Australiabasket.com All-Australian Big V Awards 2018 - Sep 5, 2018
Australiabasket.com All-Australian Big V 1st Team 2018
Zammit
Thomas
Bollmann
Boothe
Hines
Finals MVP: Orla Oreilly (182-G-90) of Sunbury J. Player of the Year: Kelly Bowen (182-F-89) of Waverley F. Domestic Player of the Year: Nicole Zammit of Hume City B. Import Player of the Year: Sarah Boothe (195-F/C-90) of Bulleen B. Youth Player of the Year: Briana Babic of Keilor T. Defensive Player of the Year: Nicole Zammit of Hume City B. Coach of the Year: Tom Bandilovski of Keilor T.
Sunbury Jets crowned Big V champions - Sep 2, 2018
Sunbury Jets celebrated Big V title. They swept Southern Peninsula Sharks in the championship series. The Jets earned an 85:50 victory in Game 1. Kerryn Harrington (172-PG-92) produced 19 points for the winners. Peyton Little (180-G-93, college: Oklahoma) replied with 22 points for the Sharks. The second game was much closer battle. Sunbury Jets managed to escape with a narrow 72:69 victory to celebrate the trophy. Orla O'Reilly came up with 22 points to lead the effort. Kerryn Harrington delivered 21 points and 9 rebounds for the champions. Peyton Little notched 26 points and 10 rebounds for the Sharks.
Australiabasket.com All-Australian Premier League Awards 2018 - Sep 5, 2018
Australiabasket.com All-Australian Premier League 1st Team 2018
Metcalf
Tyson-Thomas
Simons
Brook
Thompson
Grand Final MVP: Jo Hill (182-F/G-73) of N.Adelaide R. Player of the Year: Leah Metcalf (170-G-83) of Chartres Domestic Player of the Year: Chelsea Brook (188-F-98) of Sturt S. Import Player of the Year: Leah Metcalf (170-G-83) of Chartres Defensive Player of the Year: Leah Metcalf (170-G-83) of Chartres Coach of the Year: Brenton Johnston of N.Adelaide R.
Rockets Fly Home Late to Win 2018 Premier League Grand Final - Aug 19, 2018
The North Adelaide Rockets have defeated the Forestville Eagles 79-61 on the back of a huge 15-point fourth quarter from MVP Jo Hill (182-F/G-73) in her final game to win the 2018 Premier League Grand Final at Titanium Security Arena. Hill finished the game with 29 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals, taking over on both sides of the floor and leading her undefeated team to their most important win of the season. While the Rockets led for much of the game, it was the Eagles who had the early jump and led at quarter-time 18-17. Samantha Simons (183-F/C-00) (22points, 7 rebounds) gave Forestville the early momentum in the opening term with 8 early points including 2 back-to-back triples 4 minutes in. The Rockets, through strong defence, managed to bring the deficit down to a single point by the end of the quarter. Despite strong performances by Olivia Thompson (185-F-93) (21 points, 7 rebounds) and Simons, the Rockets' fluid offence led by Leah Metcalf (170-G-83, college: N.Carolina) (14 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists), saw the team gain control of the term. With time running down, North Adelaide's Kirsty Williams (173-G-90) scored a buzzer-beating floater at full speed to close the half with a 38-31 lead. The Eagles failed to let the Rockets gain any momentum from this however, with Monica Bello (174-G-78)'s side managing to claw their way back during the third quarter. Thompson and Simons turned up the intensity on offence and defence to start the term, managing to keep Forestville in it. The Rockets were able to launch another attack though, with a Jo Hill jump shot putting them up by 9 points with 1:57 left in the term. Thompson continued to apply pressure to the North Adelaide defence and get to the free-throw line multiple times in the last minute and a half of the quarter, bringing the Eagles within only 4 points before the final term. This was when final-gamer Jo Hill decided to take matters into her own hands. With the start of the championship-deciding last quarter being neck and neck, it was Hill who kept the Rockets ahead in a dominant display. Samantha Simons responded, scoring 6 straight points in a quick spurt which saw her side cut the lead to a single point with 4:30 left. However, the Eagles struggled to cope with the Rockets' defence, which recorded a huge 14 steals and 5 blocks for the game, during the final stretch of the quarter. This defence combined with Hill's completely dominant final minutes, in which she hit multiple acrobatic layups and free-throws, saw North Adelaide stretch their lead too far and take out the 79-61 win. This is the Rockets' first Championship since 2014 and a huge achievement by Brenton Johnston and his side, as they have now gone undefeated for the whole 2018 season. Courtesy of: basketballsa.com.au
Australiabasket.com All-Australian QBL 1st Team 2018
Hurst
Cocks
Johnson
Garbin
Bishop
Finals MVP: Aja Parham (183-G/F-84) of SD Spartans Player of the Year: Amanda Johnson of Ipswich F. Domestic Player of the Year: Amanda Johnson of Ipswich F. Import Player of the Year: Micaela Cocks (174-G-86) of Townsville F. Youth Player of the Year: Miela Goodchild (175-G/F-00) of Townsville F. Coach of the Year: Mike St-Maurice of Townsville F.
1st Team
PG: Natalie Hurst (164-PG-83) of Sunshine CP
G: Micaela Cocks (174-G-86) of Townsville F.
: Amanda Johnson of Ipswich F.
F: Darcee Garbin (187-F-94) of Townsville F.
C: Abby Bishop (189-C-88) of Sunshine CP
Southern District Spartans celebrate QBL title - Aug 26, 2018
Southern District Spartans clinched back-to-back QBL titles. They swept the championship series versus Townsville Flames. Southern District Spartans earned a 76:63 win in Game 1 and they followed it with a comfortable 90:78 victory in Game 2. Aja Parham (183-G/F-84, college: Boston Coll.) tallied 25 points and 6 assists to lead the champions in the decisive encounter. SD Spartans jumped to a 25:12 lead after the opening quarter. The Flames stopped the rot in the second frame. They pulled within 5 points at the final intermission. But the Spartans unloaded 34 points in the fourth quarter to rally to the victory. Jessica McDowell-White (168-PG-00) provided 17 points and 9 rebounds for the Spartans. Darcee Garbin (187-F-94) replied with 20 points and 15 rebounds for the Flames.
Australiabasket.com All-Australian SBL 1st Team 2018
Brown
Schwagmeyer
Fipps
Lee
Standish
Grand Final MVP: Ali Schwagmeyer (177-G/F-90) of Lakeside L. Player of the Year: Ali Schwagmeyer (177-G/F-90) of Lakeside L. Most Improved Player of the Year: Jewel Williams of Kalamunda E.S. Domestic Player of the Year: Ali Schwagmeyer (177-G/F-90) of Lakeside L. Import Player of the Year: Anita Brown (173-G) of Mandurah M. Defensive Player of the Year: Maddison Allen (190-F-93) of Rockingham CF Coach of the Year: Craig Mansfield of Lakeside L.
Lightning claims championship over Magic with 21-0 run - Sep 1, 2018
THE Lakeside Lightning have delivered a remarkable final five minutes to come from 10 points behind to score the last 21 points of the 2018 Women's SBL Grand Final to beat the Mandurah Magic 75-64. The Magic were playing in a second consecutive Grand Final and the sixth in the club's history and looked on track to win a first championship having come from sixth position at the end of the regular season. Mandurah was leading 64-54 with 5:30 remaining in the game but after losing just once all season, the Lightning refused to give in and inspired by two-time league MVP Ali Schwagmeyer (177-G/F-90, college: Quincy), they finished the game in remarkable fashion. Lakeside went on a stunning 21-0 run in the last five minutes to go from trailing 54-64 to winning the Women's Grand Final 75-64 for 2018. It is a second Women's SBL championship for the Lightning on the back of their success in 2006 that also came at the expense of the Magic. Mandurah continue to be a mainstay as a contender in the Women's SBL but heartbreakingly have now lost all six of their Grand Final appearances. Ali Schwagmeyer was named Grand Final MVP for her performance to lead the Lightning to the title in her third season at the club. She finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Samantha Roscoe (190-F-95, college: N.Dakota) came up big for the Lightning with 14 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots. Sydnee Fipps now enters retirement as she returns to college to get her Master's degree and goes off a championship winner on the back of 15 points despite shooting 3/14 from the field and 2/11 from deep. Ashleigh Grant (187-F/C-97) also had 10 points and 11 rebounds, Courtney Byrnes (180-G-93) seven points and four assists with Melissa Moyle (184-F-87) earning a championship in her first season at Lakeside while Jess van Schie became a dual championship winner. The league's leading-scorer Anita Brown (173-G, college: Akron) again top-scored for Mandurah with 19 points and seven rebounds. Fellow import Regina Palusna (192-C-89) finished with 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Emma Klasztorny (G/F-94) continued her brilliant second half of the season with a tremendous performance made up of 11 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. Casey Mihovilovich (173-G-82), remarkably in her sixth Grand Final, produced six points and four assists while Kelly Bailey scored four points and played some tough defence on Schwagmeyer before fouling out before Lakeside's big run. Rachel Pettit (G-97) and co-captain Rachel Halleen both scored three points apiece as well for Mandurah. The Grand Final opening score came courtesy of Mandurah's Emma Klasztorny before Samantha Roscoe answered for Lakeside all within the first 15 seconds. The Magic then made the first break with Anita Brown hitting six of the game's next eight points. The Lightning answered with their own 7-2 run before a pair of threes to Mandurah from Casey Mihovilovich and Rach Pettit took Mandurah out to an 18-11 advantage. But the Lightning hit back in the last two minutes with threes to Sydney Fipps and Samantha Roscoe, and free-throws to Fipps to lead 19-18 at quarter-time. Lakeside then came out hot in the second term with a three to Roscoe to give her multiple triples in the game for just the third time this season. The Lightning led 23-18 but the Magic fired back starting with a pair of free-throws to Brown after Fipps was called for the unsportsmanlike foul on the breakaway layup. Halleen then hit another three and when Brown and Emma Klasztorny hit baskets too, the Magic were up by four with all the momentum. Melissa Moyle settled the Lightning with a jumper and back-to-back Fipps buckets before half-time saw both teams level at 33-apiece at the break. Mandurah came out inspired to start the second half firstly with a three to Brown and then a 6-0 run made up of buckets from Emma Klasztorny, Kelly Bailey and Palusna. The lead was soon out to eight when Emma Klasztorny knocked down one from beyond the arc before a three from Grant and layup from Schwagmeyer had Lakeside back within three. Mandurah remained on top by five at three quarter-time thanks to two more baskets to Palusna and that grew to eight two minutes into the last quarter after a 7-2 run. By the time Bailey and Brown scored as well, they led 64-54 with just over five minutes left. Lakeside had to find something special to avoid their second loss of the season coming in the Grand Final and that's exactly what they did. The Lightning's pressure went up a notch to hold the Magic scoreless in the game's last five and-a-half minutes while scoring 21 points of their own made up of two threes and 12 points alone to Schwagmeyer. A four-point play from Fipps really marked the turn of the tide in the Grand Final with Roscoe's third triple extending the lead before the Lightning got the job done at the foul line. Courtesy of: sbl.asn.au
Australiabasket.com All-Australian SEABL 1st Team 2018
Nicholson
Payne
Scherf
Whittle
Wilson
Grand Final MVP: Gabrielle Richards (191-C-84) of Bendigo LB Player of the Year: Lauren Nicholson (183-G-93) of Launceston T. Domestic Player of the Year: Lauren Nicholson (183-G-93) of Launceston T. Import Player of the Year: Brittany Smart (175-G-85) of Hobart C. Youth Player of the Year: Eziyoda Magbegor (176-F/C-99) of Diamond VE Defensive Player of the Year: Louella Tomlinson (193-F-88) of Melbourne T. Coach of the Year: Megan Moody of Bendigo LB
Richards and Wilson lead Bendigo to high-scoring SEABL Grand Final victory - Aug 19, 2018
Dominant performances from Gabrielle Richards (191-C-84, college: Oregon) and Kelly Wilson (170-G-84) have helped the Lady Braves to the 2018 SEABL Championship despite 16 threes from Launceston. Bendigo prevailed 119-96 in a high scoring contest, with both teams shooting over 50% from the field. Gabrielle Richards won the MVP award after an outstanding 43 points and 24 rebounds. Richards shot a scintillating 16-19 from the field while also securing 11 offensive rebounds. Richard's dominance in the paint helped the Lady Braves to a huge advantage in the paint, as they out rebounded the Tornadoes 51-18. Kelly Wilson controlled the ball all night for Bendigo as she dished out 20 dimes to go along with 27 points. It was Wilson who paced the Lady Braves early, as she began to assert her dominance as the floor general for the Lady Braves. Gabrielle Richards used her size advantage on numerous occasions as she scored 12 first quarter points. The Launceston big's struggled to contain her in the paint as she went 6-6 from the field. Alex Wilson (174-G-94) hit a timely three for the Tornadoes as the first period came to a close, but the two stars of the first period in Kelly Wilson and Gabrielle Richards combined for a Richards lay-in to see the Lady Braves lead 33-28 at the end of one. The second period began with a 6-0 run from the Lady Braves, however a Lauren Nicholson (183-G-93, college: St.Mary's, CA) three brought the score line back to 39-31 early in the second. Kelly Wilson continued to be the catalyst for the Lady Braves as she reached a double-double with over three minutes to go in the second quarter of 13 points and 10 assists. Wilson was seemingly involved in every score for the Lady Braves, as she scored or assisted on 42 of Bendigo's 63 first half points. Both teams showcased elite accuracy from downtown as the Tornadoes connected on 8-16 first half triples. For Launceston Ellie Collins enjoyed a great first half, dropping 21 points, including 3-3 from downtown. For Bendigo, it was their star pairing of Kelly Wilson and Gabrielle Richards who led the way as Wilson had 15 points and 12 rebounds while Richards had 21 points on an impressive 8-9 shooting to go along with 9 boards. At the half Bendigo had opened up a commanding 63-46 lead as the Tornadoes went into the break with a lot of work to do. Led by Richards, the Lady Braves had found an advantage in the paint as they led the points in the paint numbers 34-16. Alex Wilson opened the second half with a bang as she connected on a three-point attempt. The Tornadoes would start where they left off as Alexander Partridge connected on a second three to bring the margin back to 15 early in the third period. The Tornadoes were trying to shoot their way back into the game as they narrowly missed on their next three attempts from downtown. Bendigo steadied momentarily before Nicholson and Partridge connected on two more threes to bring the score line back to 74-60 with four and half minutes remaining in the third. Despite the Tornadoes' sharp shooting from range, the Braves continued their offensive onslaught on the interior and when Ashleigh Karaitiana (183-G-92, college: Hawaii) hit a three the lead was back out to 19 with the Lady Braves in control. However, moments later Ellie Collins connected on yet another Tornadoes three before Lauren Mansfield stole the ball and drew the foul for another two. The Tornadoes sensed a switch in momentum as Ellie Collins hit on a mid-range jump shot before Alexandra Partridge connected on another long-range two to complete a 9-0 run in just 47 seconds, sending the travelling Launceston fans into a frenzy and as a result, forcing the Lady Braves into a timeout. Kelly Wilson came out of the break re-energised for Bendigo, steadying her team with a number of big plays, including a tough lay-up to give the Lady Braves a comfortable 87-74 lead. The two teams traded buckets to begin the fourth period before Alexandra Partridge connected on a tough and-one lay-in to bring the Tornadoes within 13. The game started to become scrappy as both teams stepped up the defensive intensity. Bodies were hitting the floor regularly during the fourth as both teams drew multiple offensive fouls. The refs tried their best to put their whistles away but the physical nature of the game compelled them to become involved. The Tornadoes were struggling to put any real scoreboard pressure on the Lady Braves as the margin remained in the high teens throughout the last period. Launceston continued to score at a high-rate thanks to a multitude of threes from Lauren Nicholson, but the Lady Braves kept the scoreboard ticking over to keep their lead secure. With 2:40 to go, Kelly Wilson drew a foul on a fast break lay-up. The foul meant that both teams were in the bonus. Wilson went 2-2 from the line to put Bendigo up 107-93. When Gabrielle Richards converted on yet another and-one opportunity, the game was out of reach for Launceston as they trailed 112-93 with just over a minute to go. With 30 seconds to go the Lady Braves began to celebrate as they had secured the game, capitalising on their perfect 20-0 regular season. Bendigo's two stars in Gabrielle Richards and Kelly Wilson were hard to split in the MVP voting but it was Richards who was awarded MVP as she put up a monster stat line of 43 points and 24 boards, including 11 offensive. Richards completely dominated the paint, as she shot an efficient 16-19 from the field. Kelly Wilson was once again outstanding as she controlled the contest from the outset, using her floor general skills to drop 27 points and 20 assists. Ashleigh Karaitiana also put up 21, to help Bendigo on their offensive onslaught. The Lady Braves managed 119 points on a scintillating 60% field goal percentage. Launceston shot the ball at a highly efficient rate themselves, shooting at 50% for 96 points of their own. The Tornadoes dropped 16 threes in the game as Lauren Nicholson led the way with 5 triples. The regular season MVP dropped 24 points and 7 assists while Ellie Collins was instrumental with 26 points and 6 boards. Bendigo dominated the paint all-game as they led the points in the paint numbers 70-28, largely thanks to Richards. The Lady Braves also dominated the rebounding battle, securing 51 while limiting the Tornadoes to just 18 rebounds for the game. Courtesy of: seabl.com.au
Australiabasket.com All-Australian WARATAH 1st Team 2018
Schweers
Graham
Garlepp
Norris
Maenpaa
Grand Final MVP: Elizajane Loader (173-G) of Norths Bears Player of the Year: Chelsie Schweers (170-PG-89) of Sutherland S. Domestic Player of the Year: Renae Garlepp (177-G-86) of Norths Bears Import Player of the Year: Chelsie Schweers (170-PG-89) of Sutherland S. Youth Player of the Year: Madeleine Norris of Sutherland S. Defensive Player of the Year: Kate Seebohm (170-G-91) of Norths Bears Coach of the Year: Thomas Garlepp of Norths Bears
NEWCASTLE women's coach Shannon Seebohm was pleased with his team's overall performance this Waratah Basketball League season despite bowing out in the semi-finals on Saturday. The Hunters were out-classed 70-49 by eventual champions Norths Bears, who went on to defeat Sutherland Sharks 90-70 in the decider on Sunday. Newcastle qualified for the finals in fourth position with a 10-6 win-loss record and were one of only two teams to beat the Bears this year, winning 67-53 at the Bear Cave on June 30, but could not repeat that result against the minor premiers on Saturday. Norths dominated the paint, out-rebounding Newcastle 56-33, and over 40 minutes were more physical and more efficient at both ends of the floor. Newcastle never stopped trying, despite trailing 20-15 at quarter-time, 34-23 at the half and 53-39 heading into the final term, but their poor shooting (24% from the floor) meant they could not make runs and build momentum. 'It's always disappointing when you fall short but we've had a good season. I've been really impressed with our level of improvement across the year,' Seebohm said after his first season in charge of the Hunters. 'We ran into a very talented Norths team who were really hungry to progress to the grand final, and while we did a good job for most of the game to keep it close, we couldn't make enough plays when it mattered to put ourselves in a position to get over the line.' Elizajane Loader (173-G, college: Portland St.) led the champions with 26 points. Cassidy McLean (178-F-99) (12 points, two rebounds, two assists), Hannah Young (185-F-93, college: Virginia Tech) (11 points, seven rebounds, three steals, two assists), Alison Ebzery (11 points, five rebounds) and Jasmin Howe (seven points, six rebounds) scored the bulk of Newcastle's points but were a combined 11 of 47 from the floor. Newcastle's division one youth league men's team went down 84-71 to eventual champions Central Coast Crusaders in the semi-finals on Saturday. Courtesy of: theherald.com.au
South win SBL All-Star Game - Jun 6, 2018
South - North 103:76
South SBL All-Star Match wins All Star game in Australia. They overcame North 103-76 at the Bendat Basketball Centre. Ali Schwagmeyer (177-G/F-90, college: Quincy) was named MVP of the game. Antonia Farnworth-Edmondson (181-G-87) and Kayla Standish (187-F-89, college: Gonzaga) were named dual Red Frogs Australia Medallists.
Australian SBL All-Star Game 2018 Rosters - Jun 5, 2018
