CROSS-CODE star Olivia Levicki put up another strong performance as the West Adelaide Bearcats claimed a 21-point win over the Forestville Eagles in the NBL1 Central Women’s over the weekend.

Coming into the clash at Port Adelaide Recreation Centre, the Bearcats were undefeated to start the season, and were firming as one of the championship favourites given their red-hot start to the 2024/25 fixture. On the other hand, the Eagles were still seeking their first win, and would have loved to get on the board against a strong side to make a statement win.

It was a gritty start to the match, with neither side able to truly get going on the offensive end, with the Bearcats holding a slim two-point buffer at quarter time. However, West Adelaide got going in the second quarter, outscoring Forestville 24-12 to hold a hefty buffer at the main change. That lead was extended out to 21 by three quarter time, and although the Eagles were better in the final frame, they could not chip into the deficit as the home side claimed a big win on Good Friday.

Levicki was an immense presence within the match, playing to her strengths and leading the team to another win with a dominant performance.

West Adelaide Bearcats (76) def. Forestville Eagles (55)

Olivia Levicki – 16 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, one steal

In another magnificent team display from the Bearcats, with all five starters hitting double-digits on the scoring front, it was Levicki who proved the standout, stamping her authority on the match with another towering performance.

It was her first half that proved defining in the context of the match, posting a double-double in the first 20 minutes of play and helping West Adelaide gain scoreboard ascendancy after a tight start to the game. Levicki was everywhere on the eve of half time, giving the opposition a headache with her inside scoring and rebounding.

She looked to get her opponent one-out with her back to the basket, which is where she does her best work and has an array of scoring moves that help her find the bottom of the net. Whether it is using her size to physically impose herself in the paint, or pulling up for a midrange jumpshot, Levicki is tough to stop when she gets going.

On the glass, the Eagles simply had no answer for Levicki, who towered over her opponents and took full advantage of a poor shooting night from Forestville. The former Port Adelaide Power gun in the AFLW accounted for 16 of her side’s 44 rebounds and did most of her damage on the defensive end, with 13 of her boards coming after an opposition miss.

It was a huge showing from Levicki, who shot 6/9 from the field en route to 16 points for the match (the most of any West Adelaide player) to go with her 16 rebounds and four assists, showing exactly why the Bearcats are positioned so strongly in the early stages of the NBL1 Central Women’s season.