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Game 22 – Pool D – Geelong Cats vs Canberra Nationals
Geelong began this game with energy, establishing a 6 point lead after the first quarter. Canberra stepped up their efforts in the second, matching the Cats intensity. Tad Dufelmeier from Canberra produced a team inspiring pass to level the scores at 22, before some more brilliance gave the Nationals a 4 point lead at the half. Canberra came out strong, with a full court press defence that allowed them to score 3 straight baskets and have the Geelong team looking for answers; however they were still down 3 points at the last break. Geelong began the final term well, re-capturing the lead with a couple of minutes remaining, but Canberra kept the pressure on by hitting clutch baskets, only to have the Cats respond. In a very exciting finish it was the Cats that took the win by just 2 points. Harrison Dolley led the Cats with 17 points, while Canberra’ leading scorer was Riley Habraken with 16.
Final score: Geelong 55 defeated Canberra 53
Game 23 – Pool D – Illawarra Hawks vs Rockingham Flames
Illawarra restricted Rockingham to just 5 points in the first quarter, setting up a comfortable victory. Dayne Campbell and Nicholas Bagaric were the major contributors for the Hawks, while the Flames major contributor was Kyle Beard. Illawarra’s defence was very much a major contributor in this win, with Rockingham only managing 13 points in both halves. Dayne Campbell finished with 18 points for Illawarra, while Nicholas Bagaric scored 15. For Rockingham Kyle Beard had 8 points, while Christopher Tudor and Luke Roberts scored 4 apiece.
Final score: Illawarra 56 defeated Rockingham 26
Game 24 – Pool D – Southern Tigers vs NT South
A 12 point opening term from the Tigers’ Cody Foreman gave his team a fantastic start against NT South. The Tigers led by 9 points, and continued to increase the lead in the second, as their running game seemed to be having an effect on the NT South team, who certainly never stopped trying. The Tigers stepped up another gear in the third quarter, with Foreman again a major scoring contributor. NT South managed 15 points in the last term, but they were unable to make much impact, as the Tigers made it four consecutive 20 point quarters and won the game comfortably. Cody Foreman finished with 31 points for Southern Tigers, supported by Campbell Wright with 18. For NT South Chrae Tawhai had 12 points, Lachlan Dodds-Watson with 10.
Final score: Southern Tigers 82 defeated NT South 44
Game 25 – Pool B – Knox Raiders vs Stirling Senators
The Knox Raiders produced a nearly flawless second term to run away with this game against Stirling. After an even first few minutes, the Raiders began to take control through the rebounding of Marek Toman. Stirling’s Zach Levey worked hard for his team, but they found themselves facing a very even and talented Raiders outfit, who kept the Senators scoreless in the second quarter. Knox kept the pressure on throughout the second half and all players made contributions. Jayden Hawkes led Knox with 24 points, while Marek Toman had 19. For Stirling Callum Saunders top scored with 12 points, while Zach Levey finished with 11.
Final score: Knox 88 defeated Stirling 30
Game 26 – Pool B – North West Tasmania vs Townsville Heat
Both teams began the game very well, with some wonderful efforts at the defensive end. Townsville got good production from Trent Myles and Jordie Hughes, but North West held their own to go into the first game level at 16 apiece. The Thunder got some scoring going in the second quarter, and were able to slow the Heat’s scoring, allowing just 12 points while hitting 21 to get a good lead. The roles were reversed in the third quarter with Townsville being more aggressive offensively with Jamie Hullerman having a big impact. Townsville re-took the lead at the final break, and continued to play well in the final term. In a pressure packed quarter, North West took advantage of Trent Myles fouling out late, and managed to hold on to record a 3 point win. Zeb MacKenzie led the way for North West with 15 points, while Trent Myles finished with 20 points for Townsville.
Final score: North West Tasmania 65 defeated Townsville 62
Game 27 – Pool B – Albury Cougars vs Dandenong Rangers
Both Albury and Dandenong fought out a very tough and intense battle. Both teams began the game well, with Dandenong taking the slight lead into quarter time. Albury were getting great contributions from Jacob Cincurak inside, as well as helping his team find a way through Dandenong’s defence. Rangers’ Daniel Tagi provided a scoring spark in the second term but the Cougars went into half time with a slight lead. Both teams continued to work hard in the third quarter, and scores remained even for the first four minutes, but the Rangers changed their defence and extended the pressure up the court, and Albury found themselves down by 10 points at the final break. The final term was a struggle with both teams finding scoring difficult, but Albury worked the ball inside through Cincurak to get within 3 points, but Dandenong hit some crucial baskets and were cool as ice from the line to seal victory. Top scorers for Dandenong Corey Mackie with 12 points, Lachlan McDonald and Latrell Talo 11, while Jacob Cincurak scored 26 and Nick Dempsey 10 were best for Albury.
Final score: Dandenong 62 defeated Albury 57
Game 28 – Pool C – Hills Hornets vs NT North
The Hills Hornets produced a very solid team effort to defeat NT North. Four Hornets players scored in double figures, with Ben Schacht contributing 9 points as the Hornets led at every change to record a comfortable win. NT North battled hard throughout the game, with Lionel Lai the leading scorer for his team with 12 points. Hills were paced by James Baraceros with 13 points, with Jay Green and Johann Hattingh adding 11 apiece.
Final score: Hills 79 defeated NT North 32
Game 29 – Pool C – Runaway Bay vs Keilor Thunder
Keilor opened and closed the game outscoring Runaway Bay 52 to 17, which saw them record a comfortable victory. Matthew Hosking was working hard under the basket for Runaway Bay but the transition play of Keilor was proving to be too much to handle. Marcus De Leur was a dominant player in the second term for the Thunder with 15 points for the quarter, however Runaway Bay kept at it in the third and outscored Keilor 21 to 13, however Keilor again put the game away with 21 points in the final term, allowing just 7 points for Runaway Bay. Marcus De Leur finished with 21 points for Keilor while three others each had 16. For Runaway Bay Matthew Hosking had 18 points and Oscar Presto scored 10.
Final score: Keilor 88 defeated Runaway Bay 48
Game 30 – Pool C – Wanneroo Wolves vs West Adelaide Bearcats
Wanneroo jumped out to a 6 point lead early against West Adelaide, but a quick time out saw the Bearcats settle into the contest to take a 5 point lead at quarter time. Kane Treouth from Wanneroo was providing a spark for his team while West Adelaide got good production from Ben Rennie. The Bearcats shooting was proving to be a handful for the Wanneroo defence, with the Bearcats outscoring the Wolves 19 to 10 in the third quarter. Both teams hit 9 points in the final term, but West Adelaide always seemed to have the match under control. Ben Rennie paced West Adelaide with 23 points, while Kale Somers top scored for Wanneroo with 12 points.
Final score: West Adelaide 50 defeated Wanneroo Wolves 33
Game 31 – Pool A – Sturt Sabres vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
The Sturt Sabres took control of the game early, thanks to some hard working defence, and conversion into scores, and established a 9 point lead midway through the second term. The Sabres converted 11 straight points to set up this win, with the Sea Eagles struggling to find an answer. The trend continued in the third with Manly only managing 5 points, but fought out the final quarter well keeping Sturt to 10 and scoring 9 but the result was never in any danger for the Sabres. Jem Bemford-Rice led the way for Manly with 20 points, including 12 in the 1st quarter, while Tom Savage paced Manly with 22 (16 in the first half).
Final score: Sturt 65 defeated Manly 36
Game 32 – Pool A – North Tasmania vs Bulleen Boomers
Bulleen played a solid all round game to easily account for North Tasmania. The Boomers put up 29 points in the opening quarter to North Tasmania’s 6 and continued on in the second with a 25 to 7 second term to virtually seal the result. North Tasmania to their credit gave a very good account of themselves in the second half, but Bulleen’s pressure defence and lightning quick transition play, along with superior passing under the basket was too much to handle. For Bulleen Reece McKenzie top scored with 20 points while Christian Petracca had 19. For North Tasmania Joe Chilcott had 10 points and Kai Woodfall chipped in with 8.
Final score: Bulleen 88 defeated North Tasmania 31
Game 33 – Pool A – Logan Thunder vs Diamond Valley Eagles
Both teams began this game strong on offence, with rebounding being a key factor in the teams’ scoring productivity. Both teams were level on 13 apiece at quarter time, and the trend continued in the 2nd. Both teams making the most of their opportunities at the foul line, and became even more important in the second as the defensive intensity lifted, making it difficult to find an easy basket. The Eagles managed to hold a 1 point lead at half time, and managed to edge a little further ahead, focussing on their defence. Scores remained tight right til the final few minutes, when Logan managed to re-take the lead and hold on for a close and exciting win. For Logan Ben Murray and Patrick Ross led the team with 8 points, while for Diamond Valley James Reid and Leo Viitala each had 11 points.
Final score: Logan 49 defeated Diamond Valley 43
Game 34 – Pool D – Illawarra Hawks vs Canberra Nationals
A game between two teams that are quite familiar with one another, and a very even contest. Scores were even midway through the opening term, with Canberra getting their nose in front by the end (10-7). The second quarter saw more great play from both teams, with Illawarra gaining the upper hand to lead by 2 points at the half. McGuire and Bagaric helped Illawarra maintain a slight lead throughout the 3rd quarter, as they found their way through the Canberra defence, but the Nationals were not to be outdone, hitting some big baskets to remain close. Things looked like getting better for Canberra when Illawarra lost big man Bagaric to fouls with just 3 minutes remaining, but the Hawks’ defence did a fine job against the drive and held on for the win. Nicholas Bagaric led the Hawks with 17 points, with Luke McGuire scoring 14. For Canberra Riley Habraken had 14 while Tad Dufelmeir Jnr contributed 10 points.
Final score: Illawarra 50 defeated Canberra 44
Game 35 – Pool D – NT South vs Geelong Cats
Geelong completely controlled their game against the boys from NT South, allowing just 1 free throw in the first quarter. The second saw the Cats’ defence cause several turnovers and rushed shots, but NT South stuck to their “Never give up” mantra, and managed to get a basket just prior to half time. Geelong maintained their dominance in the second half, but NT South did find some chinks in their armour, to score 12 points after half time. Geelong were led by Kirk Harris with 26 points, while Lachlan Dodds-Watson top scored for NT South with 6 points.
Final score: Geelong 128 defeated NT South 15
Game 36 – Pool D – Rockingham Flames vs Southern Tigers
In a fairly even opening it was the Tigers that took the ascendency, with a 15 to 12 lead. Cody Foreman dominated the points in the opening half, hitting 13 of the teams’ 30 points, while the Flames stayed in touch, just 6 points behind at half time. The third quarter saw the Tigers clamp down on the Flames scorers, allowing just 6 points while scoring 12 to widen the lead. Southern Tigers were able to win the final quarter but were made to work hard for every point. Cody Foreman finished with 21 points for the Tigers, while Justin Beard top scored with 9 for Rockingham.
Final score: Southern Tigers 55 defeated Rockingham 42
Photo courtesy of Kangaroo Photos
