ANOTHER weekend has passed, and another round of the National Basketball League (NBL)1 South competition has wrapped as well, after another exciting crop of games.

Although taking place over the span of a whopping five days, there was no slowing down for Victoria and Tasmania’s premier basketball competition, with some of the biggest names firing on all cylinders across the two states.

Starting on Tuesday and concluding on Sunday, there were a whopping 26 games taking place throughout Round 5 of the 2024 season, continuing the trend of maximum action for basketball fans.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will be taking a look at the standout performances from both divisions, after some big numbers were posted over the weekend. This time, Adrian Tomada and Steph Reid were the stars of the show with some impressive outings resulting in a win for their respective sides.

Adrian Tomada (Kilsyth Cobras) vs. Geelong United

29 points, five rebounds, seven assists, one steal

It may have been a grind at times, but Tomada was successful in steering his side to a 14-point win over Geelong United at Kilsyth Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon in one of the last games of Round 5 in the Men’s division.

The win was ultimately set up by a 28-14 first quarter in Kilsyth’s favour, with that period defining the match and proving to be a game-winning term. United looked much more improved throughout the rest of the match, but the damage was already done as the Cobras secured an 83-69 victory.

Tomada was the standout for the Cobras with a strong showing in several key areas of the game, but particularly on the scoring front, where he was the most productive of any player in the match.

The point guard poured in a game-high 29 points on 8/12 shooting from the field, maintaining his good form from throughout the 2024 season.

He was extremely aggressive from the get-go, with his first highlight coming in the form of an and-one lay-up after receiving the pass while cutting to the hoop.

Tomada was also as dangerous as anyone from behind the three-point line, seeking the switch on pick and rolls and knocking down triples off the dribble. From long range, he nailed five shots on eight attempts in a sharpshooting display.

He was also at his creative best as a playmaker, finding space where there seemingly was none and putting his teammates in scoring positions with seven assists.

It was another strong showing from Kilsyth’s point guard, with Tomada proving too much for the defence to handle.

Steph Reid (Frankston Blues) vs. Hobart Chargers

42 points, four rebounds, three assists, four steals

As mentioned above, it was the big names that were pouring in the massive performances, and Reid’s terrific scoring showing was the perfect example of that.

The game was essentially over at quarter time after the Blues stormed out of the gates at South East Stadium on Friday night. Frankston held a whopping 26-9 lead at the first change, and despite their best efforts, the Chargers simply could not do enough damage to that deficit and ended up falling by 16 points at home.

The star guard was at her scintillating best in the 72-56 win, accounting for over half of her team’s score and showing exactly what she is capable of if the defence does not pay enough attention to her for all four quarters.

Making nearly every post a winner, Reid shot an efficient 16/24 from the field, and was seeing the basket as well as anyone. She had no troubles getting to her her spots from both two-point territory (11/15 2PT) and three-point land (5/9 3PT), and despite the defence’s best efforts, was unstoppable for much of the match.

17 of her points came in the defining opening period, helping set up the win for the Blues, and showing why she is one of the stars of the game.