NBL One Round 41 (Regular Season): Logan T. beats Rockhampton by two after a very close game

The games at this stage are more interesting as they can be crucial for the final standings in Regular Season. Despite we already know who is stronger and who is weaker, there may be still last minute surprises and upsets. Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Seventh-ranked Rockets (7-8) were very close to win a game against third ranked Thunder (11-4) in Loganholme on Sunday. Thunder managed to secure only two-point victory 90-88. However their fans expected much easier game. Guard Shaun Bruce (190-1991) orchestrated the victory by scoring 38 points (!!!) and 4 assists. Guard Zac Triplett (196-2001, college: Portland) contributed with 24 points and 4 assists for the winners. Guard Benjamin Tweedy (188-2005) answered with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists for Rockhampton. Logan T. moved-up to second place, which they share with Darwin S. Rockhampton at the other side dropped to the sixth position with eight games lost. They share it with Gold Coast R. and Norwood F.. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Very important is a road loss of second ranked Ballarat Miners (13-6) against eighth ranked Frankston Blues (11-7) on Sunday night. Visiting Ballarat Miners were crushed by Frankston Blues in Seaford 94-69. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Ballarat Miners. Forward Daniel Trist (206-1992, college: Lafayette) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and Lucas Barker chipped in 16 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. Frankston Blues' coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Naturalized Sudanese power forward Majok Majok (210-1992, college: Ball St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds. Frankston Blues have a solid series of four victories in a row. Frankston B. moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 4 other teams. Ballarat M. at the other side dropped to the third position with six games lost. Frankston B. will play against Kilsyth C. (#18) at home in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Ballarat M. will play against the league's second-placed Sandringham S. (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a home loss of second ranked Tigers (14-4) against sixth ranked Giants (11-8) on Sunday night. Host Tigers were defeated by Giants in a tough game in Willetton 86-90. DeSean Parsons nailed a double-double by scoring 21 points and 18 rebounds for the winning side. Michael Vigor came up with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for Willetton T. in the defeat. Tigers' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Goldfields G. maintains sixth place with 11-8 record, which they share with Knox R. and Hobart C. Loser Tigers keeps the second position with four games lost. Goldfields G. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Willetton T. will play against Warwick S. in Perth and hope to secure a win.

There were no big surprises in other games of round 41: Sturt S. beat Woodville W. on the road 106-93. Bankstown B. won against Manly Warr. on its own court 68-60. Waverley F. outscored Ringwood in Mount Waverley 100-74. Nunawading S. was rolled over Knox R. at home 47-99. Mt.Gambier defeated Dandenong R. on the opponent's court 86-72. Joondalup W. was beaten by Geraldton B. in a home game 72-89.
The most impressive performance of 41th round was 24 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists by Maurice Howard of Waverley F..

Group Central

Woodville W. - Sturt S. 93-106

No shocking result in a game when second ranked Sturt Sabres (13-3) beat 7th ranked Woodville Warriors (7-9) in Flinders Park 106-93 on Sunday. Sturt S. made 23-of-30 free shots (76.7 percent) during the game. Sturt S. outrebounded Woodville W. 43-26 including a 30-18 advantage in defensive rebounds. Sturt S. looked well-organized offensively handing out 30 assists. Center Ben Griscti (211-2002, college: UC Riverside) nailed a double-double by scoring 36 points (!!!), 10 rebounds and 4 assists for the winning side and American guard Jordan Forbes (193-1998, college: Salem) accounted for 17 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Sturt Sabres' coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. American guard Sharif Black (185-1996, college: Bemidji St.) came up with a double-double by scoring 24 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists and point guard Nicholas Wurm (183-1997, college: Dickinson St.) added 19 points and 4 assists respectively for Woodville W. in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Sturt Sabres have a solid series of three victories in a row. Sturt S. keeps a position of league leader. Woodville W. lost third consecutive game. They keep the seventh place with nine games lost. They share the position with Sutherland. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Woodville W.: S.Black 24+10reb+4ast, N.Wurm 19+3reb+4ast, B.Janssan 14+3reb+2ast, J.Jackson 12+4reb+3ast, R.Meldrum 9+1reb+4ast, U.Dibiamaka 6+2ast
Sturt S.: B.Griscti 36+10reb+4ast, J.Rigoni 25+4reb+2ast, J.Forbes 17+7reb+8ast, T.Dowdell 10+3reb+2ast, S.Daly 6+5reb+11ast, S.Griffin 4+8reb+1ast

Group East

Bankstown B. - Manly Warr. 68-60

There was an upset when 4th placed Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (12-4) lost to eighth ranked Bankstown Bruins (10-8) in Condell Park 60-68 on Sunday. American forward Naaman Hightower (201-1994, college: Sonoma St.) nailed a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side and guard Hayden Blankley (198-2000, college: WTA&M) accounted for 12 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Hightower is a former Eurobasket Summer League player, which is considered top international summer league in the market. Bankstown Bruins' coach used a ten-player rotation and allowed the starting five to rest. New Zealand point guard Mason Bragg (182-1993) came up with 24 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and American forward Matthew Eldridge (203-1996, college: Lindsey Wilson) added 16 points and 13 rebounds respectively for Manly Warr. in the defeat. Bankstown Bruins have a solid series of three victories in a row. Bankstown B. moved-up to seventh place, which they share with Eltham W. Loser Manly Warringah Sea Eagles keeps the fourth position with four games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Manly Warr.: M.Bragg 24+6reb+4ast, M.Eldridge 16+13reb, J.Harper 10+3reb+3ast, Z.Kimball 4+2reb, M.Evans 3+6reb+1ast, L.Clark 3+3reb+1ast
Bankstown B.: N.Hightower 16+11reb+1ast, A.Wolford 15+5reb+2ast, H.Blankley 12+6reb+6ast, T.Buvac 7+3reb+5ast, T.Daus 7+8reb+2ast, J.Lopez 7+5reb+2ast

Group North

Logan T. - Rockhampton R. 90-88

Seventh-ranked Rockets (7-8) were very close to win a game against third ranked Thunder (11-4) in Loganholme on Sunday. Thunder managed to secure only two-point victory 90-88. However their fans expected much easier game. Guard Shaun Bruce (190-1991) orchestrated the victory by scoring 38 points (!!!) and 4 assists. Guard Zac Triplett (196-2001, college: Portland) contributed with 24 points and 4 assists for the winners. Guard Benjamin Tweedy (188-2005) answered with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists and American forward Nighael Ceaser (203-2000, college: Texas St.) added 20 points and 11 rebounds in the effort for Rockhampton. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Logan T. moved-up to second place, which they share with Darwin S. Rockhampton at the other side dropped to the sixth position with eight games lost. They share it with Gold Coast R. and Norwood F.. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Rockhampton R.: N.Ceaser 20+11reb, B.Tweedy 18+5reb+9ast, C.Goldfinch 17+3reb+3ast, M.Maker 13+6reb+1ast, S.Biernacki 8, X.Ford 7+6reb+1ast
Logan T.: S.Bruce 38+3reb+4ast, Z.Triplett 24+1reb+4ast, C.Dalton 11+12reb+2ast, I.Lee 10+5reb+2ast, E.Puna 3+1ast, C.Cedar 3+2reb+2ast

Group South

Ringwood H. - Waverley F. 74-100

Very predictable result when ninth ranked Waverley Falcons (11-7) rolled over 16th ranked Ringwood Hawks (6-14) in Heathmont 100-74 on Monday. Waverley F. dominated down low during the game scoring 52 of its points in the paint compared to Ringwood Hawks's 28. They outrebounded Ringwood 47-27 including a 36-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Waverley F. looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Waverley F. made 7 blocks. American point guard Maurice Howard (185-1997, college: Alcorn St., agency: Green Sports Management) nailed 24 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the winning side and guard Dexter Kernich-Drew (199-1991, college: WSU, agency: BIG) accounted for 19 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Worth to mention Howard played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped get the job in pro basketball. Naturalized Dutch forward Thomas Carroll (200-2003) came up with 14 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists and American guard Jonathan Lawton (188-1996, college: FSC, agency: IceBasket) added 15 points and 5 rebounds respectively for Ringwood in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Ringwood Hawks' coach gave up on the game allowing to play twelve players seeing no chance for a win. Waverley F. moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 4 other teams. Ringwood lost tenth consecutive game. They keep the sixteenth position with 14 games lost. Waverley F. will meet Eltham W. (#10) on the road in the next round which should be theoretically another easy game. Ringwood will play against Nunawading S. (#12) and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Ringwood H.: B.Bridges 17+4reb+2ast, J.Lawton 15+5reb+3ast, T.Carroll 14+5reb+7ast, H.Sealey 13+2reb+3ast, S.Lees 5+4reb+2ast, L.Ahale 4+1ast
Waverley F.: M.Howard 24+6reb+5ast, D.Kernich-Drew 19+10reb+5ast, M.Meunier 15+12reb+4ast, M.Forbes 14+8reb+2ast, M.Harper 11+1reb+2ast, B.Lewis 9+6reb+3ast

Frankston B. - Ballarat M. 94-69

Very important is a road loss of second ranked Ballarat Miners (13-6) against eighth ranked Frankston Blues (11-7) on Sunday night. Visiting Ballarat Miners were crushed by Frankston Blues in Seaford 94-69. It ended at the same time the two-game winning streak of Ballarat Miners. Frankston B. outrebounded Ballarat M. 38-27 including 32 on the defensive glass. Forward Daniel Trist (206-1992, college: Lafayette) stepped up with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists for the winners and point guard Lucas Barker (183-1993, college: Indianapolis) chipped in 16 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. Frankston Blues' coach felt very confident that he used 10 players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Naturalized Sudanese power forward Majok Majok (210-1992, college: Ball St.) responded with a double-double by scoring 12 points and 12 rebounds and guard Zachery Dunmore (-2000) scored 17 points. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Frankston Blues have a solid series of four victories in a row. Frankston B. moved-up to fifth place, which they share with 4 other teams. Ballarat M. at the other side dropped to the third position with six games lost. Frankston B. will play against Kilsyth C. (#18) at home in the next round which should be another easy win for them. Ballarat M. will play against the league's second-placed Sandringham S. (#2) and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Ballarat M.: Z.Dunmore 17+4reb+1ast, T.Rudolph 13+5reb+1ast, M.Majok 12+12reb+1ast, L.Rosendale 10+2reb+1ast, J.Lloyd 9+1reb+3ast, N.Stoddart 6+2reb+2ast
Frankston B.: L.Barker 17+1reb+2ast, L.Barker 16+4reb+5ast, I.Hadziomerovic 15+5reb+2ast, D.Trist 13+13reb+5ast, B.Newley 12+3reb+1ast, C.Hastings 7+1ast

Nunawading S. - Knox R. 47-99

Not a big story in a game when 12th ranked Spectres (9-10) were outscored by tenth ranked Knox Raiders (11-8) in East Burwood 99-47 on Sunday. Knox R. held Nunawading S. to an opponent 24.0 percent shooting from the field compared to 51.4 percent accuracy of the winners. They outrebounded Nunawading S. 57-30 including a 45-19 advantage in defensive rebounds. Knox R. looked well-organized offensively handing out 21 assists. Great defensive blocking was one of the keys in this match when Knox R. made 8 blocks. New Zealand power forward Anzac Rissetto (208-2001, college: Charlotte) nailed a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 rebounds for the winning side and guard Brody Nunn (185-2002, college: Seattle) accounted for 20 points and 5 assists (perfect from the field making all seven shots !!!). Four Knox Raiders players scored in double figures. Swingman Christian DAngelo (191-2003) came up with 12 points and American guard Trendon Hankerson (188-2000, college: Akron, agency: Elevate Sports Alliance) added 4 points and 6 rebounds respectively for Nunawading S. in the defeat. The winner was already known earlier in the game, so both coaches allowed to play the bench players saving starting five for next games. Knox R. moved-up to sixth place, which they share with Goldfields G. and Hobart C. Nunawading S. lost third consecutive game. They keep the twelfth position with ten games lost. Knox R. will meet league's leader Mt.Gambier in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Nunawading S. will play against Ringwood (#16) in Heathmont and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Nunawading S.: C.D'Angelo 12+4reb+2ast, J.Johnson 8+3reb, N.Tata 5+1reb, T.Hankerson 4+6reb+1ast, J.Gandolfo 4+2ast, J.Geer 4+2reb+1ast
Knox R.: B.Nunn 20+3reb+5ast, A.Rissetto 16+11reb+3ast, A.Rapp 14+8reb+1ast, K.Feagin 14+3reb+2ast, M.Machar 13+6reb+1ast, K.Bowen 7+9reb+4ast

Dandenong R. - Mt.Gambier 72-86

Everything went according to plan when first ranked Mount Gambier Pioneers (15-4) defeated on the road 4th placed Dandenong Rangers (12-7) 86-72 on Sunday. Strangely Dandenong R. outrebounded Mt.Gambier 48-33 including a 21-3 advantage in offensive rebounds. American Titus Robinson (201-1990, college: Buffalo) nailed 24 points for the winning side and forward Akech Aliir (200-2000) accounted for 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. The former international point guard Tad Dufelmeier (183-1996, college: CUI) came up with 27 points and 9 rebounds and power forward Deng Puoch Puoch (203-1999, college: Georgetown, KY) added 15 points and 18 rebounds respectively for Dandenong R. in the defeat. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Mount Gambier Pioneers have an impressive series of six victories in a row. Mt.Gambier maintains first place with 15-4 record. Loser Dandenong Rangers keeps the fourth position with seven games lost. They share it with Mandurah. Mt.Gambier will meet at home Knox R. (#8) in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Dandenong R. will have a break next round.
Top scorers:
Dandenong R.: T.Dufelmeier 27+9reb+1ast, D.Puoch Puoch 15+18reb, M.Peatling 12+5reb+1ast, B.Betson 10+1reb+4ast, J.Tryon 4+5reb, J.Roche 2+4reb
Mt.Gambier: T.Robinson 24+4reb+3ast, A.Aliir 17+9reb+4ast, D.Marshall 15+7reb+2ast, A.Shelley 14+3reb+1ast, V.Monaghan 8+2reb+1ast, C.Peevy 6+5reb+2ast

Group West

Joondalup W. - Geraldton B. 72-89

There was no surprise when 3rd placed Wanneroo (14-5) lost to first ranked Buccaneers (18-1) in Joondalup 72-89 on Sunday. Geraldton B. outrebounded Joondalup W. 47-33 including a 37-26 advantage in defensive rebounds. Geraldton B. looked well-organized offensively handing out 22 assists. Guard Nikolas DeSantis (-1998) nailed a double-double by scoring 19 points, 8 rebounds and 11 assists for the winning side and guard Johny Narkle (198-2001) accounted for 23 points and 9 rebounds. American guard Jonathan Wade (196-1993, college: Norfolk St.) came up with 19 points and 6 rebounds and the other American import swingman CJ Turnage (201-1995, college: SVSU) added 18 points respectively for Joondalup W. in the defeat. Five Geraldton B. and four Joondalup W. players scored in double figures. Buccaneers have an impressive series of eleven victories in a row. Geraldton B. maintains first place with 18-1 record. Loser Wanneroo keeps the third position with five games lost. Both teams do not play next round, which will be an opportunity for some rest.
Top scorers:
Joondalup W.: J.Wade 19+6reb+2ast, C.Turnage 18+2reb+2ast, J.Wiley 14+7reb, C.Davis 13+6reb+2ast, E.Elliott 6+6reb+6ast, J.Wellsteed 2+2reb+4ast
Geraldton B.: J.Narkle 23+9reb+1ast, N.DeSantis 19+8reb+11ast, J.Braun 15+4reb+3ast, L.Hunt 13+6reb+3ast, J.Keyes 10+10reb+3ast, A.Ralph 6+5reb

Willetton T. - Goldfields G. 86-90

Very important is a home loss of second ranked Tigers (14-4) against sixth ranked Giants (11-8) on Sunday night. Host Tigers were defeated by Giants in a tough game in Willetton 86-90. Goldfields G. made 25-of-31 free shots (80.6 percent) during the game. American forward DeSean Parsons (201-1995, college: Portland St.) nailed a double-double by scoring 21 points and 18 rebounds for the winning side and guard Damon Ballantyne (194-1990, college: GMC) accounted for 28 points and 6 rebounds (was perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line). Four Giants players scored in double figures. Naturalized Scottish power forward Michael Vigor (206-1990) came up with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and guard Marshall Nelson (184-1994, college: Wayland Baptist, agency: BIG) added 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists respectively for Willetton T. in the defeat. Tigers' coach tried various players' combinations and tested in total eleven players in this game, but that didn't help. Goldfields G. maintains sixth place with 11-8 record, which they share with Knox R. and Hobart C. Loser Tigers keeps the second position with four games lost. Goldfields G. will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Willetton T. will play against Warwick S. in Perth and hope to secure a win.
Top scorers:
Willetton T.: M.Nelson 18+5reb+4ast, M.Vigor 18+6reb+4ast, R.Williams 15+6reb+2ast, M.Dupree 7+3reb+1ast, D.Gak 7+8reb+3ast, A.Black 5+1reb+2ast
Goldfields G.: D.Ballantyne 28+6reb+1ast, D.Parsons 21+18reb+3ast, R.Bell 21+4reb+6ast, K.Anguik 11+7reb+3ast, H.Cummings 5+2reb+1ast, J.Reid 3+1ast