FRANKSTON Blues stand as the only undefeated side in the competition after Knox Raiders suffered a narrow defeat, and the Blues fought back to win their clash with Geelong Supercats in a blockbuster National Basketball League (NBL)1 South women’s Round 6 of action.

Geelong Supercats (75) def. by Frankston Blues (80)

The rampaging Frankston Blues started off their Round 6 of action in style with a hard-fought five-point win over Geelong Supercats. The confidence-boosting win showed the Blues could get their hands dirty, fighting back from an 11-point deficit at quarter time, to almost completely erase that by the half, and then finish the stronger of the teams to win, 80-75. Darcee Garbin shot 24 points and racked up 14 rebounds in a massive double-double effort, while Tessa Lavey (19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists), Taylah Giliam (18 points, three assists and two rebounds) and Ella Batish (11 points, three rebounds and two assists) all went to work for the winners. The Supercats had a quartet of talents running around on court, with Sarah Elsworthy (19 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals) leading the way, Antoinette Emma-Nnopu (18 points, 10 rebounds) picking up a double-double, and both Stephanie Blicavs (14 points, seven rebounds and six assists) and Alex Duck (10 points, seven rebounds and four assists) getting busy.

Nunawading Spectres (81) def. Knox Raiders (78)

A frantic finish where free-throws decided the contest, Nunawading Spectres held on against a brave Knox Raiders outfit to win by three points at home. Leading by five points at half-time, the Spectres were challenged in the second half as the Raiders cut the deficit to just one at the final break before Nunawading held firm in the last to win the term and secure the 81-78 victory against the previously undefeated side. Penina Davidson (20 points, 12 rebounds and four assists) and Rachel Brewster (20 points, seven rebounds and two assists) both top-scored for the Spectres, while Izzy Wright (18 points, six assists, four steals and three rebounds) and Louise Brown (10 points, seven rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks) also impressed. The Raiders had a two-player shooting spree between Klara Wischer (25 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two assists) and Leah Santomaggio (25 points, three rebounds and two steals) in defeat.

Diamond Valley Eagles (52) def. by Kilsyth Cobras (104)

There was no mercy shown to the home team as a visiting Kilsyth Cobras doubled Diamond Valley Eagles’ score in their clash. The Cobras won by 52 points, and won each quarter by at least 12, including a 35-17 second term, and defensive shutdown of 17-4 in the last quarter on their way to a 104-52 win. Lauren Nicholson returned to NBL1 action as one would expect with the experienced WNBL player putting up 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists against the winless Eagles. Lauren Scherf (18 points, 13 rebounds and three assists), Carly Turner (12 points, seven rebounds and three assists) and Abigail Curtin (10 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals) also produced big numbers for the winners. Olivia Bontempelli was again the standalone source of scoring for the Eagles, recording 17 points, four rebounds and two assists, while Ivana Vasiljevic was the next best with 10 points.

Dandenong Rangers (93) def. Hobart Chargers (72)

Delivering Hobart Chargers yet another loss, Dandenong Rangers fought back from a half-time deficit of 11 points to completely shut out the Chargers’ offence on their way to a 21-point triumph. The Rangers restricted the Chargers to just 15 points in the second half, 10 less than their second term and 17 less than their first quarter, whilst piled on 47 points themselves to run away with the 93-72 win. Emilee Harmon (26 points, seven rebounds) and Dallas Loughridge (25 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals) combined for 51 points, while Sherry Glennie (15 points, four steals and three rebounds) was also lively in the win. For the Chargers, Ellie Collins dropped 31 points, eight rebounds and six assists as the clear best in a losing side, supported well by Kylie McCauley (17 points, six rebounds and two assists) and Sharna Thompson (16 points, seven rebounds and two assists).

Eltham Wildcats (88) def. by Launceston Tornadoes (92)

Stunning an unbeaten team on the road, Launceston Tornadoes showed they mean business in the NBL1 season, winning 92-88 against Eltham Wildcats to hand the Wildcats their second loss of the season. The Tornadoes did not have it all their own way, but after being level at the final break, managed to secure the win with the 23-19 final term. Kelsey Griffin showed all of her experience for the Tornadoes with 28 points, 15 rebounds and two steals, while Mariah Payne (22 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals), Teyla Evans (18 points, five rebounds) and Micah Simpson (10 points, six assists and two rebounds) also stood up. Anneli Maley dropped an enormous 36 points and 25 rebounds – 17 defensive – on the Tornadoes in a bid to get her team over the line, also picking up four assists in the process. Rebecca Pizzey (11 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals) and Erin Riley (10 points, four rebounds and two assists) were other prominent Wildcats in the loss.

Ringwood Hawks (88) def. Albury-Wodonga Bandits (68)

Ringwood Hawks handed Albury-Wodonga Bandits another loss, winning all four quarters on their way to a comfortable 20-point win. The Hawks won each quarter by five, four, five and six points to always have that breathing space between themselves and their opponents in order to post the 88-68 win. Funda Nakkasoglu (22 points, nine rebounds and four assists) lead the way for the Hawks, while Marena Whittle (19 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks) picked up a double-double and Hope Terdich (12 points, eight rebounds) also stood up in the win. Emma Mahady (21 points, seven rebounds and two steals) was the dominant scorer for the Bandits, while Geralynn Leaupepe (15 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two assists) and Geraldynn Leaupepe (13 points, seven rebounds and two steals) teamed up to be double-trouble for the Hawks despite the loss.

Mt Gambier Pioneers (60) def. Ballarat Rush (48)

In a battle between two teams playing their only match of the round, Mt Gambier Pioneers picked up the victory at home over Ballarat Rush by 12 points. In a low-scoring encounter, the half-time lead of 17 points was all it took for the Pioneers, as the Rush could not claw their way back despite a strong final term of 17-13, losing 48-60. Jasmin Howe (28 points, nine rebounds, three steals and two assists) was the dominant player for the winners, knocking down six of 10 from long-range. Sherrie Calleia (14 points, eight rebounds and six assists) also looked impressive, whilst Hannah Young was next best with only the five points, but eight rebounds and three assists. For the Rush, Kristy Rinaldi was the only double-digit scorer with 11 points, recording six rebounds and three assists, while both Alicia Froling (eight points, 20 rebounds and two blocks) and Kasey Burton (six points, 14 rebounds, two assists and two steals) might have had forgettable shooting nights, but were enormous off the boards.

Kilsyth Cobras (60) def. by Launceston Tornadoes (87)

Backing up their massive win on the road against Eltham Wildcats, the Launceston Tornadoes made it two from two in Round 6, toppling Kilsyth Cobras by 27 points in a convincing four-quarter win. The Tornadoes won every quarter, with the first term 25-12 making the difference during the 87-60 triumph. Griffin added another double-double to her name with 24 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and three steals, but this time she shared the load with Keely Froling who returned to produce a casual 25 points and 16 rebounds, as well as two assists and two steals. Payne (17 points, six rebounds and four assists) and Evans (10 points, six rebounds and two assists) also produced good numbers. Nicholson tried hard for the Cobras across all 40 minutes, recording 18 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals, while Scherf had a double-double of 13 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals, and Turner finished with 10 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals in the loss.

Waverley Falcons (63) def. by Bendigo Braves (84)

Grabbing a big win on the road, Bendigo Braves showed just how impressive they could be, downing the Waverley Falcons by 21 points in the team’s only games of the weekend. The Braves took control in the second term with a 29-13 quarter after an even first term, and that set the visitors up for the 84-63 win. Kate Oliver (27 points, eight rebounds and three assists) and Tess Madgen (22 points, 11 rebounds and six assists) both lit up the court with their shooting, while Abigail Wehrung (eight points, seven rebounds and five assists) was busy for the Braves. In defeat, Renae Mokrzycki had 14 points, eight rebounds and two assists, while Kelly Bowen (seven points, eight rebounds and two steals) and Nyakoang Lok (eight points, six rebounds and two assists) were both prominent off the boards.

Melbourne Tigers (89) def. Nunawading Spectres (66)

Melbourne Tigers grabbed an impressive 23-point win over Nunawading Spectres on Sunday to close out a mixed weekend for the Spectres. After grabbing the tight win against Knox Raiders, the Spectres were not able to stay with the Tigers in the final quarter, tiring out and the fresh team dominated to win the term by 19 points, and the match, 89-66. Monique Conti feasted with an almost triple-double of 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in every minute on court. Also not taking a trip to the bench was fellow WNBL talent Zitina Aokuso (18 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks), while Geraldine McCorkell (15 points, six rebounds) and Isabella Brancatisano (five points, 11 rebounds and seven assists) impacted in different ways for the winners. Wright top-scored for the Spectres with 19 points, seven rebounds, three assist and three steals, while Rachel Antoniadou (15 points, three rebounds and three assists) and Davidson (14 points, six rebounds, three steals and two assists) were also prominent scorers on the day.

Frankston Blues (90) def. Albury-Wodonga Bandits (67)

Frankston’s dominant unbeaten season rolled out with a 23-point triumph over Albury-Wodonga Bandits. A strong start had the home team 10 points up at the first break, and the 13-point differential in the third term (20-7) really drilled home the point during the 90-67 victory. Garbin shot another 19 points including five of nine from long-range, also recording 10 rebounds and two assists in the process. Giliam (17 points, four rebounds and two assists), Saraid Taylor (15 points, five rebounds and three assists) and Lavey (10 points, six assists and five rebounds) were also prominent in the win. It was no surprise to see Mahady (22 points, five assists, two rebounds and two steals) again the best for the Bandits, while both Jade McCowan (14 points, six rebounds) and Charlotte Beavan (10 points, four rebounds) shared around the points in the loss.

Sandringham Sabres (81) def. Hobart Chargers (49)

Hobart Chargers were no match for Sandringham Sabres as the visitors lost their second game of the weekend on Sunday, going down to the Sabres by 32 points at the southern Basketball Stadium. Whilst the final term was even, the damage was done in the first 30 minutes, as the home side piled on a 32-point lead, keeping the Chargers to 12 points or less in each of those terms during the 81-49 victory. Jenna O’Hea (21 points, six rebounds and three assists) was the top-scorer in the win, while Amy O’Neill (17 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and three steals) and Cassandra Hill (15 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals) were also lively. For the Chargers, Thompson (12 points, five rebounds), McCauley (12 points, six rebounds and two assists) and Collins (11 points, eight rebounds and two steals) were again the double-digit scorers.

Picture credit: NBL1