East Wrap | Men's Anzac Round

Featured image: @DiscoveryOne_Photography,Greg Francis

Matthew Mims and Todd Blanchfield led Illawarra Hawks to two more NBL1 East wins while the Canberra Gunners had a great escape while the Bankstown Bruins and Centre of Excellence also made it an Anzac Round double.

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FRIDAY

Bankstown Bruins (99) defeated Sydney Comets (89)

Obi Kyei and Ahmed Barba-Bey did a power of work for the Sydney Comets but the Bankstown Bruins had too much firepower led by Tederick Wolfe and Jason Cadee for the 99-89 home win.

The two teams came into the match up fresh off a win each over the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders and Penrith Panthers respectively as they did battle at Bankstown Basketball Stadium.

The Bruins built a 15-point lead in the first half and even though the Comets kept things competitive led by Barba-Bey and Kei, Bankstown ended up having the answers for the 10-point win to open their double weekend with a second straight win to improve to 3-2.

Tederick Wolfe fired up in the third quarter on his way to 24 points, seven rebounds and two assists for the game while going 9/11 at the free-throw line for Bankstown.

Anthony Mundine III had 10 points in the first quarter on his way to 17 with four rebounds and three assists while Alex Higgins-Titsha also had 15 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals, and Zeke Evans 13 points and 10 rebounds with most of his work done in the opening half.

Jason Cadee didn’t score in the first half but had 13 points in the second on 5/9 shooting including hitting a couple of big threes in the third quarter while also dishing out 10 assists – five in each half.

Kyei ended up with 27 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals on 11/19 shooting for the Comets while Barba-Bey provided 23 points and six rebounds with the pair also combining for seven of their team's 13 offensive boards.

Akil Douglas added 14 points and three rebounds for Sydney, Chol Adup 10 points and two boards, and Johnny Crnogorac nine points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals.

ANZAC DAY

Sydney Comets (59) lost to Norths Bears (70)

The Norths Bears improve to 6-0 to start the season having to come from behind to beat the Sydney Comets 70-59 on Anzac Day.

The Comets were backing up following a loss to the Bankstown Bruins on Friday night to host the Bears at Comets Stadium with Norths looking to maintain their undefeated start to 2026.

Sydney started well too with 15 points to eight in the first quarter and then with another 16 to 14 in the second the Comets pushed out to a 15-point advantage and were up 31-22 by half-time.

But the Bears found some offensive groove in the third quarter with a 21-0 scoring run on the way to building a 13-point lead which grew to 18 in the final stanza before they secured the 11-point victory.

The win improves Norths to a 6-0 record to start the season with young gun Bailey Hanson delivering 18 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Fabijan Krslovic added 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks, Lachlan Bofinger 12 points, 12 boards and two steals, Iggy Mitchell 11 points, six rebounds and four assists, and Matthew Wacher six points, four boards and three assists.

The Comets are now 3-3 after two losses inside less than 24 hours with Obi Kyei finishing with 16 points, three rebounds and two assists, Ahmed Barba-Bey 14 points, eight boards, four steals and two assists, and Akil Douglas 10 points and seven rebounds.

Hills Hornets (80) defeated Central Coast Crusaders (68)

The Hills Hornets had to come from behind but with Shaun Stewart and Ned Carr leading the way, they put up 27 points in the last quarter to beat the Central Coast Crusaders 80-68 on Anzac Day.

The Hornets hosted the Crusaders at Hills Basketball Stadium with both teams trying to build some momentum into their seasons and it proved a tight battle most of the way.

Hills were leading by five at quarter-time before Central Coast held them to seven points in the second term to go into half-time up two, and still leading by that margin at three quarter-time.

The Hornets then took control in the final period with 27 points to 13 to win by 12 and improve to a 3-2 record with the Crusaders now 3-3 after the loss.

Carr put in a strong showing in the win starting with 11 points in the first quarter on the way to 20 for the game for the Hornets with 10 rebounds in almost 26 minutes.

Point guard Stewart did a standout job running the team for 17 points, seven assists and four steals with Meekness Payne adding 15 points, Liam Moss 10 points, two steals and two blocks, and Gum Majak six points and eight rebounds.

Matur Maker continues to settle in at the Crusaders and delivered 19 points and 14 rebounds with 7/13 shooting from the field and 5/5 at the free-throw line.

Aaron Redhead added 15 points, 14 rebounds and three assists, Jamal Shoaib 13 points, two boards and two assists, and Luke Cassidy nine points, five assists and three rebounds.

Inner West Bulls (72) lost to Bankstown Bruins (75)

The Bankstown Bruins escaped from being three points down with a minute to play to score the game's last six points for the 75-72 thrilling Anzac Day win against the Inner West Bulls.

The Bruins were backing up a home win over the Sydney Comets on Friday to take on the Bulls on Anzac Day at Sydney Uni Sports and Aquatics Centre.

It was an impressive start from Inner West with them going on a 9-0 run to be leading by 13 points in the first term and to still be on top 26-16 by quarter-time.

The Bulls remained on top to be leading 44-31 by half-time before the Bruins got up and going in the third frame with 27 points to 12 which set the game on the path for a thrilling finish.

Inner West were back on top 72-69 with just over a minute to play when Kobe Shannon scored, but the home team had four horror turnovers in the final minute and wouldn’t score again.

Bankstown were able to take advantage firstly with a pair of free throws to Anthony Mundine III before a bucket to Alex Higgins-Titsha, and then Jason Cadee iced the win at the foul line.

The Bruins are now 4-2 after the double win weekend with Higgins-Titsha delivering 23 points, five rebounds and four steals with 9/16 shooting from the floor, 2/2 from downtown and 3/5 from the foul line.

Tederick Wolfe added 15 points and five rebounds, Elijah Kamu nine points and five boards, Zeke Evans seven points and six rebounds, and Cadee seven points, six boards and four assists.

The Bulls are now 2-3 following the loss with Henry Makeny finishing with 18 points and six rebounds, Kobe Shannon 15 points and four boards, Maxwell Clark 15 points, five rebounds and three assists, and Malok Majak eight points and seven boards.

Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders (75) lost to Maitland Mustangs (88)

The Maitland Mustangs commemorated Anzac Day with the 88-75 road win over the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders on the back of 32 points from Cairns Taipans NBL guard Reyne Smith.

The Spiders were back home at The Brickpit still hunting a first win of 2026 with the Mustangs arriving looking for a second victory.

Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai got off to a good start with a one-point lead by quarter-time before pushing that advantage out to eight in the second frame before the Mustangs found their groove.

Maitland went on a 7-0 scoring run and by half-time had assumed the 39-35 lead and went on with the job from there to build a 22-point lead in the second half on the way to the 13-point victory.

The Mustangs improve to a 2-3 record with the win with Smith playing a starring role coming off his injury-interrupted NBL season at the Taipans.

He put up 32 points with three rebounds, three assists and two steals on 8/17 shooting from the field, 5/13 from three-point range and 11/11 at the foul line.

Will Cranston-Lown also had 19 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two steals, Billy Parsons 12 points and 10 boards, and Myles Cherry nine points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocked shots.

The Spiders are now 0-5 with the loss with Martez Brown top-scoring with 16 points, eight rebounds and two blocks with Nathaniel Chappell adding 14 points, three boards and two steals, and Jackson Smyth 12 points and six assists.

Illawarra Hawks (84) defeated Sutherland Sharks (77)

Another 40 points from Matthew Mims and Todd Blanchfield ensured the Illawarra Hawks continued their winning form with the 84-77 home Anzac Day win against the Sutherland Sharks.

The Hawks were back home at The Snakepit to host a Sharks team trying to bounce back from a last up loss to the Norths Bears and Illawarra were able to open up an early six-point advantage.

That lead grew to double-figures in the second quarter and Illawarra went into half-time on top 45-37.

The Hawks remained on top throughout the second half and led by as much as 14 points on the way to the victory by seven to improve to a 4-1 record.

Mims provided another 20 points, four assists and three rebounds in the win for Illawarra while Blanchfield ended up with 20 points, 14 rebounds and three steals despite 2/11 three-point shooting.

Mason Peatling added 17 points and 11 rebounds, Mohamed Kone 12 points, eight assists and five boards, and Jonah Flinn nine points with 3/5 three-point shooting.

Sutherland are now 1-3 following the loss with Adrian Cabrera delivering 19 points and three rebounds with Jason Spurgin providing 15 points, eight boards and four assists, Ryan Abbott eight points and three rebounds, and Lochlan Hutchison eight points, seven assists, five boards and three steals.

Newcastle Falcons (48) lost to Centre of Excellence (78)

The Centre of Excellence were back in action for the first time in almost a month and scored the 78-48 Anzac Day road victory against the Newcastle Falcons.

The CoE won their first two games of the season but the last of those was back on March 29 as they returned to the NBL1 East action on Anzac Day on the road to the Falcons at Newcastle Basketball Stadium.

Newcastle were still hunting a first win of 2026 and that was already looking tough with the CoE coming out hot with 25 points to 12 in the opening quarter.

That lead for the Centre of Excellence grew to 23 points in the second frame and by half-time they were on top 47-24 before going on with the job with the lead out o 28 in the third term, and 30 in the fourth before winning by 30.

The win improves the CoE to a 3-0 record to begin the season with Jai Faale top-scoring with 19 points to go with four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Ajak Nyuon added 17 points and nine rebounds, Alex Dickeson 11 points, five boards, three steals and two assists, Will Hamilton 10 points, Luke Paul eight points and three assists, and Isaac Riddle eight points and six rebounds.

Newcastle are now 0-5 with Ryan Beisty finishing with 16 points, seven rebounds and two steals with Matur Maluach adding 11 points and four boards, and Jude Jennings seven points, two rebounds and two steals.

Albury Wodonga Bandits (83) lost to Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (105)

The Manly Warringah Sea eagles hit the road on Anzac Day and made it a fifth straight victory with the 105-83 victory against the Albury Wodonga Bandits.

The Bandits were back home at Lauren Jackson Sports Centre hunting a first win of 2026 while the Sea Eagles arrived on a four-game winning run.

It was a tight battle in the first quarter with Manly Warringah only up one at quarter-time before they took charge in the second term to open up a 14-point advantage and to be leading 48-39 by half-time.

It was another 34 points to 22 in the third period for the Sea Eagles to open up a 24-point lead before going on to win by 22 to make it a fifth straight victory to improve to a 5-1 record.

Quinn Slazinski delivered another 21 points, four steals and three rebounds for Manly Warringah with Emmanuel Tshimanga providing 18 points and nine boards.

Isaiah Lee also had 14 points, six assists and five rebounds, Stefan Valkovic 14 points on 6/8 shooting, Oliver Hammond 12 points, three boards and two assists, and Jamie Munro 11 points on 3/4 three-point shooting.

The Bandits are now 0-5 to start the season with Lochlan Cumming finishing with 23 points, six rebounds and two assists with 6/12 three-point shooting.

Christian Cook added 23 points, three rebounds and three assists, and Kevion Blaylock 15 points, five boards, four assists and four steals.

Canberra Gunners (72) defeated Penrith Panthers (69)

The Canberra Gunners remain undefeated in their championship defence but it was another close call on Anzac Day at home to the Penrith Panthers before they scored the last eight points to escape with the 72-69 win.

The Gunners were back home at Tuggeranong to host the winless Panthers and while it looked a mismatch on paper with the defending NBL1 East and National champions against the winless wooden spooners, it proved quite the Anzac Day thriller.

Penrith managed to be leading by two at quarter-time before opening up a 10-point lead by half-time and then that grew to 11 in the third term, and they were still up by 11 in the last stanza.

Still with three minutes to play the Panthers found themselves leading by five after a pair of free throws to Simon Krpez, but they wouldn’t score again with a couple of turnovers, four missed shots and two missed free throws.

Up the other end, Canberra got back within three thanks to Angus Byatt before his free throws made it a one-point game, and then he completed the alley-oop dunk on the pass from James Toohey to put the Gunners in front.

Glenn Morison then made sure of the win with a dunk of his own with the Gunners escaping with the three-point win to improve to a perfect 5-0 record.

Will Rice ended up with 23 points and five rebounds with 5/11 three-point shooting while Evan Wardlow added 18 points and five assists, James Toohey 11 points, five rebounds and three assists, and Byatt six points, seven boards and two assists with all six of his points putting his team back in front late.

Penrith were so close to avoiding a 15th straight defeat but it wasn’t to be with Simun Krpez finishing with 23 points, four rebounds, two steals and two blocks.

Jett Hickson also had 11 points, 16 rebounds and three assists, Noah Webb seven points and seven boards, and Jack Ticic seven points, three rebounds and two steals.

SUNDAY

Maitland Mustangs (69) lost to Centre of Excellence (86)

The Centre of Excellence ensured they remained undefeated after completing a pair of road wins for the Anzac Day long weekend with the 86-69 Sunday victory against the Maitland Mustangs.

The Mustangs were back home at Mojo Homes Centre fresh off beating the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders on Anzac Day while the CoE played their first game since March 29 and also won on the road against the Newcastle Falcons.

The Centre of Excellence didn’t have the shooting performance they were hoping and were going juts 1/13 from downtown to half-time, but that changed a little in the second half and they were able to build a 19-point lead on the way to the 17-point victory.

The result leaves the CoE on a 4-0 record to start the season with the Mustangs now 2-4 having split their two games over the Anzac Day weekend.

As is usually the case, the job was well spread amongst the Centre of Excellence with five players scoring nine or more points, and nine players out there for at least seven minutes.

Alex Dickeson ended up top-scoring with 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals with 7/18 field goal shooting along with 2/9 from downtown and 5/6 at the free-throw line.

Jai Faale also finished with 14 points, three rebounds and two assists, Antonio Browne 11 points, three steals and two rebounds, Flynn Pavely 10 points and seven boards, Will Hamilton nine points and three rebounds, and Ajak Nyuon six points, eight boards, three steals and two blocked shots.

Will Cranston-Lown top-scored in the loss for Maitland with 20 points with nine assists, three rebounds and two steals on 12/15 shooting from the free-throw line.

Billy Parsons added 17 points, seven rebounds and three steals, Myles Cherry nine points, seven boards and two assists, and Daniel Millburn nine points on 4/6 shooting.

Reyne Smith ended up with 10 points and four assists on 3/16 shooting but he did start to warm up to keep the Mustangs in the contest in the second half although his frustrations did spill over to earn a technical in the fourth quarter too.

Central Coast Crusaders (76) lost to Inner West Bulls (79)

It was an Anzac Round thriller at Guzman y Gomez Stadium and the Inner West Bulls came away with the 79-76 win over the Central Coast Crusaders on Sunday.

Both teams were coming off losses to the Hills Hornets and Bankstown Bruins respectively on Anzac Day setting up the Sunday match up.

Central Coast started strongly to open up a 10-point lead in the first quarter but the Bulls responded with an 11-0 run and that saw them head into the half-time break leading 44-41.

Again the Crusaders went up seven in the third quarter but the Bulls responded once more as well with 13 straight points to open up an eight-point lead in the last term, and that saw them end up holding on for the three-point thrilling win after losing by three on Anzac Day.

The win improves Inner West to 3-3 on the season with Malok Majak delivering 14 points and 14 rebounds, and Maxwell Clark 14 points, five boards, four steals and two assists.

Kobe Shannon also had 13 points and five rebounds, Louis Bleechmore 11 points, two boards and two assists, and Tony Tolovae 11 points.

The Crusaders are now 3-4 after their pair of losses over the weekend with Matur Maker putting in a big performance made up of 25 points, 16 rebounds, two assists and two steals on 9/14 shooting while going 7/7 at the foul line.

Luke Cassidy added 11 points, five assists and three rebounds, Aaron Redhead 10 points and 14 boards, Jamal Shoaib nine points and four rebounds, and Haidyn Gunderson nine points and four boards.

Illawarra Hawks (111) defeated Norths Bears (82)

Another day, another masterclass from Todd Blanchfield and Matthew Mims with them combining for 54 points and 10 three-pointers as the Illawarra Hawks beat the Norths Bears 111-82.

The Hawks were back home at The Snakepit fresh off beating the Sutherland Sharks on Anzac Day while the Bears arrived also after a Saturday win against the Sydney Comets.

That set up a tantalising Sunday match with the Bears attempting to stay unbeaten, but already in the first quarter Illawarra took charge opening up a 12-point lead and being up 28-19 by the end of one.

It was another 25 points to 17 in favour of the Hawks in the second quarter and 35 to 22 in the third before they ended up scoring the 29-point home win to improve to 5-1 on the season and hand the Bears their first defeat of 2026.

Mims delivered another 30 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals with 5/10 three-point shooting while Blanchfield was outstanding once more with 24 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and three steals with 5/13 shooting from behind the arc.

Jonah Flinn added 12 points on 4/4 shooting, Mason Peatling 12 points and six rebounds, and Ethan Moss 10 points and five assists.

Fabijan Krslovic top-scored for Norths with 17 points and four rebounds with 3/5 three-point shooting while Iggy Mitchell added 14 points and three assists, Bailey Hanson 13 points and three assists, Jake Weinstein 11 points and three rebounds, and Matthew Wacher 10 points and five assists.