FINALS are just around the corner in the National Basketball League (NBL1) West and Central competitions while both South and North have been put on hold due to current COVID-19 restrictions. Nonetheless, Draft Central casts an eye over the top statistical performers from each competition as the seasons edge closer to the end.

Men’s:

North:

There are a number of Ipswich representatives across all major statistical areas highlighting their dominance on the competition. Nathan Sobey leads the way with points averaging 30 per game while Mitch Creek is not far off the pace with 27 per game. Creek also tops the league for rebounds with an average of 16.50 while Matthew Hodgson has proven to be a menace off the boards with 14.66 per game. Gold Coast Rollers representative, Jason Cadee leads the way for assists with 10.50 per game while Sam Froling has showcased his star-power featuring in the top four in both rebounds and blocks with 13.80 and 2.60 respectively.

Points:

1. Nathan Sobey (Ipswich Force) 30.00
2. Mitch Creek (South West Metro Pirates) 27.00
3. Majok Deng (Cairns Marlins) 26.83
4. Isaac White (Ipswich Force) 26.42

Rebounds:

1. Mitch Creek (South West Metro Pirates) 16.50
2. Matthew Hodgson (Ipswich Force) 14.66
3. Harrison Froling (Mackay Meteors) 13.80
4. Sam Froling (Townsville Heat) 13.80

Assists:

1. Jason Cadee (Gold Coast Rollers) 10.50
2. Jeremy Kendle (Logan Thunder) 9.23
3. William McDowell-White (Red City Roar) 8.50
4. Mitch McCarron (Northside Wizards) 8.25

Blocks:

1. Sam Froling (Townsville Heat) 2.60
2. Matthew Hodgson (Ipswich Force) 2.00
3. Majok Deng (Cairns Marlins) 1.66
4. Mitch Young (Logan Thunder) 1.53

South:

Looking at leading points-scorers it is Dexter Kernich-Drew that leads the way with the Waverley Falcons talent managing 24 points a game. Ray Turner is not far off the pace producing 23.57 points a game while George Blagojevic showed his hand recording 23.42 points and 11.42 rebounds each time he steps out on court. Oliver Hayes-Brown tops the table with 13.33 rebounds while Matthew Snow is crafty with ball in hand registering 7.50 dimes a game with Lucas Barker coming in second thanks to his 6.64 assists. Deng Acouth leads the way with an average of 2.58 blocks per game. 

Points:

1. Dexter Kernich-Drew (Waverley Falcons) 24
2. Ray Turner (Bendigo Braves) 23.57
3. George Blagojevic (Geelong Supercats) 23.42
4. Sam McDaniel (Sandringham Sabres) 22.33

Rebounds:

1. Oliver Hayes-Brown (Dandenong Rangers) 13.33
2. George Blagojevic (Geelong Supercats) 11.42
3. Kuany Kuany (Sandringham Sabres) 11.41
4. Ray Turner (Bendigo Braves) 10.50

Assists:

1. Matthew Snow (Ringwood Hawks) 7.50
2. Lucas Barker (Frankston Blues) 6.64
3. Kane de Wit (Mt Gambier Pioneers) 5.84
4. Mason Bragg (NW Tasmania) 5.28

Blocks:

1. Deng Acouth (Ballarat Miners) 2.58
2. Geremy McKay (Eltham Wildcats) 2.00
3. Paul Campbell (NW Tasmania) 1.71
4. Titus Robinson (Mt Gambier Pioneers) 1.54

Central:

North Adelaide Rockets representative Jack McVeigh impressed with his 29.42 points a game while CJ Turnage is hot on his heels with an average of 24.06 for the Flames. When it comes to rebounds South Adelaide’s Alex Starling dons top spot thanks to his 13.16 a game while Joe Jackson also features with his 11.88 boards and competition high 1.94 blocks. Julian Jacobs showcased his smarts with ball in hand recording 9.07 assists a game while Sunday Dech is hot on his heels with 8.75. 

Points:

1. Jack McVeigh (North Adelaide Rockets) 29.42
2. CJ Turnage (Norwood Flames) 24.06
3. William Wise (Eastern Mavericks) 22.66
4. Alex Mudronja (South Adelaide Panthers) 22.42

Rebounds:

1. Alex Starling (South Adelaide Panthers) 13.16
2. Joe Jackson (Woodville Warriors) 11.88
3. Earnest Ross (West Adelaide Bearcats) 11.12
4. Brandon Brine (Forestville Eagles) 11.00

Assists:

1. Julian Jacobs (Woodville Warriors) 9.07
2. Sunday Dech (North Adelaide Rockets) 8.75
3. Hamish Staude (North Adelaide Rockets) 5.68
4. Nick Wurm (Southern Tigers) 5.56

Blocks:

1. Joe Jackson (Woodville Warriors) 1.94
2. Lachie Hunter (West Adelaide Bearcats) 1.64
3. Anthony Green (Norwood Flames) 1.26
4. Gregory Mays (Forestville Eagles) 1.17

West:

Lakeside Lightning have no shortage of players named in the top four with Julius Bowie coming in second for points scored with 24 just behind Eastern Suns’ Joe Cook-Green on 24.80. The Lightning’s Jarrod Prue takes the chocolates for most rebounds averaging 14.84 a game with Lee Roberts not far off the pace with 12.62. It is no surprise that Scott Machado leads the competition for assists averaging 6.81 a game while Joel Wagner has also proven to be crafty with ball in hand for the Eagles. When it comes to blocks it is Tom Jervis that sits atop the leaderboard with 2.80 to his name with Goldfields Giants’ Cooper Creek just missing the top gong with 2.57.

 Points:

1. Joe Cook-Green (Eastern Suns) 24.80
2. Julius Bowie (Lakeside Lightning) 24.00
3. Mathiang Muo (Geraldton Buccaneers) 23.05
4. Scott Machado (Mandurah Magic) 22.27

Rebounds:

1. Jarrad Prue (Lakeside Lightning) 14.84
2. Lee Roberts (East Perth Eagles) 12.62
3. Michael Vigor (Willetton Tigers) 11.20
4. Andrew Ferguson (Perry Lakes Hawks) 10.47

Assists:

1. Scott Machado (Mandurah Magic) 6.81
2. Joel Wagner (Perth Redbacks) 6.37
3. Kyle Armour (Lakeside Lightning) 5.35
4. Corban Wroe (Warwick Senators) 5.12

Blocks:

1. Tom Jervis (Rockingham Flames) 2.80
2. Cooper Creek (Goldfields Giants) 2.57
3. Jarrad Anastasio (East Perth Eagles) 1.65
4. Nicolas Pozoglou (Cockburn Cougars) 1.29

Women’s:

North:

Amanda Johnson leads the way with a competition high of 23 points a game while Cayla George has also proven to be a commanding force holding second spot both for points and rebounds with 22.37 and 16.50 respectively. Mikaela Reuf has dazzled off the boards all season with her average of 17.46 while her Logan Thunder and namesake Mikaela Cann tops the table for assists with an average of 7.61. Kathleen MacLeod has been solid for Sunshine Coast with her seven straight dimes a game while Chelsea Brook takes out the top gong for blocks with 1.64 each outing.   

Points:

1. Amanda Johnson (South West Metro Pirates) 23.00
2. Cayla George (Mackay Meteorettes) 22.37
3. Bride Kennedy-Hopoate (Red City Roar) 21.50
4. Courtney Woods (Northside Wizards) 21.16

Rebounds:

1. Mikaela Reuf (Logan Thunder) 17.46
2. Cayla George (Mackay Meteorettes) 16.50
3. Amanda Johnson (South West Metro Pirates) 14.66
4. Lara McSpadden (Rockhampton Cyclones) 13.35

Assists:

1. Mikaela Cann (Logan Thunder) 7.61
2. Kathleen MacLeod (Sunshine Coast Phoenix) 7.00
3. Rachael McCully (Sunshine Coast Phoenix) 6.58
4. Madelyn Willey (Southern Districts Spartans) 6.16

Blocks:

1. Chelsea Brook (Mackay Meteorettes) 1.64
2. Cayla George (Mackay Meteorettes) 1.37
3. Stephanie Collins (Brisbane Capitals) 1.35
4. Alice O’Driscoll (Northside Wizards) 1.00

South:

A couple of familiar names feature in the top four with Keely Froling showcasing her offensive assets averaging a league high 31.18 points along with an impressive 15.72 rebounds. Alice Kunek is only a fraction behind slotting 31 points a game while Australian Opal, Sara Blicavs averages 25.60 points a game. Eltham Wildcats’ Anneli Maley leads the way with her whopping 23.83 rebounds while Kelly Wilson takes out top spot for assists with 8.50. Tessa Lavey is another who has impressed with her 7.70 dimes while Alicia Froling has proven to be a dominant force for Ballarat Rush thanks to her 13.78 rebounds and competition high 2.00 blocks a game.

Points:

1. Keely Froling (Launceston Tornadoes) 31.18
2. Alice Kunek (Waverley Falcons) 31.00
3. Sara Blicavs (Geelong Supercats) 25.60
4. Darcee Garbin (Frankston Blues) 23.53

Rebounds:

1. Anneli Maley (Eltham Wildcats) 23.83
2. Keely Froling (Launceston Tornadoes) 15.72
3. Alicia Froling (Ballarat Rush) 13.78
4. Kelsey Griffin (Launceston Tornadoes) 13.50

Assists:

1. Kelly Wilson (Bendigo Braves) 8.50
2. Tessa Lavey (Frankston Blues) 7.70
3. Tess Madgen (Bendigo Braves) 6.57
4. Mariah Payne (Launceston Torandoes) 5.57

Blocks:

1. Alicia Froling (Ballarat Rush) 2.00
2. Lauren Scherf (Kilsyth Cobras) 1.76
3. Zitina Aokuso (Melbourne Tigers) 1.57
4. Rebecca Pizzey (Eltham Wildcats) 1.53

Central:

South Adelaide Panthers have a number of players dominating the key statistical areas with Olivia Thompson holding sway for points scored with an impressive 24.76 to her name with teammate Jordan Hunter topping the table with her 8.52 assists per game. Teige Morrell has been a shining light for the Southern Tigers producing 23.93 points along with 12 rebounds while Alex Wilson has proven to be a commanding presence with her 22.86 points and 5.53 assists. Jess Good leads the way for blocks with an average of 1.87.

Points:

1. Olivia Thompson (South Adelaide Panthers) 24.76
2. Teige Morrell (Southern Tigers) 23.93
3. Alex Wilson (Norwood Flames) 22.86
4. Samantha Simons (Forestville Eagles) 21.64

Rebounds:

1. Olivia Thompson (South Adelaide Panthers) 15.05
2. Jess Good (Noth Adelaide Rockets) 12.50
3. Teige Morrell (Southern Tigers) 12.00
4. Mollie McKendrick (Eastern Mavericks) 11.47

Assists:

1. Jordan Hunter (South Adelaide Panthers) 8.52
2. Alex Wilson (Norwood Flames) 5.53
3. Taylor Ortlepp (North Adelaide Rockets) 5.31
4. Mollie McKendrick (Eastern Mavericks) 5.05

Blocks:

1. Jess Good (North Adelaide Rockets) 1.87
2. Samantha Simons (Forestville Eagles) 1.17
3. April Rummery-Lamb (Central Districts Lions) 1.00
4. Olivia Thompson (South Adelaide Panthers) 0.94

West:

Over in the west it was Samantha Lubcke that topped the table averaging 23.80 points a game while Stacey Barr has also proven to be no slouch with her 23.70 points. Alex Sharp impressed off the boards recording 13.12 boards a game with Mary Goulding sitting second with her 12.93 rebounds. Mandurah Magic’s Casey Mihovilovich led the way with her 5.70assists with Maddison Allen paving the way with 2.64 blocks. 

 Points:

1. Samantha Lubcke (Willetton Tigers) 23.80
2. Stacey Barr (Warwick Senators) 23.70
3. Mary Goulding (East Perth Eagles) 23.18
4. Makailah Dyer (Perth Redbacks) 21.82

Rebounds:

1. Alex Sharp (Willetton Tigers) 13.12
2. Mary Goulding (East Perth Eagles) 12.93
3. Carly Boag (Mandurah Magic) 12.70
4. Maddison Allen (Perth Redbacks)

Assists:

1. Casey Mihovilovich (Mandurah Magic) 5.70
2. Taylah Burrows (Rockingham Flames) 5.38
3. Maddison Allen (Perth Redbacks) 4.94
4. Alex Sharp (Willetton Tigers) 4.75

Blocks:

1. Maddison Allen (Perth Redbacks) 2.64
2. Emma Strelein (Eastern Suns) 1.50
3. Jessie Edwards (Cockburn Cougars) 1.26
4. Ashleigh Isenbarger (Lakeside Lightning) 1.26

Photo credit: Shoot n Hoops