthers look the real deal, but after seasons of staring at the bottom of the ladder, it will take a bit more convincing for me to be fully on-board.
The Flames suffered a crucial loss against the Rockets last week, in a game that could have plunged them into the 5 with the win. Norwood have had a shaky and unconvincing start to the year, but the growing form of Matthew Lycett (20ppg and 8rpg), plus the experience and talent of their side, should see Norwood become a contender again.
I would love to see the Panthers return to some playoff action this year - and I was going to pick them, but when comparing the teams I just can’t go against the Flames. Norwood by 8.
Women’s: West Adelaide Bearcats (8th 1-4) v Central District Lions (10th 0-5)
The lady Bearcats have been around the mark this year but unable to get over the line. Their average losing margin is just below 8 points per game, and against 3 of the top 5 sides. Last round they fell victim to the Warriors by 10 points, after a poor 1st half, featuring 13 turnovers. West shot the ball better from the field, but only had 1 three-point attempt for the game, and shot a dismal 40% from the charity stripe. The scoring load was spread across the starters, with Langenbrinck top scoring with 15 points.
The Lionesses are struggling, and I expect the pain to continue this week. Comprehensively beaten by the 9th place and previously winless Mavs by 34 points. Shooting only 23% from the field, and giving up a +20 rebound count, highlights how far they are out of their depth. Brianna Wedding has been their best all season, averaging 8.8ppg and 9.8rpg, with Aimee Herriman 9.8ppg and 4.4rpg.
I expect the Bearcats women to break their 4-game losing streak, and should punish Centrals in doing so.
West by 42.
Men’s: West Adelaide Bearcats (1st 4-1) v Central District Lions (8th 2-3)
The Bearcats stamped their authority on season 2014 last week, with a win over title favourite Woodville by 10 points. Import Jason Dawson has been a huge pick up for the Bearcats this season, averaging 22.3ppg and 8.8rpg plus 4.5apg, with big man and league leading rebounder Blake Truslove, dominant with 12ppg and 14.4rpg. No West player is shooting under 33.3% on the year, whilst sharp shooter Danny Phillips has gone 15-27 from 3pt for 55%.
Centrals managed win number 2, in unimpressive form over the Mavericks. After being down 10 at the half, the Lions rallied on the back of what could only be deemed as a "scotty spray", that saw them score 62 second half points. And about time. For the Lions this year Christopher Clausen has been huge with 20.4ppg and 8rpg, whilst return import Kyle Miller has been patchy, but still managing 19.2ppg, 6apg and 4.4rpg.
Centrals have looked anything but the real deal this week, and seem to be dearly missing an experience true point guard, and hard nosed Luke Frost from their side.
West will continue their rise this round, and will run over Centrals by 19.
Women’s: Woodville Warriors (6th 2-3) v Sturt Sabres (5th 3-2)
The Sabres look potent, and are gearing up to make a serious run at the Flames throne. Sturt dispatched of the Eagles last week, in game qualification number #1 for Borrego-Williams. Novosel’s 26 points and 15 rebounds was dominant scoring at 53%. Sturt were up 10 at the half, holding the Eagles to just 26 in the first half. A bad 3rd period saw Forestville peg it back to 3, before the Sabres closed the game out. Sturts real concern for the game was rebounding, allowing 21 offensive boards. A stat that will lose them games come finals time against polished sides.
Woodville broke the shackles against the Bearcats, taking the W by 10 points after a series of close losses. The Warriors didn’t play particularly well, shooting only 33% from the field, and 70% from the line, plus racking up 23 turnovers, however their work from beyond the arc both offensively and defensively, proved the difference on the night. The Warriors have been anchored this season by the work of Carmen Reynolds with 21.2ppg and 10.4rpg, as well as Katherine Perkas with 17.3ppg and 7.3rpg.
Sturt look good, and pose a credible threat this year. Woodville have shown glimpses of what they are capable of, but seem to falter at the line. Sturt should win comfortably.
Sabres by 15.
Men’s: Woodville Warriors (3rd 3-2) v Sturt Sabres (2nd 4-1)
The Sabres took care of the Eagles last week, after import Dexter Moore hit the game winning go ahead three. The Sabres have only lost the one game under Brett’s 3 year plan, and that was whilst missing Tim Klaosen. Klaosen has been important for the Sabres with 17ppg, 6.7rpg and 4.3apg, whilst Moore has led all scorers with 19ppg and 5.4rpg. Youngster Hamish Burns (16.2ppg and 6rpg) playing an important role for this side, with a mix of veterans, experience and rookies making up the list. The list isn’t super impressive on paper, but they are getting it done of the floor.
The Warriors came into season 2014 touted as flag favourites by all other sides. The Warriors have lost to fellow top 4 contenders Forestville and West, whilst impressive in their 3 other victories. Alexander Starling has been incredible, with 18.4ppg @ 54.1%, and 10.8rpg, whilst Daniel Sims has supported well with 15.2ppg and 4.6rpg. Some questions have been asked in recent weeks about the Warriors ability to perform as a team, and perhaps the pressure cracks of being flag favourites before the season had even started, is starting to show.
Woodville need better contribution from their experience role players, to consider pushing for any silverware come August.
The Sabres seem to be in good form, whilst Woodville are questionable. Sturt by 7.
Women’s: Forestville Eagles (4th 3-2) v Southern Tigers (7th 2-3)
The lady Eagles are a bit like bills and taxes, they are always there, and just when you think you’re on top of them, you get hit with another. Enter Borrego-Williams.
Carla played 2 minutes and 27 seconds, for 1 turnover and 1 defensive rebound. It is rumoured that she was dragged to the bench, followed by a tirade, and being banished to the end of the bench for the remainder of the night. Or at least that’s what the press release said.
The Eagles couldn’t make it passed the new look Sabres outfit, but Fergus was exceptional in defeat, scoring 31 points, and Samantha Defrancesco nailing 19 points continues to show her worth.
The Tigers were beaten by the Panthers, but not before a second half fight that saw Jade Barber impressive, scoring 14 points and 7 rebounds after being fouled out after 17 minutes. Guard Denelle Fawcett showing some form as well with 14 points. The Tigers inexperience has shown again this season, with turnovers an issue, and inconsistencies from the field and stripe.
The Eagles have more weapons, more experience, more fight, and more apples. Forestville by 16.
Men’s: Forestville Eagles (6th 2-3) v Southern Tigers (4th 3-2)
The Tigers started to season on a 3 game streak, but after dropping back to back winnable games, and losing Sam Johns in the process, the Tigers are being asked some serious early season questions about their contender status. The Tigers lost to the hot South outfit last week, going down by 21 points after a 30-9 first period.
Guard Sam McDaniel has grown again this season for the Tigers, averaging 1.4ppg and 8rpg, whilst Codey Ellison seems to have stalled, still averging 10.6ppg and 9.2rpg, but capable of much much more.
The Eagles have had a patchy start to the season, beating favourites Woodville and upstart South, but losing to Centrals and Sturt. The Eagles were beaten on the buzzer last week, by Sturt’s Dexter Moore 3-ball with 2 seconds left, crushing their hopes of an overtime period.
Forestville have been held up by the work of league leading scorer Trent Fildes, averaging 22.4ppg and 9rpg, and Jake Rios with 19.5ppg. Rios didn’t play last round against the Sabres, and is in question again this week. However in his absence Neil Mottram was fed a lot of good balls, with 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
Southern will continue to dearly miss the playing time of the injured Sam Johns, and will need to find another offensive option to spread to D. The Eagles rarely drop 2 in a row, and this week is no different. Eagles by 14.
Women’s: North Adelaide Rockets (2nd 4-1) v Eastern Mavericks (9th1-4)
Jo Hill’s Rockets fought valiantly against the leagues best side, but came up short after being outrebounded for the contest. Peris being fouled out certainly didn’t help North’s cause, and their ability to rebound.
Hill has been the Rockets best again this year averaging 19ppg and 7.8rpg, whilst converting at 47%. Jamie-Lee Peris has been important to their success with 11.8ppg and 10.8rpg.
The Mavericks took out the bottom placed Lions last week, in a display that showed exactly how far off pace Centrals are. The Mavs ran away to a 34 point win, in a game that was never in doubt. The Mavs have seen contribution from Macdermot (14.2ppg 3.8rpg), league leading rebounder Hooley (13.6ppg, 13.2rpg), and Shannon Tarran (14.8ppg, 8.2rpg). Whilst Eastern have looked good in patches, they simply don’t have the depth to give most sides a challenge this year.
The Rockets should see the win here, but it won’t come easy, but they should seal the game by 20 points.
Men’s: North Adelaide Rockets (9th 2-3) v Eastern Mavericks (10th 0-5)
The Rockets are trying to rebound from a horror start to the season, now on a 2-game winning streak after downing the Flames last round, they will look consolidate against the Mavs this round. Pero is putting up the numbers we are akin to, with 13 points and 9 rebounds in 27 minutes last week, whilst rookie point Daniel Goodluck has been exceptional leading the Rockets scoring this year with 13ppg. John Wernham is still the key to a deep run this year, and his 12.8ppg and 8.4rpg an important factor to their success.
The Mavericks have fought valiantly in every game this year, not giving up until the final siren in each affair. They led the Lions by 10 points at the half last game, but couldn’t run out the final 20 minutes. Point guard Curtis Scipio has been great for the Mavs, with 19.8ppg at 51.5%, whilst Dylan Shorne has been productive with 10.5ppg and 6rpg.
The Rockets will seal up win number 3 in a row, in a game that is certainly a danger game. North by 17.
