ALL National Basketball League (NBL)1 competitions were firing over the weekend, with some big numbers and entertaining games taking place around Australia in the past seven days, and all states edging closer to the halfway mark of the fixture.

With all five states producing some of the best basketball in years throughout the 2024 season, there was plenty to take in, whether it was overtime encounters, huge individual outings, or dominant team performances.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will be delivering weekly updates on some of the most impressive scoring performances around the country across both the men’s and women’s competitions, with no shortage of notable showings.

In the men’s competition, Mandurah Magic star Joel Murray was again the best scorer in the nation, posting a season-high 50 points as his side got the win. He erupted for a massive offensive game, shooting 19/28 from the field and completely torching the Willetton Tigers.

Andre Wolford posted an impressive 37 points, as did Rockhampton Rockets star Xavier Ford, while Riley Abercrombie of the Illawarra Hawks and Todd Withers of the Warwick Senators each produced 35 points to round out the top five.

In the women’s competition, another 50-piece was posted, this time from all-time legend Lauren Jackson, who was an unstoppable force as her Albury-Wodonga Bandits defeated the Canberra Capitals by 48 points. Despite being 43 years of age, she delivered yet another offensive masterclass and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

Next up is ironically talented youngster Isabelle Bourne, who had 39 points as the Keilor Thunder made it past the Hobart Chargers. Also in the NBL1 South, Chloe Bibby was instrumental with 37 points, while Taya Hanson of the South West Metro Pirates, Samantha Simons of the Melbourne Tigers and Alice Kunek of the Casey Cavaliers all had 36 points.

Men’s

1) Joel Murray (Mandurah Magic) vs. Willetton Tigers – 50
=2) Andre Wolford (Bankstown Bruins) vs. Sydney Comets – 37
=2) Xavier Ford (Rockhampton Rockets) vs. Northside Wizards – 37
=3) Riley Abercrombie (Illawarra Hawks) vs. Inner West Bulls – 35
=3) Todd Withers (Warwick Senators) vs. Cockburn Cougars – 35

Women’s

1) Lauren Jackson (Albury-Wodonga Bandits) vs. Canberra Capitals – 50
2) Isabelle Bourne (Keilor Thunder) vs. Hobart Chargers – 39
3) Chloe Bibby (Ballarat Miners) vs. Melbourne Tigers – 37
=4) Taya Hanson (South West Metro Pirates) vs. Southern Districts Spartans – 37
=4) Samantha Simons (Melbourne Tigers) vs. Ballarat Miners – 37
=4) Alice Kunek (Casey Cavaliers) vs. Mt. Gambier Pioneers – 37