THE even state of the National Basketball League (NBL)1 Women’s competition was evident on the weekend, with no side collecting two wins across the first weekend of action. While eight sides remain undefeated from their one match, of the five sides that played at least two games, no team was able to capitalise on multiple occasions.

Kilsyth Cobras, Nunawading Spectres, Waverley Falcons and Southern Sabres all finished the weekend with one win and one loss, while Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence had a challenging start to their debut season in the competition with the young stars of tomorrow suffering three losses.

The highest score of the weekend went to Nunawading Spectres who knocked off Ballarat Rush by 21 points. Rachel Antoniadou was the top scorer in the Spectres’ victory, posting up 25 points as well as seven assists and five rebounds, running at 100 per cent from the free throw line. She was less efficient from three-point range, landing just one of eight attempts. Kathleen Scheer scored 20 points, while having 11 rebounds – 10 of which were up the defensive end. Chelsea D’Angelo impressed in her return after playing for Melbourne Boomers in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), posting up 11 points, two assists and three rebounds. For the Rush, Olivia Hackman scored 13 points and three rebounds, while Hsi-le Bao had a team-high 19 points and eight rebounds.

It made Geelong Supercats’ victory over the Spectres all the more impressive, running out nine-point winners at home. Ezi Magbegor scored 20 points and seven rebounds in an electrifying game, while Zitina Aokuso finished with 12 points and nine rebounds. In the loss, Antoniadou was again the top scorer with 13 points, as well as three assists and three rebounds, while Scheer had nine rebounds from eight points, and D’Angelo finished with seven rebounds from 11 points but was not as efficient on the scoring front with just four successful shots from 16 attempts.

Hobart Huskies became the first team to win on Tasmanian soil this year after coming back from a seven-point quarter time deficit to take control and run out eight-point winners over Southern Sabres. Cayla George was phenomenal as one of the players of the round, scoring 24 points and racking up 18 rebounds – 14 off the defensive board – while Tayla Roberts finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds, as well as three assists. Kylie McAuley also registered 12 points, while Ellie Collins managed the 10 as well as six rebounds. For the Southern Sabres, Rachel Jarry was the clear dominant player on the court with 30 points and 12 rebounds. Samara Hill was also handy in the match with 13 points and four rebounds.

Despite the initial loss, Southern Sabres bounced back to win by six points against the other Tasmanian side, Launceston Tornadoes. Jarry was again remarkable with 23 points – albeit with a 33 per cent field goal percentage but made all 11 shots at the line – while picking up 10 defensive rebounds. Cassandra Hill had 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists in the win, while Amelia Todhunter registered 11 points and five rebounds. For the Tornadoes, Brittany Hodges had 12 points and a massive 20 rebounds, while Rebecca Abel and Stella Beck combined for 22 points, eight assists and 16 rebounds.

Meanwhile Knox Raiders had a terrific win over Kilsyth Cobras, thanks to a 26-15 second term. Bec Ott scored 20 points and had six rebounds and five assists in the win, while Marena Whittle recorded nine defensive rebounds to go with her 15 points. Lucy Dawson sunk 13 points as well as six rebounds, while Abbey Wehrung also reached double figures with 12 points and had a game-high six assists. For the Cobras, Lauren Nicholson showed all of her WNBL experience with 22 points, while Emily Fryters and Klara Wischer shared in 24 points and 18 rebounds.

In other results, the Cobras, Ringwood Hawks and Dandenong Ranges all recorded wins over the Basketball Centre of Excellence, Waverley Falcons split results by defeating Frankston before falling to Albury Wodonga Bandits, and Eltham Wildcats spoiled the party for Diamond Valley Eagles.

Round 1 results:

Geelong Supercats 63 defeated Nunawading Spectres 54
Dandenong Ranges 74 defeated Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence 49
Hobart Huskies 76 defeated Southern Sabres 68
Nunawading Spectres 89 defeated Ballarat Rush 68
Frankston Blues 62 defeated by Waverley Falcons 74
Diamond Valley Eagles 78 defeated by Eltham Wildcats 82
Ringwood Hawks 83 defeated Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence 72
Knox Raiders 86 defated Kilsyth Cobras 79
Launceston Tornadoes 64 defeated by Southern Sabres 70
Kilsyth Cobras 76 defeated Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence 56
Waverley Falcons 58 defeated by Albury Wodonga Bandits 64
Melbourne Tigers 65 defeated by Bendigo Braves 78