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Years ago
SA SBL - Round 11 Preview
After yet another Season break, we are back with Round 11 of the SA State Basketball League.
Women's: Southern (8th 3-7) v Norwood (1st 9-1)
The Flames women fell to the Sabres in Round 10, breaking their 30 game win streak. However the Flames were without key starter Jess Foley, and still remain the favourite to this years title.
The Tigers ran over an underwhelming Lions side, breaking their drought to get back into the win column. The win, whilst a solid performance, was expected, and anything less against Centrals would have been a catastrophe.
Norwood pasted the Tigers in Round 2, notching a 39 point win against an arguably stronger Tigers side than what they will face this Round. The Flames will be out for a post-loss feast, and I expect them to dismantle the 8th placed Southern.
Norwood by 40.
Women’s: Sturt (3rd 7-3) v Eastern (9th 1-9)
The Sabres stopped the streak in Round 10, and look to consolidate their position as title challengers.
The Mavericks are on a 5 game slide, and are likely to only beat the Lions again this season, to finish at 2-16.
The Sabres Natalie Novosel has been a huge in, 3rd in scoring with 20.6ppg, and 3rd is assists with 4.3apg. Sturt will need a conscious effort on the boards to stop leading rebounder Emma Hooley, who is dragging in 12.8rpg.
In their Round 2 clash, Sturt got up by 43 points, and they should push this margin to plus 50, as they improve the quality of their game.
Sturt by 51.
Women’s: West (5th 5-5) v North (2nd 8-2)
The Bearcats have seen a mid season resurgence with the inclusion of Anna Carbo into their squad. Carbo is averaging 22ppg in her last three outings, with the team going 3 from 4, and defeating the Sabres in her first appearance.
North have had a great season so far, by their Round 10 slip up going down to the Warriors is a serious blemish on their record, and questions are now being asked about their resolve.
The Round 2 clash was a nail biter, with the Bearcats finishing fast, but the clock beat them in the end, with the Rockets taking a 5 point win.
With the inclusion of Carbo to the West line up, and North looking unsettled, this game is poised to be a ripper.
West by 2.
Women’s: Woodville (6th 5-5) v South (4th 7-3)
Both teams are on a 2 game win streak, with the Panthers downing the struggling Eagles by 14, and the Warriors downing the in form Rockets by 9 points in an upset.
Although the game is at St.Clair, the Panthers have a perfect away record of 5-0, whilst the Warriors features a home record of 1-3. Their Round 2 clash was an instant classic, with leading scorer Janae Howard nailing a dagger on the overtime buzzer to take the win.
The Warriors have improved from Round 2, but so have the Panthers with the inclusion of their collegiate players strengthening their bench.
I predict another heart stopper, however the depth of the Panthers will see them over the line.
South by 7.
Women’s: Forestville (7th 5-5) v Centrals (10th 0-10)
The Eagles women season is hanging by a thread, after one of their worst seasons in recent years. The Lions are struggling to compete week and week, with 10 straight losses and a percentage of 55%, they are not only getting beaten, but hammered most games.
The Eagles have lost their last 2 in a row, and should bounce back with a gimme game here against Centrals. Round 2 saw a 47 point win in favour of Forestville, and I expect Sharon to be out for blood, as they need to find some momentum in the back half of the season.
Forestville by 45.
Top 5 play the bottom 5 in the men, and with the log jam at the top, this is not the week to drop a winnable game.
Men’s: Southern (8th 4-6) v Norwood (3rd 7-3)
Southern men are in the midst of a season ending slide, dropping four in a row, and playing some uncompetitive ball along the way. The other side of the coin is the Flames, who have been super hot the last 5 rounds, downing title contenders along the way as they find their groove.
Their Round 2 clash saw the Tigers take a slim 2 point win, however both sides fate has changed since with Norwood now looking a contender, and Southern a pretender.
The Flames have significant depth, and against the youthful Tigers, they should see another W this week.
Norwood by 12.
Men’s: Sturt (5th 5-5) v Eastern (10th 1-9)
The Sabres men have seen some of the best hoops and worst hoops this season, as they struggle to find consistency in their offensive output. Import Dexter Moore has put up impressive stat lines, however on the back of a large number of attempts.
The Mavericks are still looking for win number two, and whilst they have been competitive in most games, and for 30 minutes of each game, their inexperience in patches has hurt them as they have slipped away.
Sturt won their Round 2 clash by 15 points, and will be desperate to secure win number 6 as they hang on to fifth spot.
Sabres by 20.
Men’s: West (2nd 7-3) v North (9th 3-7)
The Bearcats have looked super dangerous at their best, dismantling team with their efficient inside outside game. The Rockets have been woeful, managing a few wins along the way, but for the most part getting dominated like we are not used to seeing.
West secured an easy 20 point win in Round 2, as the Rockets could only put up 58 points for the game. West Import guard Jason Dawson is all but a lock for all star five, as his input on the court unmatched at his position.
North are all but done, and whether or not this drives them to perform, or fall flat, is yet to be seen.
West by 18.
Men’s: Woodville (1st 7-3) v South (6th 5-5)
The Panthers have been this years surprise packet, taking some big scalps and looking like they can compete with the top sides. Bradley Reid has had a huge impact for the Panthers, helping guard Shane Boal with his career revival.
The Warriors have had a tumultuous season on and off the court this season, however they are letting their game do all the talking as they firm as title favourites. With the log head from 1st to 4th, a win here for the Warriors is important. However the Panthers sitting in 6th on percentage behind the Sabres, would love to see their team one game ahead in 5th place leading into the back 6 games.
Round 2 saw the Warriors with a 22 point win, and if Woodville play at their best, the same result should be expected. But don’t count out the Panthers.
Woodville by 13.
Men’s: Forestville (7th 4-6) v Centrals (4th 7-3)
The Eagles men are performing much like their women’s side, however still a reasonable chance of playing finals. They are only 1 game behind the Sabres, but based on recent form, I wouldn’t put the house on it.
The Lions are the hottest team in the league, with 6 straight wins, they have stormed into the top four, and a win here keep them in touch. Kyle Miller and Chris Clausen have been instrumental in their form revival, and you know that Scotty would be chomping at the bit to play some serious finals ball.
The Lions got up by 20 in Round 2, and on recent results this game should go the same way.
Centrals by 17.
