AFTER a fortnight off due to various State Government restrictions, the National Basketball League (NBL)1 West competition tipped off for Round 4 and some teams made their entrance into the new competition, whilst others established themselves with big wins or heavy losses.

WOMEN’S:

Mandurah Magic (50) def. by Cockburn Cougars (71)

Cockburn Cougars made it back-to-back wins to tip-off the season, taking care of Mandurah Magic by 21 points. The Cougars dominated the first half to race out to a 24-point lead, and that went out to 28 by the break, before a low-scoring 13-point final term resulted in Cockburn getting the job done 71-50. Jessie Edwards led the way for the winners with 14 points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals, as Taylah Simmons (13 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals) and Olivia Bassett-Scarfe (12 points, five rebounds) were also busy. Serika Shillingsworth was the only double-digit Magic scorer with 13 points, two rebounds and two steals, while Casey Mihovilovich finished with seven points, five assists, five steals and three rebounds.

Warwick Senators (111) def. South West Slammers (32)

Warwick Senators showed no mercy to a struggling South West Slammers, dominating every quarter on their way to a 79-point shellacking. The Senators piled on at least 25 points in every quarter, and kept the Slammers to single-digits in three of the four terms during the 111-32 victory. Stacey Barr (24 points, 10 rebounds and three assists) and Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard (24 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and six steals) top-scored with double-doubles, as Tayla Hepburn (17 points, 12 rebounds, five blocks, two assists and two steals) also racked up a double-double. Zaya Lilly Black (nine points, four rebounds and two steals) was the prominent scorer for the Slammers, while Imogen Van Iaere finished with five points and seven rebounds in the match.

Lakeside Lightning (75) def. by East Perth Eagles (80)

East Perth Eagles won a tight one on the road over Lakeside Lightning, getting up by just the five points. The Eagles led by 14 points at half-time before the home team hit back to cut the deficit over the second half. Unfortunately for Lakeside, the Lightning just fell short, going down 75-80. Mary Teresa Goulding had 26 points, seven rebounds, four steals and two assists, while Opal Mader (17 points, six rebounds) and Tahlia Fejo (14 points, seven rebounds and six steals) were also prominent. For the Lightning, Ashleigh Isenbarger was a clear standout with 21 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and four steals, while Emma Clarke (16 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals), and Mikayla Pirini (11 points, four assists and two rebounds) were also busy.

Rockingham Flames (85) def. Willetton Tigers (72)

Rockingham Flames’ dominant third quarter of 27-11 has helped kick the home team into gear for a big 13-point win over Willeton Tigers. The Flames trailed by a point at half-time, but took control in the third term, and while the Tigers managed to win the last quarter, the damage was done and Rockingham took home the win, 85-72. Jorjah Smith (20 points, five rebounds) and Tayah Burrows (19 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals) both had some prominent scores, while Christina Boag (12 points, eight rebounds and three assists) also impressed. For the Tigers, Alex Sharp shot 24 points and picked up 14 rebounds and four assists, as Samantha Lubcke (16 points, eight rebounds and two assists) and Hayley Winter (15 points, four rebounds and three assists) also shared the load.

Perth Redbacks (70) def. by Perry Lakes Hawks (74)

Making their long-awaited return into the season after byes and lockdowns, Perry Lakes Hawks got off to the perfect start with a four-point victory over Perth Redbacks. The Hawks did most of their work in the first half, racing out to a seven-point lead at half-time, with the teams fairly evenly matched in the second half, and the Redbacks cutting the final deficit back by three for a 74-70 result. Madeleine Dennis scored 22 points, 12 rebounds and three assists in a starring role, teaming up well with Megan McKay (21 points, nine rebounds, three steals and two assists), while Natalie Burton had the eight points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals. Makailah Dyer finished with 23 points, six assists and three steals for the losers, while Jessica Jakens had 19 points and 13 rebounds, and Raya Thompson the 12 points, three steals and two rebounds.

Joondalup Wolves (78) def. Eastern Suns (65)

Joondalup Wolves made it two wins on the trot in the NBL1 West, handing the Eastern Suns a defeat in the Suns’ first game for the season. The Wolves started strongly to lead by four points at quarter time, only for the visitors to turn it on in the second and race out to a commanding seven-point advantage. The Suns came out after half-time with renewed vigour to dominate the second half 48-28 and run out 13-point winners, 78-65. Kayla Steindl had a team-high 24 points and 14 rebounds, as well as two assists and two steals, whilst Neseya Parker-Williams (12 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals) and Amber Land (11 points, nine rebounds and two assists) were also among the best for the Wolves. Jewell Williams was a shooting machine for the Suns, dropping seven of 11 triples on the opposition, for 32 points, four rebounds and two assists while Courtney Mansfield was impactful across the court with 13 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals in the loss.

South West Slammers (39) def. by Rockingham Flames (80)

Rockingham Flames made it a good weekend of NBL1 action and compacted more pain onto the struggling South West Slammers with a dominant 41-point victory. The Flames kept the Slammers to single-digit points in the last three quarters, and whilst they only scored 10 themselves in the final term, had secured the win and enable heavy rotations in the process during the 80-39 win. Burrows dropped 28 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steaks in the win, with Boag (15 points, nine rebounds, three steals and two assists) and Alexandra Ciabattoni (14 points four rebounds, five assists and two steals) also outstanding. Black had another impressive outing in tough circumstances for the Slammers, putting up 11 points and six rebounds, while Karinda Farrant had 10 points, three rebounds and three steals.

MEN’S:

Joondalup Wolves (84) def. Eastern Suns (61)

Coming from three points down at half-time, the Joondalup Wolves finished on a wave of momentum to easily account for Eastern Suns in the Suns’ first match of the season. The Wolves won by 23 points, courtesy of a 50-24 second half which saw them take complete control and win 84-61. Lochlan Cummings scored 20 points – including four of nine from long-range – three assists and two rebounds in the win, while Jonathan Wade (18 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and two steals) and Sioeli Vaiangina (13 points, 10 rebounds) both picked up double-doubles. Chauatwech Reath had a team-high 14 points, while Chris Johnson (11 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and two steals) and Bang Majok (11 points, three rebounds) also hit double-figure points.

Perth Redbacks (51) def. by Perry Lakes Hawks (96)

Perry Lakes Hawks doubled their win tally with a comprehensive 45-point smashing of Perth Redbacks, handing the Redbacks their second consecutive loss to open the season. The Hawks won every quarter, including three of them by at least 12 points or move, to run out 96-51 victors in the end. Mitchell Clarke knocked down 22 points with three rebounds, while Ben Purser (14 points, 10 rebounds and three assists) and Robert Cassir (nine points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals) were also lively. Lewis Thomas had 15 points, four rebounds and three assists, and Andrew Ferguson made it a really consistent five with nine points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks. For the Redbacks, Louis Timms (15 points, six rebounds and two steals) and Joel Wagner (12 points, four rebounds and two assists) were both hard workers in defeat, while Lachlan Bertram (seven points, eight rebounds) got involved off the boards.

Mandurah Magic (88) def. Cockburn Cougars (81)

Mandurah Magic bounced back from a loss in their previous game to move to a 2-1 record and hand Cockburn Cougars their second consecutive loss in a tight seven-point encounter. Mandurah trailed by five points at quarter time and four points at half-time, but then piled on 28-19 in the third term to set up a memorable 88-81 win. Jerami Grace had a night out for the Magic with 33 points – six of nine from three-point range – six rebounds and four steals, while Xavier Garnett-Shaw had 15 point, six rebounds and two assist, and both Ben Smith (12 points, 11 rebounds) and Brian Carlwell (15 points, five rebounds) were prominent in the win. Jaarod Holmes (23 points, five rebounds and three steals) was the best for the Cougars, while Gavin Field (15 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals) and Nic Pozoglou (15 points, six rebounds, four steals and two assists) were also impressive in defeat.

Goldfields Giants (103) def. Geraldton Buccaneers (69)

In a battle of two Round 1 losers, Goldfield Giants got on the board with a comfortable 34-point win over Geraldton Buccaneers at home. The Giants won every quarter, and did their best work in the opening half, smashing their opponents in the second term in particular with a 35-13 quarter, eventually leading to an easy 103-69 victory. Deng Kuany (28 points, six rebounds and two steals) and Julian Pesava (25 points, seven rebounds and four assists) did the bulk of the damage for the Giants, while Jerome Reid chipped in with 19 points – five of eight from long-range – and three rebounds. Taine Wattie stood up for the Buccaneers with 19 points – five of eight from three-point range – and two assists, while Mathiang Muo (12 points, 13 rebounds and three assists) collected a double-double and Tomas Dobson (13 points, three rebounds and two assists) also hit double-figure points.

Warwick Senators (96) def. South West Slammers (60)

Warwick Senators turned up the heat on the South West Slammers, running away with a 36-point win. The home team won every quarter in the match, and two of the terms by 11 points, on their way to a 96-60 triumph. Caleb Davis helped himself to 20 points, four rebounds and three assists in the win, whilst Justin King (18 points, four rebounds and two assists) and Cody Ellis (15 points, six rebounds, two assists and two blocks) were also impressive for the Senators. Ngor Nai (15 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks) and Cody Hill (14 points, five rebounds and four assists) both did the majority of the scoring for the Slammers, in what was another big loss.

Lakeside Lightning (121) def. East Perth Eagles (60)

Speaking of big wins, Lakeside Lightning showed no mercy against East Perth Eagles to get on the board in season 2021, smashing the Eagles by 61 points. In front of home fans on Saturday night, the Lightning piled on 99 points in the first three quarters as the Eagles only managed the 44 in that time. The final term was a little closer, but the 121-60 result was a huge percentage booster for the Lightning. Corey Shervill (29 points, six rebounds and two assists) and Jack Isenbarger (29 points, three assists and two rebounds) combined for 15 of 20 from three-point range in a long-range shooting spectacular. Kyle Armour (19 points, eight assists) was a key playmaker for the Lightning, while Jarrad Prue only had the two points, but racked up 17 rebounds – eight offensive – along with three assists and two blocks on the night. Matt Vinci (nine points, three rebounds) and Isaac Offereins (nine points, four rebounds) were the equal top scorers for the losers.

Rockingham Flames (65) def. Willetton Tigers (83)

Willetton Tigers survived a mini fightback by Rockingham Flames to secure an 18-point win on the road in a battle of two undefeated 2-0 sides. The Tigers raced out to a 50-27 lead at half-time, though the Flames cut the deficit to six by the next change, only for Willetton to stand up under pressure and win the final term 14-12 and secure the 83-65 victory. Damien Scott (25 points, five steals, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks) did a bit of everything on court, while Michael Vigor picked up a double-double through 24 points and 12 rebounds. Andrew Black (11 points, six rebounds and three assists) was also prominent for the Tigers. Brendan Redhead (17 points, three rebounds) was the chief scorer for the Tigers, as Cirkook Makuac Riak (12 points, nine rebounds and two assists) and Travis Dumin (11 points, nine rebounds) also had a say off the boards in the game.

South West Slammers (52) def. by Rockingham Flames (91)

Coming off a defeat the night before, Rockingham Flames set the Eaton Rec Centre alight with a dominant 91-52 victory on the road against South West Slammers. The home team was no match for the red-hot Flames, as Rockingham won every quarter, including a 46-21 second half to run away with the 39-point win and sentence the Slammers to their fifth straight loss. Makuac Riak had 20 points, 11 rebounds and two assists, while Dumin (17 points, eight rebounds) and Callum Beard (11 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals) were also prominent. Hill (18 points, two rebounds) and Rhys Barrett (10 points, two rebounds and two assists) hit double-figure points, as Mitchell Keller proved a menace off the boards with 13 rebounds to go with six points and two assists for the Slammers.

Picture credit: Eric Paul Goldie