Australiabasket.com All-Australian Big V Awards 2019 - Sep 9, 2019
Finals MVP: Alisia Jenkins (186-F-94) of Werribee D. Player of the Year: Alisia Jenkins (186-F-94) of Werribee D. Domestic Player of the Year: Karen Duever of Sunbury J. Import Player of the Year: Alisia Jenkins (186-F-94) of Werribee D.
Werribee Devils celebrate Big V title - Sep 2, 2019
Keilor Thunder players were left dejected after falling at the last hurdle in the Big V basketball women's state championship. The pain of grand final defeat was etched across the faces of Thunder imports Erin Bollmann (180-F-94, college: SEMO) and A'Lexus Hamilton, who were shattered not to get their team over the line after playing starring roles all season. The Thunder went down 2-1 to newly promoted Werribee Devils in the best-of-three grand final series that ended at the Keilor Basketball Stadium on Sunday. Trailing by a game to nil entering the weekend, a spirited Keilor fought back to take game two on Saturday night, winning 81-75. The Thunder could not repeat the dose on Sunday though, facing a slender deficit most of the way in a 67-61 game three loss. Thunder coach Tom Bandilovski conceded that Werribee deserved its game three win. 'Werribee, you're such a good team, you played very well today and you deserved the win, so congratulations,' he said in his post-match speech. '[Werribee coach] Reece [Potter], you've done a very great job with this team, so credit to you and the coaching staff and all the players.' There is nothing Bandilovski could say to make it better for the Keilor players. Losing a deciding game on your home court is as tough as it gets. Bandilovski stood proud of how Keilor performed in 2019 and how it conducted itself in a sporting fashion throughout the season and a hard-fought grand final series. 'My team, I'm so proud of how they played the whole year,' Bandilovski said. 'The grand final didn't go our way, but I'm so proud of how they played and what they have achieved this year, so well done. 'All the players, I have to really give them credit.' With the series on the line, Keilor shot a disappointing 29 per cent from the field. The Thunder missed a number of chances they would have drained on another day, but the pressure of the occasion might have got to them. What kept the Thunder in game three was their trademark toughness in defence. They applied a full court press for most of the series and made life difficult for Werribee. The Thunder's success on the defensive end was not matched on the offensive end and they paid the price for that. Bollmann finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds and four assists in game three, but she shot at just 25 per cent. Harrison was immense on the board, but only managed two points at 16 per cent. Aneta Bandilovski scored 15 points, including three threes, and Stephanie Collins was effective inside the paint with nine points, which gave the Thunder some hope, but it was not enough. Alisia Jenkins (186-F-94, college: S.Florida) topscored with 26 points, while Sarah Elsworthy (171-G-98) added 17 points for the champions. The Keilor stadium was rocking all weekend. Tom Bandilovski acknowledged the support of the Thunder fans. 'I'd like to thank the Keilor Thunder crowd. It was unbelievable [support],' he said. Courtesy of: starweekly.com.au
Australiabasket.com All-Australian Premier League Awards 2019 - Sep 9, 2019
Australiabasket.com All-Australian Premier League 1st Team 2019
Frost
Tyson-Thomas
Fejo
Roberts
Morrell
Grand Final MVP: Oceana Hamilton (193-C-95) of Forestville E. Player of the Year: Teige Morrell (F) of Woodville W. Domestic Player of the Year: Teige Morrell (F) of Woodville W. Import Player of the Year: Carmen Tyson-Thomas (180-F/C-91) of Eastern M. Defensive Player of the Year: Tess Bruffey (193-F) of Norwood F. Coach of the Year: Mutt Sutton of Mt Gambier
Eagles edge out Sabres in a 3-PT Grand Final thriller - Aug 18, 2019
Forestville upset the Sturt Sabres by a slim 3-points with the game being decided in thrilling fashion. Aimee Brett cemented the victory for Forestville with a delicious crossover and finish leaving less than 4 seconds remaining. Oceana Hamilton (193-C-95, college: Northwestern) (16-points, 12-rebounds and 4-blocks) aided Forestville in the final moments of the game with two crucial back-to-back blocks with a slim Eagle lead hanging in the balance. Throughout the entire matchup, momentum and the lead swung like a pendulum with the lead changing 11-times. Forestville held the lead for just under 29 minutes although Sturt were not shy of pushing for an underdog. Little separated the sides with every possession crucial as time continued to wind down. Heading into the final term, Sturt lead Forestville 45-44 after a few consecutive baskets in the final minute of the third term. A low scoring third term (9-8) set the tone for what was sure to be a tight final quarter. Sturt held Oceana Hamilton scoreless in the third term, who had already made her presence known on the floor in the opening half. Oceana Hamilton ended her scoring drought mid way during the final term with a beautiful basket off the window with 4 minutes remaining. The wide spread scoring by Forestville aided their victory with 5-players either in double figures or flirting with it. Despite not getting the win, Sturt did not shy away from the competition and punished the Eagles in the paint. Outscoring Forestville 38-28 inside, Sturt put the pressure on throughout the entire outing. Elissa Brett (178-G, college: Bowling Green) lead the Sabres with 12-points but struggled to find some rhythm and finished with 5-13 from the floor. Sturt not only punished the Eagles on the offensive end, but also defensively. Forcing 21-Eagle turnovers, Sturt earned 20-points off these opportunities and kept the trophy in reaching distance. After trailing heading into the final quarter of 2019, Forestville fought back from a small but dangerous deficit and earned their place in South Australian basketball history. Courtesy of: Premier League
Australiabasket.com All-Australian QBL 1st Team 2019
Blair
Johnson
Moorer
Scott
Ruef
Finals MVP: Leah Scott (183-F-93) of SD Spartans Player of the Year: Mikaela Ruef (190-F-90) of Logan T. Domestic Player of the Year: Mikaela Ruef (190-F-90) of Logan T. Import Player of the Year: Leah Scott (183-F-93) of SD Spartans
1st Team
G: Brooke Blair (173-G-94) of Rockhampton C.
: Amanda Johnson of Ipswich F.
G: Ariana Moorer (172-G-91) of Gold Coast R.
F: Leah Scott (183-F-93) of SD Spartans
F: Mikaela Ruef (190-F-90) of Logan T.
South District Lady Spartans celebrated QBL title. They held off Gold Coast Rollers in the second game of the championship series to complete the sweep. Brisbane Spartans held Rollers to an opponent 24.3 percent shooting from the field compared to 31.8 percent accuracy of the winners. American forward Leah Scott (183-93, college: Marshall) orchestrated the victory with a double-double by scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. The other American import swingman Aja Parham (183-84, college: Boston Coll.) contributed with 2 points, 14 rebounds and 6 assists for the winners. American guard Ariana Moorer (172-91, college: Virginia) replied with a double-double by scoring 14 points, 15 rebounds and 4 assists and Carliegh Patrick added 17 points and 6 rebounds in the effort for Rollers. Top scorers: SD Spartans: L.Scott 18+10reb+5ast, R.Haynes 10+3reb+1ast, N.Taylor 5+5reb+1ast, A.Karaitiana 5+3reb, C.Mellars 4+7reb, O.Isaac 4+3reb+1ast Gold Coast R.: P.Carliegh 17+6reb, A.Moorer 14+15reb+4ast, J.Luna-Castro 12+7reb+1ast, S.Walmsley 2+2reb+1ast, S.Woods 1+4reb+1ast, S.Ambrose 0+10reb
Australiabasket.com All-Australian SBL 1st Team 2019
Luaulu-Summers
Barr
Garbin
Grant
Snyder
Grand Final MVP: Maddison Allen (190-F-93) of Rockingham CF Player of the Year: Stacey Barr (173-G-92) of Warwick S. Domestic Player of the Year: Stacey Barr (173-G-92) of Warwick S. Import Player of the Year: Laina Snyder (185-F/C) of Willetton T.
THE Rockingham Flames looked the team to beat when the roster was assembled for 2019, that became even more the case with Alex Ciabattoni (183-G/F-94) added and they delivered a dominant Grand Final display against Warwick Senators on Friday night. While there were hurdles along the way including the change of coach midway through the season, it looked like a Flames team that if things all came together could prove unstoppable come finals time and that has proven the case. With the youngest championship winning coach in SBL history, Keegan Crawford, in charge Rockingham were unstoppable in the Grand Final on the back of having eliminated the Mandurah Magic and Perry Lakes Hawks to get there. 'It really hasn't sunk in and it won't for a long time,' the 23-year-old said post-match. 'I'm having a lot of people tell me straight away telling me I should retire having won one from one, but the feeling won't sink in for a while. 'But even just my initial reactions are that it's so surreal and I couldn't be happier doing it with this club and this group of girls.' The trio of bigs all came up trumps for Rockingham with Christina Boag (188-G/F-91), Maddie Allen (175-G) and Darcee Garbin (187-F-94) all influential as was Ciabattoni as point guard who was the last piece of the puzzle to fall for the Flames. The Flames role players all delivered too including Ariana Hetherington (176-G/F), Chelsea Petrik, Tayah Burrows and Janelle Adams as they dominated from start to finish on Grand Final night, leading by as much as 33 before winning 85-56. Allen was named Grand Final MVP but it was a night where the contributions from so many of the Flames players was key to victory. It's a first championship win for Rockingham since going back-to-back in 2014 and 2015. While it was a Grand Final night to forget for Warwick, it was a tremendous job by coach Dion Dagostino to get the Senators to their first decider since 2007 in his first season in charge. Maddie Allen was Grand Final MVP for her efforts at both ends of the floor for Rockingham with 17 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three blocks. Christina Boag added 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Flames while Alex Ciabattoni was superb running the ship with 14 points, 10 boards and four assists. Darcee Garbin didn't have the shooting night she'd hope for but still had 14 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Chelsea Petrik contributed eight points, Ariana Hetherington six points and three rebounds, Janelle Adams four points, Ella Kennedy three points and two boards, and Tayah Burrows two points, four rebounds and four assists. Petrik was playing her 299th game and having played in one Grand Final before in a loss for Kalamunda against the Joondalup Wolves, this means the world to her especially to be co-captain. 'It's a crazy feeling, it really is. It literally is all I've been wanting for the last 14 years so it's very exciting,' Petrik said. 'It definitely makes it mean more to be one of the captains too and it's nice to be on the side of the team playing well this time. The only other Grand Final I've been in I was the other team so this was very good. 'All I wanted was to have our whole bench play. I really wanted all the girls to get on the court and to be able to win like that meant that everyone could play. That's what I wanted more than anything in the end.' It was a tough Grand Final night for the Senators with Stacey Barr top-scoring with 16 points, six rebounds and three assists. Samaria Howard finished with 12 points and nine rebounds, and Bianca Villegas eight points, four boards and four blocks. Sam Roscoe finished with five points and four rebounds, Nicole Jorre De St Jorre five points and three boards, and Tayla Hepburn five points and three rebounds. Tayla Hepburn scored first in the Grand Final but that would prove Warwick's only lead of the night. Christina Boag responded for Rockingham before Chelsea Petrik knocked down a triple to get the Flames rolling. By the time Tayah Burrows scored it was a 12-6 advantage and then 19-9 by quarter-time when Ariana Hetherington hit from downtown on the buzzer. Rockingham opened the second term with a 13-2 run and with a 32-11 lead the game was just about over. With Boag and Maddie Allen finishing inside and then Alex Ciabattoni converting an and-one, the Flames were scoring at will and tormenting the Senators up the other end. The Flames were up 23 when Ciabattoni hit from downtown but then just before half-time Stacey Barr caught fire for the Senators with three quick threes and 13 of her 16 points for the game in the space of three minutes. Rockingham still led 51-31 at the half but the Flames weren't done, going on a 9-0 early in the third quarter as the lead grew to 28. Warwick didn't give up the ghost and did manage a 7-0 run before three quarter-time but again Rockingham caught fire in the fourth. Petrik, Ciabattoni, Garbin and Ella Kennedy all hit threes as the lead ballooned to 33 before the Flames went on to win by 29. Courtesy of: sbl.asn.au
Australiabasket.com All-Australian NBL1 1st Team 2019
Wilson
Nicholson
Cole
Scherf
Magbegor
Grand Final MVP: Lauren Nicholson (183-G-93) of Kilsyth LC Player of the Year: Kelly Wilson (170-G-84) of Bendigo LB Domestic Player of the Year: Kelly Wilson (170-G-84) of Bendigo LB Import Player of the Year: Rebecca Tobin (195-C/F-88) of Bendigo LB
Kilsyth are the 2019 NBL1 premiers after an 86-76 win over Geelong. Geelong were the favourites in the lead up to the game, but Kilsyth swept the court in the first half to clinch the win. Lauren Nicholson (183-G-93, college: St.Mary's, CA) was named player of the match for her 36 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, while teammate Klara Wischer (185-F-91, college: San Diego) had 16 points, five rebounds and three assists. After starting the season with a 3-4 record, the Cobras won 11 of 13 games to finish fourth on the ladder. Geelong finished second in the regular season and were favourites to win the title after Bendigo's exit. However their defence that excelled over the season failed on the grand stage, which allowed Kilsyth to claim a 10-point win. The game got underway with Eziyoda Magbegor (176-F/C-99) scoring the first bucket of the contest. Magbegor played a big role for the Supercats in the first term and scored seven of their 13 points. However Geelong struggled to settle into the game and made seven turnovers, which allowed Kilsyth to take control. The Cobras found their way to the hoop with ease, which came as a shock as the Supercats were renowned for their backcourt. Nicholson starred by shooting seven points in the first term to hand the Cobras a 10-point lead at quarter-time. Kilsyth's momentum continued in the second term as they extended their lead to 20 points. Geelong's zone defence failed to stop Kilsyth from shooting 51% from the field and distributing 13 assists. Geelong made the perfect start to the third term by scoring the first seven points to cut the margin to 13 points, before Kilsyth took a timeout to put a hold on the momentum swing. The timeout allowed Kilsyth to regroup and score the next 11 points to extend their lead to 24 points, midway through the third term. Geelong needed a miracle to overturn 25-point deficit in the final quarter. The Supercats went all-out on offence and shot 28 points, but they could only cut the margin to 10 points as Kilsyth won the game and clinched the premiership. Courtesy of: nbl1.com.au
Australiabasket.com All-Australian Waratah League Awards 2019 - Sep 9, 2019
Australiabasket.com All-Australian Waratah League 1st Team 2019
Seebohm
Heal
Froling
Young
McSpadden
Grand Final MVP: Alison Ebzery of Newcastle H. Player of the Year: Keely Froling (188-F-96) of Canberra C. II Domestic Player of the Year: Keely Froling (188-F-96) of Canberra C. II Import Player of the Year: Alyssa Bennett (188-F-90) of Maitland M. Youth Player of the Year: Lara McSpadden (193-C-99) of Newcastle H. Defensive Player of the Year: Kate Seebohm (170-G-91) of Norths Bears Coach of the Year: Jenny Lonergan of Canberra C. II
Newcastle Hunters clinch Waratah title - Aug 18, 2019
Keely Froling (188-F-96, college: SMU) can only do so much. The Waratah League's most valuable player posted 34 points and 12 rebounds but even that wasn't enough to stop the Canberra Nationals from slumping to a heavy 25-point grand final defeat on Sunday. Canberra's hopes of a drought-breaking title were left in tatters during an 86-61 thrashing at the hands of the Newcastle Hunters at Breakers Indoor Stadium on the Central Coast. It was a devastating way to end a superb season for the rising WNBL star who now sets her sights on rejoining the Canberra Capitals for pre-season camp in the coming weeks. But those at Basketball ACT still have something to celebrate after the Canberra Gunners Academy claimed the Waratah League division one title with a 75-63 win over the Tamworth Thunderbolts. While Froling's staggering numbers stole the show in the women's championship game, it was a former WNBL teammate walking away with the spoils. Former Capital Hannah Young (176-F/G, college: Kent St.) scored 17 points while another ex-Canberra star Mikaela Dombkins (181-G/F-86) helped to steer the Hunters to a lopsided victory. Froling will now set her sights on the Capitals' WNBL title defence while development player Abby Cubillo (161-PG-99) could also be bound for a return to the reigning champions. Their Nationals teammate Kate Gaze will soon make her way to Townsville to link up with the Fire and resume her WNBL career after an anterior cruciate ligament tear kept her sidelined for the entire 2018-19 campaign. Courtesy of: canberratimes.com.au
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