THE National Basketball League (NBL)1 is firing around the country, with a competition based in almost all states of Australia, as the nation’s basketball factory continues to grow. New South Wales has welcomed the NBL1 East competition in 2022, as some of the best male and female basketball talents are showcased on a weekly basis, and that trend is set to continue on the weekend.

The competition is set to host Round number six over the next couple of days, and there are some big matchups on the cards. In the women’s competition, there are quite a few big games on the cards, including one between two top-four teams. The unbeaten Sutherland Sharks are set to travel to Newcastle Basketball Stadium to take on the Newcastle Falcons on Saturday evening. Both sides have done an excellent job in their respective starts to the 2022 season, and the game will likely have a fair effect on the standings moving forward. It is likely the most anticipated game of the round and is shaping to be an extremely entertaining contest.

Newcastle Falcons vs Sutherland Sharks
Saturday, May 13 @5pm
Newcastle Basketball Stadium

The Falcons have been one of the stronger starting sides in the competition to start the year, with four wins and one loss good enough for fourth spot on the ladder. Despite a hiccup against the Hills Hornets a few weeks ago, they have not put a foot wrong, with wins coming from margins big and small. At their best, the Falcons can easily produce a winning score while restricting the opposition on the other end of the court. However, the Sharks provide the toughest task they have seen all year, so Newcastle will need to up its game if it is to hand the opposition its first loss of the year. Kate Kingham was excellent with 25 points last weekend, so expect her to be amongst it again on Saturday.

The Sutherland Sharks have been the team to beat to start season 2022, and no team has been able to do so thus far. They have a record of four wins and zero losses, making them one of two unbeaten sides along with the Norths Bears. Sutherland sits atop the standings after five rounds, and looks the best team in the competition at the moment. They will be coming up against a hungry and deterimend Falcons side, but will still be favoured given how good their game has been of late. However, they may be a bit underdone given last week saw no games for the Sharks, but they were dominant the week before against the Bulls, with Lauren Nicholson leading her side to a 34-point triumph, so if they can replicate that, it may be all over for the oppostition.

Across the courts

Round 6 will see six games take place in total, as the best New South Wales has to offer hits the court in what should be an exciting weekend from a basketball perspective.

Central Coast Crusaders vs Maitland Mustangs, Saturday @4pm, Breakers Indoor Sports Stadium
Canberra Nationals vs Albury-Wodonga Bandits, Saturday @4pm, Southern Cross Basketball Stadium, Tuggeranong
Inner West Bulls vs Norths Bears, Saturday @5pm, Els Hall Park
Illawarra Hawks vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, Saturday @5:30pm, The Snakepit Stadium
Central Coast Crusaders vs Sutherland Sharks, Sunday @1pm, Breakers Indoor Sports Stadium