NotJackToft
Years ago
Round 5 - SA State League Preview
A seriously cracking round of games this week, with many games giving better insight into where this season is heading.
In the women's this round see's 1v2, 3v5, 4v6, 7v8, and 9v10. Just incredible!
Apologies for any grammatical errors, this was done without a proof read.
Women’s: Norwood Flames (1st 4-0) v North Adelaide Rockets (2nd 4-0)
In the women’s match of the Round, the Lady Flames look to notch up win number 27 in a row, when they face their fellow season 2014 undefeated foes the Rockets.
The Flames easily accounted for the Mavericks last week, doubling their score en-route to a 114-57 smashing. Surprisingly the Mavericks racked up more points that Simon would have been happy with, but Norwood’s un-relentless offense was in full force. Amy Lewis was destructive in 21 minutes of game time, racking up a point a minute for 21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. 5 other Norwood players made it into double figures, with all but one registering a score - Georgia Minear of all players! Norwood landed 40 of 84 shots from the field, and 9 from 16 from deep, and then converting 25 from 28 at the line. The win takes the Flames percentage to 208%... time to enforce the mercy rule.
The Rockets have been good this season, but not Norwood good, beating bottom five teams by less points than they would have been comfortable with. North took care of Southern last week by 9 points, with the ever-dangerous Hill with 26 points and 9 rebounds, in 29 minutes of play. Peris didn’t shoot the ball well, going 4/11 for 8 points, but smashed the boards with 6 offensive and 8 defensive.
Norwood is head and shoulders, and torso, above the competition, and I expect them to take care of the Rockets. North will put up a fight, but don’t have the depth to challenge seriously.
Men’s: Norwood Flames (4th 2-2) v North Adelaide Rockets (9th 1-3)
The Rockets finally registered their first win of the season against a tough Tigers squad by 1 point. Pero found the form he is known for, with 22 points and 16 rebounds at 52%, supported by Wernham with 22 points and 9 rebounds. The Rockets have struggled to put the ball in the hole this season and Round 4 was no different. There won’t be too many games this year they shoot at 32% and finish with 65 points and a W.
The Flames continue to find their feet again this season much like the Rockets, beating the resilient Mavericks team by 13 points. The Flames were in control the entire game, and although they lost the final period by 12 points the game was never in doubt. Matthew Lycett looks to be finding his post-injury groove with 18 points at 70%, and guard Todd Matthews was solid with 15 points and 3 steals in 18 minutes. The Flames had even, and efficient contribution on the night, which looks to be a telling sign going forward.
The Rockets still don’t have me convinced that they are back to their best, and will face a tougher challenge on the glass this week. The tenacity of the Flames defense, plus scoring options, should see a 3rd Norwood win. Flames by 12.
Flames by 17.
Women’s: Southern Tigers (6th 2-2) v South Adelaide Panthers (4th 3-1)
The Panthers dream start was halted by the Sabres last week, after their star duo of Mahony and Howard were both fouled off with under 30 minutes of game time. The Panthers led at the half by 3 points, however a 7 to 18 point third quarter, turned the tide, and with South’s stars riding the pine, the Sabres closed the game out. League leading scorer Janae Howard still managed 16 points and 8 boards, however Kinross struggled to shoulder the offensive load going 4/17 for 11 points. Questions are being asked of South Adelaide’s depth outside of Kinross, Howard and Mahony, and teams will expose any weakness they find.
The Tigers lost valiantly to the undefeated Rockets, going down by less than most expected. Jade Barber continues to be an important pick up for the Tigers with a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds. Guard Denelle Fawcett is finding her 2013 form with 13 points and 5 rebounds. The Tigers shot the ball better than the Rockets for 38.5% from the field, however giving up 35 free throws to 13, made the task difficult.
South should steady the ship here and secure win number 4 for the season and consolidate in the 5. Panthers by 14.
Men’s: Southern Tigers (2nd 3-1) v South Adelaide Panthers (7th 2-2)
The Panthers men have been drinking from the lade Panthers fountain the last 2 weeks, dispatching of contenders West and Sturt. Brad Reid was outstanding with 25 points at 62% and 9 boards, and so was Robertson with 17 points and 11 rebounds. The Panthers took advantage of a Klaosen-less Sabres unit, controlling the game from the tight first period.
Southern suffered their first defeat for the season by the struggling Rockets, in a game that exposed their issues at the 5-spot. Southern were annihilated on the boards, giving up a +20 count. Combine that with struggled from the field, 33.3%, the Tigers inexperience showed. Sam McDaniel was again their best with 18 points and 7 rebounds, with Johns again good for 15 points and 5 rebounds. The Tigers need more consistent scoring options, and a better approach to attacking the glass, to be a serious contender this year.
Get on board the Panther train. South by 7.
Women’s: Sturt Sabres (5th 2-2) v Forestville Eagles (3rd 3-1)
The Sabres managed to down the Panthers last Round mainly due to the efforts of previous WNBA, Euroleague and current WNBL player Natalie Novosel. Novosel had 23 points and 13 rebounds in 27 minutes of game time, supported by Lucy Spalding with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The Sabres were awful from deep, going 1 of 12, however managed to convert at 37% from the field.
Forestville battled the tough Bearcats outfit for a 5-point 4th quarter win last round. Samantha Defrancesco racked up the points, taking home 20 points in 23 minutes; Tara Robinson who played all 40-minutes, for 14 points and 11 boards supported her. The usually stellar Fergus and Petrie combined for 4/24, in what will result in some early morning sessions at Wayville this week. The Eagles crashed the glass when it mattered in the fourth period, dragging 7 offensive boards, and coverting at 38% for the period, compared with mid 20%’s in the first three.
Neither team has looked convincing in their wins, but have managed to get over the line when it matters. Should be a cracker of a contest and if it wasn’t for the undefeated teams playing would be clearly match of the round. I think the Eagles go deeper, and might get the W – if Johnson plays - Forestville by 4.
Men’s: Sturt Sabres (4th 3-1) v Forestville Eagles (6th 2-2)
Both teams coming off tough loses last round, will look to rebound to reinforce their spot in the five.
The Eagles faced a big test in the Bearcats, going down in double overtime, after leading the game for 35 minutes. The Eagles cooled down after half time, going 17 from 38 from the field in the first 20 minutes, and 12 from 51 from the field in the last 30 minutes. Rios started super hot, going 7/11 in the first quarter, before cooling down in the second and the third for 3/11, the leaving the game with injury. League leading scorer Trent Fildes had another night out, with 25 points and 16 rebounds as the Eagles best player for the evening.
Sturt lost to an upbeat Panthers side, however were missing offensive weapon Tim Klaosen. Dexter Moore did his best to carry to team, with 31 points and 10 rebounds, but shot the ball at an inefficient 35%, he was supported Shane Breheny took home 14 points and 11 rebounds. Sturt struggled to stop South’s fluent offense, sending them to the line 33 times, in an otherwise evenly matched game.
The Eagles offense will test Sturt again, and finding someone to stop Fildes crucial to their chances. If Rios is fit and in rhythm, the Eagles will be hard to stop. Forestville by 14.
Women’s: Central District Lions (10th 0-4) v Eastern Mavericks (9th 0-4)
In another streak v streak match, the lowly Mavs taken on the even lower Lions.
The Lions were smashed last week by a solid Warriors team, going down by 53, giving up 108 points. The Lions offense wasn’t their worst point, going 20 from 62 for 55 points. Brianna Wedding clearly their best again with 11 points and 17 rebounds, with only Herriman chipping in for 11 points. Turnovers were a serious issue, giving up the rock 31 times.
The Flames pasted the Mavericks by 57 points, giving up 114 points for the game. League leading rebounder Emma Hooley provided some resistance, with 12 points and 17 rebounds, and Shannon Tarran helped with 13 points and 6 rebounds. Eastern only managed to make 19 from 59 looks, and gave up the rock 29 times
If it wasn’t for the Flames Rockets clash, and the Sabres Eagles game, this would take the game of the round. In what will be an intriguing contest, I think Eastern have looked better in defeat, and should see the win by 10.
Men’s: Central District Lions (8th 1-3) v Eastern Mavericks (10th 0-4)
The Lions are in unfamiliar territory, and want out quickly. The Lions were dismal offensively against the Warriors, only managing 48 points for the game. Previous league leading scorer, and known for making buckets, Kyle Miller had a donut for the evening, and fouling out in 20 minutes of game time. Clausen was well under his usual production of 12 points and 6 rebounds, with Paul Joyce mopping up the glass with 15 rebounds. Centrals shot a woeful 23% for the game, making more free throws than field goals.
Eastern have been a surprise packet this year, pushing teams harder than most have expected. Most teams have been using a rotation policy in their match ups, but the Mavs have shown not to take them too lightly. Coming off a 1 point loss to Norwood, they managed to score 28 fourth quarter points, on the back of 42% form the field and 50% from 3. Curtis Scipio had 19 points and 7 assists as the floor general, with Brad Davis scoring 15 points.
Centrals need to find some level of form before 2014 is a long lost memory, and this may be the game to kick start the fire. I say this tentatively, but the Lions should get home, by 15.
Women’s: West Adelaide Bearcats (8th 1-3) v Woodville Warriors (7th 1-3)
Both sides have been around the mark, contesting with the top 5 teams this season, but falling away at the death.
The Warriors left nothing to chance last week in a 53-point belting of the Lions, cracking the ton on the way. 6 players hit double figures, with Carmen Reynolds taking to Halls votes with a 25 point, 8 rebound, 6 assist game shooting at 66.7%. The Warriors turned it on in the fourth period, landing 15 from 20 shots including 5 of 6 threes, 11 assists, for 35 points in 10 minutes!
West played the bridesmaid again in Round 3, losing a very winnable game in the fourth period to the Eagles. Losing the quarter by 9 points, after controlling most of the game. Kate Shierlaw their best on the night with 13 points and 11 rebounds, finding support from Langenbrinck with 15 points.
The Bearcats will need to do a better job on the boards against the Warriors to stay in the game this week, but I give the nod to the Warriors by the slimmest of margins. Woodville by 1.
Men’s: West Adelaide (3rd 3-1) v Woodville Warriors (1st 3-1)knoc
In the Men’s Match of the Round, the Bearcats look to impose their will against title favourite Woodville down at the Port. These two side managed to avoid each other last finals series, however West took out both games last regular season.
West knocked off the Eagles last week in a double overtime thiller, after trailing for 35 minutes of play. The Bearcats found their range in the second overtime period, to send the Eagles to a crushing defeat, in this ever growing rivalry. League leading rebounder Blake Truslove was enormous, taking home 15 points and 23 rebounds, with Spadavecchia closing the game out from the line with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Import guard Jason Dawson had 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists, to take second place on the league scoring title.
The Warriors continued their premiership run, restricting the usually potent Lions to only 48 points. However the Warriors also struggled to get the ball in the hoop on the night, managing only 79 points in the win, after a hot 45 point first half. Gun Alexander Starling only played 3 seconds of game time, apparently just logging games played, after suffering and injury the week prior. However the Warriors didn’t miss him too much, with Stanbridge relishing extra minutes for 24 points and 12 rebounds, and Domenic White with 16 points and Daniel Sims with 17.
In another cracking game of Round 5 hoops, this game will come down to the wire. The result will hinge on the availability of Starling for the Warriors. If Starling plays, the Warriors win, if he doesn’t, West to win.
