THE first round of NBL1 action tips off tonight with three games across Friday night, including a season opener in Hobart. The Huskies host the Southern Sabres, while across the ditch, Dandenong Rangers host the future stars of the Boomers and Opals in the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence, while one of the favourites, Geelong Supercats host Nunawading Spectres. On Saturday, six sides face off with the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence travelling up Eastlink to face Ringwood Hawks, while Nunawading Spectres are back at home against Ballarat Miners and Rush. Southern Sabres will make a weekend of it in the Apple Isle when they face Launceston and North West Tasmania. On Sunday, the Basketball Centre of Excellence make it three consecutive games when they face fellow eastern suburbs side Kilsyth Cobras, while Waverley Falcons host Albury Wondonga Bandits in the Bandits’ first game of the round, much like Bendigo Braves and Melbourne Tigers who clash in their respective first games.
Hobart comes in as the reigning champions from the South Eastern Australian Basketball League (SEABL) Men’s competition after finishing third in the regular season. Nunawading Spectres and Kilsyth Cobras were other strong sides throughout last year’s competition, while Bendigo Braves hold the most conference championship wins with seven across the years, while Geelong Supercats have been crowned National Champions four times. With each side holding either past, present or future National Basketball League talent, the second tier in Australian basketball is about to become an ultra-exciting competition with plenty on the line for the 18 sides across South East Australia.
NBL1 Round 1 fixtures:
Friday, March 29:
Dandenong Rangers vs. Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence
Geelong Supercats vs. Nunawading Spectres
Hobart Huskies vs. Southern Sabres
Saturday, March 30:
Diamond Valley Eagles vs. Eltham Wildcats
Frankston Blues vs. Waverley Falcons
Knox Raiders vs. Kilsyth Cobras
Nunawading Spectres vs. Ballarat Miners / Rush
Launceston / NW Tasmania vs. Southern Sabres
Ringwood Hawks vs. Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence
Sunday, March 31:
Kilsyth Cobras vs. Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence
Melbourne Tigers vs. Bendigo Braves
Waverley Falcons vs. Albury Wodonga Bandits
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