HOW good has the newest National Basketball League (NBL)1 competition been in its first few weeks? The East league has enjoyed a terrific start to its maiden season, with two cracking rounds of action producing a high-quality level of play. There have been a number of sides that have managed to get off to a ripping start, with the goal of the first ever NBL1 East championship driving the best players and teams. Round 3 will see another batch of games take place around New South Wales, and there are plenty of exciting matchups on the cards.

Some of the competition’s fast starters are set to lock horns over the weekend, while those who have stalled to start the season will be given the opportunity to get on the board. One of the biggest matches of the round will take place in the women’s division, with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles heading to Sutherland Basketball Stadium to take on the Sutherland Sharks on Saturday evening. Both sides have started the season undefeated, setting up a blockbuster clash, with the winner likely to finish the round in the top two of the standings.

Sutherland Sharks vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Saturday, April 23 @ 5pm
Sutherland Basketball Stadium

Arguably the most anticipated clash of the round will see two of the competition’s unbeaten sides go head to head, with the victorious side set to claim the title as one of the clear contenders for the 2022 championship. The two squads have started the season in ripping form, producing some high-scoring performances that have proven too much for their respective opponents. There is no doubt fans at Sutherland Basketball Stadium will be treated to a tense affair, with no real favourite heading in, so the game could go either way.

The Sharks have started the season in ideal fashion, with two wins coming from two outings to start season 2022. They dominated the Illawarra Hawks in Round 1, claiming a whopping 23-point triumph to start their maiden campaign in the NBL1 East competition. It was followed up in Round 2 with a tense 10-point win over the Canberra Nationals, and while the game was a little too close for comfort, the Sharks were able to get the job done. Keep an eye on Vanessa Panousis, who is fresh off a 28-point, eight-rebound effort in the win over the Nationals, and should be involved once again.

The Sea Eagles have been the benchmark to start the season, with two big wins resulting in a spot at the top of the table after two weeks of action. They kicked off their campaign with a 20-point triumph over the Central Coast Crusaders, dominating the match with their impressive two-way work and ability to score the ball with ease. A 28-point drubbing of the Hills Hornets came the following week, as Manly Warringah stormed to the top of the standings. They face their toughest opponent yet, but if they can produce more of what we have seen, the Sea Eagles will be seriously tough to stop. Kimberly Hodge was terrific in the big win over the Hornets, so she should get plenty of scoring opportunites again here.

Across the courts

After a week off, both the men’s and women’s competition return over the weekend, with plenty of basketball set to take place. Check out the fixture below.

Men’s

Saturday

Central Coast Crusaders vs Albury-Wodonga Bandits, 4pm, Breakers Indoor Sports Stadium
Norths Bears vs Maitland Mustangs, 7pm, North Sydney Indoor Sports Centre
Sutherland Sharks vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, 7pm, Sutherland Basketball Stadium
Hills Hornets vs Newcastle Falcons, 7:30pm, Hills Basketball Stadium
Illawarra Hawks vs Inner West Bulls, 7:30pm, The Snakepit Stadium

Sunday

Hills Hornets vs Albury-Wodonga Bandits, 2pm, Hills Basketball Stadium
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles vs Inner West Bulls, 2pm, Northern Beaches Indoor Sports Centre

Women’s

Saturday

Norths Bears vs Maitland Mustangs, 5pm, North Sydney Indoor Sports Centre
Hills Hornets vs Newcastle Falcons, 5:30pm, Hills Basketball Stadium
Illawarra Hawks vs Inner West Bulls, 5:30pm, The Snakepit Stadium
Central Coast Crusaders vs Albury-Wodonga Bandits, 6pm, Breakers Indoor Sports Stadium

Sunday

Hills Hornets vs Albury-Wodonga Bandits, 12pm, Hills Basketball Stadium
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles vs Inner West Bulls, 12pm, Northern Beaches Indoor Sports Centre