Central Wrap | Women's Heritage Round

Featured image: Dan Cowley | @imagesby_dan

Sturt Sabres and Norwood Flames both had double win NBL1 Central weekends as did West Adelaide Bearcats by a combined 88 points with Sam Simons then having a huge triple double on Sunday for Forestville Eagles.

>> CENTRAL SPOTLIGHT | BEARCATS STAY DOMINANT OVER REIGNING CHAMPS

>> CENTRAL SPOTLIGHT | BEARCATS BLOW AWAY PANTHERS TO GO 11-0

>> HERITAGE ROUND | CENTRALS FAMILY CONNECTION DRIVES SAPWELLS

SATURDAY

Forestville Eagles (63) lost to Sturt Sabres (68)

The Sturt Sabres survived scoring just six points to hold out the Forestville Eagles for the 68-63 road victory.

The Sabres came into the match at the State Basketball Centre still sitting in second place while Forestville were fourth having won three straight setting up a fascinating contest.

It was just a narrow 16-15 advantage for the Sabres by quarter-time before the Sabres had 24 points to 19 in the second frame to head into the half-time interval leading 40-34.

It was then another 22 to 17 in the third frame for Sturt to open up an 11-point edge and then despite scoring just six points in the last 10 minutes, they held on for the five-point victory.

Tayla Brazel finished with 15 points, 14 rebounds and six assists for the Sabres with Meg Prosser contributing 10 points and two boards, Nicola Mathews 10 points, five assists and four rebounds, and Katia Stamatelopoulos 10 points and two assists with 3/4 three-point shooting.

Forestville are now 6-5 following the loss with Sarah Boothe having a huge performance made up of 25 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and two blocks despite the result.

Sydney Hunter added 12 points and eight rebounds, Jess Simons 10 points, four boards, four assists and two steals, and Ella Sawyer nine points, seven rebounds, five steals and three assists.

Central Districts Lions (100) defeated Woodville Warriors (92)

Jewel Watkins had 28 points and nine assists and the Central Districts Lions had a big start and finish on the way to the 100-92 win over the defending champion Woodville Warriors.

The Lions were back home at STARplex trying to avoid a third straight defeat while Woodville had won five straight with momentum building in their championship defence.

Centrals then made the flying start with 31 points to 19 in the first quarter on the back of going on a 12-0 run.

That lead got out to 15 points early in the second quarter but then Woodville ended up putting up 30 points in the term and by half-time the Central Districts lead was back to just 55-49.

The Warriors also had 26 points to 21 in the third quarter and it was just a one-point Centrals lead by three quarter-time, but then they put up 24 to 17 in the final term on the way to the eight-point win.

The win improves the Lions to a 3-8 record with Jewel Watkins the star with 28 points, nine assists, six rebounds and three steals with 4/7 three-point shooting while Keely Wiseman also had 24 points and four rebounds with 4/6 shooting from downtown.

Tiahna Sears also had 18 points, 11 rebounds and two assists, Bethany Harrap 10 points, three assists and two boards, Alana Howden eight points, six assist and three rebounds, and Emily Winter eight points, 10 boards, there assists and two steals.

Woodville are now 7-4 ahead of taking on the West Adelaide Bearcats on Sunday with Naomi Allotey finishing with another 22 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks.

Sophie Kerridge added 18 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals, Lealani Falatea 15 points, six boards and four steals, Brittany Hodges 13 points and 10 rebounds, Ambah Kowcun 13 points, six steals, four assists and three boards, and Jordan Hunter four points, nine assists, seven rebounds and four steals.

North Adelaide Rockets (68) lost to Norwood Flames (79)

The Norwood Flames came from 11 points behind in the third quarter to finish strongly to overrun for the North Adelaide Rockets for the 79-68 win.

North Adelaide were back home at The Lights looking for a second win of the season and hosting a Norwood team trying to breaking into a finals position.

The Rockets got off to a strong start with 24 points to 14 in the first quarter and then the home team were still leading 35-28 heading into the half-time break.

That lead was back out to 11 points for North Adelaide in the third period but then Norwood hit back with 28 points to 19 and then another 23 to 14 in the fourth term saw them secure the 11-point victory.

The win improves Norwood to a 6-5 record on the back of that 14-0 run that got them in a winning position with Allysyn Becki finishing with 20 points, seven assists and six rebounds with shooting 4/7 from behind the three-point line.

Cali Clark also had 16 points, 10 rebounds, four steals and three assists, Maddy Hinton 11 points and two assists, Caitlin Shillabeer 11 points and five rebounds, Amy Cotton nine points, seven boards, three steals and two blocks, and Caitlin Hardin nine points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.

North Adelaide have now lost seven straight at 1-10 with Jordyn Freer ending up with 22 points and seven rebounds with 4/7 three-point shooting.

Abbey Jones added 12 points, nine rebounds and two blocks, Sarah Warner 10 points, four boards and two assists, and Maddy Freer nine points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals.

West Adelaide Bearcats (99) defeated South Adelaide Panthers (49)

The West Adelaide Bearcats improved to a perfect 11-0 record putting up 63 first half points led by Morgan Yaeger on the way to the 99-49 thumping win against the South Adelaide Panthers.

The Bearcats were back home at Port Adelaide Recreation Centre looking to stay undefeated in 2026 hosting a South Adelaide team clinging to fifth position and attempting to bounce back from a loss to the Sturt Sabres.

West Adelaide dominated from the outset with 30 points to 11 in the first quarter and 33 to 12 in the second on the way to the eventual 50-point win.

That keeps the Bearcats undefeated in the 2026 season improving to an 11-0 record trying to make up for last year's straight sets finals exit with the Panthers now 6-5 following the hefty defeat.

Morgan Yaeger was right on track for a triple double again with 21 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in just 20 minutes but she wasn’t needed much in the second half especially with a Sunday game to come.

Alex Ciabattoni added 18 points, six rebounds, five steals and three assists, Krystal Thompson 13 points, three steals and three blocks, Chloe Hodges 11 points, seven boards and three assists, and Molly Coleman eight points, two rebounds and two blocked shots.

Keira Gardiner finished with 10 points and nine rebounds for South Adelaide with Hannah Gardiner adding nine points, five boards and two assists, Hatti Cox eight points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals, and Bella Stratford six points and four boards.

Southern Tigers (78) defeated Eastern Mavericks (63)

The Southern Tigers took charge of the Eastern Mavericks in the second half for the 78-63 home victory against the Eastern Mavericks.

The Tigers were fresh off a win against the Central Districts Lions ahead of hosting a Mavericks team having lost eight straight, and it was a tight opening with 24 points apiece in the first quarter.

It was then the Mavs clinging to the 40-39 lead by half-time before the Tigers had 20 points to 14 in the third term, and 19 to nine in the fourth on the way to the 15-point victory.

The win improves the Tigers to a 5-6 record with back-to-back wins with Annelise Bartsch finishing with 20 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Jhaz Joson also had 18 points with 3/6 three-point shooting, Mollie McKendrick 14 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists and three steals, Holly Forbes 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Charlotte Southam-Clark 10 points and six boards.

The Mavericks have now lost nine straight at 1-10 with Annaliese Watkinson having 18 points and two assists, Mikayla Watkinson 13 points, three boards and two steals, and Ruby Stockley 11 points, nine rebounds, three steals and three blocks with new import Madi Torresin not yet suiting up.

SUNDAY

Woodville Warriors (76) lost to West Adelaide Bearcats (113)

The West Adelaide Bearcats flexed their muscles over the middle quarters outscoring the defending champion Woodville Warriors 67 points to 35 on the way to their 12th straight win, prevailing 113-76.

The Bearcats arrived at St Clair Recreation Centre having won their first 11 matches of the season including the previous night by 51 points at home to the South Adelaide Panthers.

Woodville also saw their five-game winning streak come to an end at the expense of the Central Districts Lions as they faced a big ask to try and bounce back on Sunday even on their home floor.

It was just a three-point lead at quarter-time for West Adelaide before they poured on 36 points to 20 in the second term, 31 to 15 in the third and the Bearcats went on to win by 37 to improve to a perfect 12-0 record while the Warriors are 6-6 after a double loss weekend.

Alex Ciabattoni finished with 27 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals for West Adelaide having now settled back home having started the season in the NBL1 West at the Cockburn Cougars on the back of a standout WNBL season with the Perth Lynx.

Chloe Hodges also produced 16 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals, Morgan Yaeger 16 points, three assists and two boards, and Krystal Thompson 17 points and three steals with 5/7 shooting along with 5/6 at the foul line.

Sienna Lehmann added 12 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals, and Coco Hodges 10 points, six boards, six steals and four assists.

The Warriors came into the weekend on a five-game winning streak but have now suffered two losses in less than 24 hours to slip to a 7-5 record on the back of an afternoon of having 31 turnovers while only attempting 11 three-pointers and 12 free throws.

Norwood Flames (78) defeated Southern Tigers (70)

The Norwood Flames made it a double win weekend with the 78-70 home win against the Southern Tigers with Maddy Hinton once again showing the way.

Both teams recorded Saturday wins with the Flames beating the North Adelaide Rockets while the Tigers downed Eastern Mavericks to set the match up at The ARC.

It was then the Tigers who made the better of the start on the road with 20 points to 13 in the first quarter before Norwood hit back with 19 to 13 in the second to cut Southern's advantage to 33-32 by half-time.

It was then a two-point lead still for the Tigers at three quarter-time before Norwood put up 30 points to 20 in the final term for the eight-point victory to make it a double win weekend and improve to 7-5.

Maddy Hinton finished with 21 points, nine rebounds and two steals for the Flames with Amy Cotton adding 17 points, four boards, three assists and two steals, Cali Clark 16 points and 17 rebounds, and Allysyn Becki 11 points, three boards, three assists and two steals.

The Tigers split their weekend to now be 5-7 with Holly Forbes delivering 17 points, 11 rebounds, four steals and two assists with Mollie McKendrick adding 17 points, 10 boards and five assists, and Annelise Bartsch 14 points, three steals and two rebounds.

South Adelaide Panthers (76) lost to Forestville Eagles (104)

Sam Simons had a monster triple double as the Forestville Eagles hit back from their Saturday loss to win big 104-76 against the South Adelaide Panthers.

Both teams arrived at Mitchell Park Sports and Community Centre coming off losses on Saturday with South Adelaide hammered by the West Adelaide Bearcats with Forestville overrun by the Sturt Sabres.

It was a scorching start from Forestville going on a 16-0 run in the first quarter on the way to 36 points to 18.

That lead grew to 25 points in the second quarter and by half-time the Eagles were in control leading 63-41.

That lead kept growing through the second half with Forestville leading by as much as 26 points in the third period and 33 in the fourth on the way to the eventual 28-point victory.

Forestville are now 7-5 having split their weekend double with Sam Simons phenomenal finishing with a triple double made up of 30 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds and three steals with 4/9 three-point shooting.

Sarah Boothe also had 16 points, five blocks, four rebounds and three assists, Sydney Hunter 16 points and 10 boards, and Gabi Vidmar 14 points, four steals, three rebounds and two assists on 4/7 shooting from beyond the arc.

South Adelaide are now 6-6 after the two losses with Bianca Stasinowsky top scoring with 18 points, four rebounds and two steals with 4/10 three-point shooting.

Hannah Gardiner also had 12 points and six rebounds, Daisy Hocking 11 points, three boards and two assists, Bella Stratford seven points, four rebounds and three assists, and Keira Gardiner six points, seven boards and two blocks.

Eastern Mavericks (75) lost to North Adelaide Rockets (101)

The North Adelaide Rockets snapped their seven-game losing run in emphatic fashion with Annaliese Watkinson putting up 30 points in the 101-75 win away to the Eastern Mavericks.

Both teams suffered defeats on Saturday with the Mavs losing to the Southern Tigers by 15 points while the Rockets went down to the Norwood Flames by 11 ahead of the Sunday clash at St Francis de Sales Community Sports Centre.

It was a flying start from North Adeliade with 32 points to 14 in the first quarter having led by 22 along the way.

It was another 24 points to 14 in the second term and the Rockets headed into the half-time break leading 56-28.

That lead grew to 35 points in the second half and North Adelaide went on to win by 26 points to snap a seven-game losing run to improve to a 2-10 record.

Sarah Warner finished with 18 points on 4/6 three-point shooting with Jordyn Freer contributing 17 points and three rebounds, Abbey Jones 14 points, 13 boards and two assists, and Maddy Freer 11 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals.

The Mavericks have now lost 10 straight at 1-10 with new import Madi Torresin still unable to play despite being on the bench.

Annaliese Watkinson finished with 30 points with 5/15 three-point shooting along with 11/13 at the foul line for the Mavs with Kedeisha Kartinyeri contributing 17 points, three boards and two assists, and Airlie Ramsey 12 points and six rebounds.

Sturt Sabres (75) defeated Central Districts Lions (62)

The Sturt Sabres made it a double win weekend with the 75-62 victory at home to the Central Districts Lions to retain second spot.

The Sabres beat the Forestville Eagles on Saturday while the Lions also beat the Woodville Warriors setting up Sunday's clash at Springbank Secondary College.

It was a strong start from Sturt with a 10-0 run leading to the 15-point lead and being on top 25-14 by quarter-time.

Sturt were still leading 42-33 by half-time and then it was another 25 points to 10 in the third frame and the Sabres advantage got out to as much as 26 points.

The Sabres went on to score the 13-point victory from there to improve to a 10-2 record in second place with Tayla Brazel finishing with 19 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks with 4/8 three-point shooting.

Paige Padroth also had 13 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals with Nicola Mathews contributing 11 points and four assists, Meg Prosser 10 points and three rebounds, and Zoe Walker-Roberts seven points, eight boards, six assists and five steals.

Central Districts split their weekend to be 3-9 now for the season with Tiahna Sears producing 18 points, 20 rebounds and two steals with Alana Howden adding 18 points with 4/8 shooting from downtown.

Jewel Watkins also had 11 points, three rebounds and three assists, and Emily Winter four points, 11 boards, three assists and three steals.