Game 37 – Pool C – Hills Hornets vs Keilor Thunder
A slow start from Hills saw Keilor begin the game shooting well from range. The Thunder executed their game very well to establish a 7 point lead at the first break. An early key play off the bench from Fernandes began a strong second quarter from Keilor, but Hills quickly responded by pushing the ball down the floor and getting early shots. Keilor stepped up their defence and restricted the Hornets’ production, allowing just 10 points in the term. The trend continued in the 3rd as Keilor kept applying the pressure, not allowing easy looks for the Hornets. Despite Hills outscoring Keilor in the final quarter the Thunder went on to win the game comfortably. Marcus De Leur led Keilor with 15 points, while Ben Simmons had 14. For Hills Ben Schacht top scored with 17 points.
Final score: Keilor 65 defeated Hills 43
Game 38 – Pool C – NT North vs West Adelaide Bearcats
West Adelaide opened the game well scoring the opening basket, and went on to lead by 7 at quarter time. In a low scoring game NT North managed to remain close, just 6 points behind at half time. The Bearcats took control of the game in the 3rd quarter outscoring the NT side 17 to 5, which ultimately proved too much to peg back. West Adelaide had 3 players all with 9 points, while for NT North Michael Hagan scored 10 points, and Lionel Lai had 9.
Final score: West Adelaide 50 defeated NT North 34
Game 39 – Pool C – Runaway Bay vs Wanneroo Wolves
Runaway Bay got off to a good start with the opening score. Both teams displayed very good defensive play, Wanneroo holding a 2 point advantage at quarter time. Both teams worked very hard in the second term but it was the Wolves that kept their advantage at half time. The game opened up in the 3rd quarter with Wanneroo holding the Runaway Bay side to just 4 points and looked to be in control, but Runaway Bay fought back in the final term, but were unable to pull back the deficit with Wanneroo taking the game by 8 points. Kale Somers led Wanneroo with 10 points, while Runaway Bay were paced by Matthew Hosking with 20 points and Marcus Holmquist-Pollock with 9.
Final score: Wanneroo 44 defeated Runaway Bay 36
Game 40 – Pool A – Bulleen Boomers vs Sturt Sabres
On the back of a 21 to 4 opening quarter, Bulleen set up a comfortable victory against Sturt. The Boomers’ Christian Petracca was the major factor, scoring 18 points in the opening half, and despite not scoring after half time his team mate Reece McKenzie kept the Boomers going with 16 in the second half to help them record a 30 + point win. The Sabres battled hard and kept pace with the Boomers in the 2nd quarter, with a number of players putting their body on the line. Bulleen’s Christian Petracca and Reece McKenzie finished with 18 points apiece while for the Sabres Spencer Womersley was their leader with 13.
Final score: Bulleen 72 defeated Sturt 40
Game 41 – Pool A – Logan Thunder vs North Tasmania
Both teams played out a tightly contested first half, with North Tasmania taking a 2 point break at the end of the second quarter. Tim Jones and Joe Chilcott took over the game for North Tasmania, with a combined 19 points out of the teams’ 33 to win the game by 12 points, despite a 13 point second half from Logan’s Ben Murray. Leading scorers for North Tasmania Joe Chilcott with 20 points, Tim Jones with 17. For Logan Ben Murray had 17 and Mitch Brackenbury with 11.
Final score: North Tasmania 64 defeated Logan 52
Game 42 – Pool A – Manly Warringah Sea Eagles vs Diamond Valley Eagles
Diamond Valley rebounded strongly to yesterdays’ loss by defeating Manly Warringah a comfortably this morning. Diamond Valley got out of the blocks early with a 24 to 2 opening term which basically set the margin for the game. The Eagles held a 30 point break at one stage in the game but Manly did not give anything easy, locking up on defence and making the scoring more difficult in the second half. For Diamond Valley James Reid led the scoring with 14 points, Nick MacKay with 13. For Manly Warringah Tom Savage led the way with 11 points while Charlie Atkins chipped in with 9.
Final score: Diamond Valley 60 defeated Manly Warringah 35
Game 43 – Pool B – Townsville Heat vs Knox Raiders
Both teams began the game well, with Townsville taking the game right up to the Raiders, a highlight being 9 points from Trent Myles. Knox led after the opening term by 5, but then held Townsville scoreless in the opening few minutes of the second quarter with tenacious defence, and quick transition. The Raiders won the term 22 to 2, which gave them a healthy buffer that Townsville were unable to recover. The onslaught continued in the third with the Raiders continuing to score heavily and keeping their opponents under 10 points. The final quarter saw Townsville compete hard and score 11 points however the result was well in the Raiders’ favour. Knox leading scorers Jayden Hawkes 13 points, Liam Wale-Buxton 13, while for Townsville Trent Myles top scored with 14 points.
Final score: Knox 85 defeated Townsville 32
Game 44 – Pool D – Canberra Nationals vs Team Southern Tigers
Both teams began this game with a fast paced tempo, Canberra shooting slightly better to take a 7 point lead. Riley Habraken sparked the Nationals with 6 quick points at the start of the second quarter to increase the margin. Canberra kept the Tigers to just 4 points in the second quarter to hold a 45 – 22 advantage. Canberra again jumped the Tigers at the start of the 3rd quarter, but managed to re-group, but another burst from Habraken saw Canberra lead by 25 points going into the last term, and from there the result was safely in their keeping. For Canberra Riley Habraken finished with 23 points, while Cody Foreman had 15 and Brett Turner 12 for Southern Tigers.
Final score: Canberra 79 defeated Southern Tigers 43
Game 45 – Pool D – NT South vs Rockingham Flames
Rockingham began the game strong, NT South unable to score in the opening term. Things turned around quickly in the second, with NT South getting some good production from Edward Smallwood but Rockingham managed to score 23 points to maintain their advantage. Both teams battled hard in the third with NT South managing to double the score of Rockingham in the quarter; however the bigger Flames lineup eventually put the result beyond doubt in the final term. Ruot Pal was best for Rockingham with 12 points and Trad McCarthy 10, while for NT South Edward Smallwood finished with 15 points and Lachlan Dodds-Watson 11.
Final score: Rockingham 59 defeated NT South 43
Game 46 – Pool D – Illawarra Hawks vs Geelong Cats
A tightly contested opening term, with scoring difficult for both teams. Geelong managed to lead by a point, but increased their advantage at the half through Harrison Dolley to lead by 6 at the main break. Illawarra was working overtime at the defensive end, but still could not contain the Cats’ scoring, which saw them lead by 13 points at the final change. Geelong finished the game with an 18 point quarter punctuated with a 3 pointer to Harrison Dolley to win the game by 18. Harrison Dolley finished with 23 points for Geelong, and George Blagojevic 14 while Nicholas Bagaric paced Illawarra with 19 points.
Final score: Geelong 63 defeated Illawarra 45
Game 47 – Pool B – Dandenong Rangers vs North West Tasmania
In a tough opening term the Rangers got out to a 5 point lead. Both teams worked hard on their defence in the second quarter with both teams fairly even, however the Rangers held a 6 point advantage at half time. Lachlan McDonald from Dandenong was instrumental in his team maintaining their lead despite both teams scoring the same for the third quarter. North West never let the game get too far away but Dandenong closed the game with a 15 – 9 final quarter to win by double figures. Corey Mackie led the Rangers with 16 points, while 15 points from Daniel Tagi helped his team. For North West Tasmania Joshua Kaine had 10 points, Nick Taylor scored 8.
Final score: Dandenong 58 defeated North West Tasmania 46
Game 48 – Pool C – Wanneroo Wolves vs NT North
Both teams fought out an even first quarter, Wanneroo taking the early lead. The Wolves came out firing in the second quarter as they scored 23 points, however NT North could only manage 4 points. With a 20 + point advantage the Wolves maintained their margin throughout the second half, however NT North did cut the margin with a good scoring third term but they seemed to run out of legs in the 4th with only 2 points. Joshua Spedding led Wanneroo with 12 points, while Scott Tompkins had 10. For NT North Joseph Althouse had 10 points.
Final score: Wanneroo 63 defeated NT North 27
Game 49 – Pool C – West Adelaide Bearcats vs Keilor Thunder
A matchup between the two undefeated teams saw both get off to an intense start. 8 points to West’s Ben Rennie gave his team a 1 point lead after the opening term. This effort was matched by Keilors Nathan Freeman with 11 for the quarter. In a very competitive contest the Thunder took the lead and held a 7 point break at half time. Both teams worked hard in the third quarter in another even display, Keilor kept their advantage leading into the final term. The final term remained well fought out, but Keilor was able to maintain their buffer throughout to finish their pool rounds undefeated. Marcus De Leur again led the way with 18 points for Keilor, while Nathan Freeman had 12. For West Adelaide Ben Rennie top scored with 14 points while Jalen Bryant had 12 points.
Final score: Keilor 56 defeated West Adelaide 47
Game 50 – Pool C – Hills Hornets vs Runaway Bay
Hills applied some strong pressure early on in this game, with Runaway Bay having difficulty scoring. In a fairly even second quarter the Hornets maintained their lead thanks to Alexander Colli scoring 8 points, while Matthew Hosking also had a good term with 8. The third quarter saw Hills extend their lead out to 13 at the final break, and despite Runaway Bay winning the final term the Hornets proved too strong. Alexander Colli finshed with 22 points for Hills, while for Runaway Bay Matthew Hosking had 15 points.
Final score: Hills 62 defeated Runaway Bay 39
Game 51 – Pool B – Albury Cougars vs Stirling Senators
Albury got off to a good start to lead Stirling by 7 in the first quarter. Nick Dempsey hit 6 straight points to keep the Cougars momentum going, while two 3 pointers to Jordan Sanford kept the Senators in touch. Both teams remained fairly even in the second half, but it was the Cougars’ opening quarter advantage that allowed them to win the game. Albury’s Jacob Cincurak had a wonderful game with 25 points which included 17 in the 2nd half, well backed up by Nick Dempsey with 14. For Stirling Jordan Sanford had 14 points and Zach Levey 11.
Final score: Albury 59 defeated Stirling 49
Game 52 – Pool A – Logan Thunder vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Logan and Manly battled hard in the opening quarter, with both playing an intense physical game. Manly took the honours with a 4 point lead, including a 3 pointer to Daniel Pitcher. Logan began to reel the Sea Eagles in with some tough defence, and led by 4 at half time. Manly’s Tom Savage lit up in the 3rd quarter with 11 points as the Sea Eagles re-took the momentum to lead by 8 points at the last change, however Logan dug deep in the final period to recapture the lead, with 8 points from Matthew Bartlett a decisive factor, as well as a 3 pointer to Ben Murray to seal it. Dennis Maluto led the scoring for Logan with 13 points, while Tom Savage led Manly with 24 points and Daniel Pitcher with 14.
Final score: Logan 55 defeated Manly Warringah 45
Game 53 – Pool A – Diamond Valley Eagles vs Bulleen Boomers
Bulleen got out of the blocks early, jumping out to a 10 point lead on the back of some skilful play, in particular their big players. The Eagles were having difficulty getting through the Boomers smothering defence, which allowed Bulleen to increase their advantage at half time. The Eagles made some adjustments after the break which saw them close the gap, but they were unable to make any inroads into the final margin. Bulleen were paced by Reece McKenzie with 17 points while Christian Petracca chipped in with 15. For Diamond Valley Abiola Akintola top scored with 14 points.
Final score: Bulleen 75 defeated Diamond Valley 41
Game 54 – Pool A – Sturt Sabres vs North Tasmania
An even opening quarter between Sturt and North Tasmania, with Sturt holding the lead after the first quarter. The Sabres seemed to capitalise on their offensive possessions more often, which saw them jump out to a 9 point break at the half. North Tasmania’s Joe Chilcott had a good opening half, but went quiet after half time, while Sturt’s Womersley and Richardson got hot with 23 points between them out of their teams’ 34 to give the Sabres a comfortable win. Top scorers for Sturt were Elliott Richardson with 20 points and Spencer Womersley with 18, while Joe Chilcott led North Tasmania with 13 points and Lachlan Young 10.
Final score: Sturt 70 defeated North Tasmania 45
Game 55 – Pool D – Illawarra Hawks vs NT South
NT South showed a fantastic amount of energy and enthusiasm right til the end of this game; however they were completely outclassed by a much bigger opponent. The scoreline did not reflect the effort the NT South put in at both ends of the floor, in particular Shane Van Luenen who was a terrier on defence. Illawarra led by 25 at the first break and were never threatened although they were outscored by 5 points in the final quarter. Dayne Campbell led Illawarra with 20 points, while Mitchell Naumovski was good with 15. For NT South Edward Smallwood led with 12 points.
Final score: Illawarra 102 defeated NT South 28
Game 56 – Pool D – Rockingham Flames vs Canberra Nationals
Both teams took a while to find their rhythm in this contest, with a late 3 pointer to Rockingham’s Ruot Pal giving them a 2 point lead after the first quarter. Both teams displayed some great play at both ends of the floor, but the Flames took a 5 point lead into half time. The contest remained very even in the 3rd with the margin remaining close. Both teams executed their uptempo defence, which made scoring difficult. The final term saw Canberra’s Tad Dufelmeier Jr step up to lead his team to a gutsy victory, hitting 2 clutch 3 pointers as the Nationals held their nerve down the stretch to record the win. Tad led the Nationals with 12 points, well supported by Riley Habraken with 11. For Rockingham Kyle Beard top scored with 12 points while Justin Beard chipped in with 10.
Final score: Canberra 57 defeated Rockingham 47
Game 57 – Pool D – Southern Tigers vs Geelong Cats
Geelong were looking to keep their undefeated status, but found the early going tough, as the Southern Tigers took it right up to them. The Tigers took advantage of their opponents’ sloppy ball control as they took a 7 point advantage into the half. The Geelong coaching staff gave their team a rev at half time which saw them bounce back to form with a 21 to 7 3rd quarter, as they captured the lead. Back to back 3 pointers from James Syddall saw Geelong hold off the determined Tigers to run out 11 point victors. Harrison Dolley led Geelong with 10 points, while for Southern Tigers Cody Foreman had 14 and Brett Turner had 12.
Final score: Geelong 51 defeated Southern Tigers 40
Game 58 – Pool B – Knox Raiders vs Dandenong Rangers
A big crowd turned out on the show court to watch the 2 undefeated Pool B teams, and local rivals Knox and Dandenong meet. The Raiders got the early jump, scoring the opening 10 points before Dandenong managed to score. The Rangers struggled to keep Marek Toman off the boards, as his height was a major advantage in the early stages. After the 20-2 opening quarter score, Rangers lifted their intensity at the defensive end to arrest the scoreline. Bishoy Yacoub was the main highlight with 3 big blocked shots to the delight of the Rangers supporters. The Raiders defence was not to be outdone, with some good blocks of their own. Dandenong won the 2nd quarter, but still trailed by 17 at half time. Knox re-established their pressure defence, holding the Rangers to 8 points and scoring 10. The final term saw both teams begin to tire, but the Raiders still held all the answers at both ends to run out comfortable winners.
Final score: Knox 54 defeated Dandenong 29
Game 59 – Pool B – Albury Cougars vs North West Tasmania
The Cougars took control of the game in the opening term, outscoring North West 16 to 4. Jacob Cincurak continued his good form, but took a bit of a knock in the latter stages of the game, which saw him sit most of the final term. North West got a great lift from Nick Taylor in the second half, while Albury’s Nick Dempsey also provided good support, along with Nick Mellington. Jacob Cincurak finished with 23 points, with Nick Dempsey had 17. For North West Tasmania Nick Taylor had 12 points, Joshua Kaine with 9.
Final score: Albury 58 defeated North West Tasmania 44
Game 60 – Pool B – Stirling Senators vs Townsville Heat
Townsville began this game strongly, spurred on by their vocal supporters. The Heat scored 25 points in the opening quarter, with Joshua Spiers hitting 10 points. Stirling regrouped after the quarter break to restrict Townsville’ scoring but the Heat still took a good lead into half time. The Senators had a very strong third quarter, outscoring Townsville 19 to 12, but in the end it was the Heat proving far too strong and going on to win comfortably. Trent Myles finished with 17 points for Townsville, with Joshua Spiers providing 14 points. For Stirling Callum Saunders had a good all around game with 23 points while Zach Levey gave good support with 10.
Final score: Townsville 67 defeated Stirling 46
