IN the mid-season break, Basketball Draft Central takes a look at each National Basketball League (NBL)1 team in both the men’s and women’s competition and will analyse how they have performed to date, some of their top performers, and the run home to see if they can make finals. Today we analyse the Southern Sabres, with both sides set to finish in the bottom couple of teams with just four wins between them. They have looked to just local players this season, and while they have some standout stars and developing young talent, have not been able to always match it with the best sides.

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Men:

Position: 18th
Wins: 2
Losses: 10

Home: 1-5
Away: 1-5
Last 10: 2-8

Points For: 1001
Points Against: 1185
Percentage: 84.5
Points: 6

Summary:

It is not pretty reading for the Sabres who sit last on the NBL1 men’s table with two wins from 12 games. They were unlucky at times throughout the season so far, and shocked the competition when they knocked off the undefeated Kilsyth Cobras. The biggest issue for the Sabres is working out a best starting five and with top stars, David Barlow (23.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 0.8 steals) and Sam McDaniel (17.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.5 steals) missing so many games each (six apiece), they have been forced to dig deep into their local talent. Kingsley Box (12.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steals) and Nicholas Gabsch (9.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists) are two of only three players to play every game.

The run home:

R10: Dandenong Rangers (A)
R11: Albury Wodonga Bandits (H)
R12: Geelong Supercats (H) | Waverley Falcons (A)
R13: Frankston Blues (A)
R14: Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence (H)
R15: Diamond Valley Eagles (A) | Frankston Blues (H)

When you are on the bottom of the table, every game is a tough game, but the Sabres will be keen to hopefully pick up a few wins on the run home. Games against Albury Wodonga Bandits and Waverley Falcons seems the most likely, while Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence and Frankston Blues have also been inconsistent at times and the Sabres could pounce if the opposition is not on its game.

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Women:

Position: 17th
Wins: 2
Losses: 10

Home: 0-6
Away: 2-4
Last 10: 1-9

Points For: 811
Points Against: 985
Percentage: 82.3
Points: 6

Summary:

The Sabres are yet to win at home in season 2019, and have picked up both their wins on the road. Rachel Jarry has been the far and away star with 20.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Ella Batish (7.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists) is the only other player to start in every game. Two players who have managed more than 4.4 rebounds per game in limited time off the bench are Sherry Glennie (6.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 asssists) and dual sport Australian Rules young gun, Gabby Newton (2.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.4 steals). Tenaya Phillips (10 games from six starts) has been another solid contributor with 13.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

The run home:

R10: Dandenong Rangers (A)
R11: Albury Wodonga Bandits (H)
R12: Geelong Supercats (H) | Waverley Falcons (A)
R13: Frankston Blues (A)
R14: Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence (H)
R15: Diamond Valley Eagles (A) | Frankston Blues (H)

Much like the men’s side, when you are sitting near the bottom of the table, every game is difficult. But there are some real opportunities for the Sabres, with games against the sides directly above and below them on the ladder in Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence and Diamond Valley Eagles. Winning these games will more than likely save them from finishing bottom, while also having matches against bottom eight sides Waverley Falcons, Frankston Blues (twice) and Albury Wodonga Bandits.