NBL One Round 5 (Regular Season): Maitland keep a leadership position

Round 5 means everything may happen in NBL One as the season just started. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

The game had a very big importance for fourth-ranked Mustangs as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Mustangs smashed 3rd placed Bulls in Maitland 101-79. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Maitland dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Bulls's 42. Maitland forced 27 Inner WB turnovers. The best player for the winners was swingman Will Cranston-Lown (185-2000, college: Regis Univ.) who scored 23 points and 5 rebounds. Forward Matt Gray (203-1999) chipped in 20 points. Central African forward Alex Higgins-Titsha (197-2000) produced 16 points and 7 rebounds for the guests. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with 6 other teams. Inner WB at the other side dropped to the fifth place with one game lost. They share the position with 9 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Undefeated Ballarat Miners (1-1) recorded its first loss in Wendouree. Hosts were edged by leader Geelong Supercats (1-0) 81-79. It was a key game for the second position in the league. American guard Latrell Jones (196-1998, college: Nicholls St., agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) orchestrated the victory by scoring 21 points and 5 rebounds. Owen Odigie contributed with 13 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. American power forward Tyler Rudolph (198-1996, college: Minot St.) answered with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 13 rebounds for Ballarat M.Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Geelong Supercats left bottom position moving up to second place, which they share with 7 other teams. Ballarat M. at the other side dropped to the fifth position with one game lost. They share it with 9 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Bandits can celebrate their first win this season after one consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as it came on the road game in Hornsby, where they defeated Spiders (0-2) 91-82 on Sunday. William Hickey stepped up with a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!), 14 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners. Steven Hall responded with 19 points and 9 rebounds. Spiders' coach rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Bandits (1-1) left bottom position moving up to fifth place, which they share with 9 other teams. Loser Spiders still closes the standings with two games lost. They share the position with 9 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.

Other games of round 5 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are:
winless Casey was defeated by Ringwood in Heathmont 94-91. Frankston B. beat Eltham W. at home 104-91. Nunawading S. won against Melbourne T. on the opponent's court 89-74. Winless Waverley F. lost to undefeated Mt Gambier in a home game 63-67. Goldfields G. lost to undefeated Rockingham F. on the road 78-87.
The best stats of 5th round was 28 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals by Jonathan Lawton of Ringwood H..

Group East

Hornsby S. - Albury W.B. 82-91

Bandits can celebrate their first win this season after one consecutive losses. The victory is especially important as it came on the road game in Hornsby, where they defeated Spiders (0-2) 91-82 on Sunday. Albury W.B. dominated down low during the game scoring 56 of its points in the paint compared to Spiders's 36. Guard William Hickey (194-1999) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!), 14 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and American forward Kevion Blaylock (198-1994, college: William Penn) chipped in 29 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists (on 12-of-14 shooting from the field). Guard Steven Hall (180) responded with 19 points and 9 rebounds and swingman Isaiah Walter (194-2004) scored 12 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Spiders' coach rotated twelve players in this game, but that didn't help. Bandits (1-1) left bottom position moving up to fifth place, which they share with 9 other teams. Loser Spiders still closes the standings with two games lost. They share the position with 9 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Albury W.B.: H.William 36+14reb+5ast, K.Blaylock 29+11reb+4ast, B.Liam 8+1reb, S.Montague 8+5reb, L.Cummings 6+5reb+3ast, W.Samuel 3+4reb
Hornsby S.: S.Hall 19+9reb+3ast, R.Takchi 14+5reb+3ast, W.Isaiah 12+8reb+7ast, C.Nate 10, D.Garrett 9+2reb+1ast, R.Aaron 7+9reb+1ast

Maitland M. - Inner WB 101-79

The game had a very big importance for fourth-ranked Mustangs as it allowed them to take a leadership position. Mustangs smashed 3rd placed Bulls in Maitland 101-79. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Maitland dominated down low during the game scoring 66 of its points in the paint compared to Bulls's 42. Maitland forced 27 Inner WB turnovers. The best player for the winners was swingman Will Cranston-Lown (185-2000, college: Regis Univ.) who scored 23 points and 5 rebounds. Forward Matt Gray (203-1999) chipped in 20 points. Central African forward Alex Higgins-Titsha (197-2000) produced 16 points and 7 rebounds and Nicko Timonera (-2001) added 16 points respectively for the guests. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. As mentioned above they are at the top of the standings, which they share with 6 other teams. Inner WB at the other side dropped to the fifth place with one game lost. They share the position with 9 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Maitland M.: W.Cranston-Lown 23+5reb+3ast, G.Matt 20+3reb+1ast, C.Jay 16+3reb, P.Billy 12+8reb+2ast, C.Little 9+4reb, D.Millburn 5+2reb
Inner WB: T.Nicko 16+3reb+3ast, H.Alex 16+7reb+2ast, T.Tolovae 13+8reb, F.Viliami 10+5reb+1ast, H.Zachery 7+6reb+2ast, C.Ramon 6+5reb+1ast

Group South

Ringwood H. - Casey C. 94-91

There was no surprise in Heathmont where bottom-ranked Cavaliers (0-2) were edged by tenth ranked Ringwood Hawks (2-1) 94-91 on Monday. American guard Jonathan Lawton (188-1996, college: FSC, agency: IceBasket) stepped up and scored 28 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 steals for the winners and his fellow American import center Braelen Bridges (210-1999, college: Georgia) chipped in 14 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Lawton is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Ringwood Hawks' coach used a ten-player rotation in such tough game. American guard Devin Watson (185-1995, college: SDSU) responded with 29 points and 4 assists and American-Kenyan forward Preston Bungei (198-1995, college: Norfolk St.) produced a double-double by scoring 18 points and 12 rebounds. Four Ringwood and five Casey players scored in double figures. Ringwood moved-up to third place, which they share with Eastern M. and Forestville E. Loser Cavaliers still closes the standings with two games lost. They share the position with 9 other teams. Ringwood will meet at home Knox R. (#3) in the next round, which may be the game of the day. Casey will play against Sandringham S. (#18) in Cheltenham and hopes to get finally their first victory.
Top scorers:
Ringwood H.: J.Lawton 28+6reb+7ast, M.Roberts 15+3reb, N.Nai 15+4reb+1ast, B.Bridges 14+6reb+5ast, C.Thomas 9+5reb+5ast, S.Harry 5+1ast
Casey C.: D.Watson 29+2reb+4ast, P.Bungei 18+12reb+2ast, B.Truman 13+4reb, A.Karabatsos 12+4reb+4ast, D.Stith 10+5reb+3ast, B.Jarred 3

Ballarat M. - Geelong S. 79-81

Undefeated Ballarat Miners (1-1) recorded its first loss in Wendouree. Hosts were edged by leader Geelong Supercats (1-0) 81-79. It was a key game for the second position in the league. American guard Latrell Jones (196-1998, college: Nicholls St., agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) orchestrated the victory by scoring 21 points and 5 rebounds. The former international swingman Owen Odigie (196-1993) contributed with 13 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. American power forward Tyler Rudolph (198-1996, college: Minot St.) answered with a double-double by scoring 21 points and 13 rebounds and naturalized South Sudanese forward Makuei Puondak (203-1994, college: UT Southern) added 15 points in the effort for Ballarat M.Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Geelong Supercats left bottom position moving up to second place, which they share with 7 other teams. Ballarat M. at the other side dropped to the fifth position with one game lost. They share it with 9 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Geelong S.: L.Jones 21+5reb+2ast, H.Liam 15+3reb+2ast, O.Odigie 13+7reb, M.Marach 12+5reb, M.Hicks 7+6reb, D.Gatlin 7+10reb+1ast
Ballarat M.: T.Rudolph 21+13reb+1ast, M.Puondak 15+3reb+1ast, N.Stoddart 13+2reb+3ast, R.Luke 11+4reb+2ast, T.Jackson 8+3reb+1ast, M.Cody 8+2reb+5ast

Frankston B. - Eltham W. 104-91

Everything could happen in Seaford at the game between two tied teams. Both leader Frankston Blues and 5th ranked Eltham Wildcats had identical 1-0 record. This time Frankston Blues used a home court advantage and defeated the opponent from Eltham 104-91 on Sunday night. It was a key game for the top position in the league. Frankston B. outrebounded Eltham W. 40-17 including a 13-2 advantage in offensive rebounds. Forward Daniel Trist (206-1992, college: Lafayette) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 13 rebounds for the winners and guard Lachlan Barker (188-1996) chipped in 24 points. Guard Owen Foxwell (188-2003) responded with 26 points and the former international guard Angus Glover (192-1998) scored 21 points and 4 assists. Five Frankston B. and four Eltham W. players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Frankston B. (2-0) keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 6 other teams. Loser Eltham Wildcats keeps the fifth place with one game lost. They share the position with 9 other teams. Frankston B. will meet at home Diamond V.E. (#12) in the next round which should be an easy win for them. Eltham W. will play against the league's leader Dandenong R. (#1) and hope to win that game.
Top scorers:
Frankston B.: L.Barker 24+2reb+3ast, L.Barker 18+1reb+5ast, D.Trist 16+13reb+1ast, N.Bradley 13+8reb, K.Brown 13+1reb+1ast, S.Chaffee 11+11reb
Eltham W.: F.Owen 26+3reb, R.Bissainthe 21+3reb+1ast, A.Glover 21+2reb+4ast, J.Sykes 13+4reb+1ast, O.Magbegor 4+1reb, S.Short 3+4reb+2ast

Melbourne T. - Nunawading S. 74-89

Very expected game in Melbourne where bottom-ranked Tigers (0-2) were defeated by leader Spectres (2-0) 89-74 on Sunday. American guard Trendon Hankerson (188-2000, college: Akron) stepped up and scored 20 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals for the winners and guard Jack Gandolfo (-1998) chipped in 20 points and 6 assists. Four Spectres players scored in double figures. Forward Mason Gaze (198-2001, college: Lindenwood) responded with 24 points and 7 rebounds and the former international guard Tom Wilson (195-1997, college: SMU) scored 24 points and 6 rebounds. Nunawading S. keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 6 other teams. Loser Tigers still closes the standings with two games lost. They share the position with 9 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Nunawading S.: J.Gandolfo 20+3reb+6ast, T.Hankerson 20+6reb+6ast, J.Johnson 19+5reb, D.Baxter 14+8reb+3ast, T.Nicolas 6+4reb, D.Christian 5+1reb+2ast
Melbourne T.: T.Wilson 24+6reb+1ast, M.Gaze 24+7reb+2ast, J.Purchase 10+9reb+6ast, C.Barker 5+2reb+1ast, F.Von Hofe 5+1reb, R.Simankevicius 4+1reb

Waverley F. - Mt Gambier 63-67

Very predictable result in Mount Waverley where leader Mount Gambier Pioneers (2-0) beat bottom-ranked Waverley Falcons (0-2) 67-63 on Sunday. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Mt Gambier made 9 blocks. International swingman Nick Marshall (196-1999, college: Clarke) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 23 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and American Titus Robinson (201-1990, college: Buffalo) chipped in 11 points and 11 rebounds. The former international guard Dejan Vasiljevic (190-1997, college: Miami, FL) responded with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds and guard Malik Meunier (185-1999) scored 18 points. Mt Gambier keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 6 other teams. Loser Waverley Falcons still closes the standings with two games lost. They share the position with 9 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Mt Gambier: N.Marshall 23+12reb+5ast, A.Shelley 12+1reb+1ast, T.Robinson 11+11reb, M.Dylan 8+3reb, C.Peevy 7+3reb, A.Akech 4+13reb
Waverley F.: D.Vasiljevic 20+10reb+1ast, M.Meunier 18+4reb+1ast, M.McCarthy 8+12reb+3ast, B.Lewis 6+7reb+2ast, M.Howard 5+1reb, D.Larkin 4+3reb

Group West

Rockingham F. - Goldfields G. 87-78

Not a big story in a game in Rockingham where 5th ranked Giants (1-1) were defeated by leader Flames (3-0) 87-78 on Sunday. Center Gorjok Gak (211-1996, college: CBU) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 20 points and 11 rebounds for the winners and forward Justin Beard (196-1996) chipped in 14 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Four Flames players scored in double figures. American point guard Randy Bell (193-1998, college: Dalton St.) responded with 31 points and 9 rebounds (on 14-of-18 shooting from the field) and the other American import forward De'Sean Parsons (201-1995, college: Portland St.) produced a double-double by scoring 12 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists. Giants' coach tested ten players, but that didn't help to avoid defeat in this game. Flames have a solid series of three victories in a row. Rockingham F. keeps a position of league leader, which they share with 3 other teams. Loser Giants keeps the fifth place with one game lost. They share the position with 9 other teams. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Rockingham F.: G.Gak 20+11reb+2ast, D.Walker 18+2reb+1ast, R.Godfrey 18+2reb+5ast, J.Beard 14+7reb+5ast, D.Emmanuel 6+3reb+1ast, T.Durnin 6+9reb+2ast
Goldfields G.: R.Bell 31+9reb+1ast, D.Parsons 12+11reb+7ast, M.Malek 10+4reb+3ast, K.Anguik 7+4reb, D.Ballantyne 6+6reb+2ast, J.Reid 6+2reb