East Wrap | Women's Heritage Round

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Caitie Jones had 57 points, 21 rebounds, 12 assists and nine steals in two big Canberra Nationals NBL1 East wins with Maddy Norris having 18 first quarter Sutherland Sharks points, Norths Bears held out Maitland Mustangs, and Bankstown Bruins kept winning with Shyla Heal.

 >> EAST SPOTLIGHT | NORRIS SHOOTS SHARKS TO BIG WIN

>> EAST SPOTLIGHT | COE HIT BACK TO BEAT FALCONS

SATURDAY

Centre of Excellence (84) defeated Newcastle Falcons (61)

The Centre of Excellence shook off two losses to hit back with plenty of strong contributors in their eventual 84-61 home win against the Newcastle Falcons.

The CoE were back home at the Australian Institute of Sport having lost both games on the road last weekend to the Norths Bears and Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders with the Falcons arriving fresh off winning their last two against the Maitland Mustangs and Illawarra Hawks.

The Falcons were also in the top four and the CoE trying to break in to set up the match up and it was in the third quarter that the home team made their move with 30 points to 15 to open up a 15-point advantage.

The CoE continued to build on that the rest of the way to end up scoring the 23-point victory to improve to a 9-4 record on the season with the Falcons now 8-3 following the defeat.

Zara Russell delivered 19 points and three assists in the win for the Centre of Excellence on 8/13 shooting from the field with 3/4 from downtown.

Isabel Smith added 18 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals with Lily Mapp providing 12 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks, and Aspen Crase 10 points and seven boards.

Then there was Olivia Olechnowicz who ended up with nine points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals with the CoE +34 in her 31 minutes.

It was a tough outing for Newcastle with Saffron Shiels yet to arrive with Meg Jefferson ending up with 21 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Three-time MVP Nicole Munger also had 13 points, five assists and four rebounds, Claudea Waihape-Andrews eight points, four boards, three assists and two steals, and Mia Heide six points, 15 rebounds, four blocks, three steals and two assists.

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (71) defeated Hills Hornets (54)

The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles kept their winning form going with the defending champions beating the Hills Hornets 71-54.

The Sea Eagles were back home at Northern Beaches Indoor Sports Centre having won three straight since their winning streak was ended by the Bankstown Bruins as they hosted a Hornets team trying to avoid a third consecutive defeat.

Manly Warringah started strongly with 24 points to 11 in the first quarter on the back of scoring 10 straight points but then the Hornets did manage a 10-0 run themselves in the second frame after falling down 15.

The Sea Eagles were still on top 40-30 by half-time and then produced an 18-11 fourth quarter on the way to the 17-point victory to improve to an 11-1 record as the defending champions.

Sari Mowbray delivered 21 points, three rebounds and two assists for Manly Warringah with 5/10 three-point shooting with Bree Delaney adding 12 points, 14 boards and three steals, and Alex Delaney 11 points and four rebounds.

Lily Fandre also had nine points, four rebounds and two assists, Zoey Miller eight points, eight boards and four assists, and Josie Radan five points, 13 rebounds and six assists.

The Hornets are now 4-7 following the defeat with Brooke Bjelko providing 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals with Jade Kirisome adding 12 points, Sherrie Calleia 11 points and five rebounds, and Piper Anderson nine points.

Norths Bears (76) defeated Maitland Mustangs (72)

The Norths Bears looked on track to comfortably stay undefeated this season up 18 in the fourth quarter but suddenly the Maitland Mustangs scored 15 straight points with the home team just managing to hold on and win 76-72.

The Bears were back home at North Sydney Indoor Sports Centre having won all 12 matches of the season so far as they hosted a Mustangs team trying to break into the top eight.

The Bears opened up a 10-point advantage in the first quarter and were still leading 17-10 by quarter-time before going into half-time on top 35-24.

Norths remained in control getting out to a 19-point lead in the third quarter before leading 61-44 by three quarter-time.

It was again an 18-point lead for the Bears early in the fourth frame but then the Mustangs got on a roll and by the time they completed the 15-0 run, they were just a point down with 2:45 to go.

Caitlyn Martin steadied the Bears with a huge three ball and they did manage to hold out the Mustangs from there for the three-point win to improve to 13-0.

Jaz Shelley was brilliant again for the Bears finishing with 36 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals on 11/17 field goal shooting along with 6/10 from downtown and 8/8 at the foul line.

Talya Brugler added 12 points, six rebounds and four steals, Emma Donnelly nine points, six boards, two steals and two blocks, and Issy Morgan seven points, three rebound, three assists and three steals.

It was a brave showing from Maitland but they are now 4-8 as a result with Shakera Reilly ending up with 20 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals with Kasey Neubert adding 19 points and 21 boards.

Jessalyn Finney added eight points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals, and Sara Matthews seven points and 10 rebounds.

Central Coast Crusaders (41) lost to Canberra Nationals (100)

Caitie Jones starred with 28 points and a near quadruple double to lead the Canberra Nationals to a drought breaking 100-41 road win over the Central Coast Crusaders.

The Crusaders were back home at Guzman y Gomez Stadium coming off a win against the Penrith Panthers while the Nationals arrived having lost four straight, but it was Canberra with the dominant start.

The Nationals put up 34 points in the first quarter including going on a 19-0 run while holding the Crusaders to just six for the entire 10 minutes.

It was another 19 points to 10 in the second term for Canberra to be leading 53-16 by half-time.

The Nationals went on with the job from there with 24 points to 10 in the third period and then 23 to 15 in the fourth on the way to the 59-point win to improve to a 3-7 record.

Caitie Jones was the star for Canberra with 28 points to go with nine rebounds, seven steals and six assists with 9/20 shooting from the field, 3/11 from behind the arc and 7/7 at the foul line.

Callie Bourne added 19 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals, Allison Day 12 points, seven boards and three assists, Skye Rees 10 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, and Zara Funnell eight points, three steals and two rebounds.

The Crusaders are now 2-11 with the loss with Leila Hefferman finishing with 11 points while Jess Stone added nine points and five rebounds, Nikki Worner eight points, seven boards and five steals, and Tristan Black four points and 10 rebounds.

Sydney Comets (63) lost to Sutherland Sharks (70)

The Sutherland Sharks had a dominant second quarter to set up the eventual 70-63 away win to the Sydney Comets.

It was a tight start to the contest at Comets Stadium with the Comets managing to lead 16-14 by quarter-time before the Sharks took control in the second frame.

Sutherland went on an 8-0 scoring run and finished up outscoring Sydney 25 points to 11 to go into the half-time break in control with the 39-27 lead.

The Comets did hit back with 21 points to 16 in the third term but the Sharks were back out to a 13-point lead in the last quarter on the way to the seven-point victory.

The win improves Sutherland to a 5-4 record to consolidate a playoff spot with Lauren Nicholson delivering 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists despite missing all eight three-point attempts.

Maddy Norris also had 19 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals while going 1/8 from downtown with Abi Curtin contributing 17 points, eight boards and three steals, and Olivia Douglas six points, 12 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.

Sydney are now 3-9 with the loss with Mikayla Pirini finishing with 17 points and five assists with Alexandra Kayrouz adding 15 points, seven boards, three assists and three steals, and Alexandria Oliver 12 points, eight boards and four blocked shots.

Albury Wodonga Bandits (66) lost to Illawarra Hawks (70)

The Albury Wodonga Bandits stormed back to hit the lead in the final minute only for the Illawarra Hawks to respond with the game's last five points to score the 70-66 road victory.

The Bandits were back home at Lauren Jackson Sports Centre looking for a fourth straight win with Illawarra arriving trying to stay in touch of a finals position.

Albury Wodonga made the better of the start with 20 points to 11 in the first quarter but then Illawarra fired back with 24 to 11 in the second frame to head into the half-time break leading 35-31 as a result.

The Hawks kept that momentum going to build a 15-point lead in the third quarter but by three quarter-time the Bandits were back within 10, but Illawarra held firm in the finish for the four-point win on the road.

The win improves the Hawks to a 5-6 record with Una Jovanovich top scoring with 22 points, six assists and three rebounds on 4/5 shooting from beyond the arc.

Ruby MacDonald also had 13 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two blocks, and Asha Phillips 11 points and four boards.

Albury Wodonga couldn’t quite make it four straight wins to now be 6-6 on the season with Unique Thompson having a big night with 22 points and 21 rebounds.

Emily Lytle had another 22 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals with Emma Mahady adding eight points, four boards and two steals.

SUNDAY

Centre of Excellence (80) defeated Sydney Comets (60)

The Centre of Excellence made it a double win weekend after losing twice last week with the 80-60 home victory against the Sydney Comets.

The CoE came into this weekend having lost twice last week to the Norths Bears and Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders before they bounce back on Saturday to beat the Newcastle Falcons.

The Comets arrived at the Australian Institute of Sport coming off a loss at home to the Sutherland Sharks on Saturday before a low scoring opening with the Centre of Excellence just leading 13-8 by quarter-time.

The CoE did build on that advantage with 23 points to 17 in the second term to go into half-time leading the Comets 36-25.

It was another 22 points to 13 in favour of the Centre of Excellence in the third frame and then from there they were able to complete the job for the 20-point victory.

The win improves the CoE to a 10-4 record on the season with Zara Russell the star with 26 points, six assists, two rebounds and two steals with 5/8 three-point shooting.

Jade Sherrington added eight points, five assists and four rebounds, Jasmine Jones eight points, two boards and two assists, Aspen Crase seven points, two rebounds and two steals, and Olivia Olechnowicz seven points, three boards and three steals.

Lily Mapp also had seven points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals, and Jay Sebasio seven points.

The Comets slip to 3-10 with the double loss weekend with Chantel Horvat returning from injury and putting up 23 points and 10 rebounds on 10/18 field goal shooting.

Alexandra Kayrouz added 15 points on 4/5 three-point shooting with Mikayla Pirini contributing 12 points, five boards, four steals and three assists, and Eryn Fisher eight points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders (81) lost to Canberra Nationals (109)

The Canberra Nationals completed their best weekend of the season with another 29 points, 12 rebounds and six assists from Caitie Jones in the 109-81 road win over the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders.

The Nationals started their road weekend beating the Central Coast Crusaders by 59 points on Saturday ahead of taking on the Spiders at The Brickpit with Jessie-May Hall having now departed for college.

It was a high-scoring opening from both teams with Canberra leading 28-25 by quarter-time before it was just a narrow 53-49 advantage for the visitors by the major break.

It was the third quarter when the Nationals took control with 30 points to 11 to open up a 24-point advantage which grew to 33 in the final stanza before they secured the 28-point win.

It's two wins for the weekend for Canberra by a combined 87 points to improve to a 4-7 record to put themselves right back in the finals hunt.

Caitie Jones was once again the star in the win for the Nationals delivering 29 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and two steals on 12/17 shooting from the floor, 4/9 from behind the arc and 1/2 at the foul line.

Callie Bourne also had 19 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals, Allison Day 17 points, nine boards and four assists, Zara Funnell 15 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals, and Skye Rees 15 points, five boards and three assists.

Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai are now 8-4 with their three-game winning run coming to an end with Kristina Moore producing 22 points, five assists, four rebounds and four steals on 5/10 three-point shooting.

Ruby Perkins top scored with 24 points, five assists and three rebounds on 9/11 free-throw shooting with Lucy Mead contributing 17 points, six assists and five boards, and Ay'Anna Bey 10 points and eight rebounds.

Hills Hornets (102) defeated Inner West Bulls (63)

The Hills Hornets bounced back from a third straight loss on Saturday to prove too strong for the Inner West Bulls with the 102-63 home win on Sunday.

The Hornets were back at Hills Basketball Stadium trying to stop a three-game slide including the previous night losing to the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles while the Bulls arrived yet to win still in 2026.

Hills made the flying start with 28 points to 16 in the first quarter before further building on that dominance to lead by as much as 23 in the second frame.

The Hornets ended up with 27 points to 16 in the second term to be leading 55-32 by half-time and then going on with the job from there with another 28 points to 18 in the third quarter, and 19 to 13 in the fourth on the way to the 39-point victory.

The win improves the Hornets to a 5-7 record with Sherrie Calleia delivering 22 points, eight assists and five steals with 8/11 field goal shooting and 5/6 at the free-throw line.

Piper Anderson added 18 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals with 4/7 three-point shooting while Jade Kirisome had 11 points, three steals and two assists, Ella Gale nine points, 19 rebounds and four assists, and Ella Leasuasu eight points and seven boards.

The Bulls are now 0-12 with the loss with Seehia Ridard delivering 30 points, five assists, four steals and three rebounds with 4/13 three-point shooting and going 10/15 from the foul line.

Mizuki Wakamatsu also had 16 points and four rebounds with 4/6 three-point shooting while Lilianna Jacob ended up with 14 points and eight boards.

Penrith Panthers (56) lost to Sutherland Sharks (88)

Maddy Norris was on fire early with 18 points in the first quarter and 24 to half-time before finishing with seven triples as the Sutherland Sharks made it a double win weekend beating the Penrith Panthers 88-56.

The Sharks started their weekend beating the Sydney Comets also on the road ahead of arriving at Minto Indoor Sports Centre against a Panthers team making their only appearance of the weekend but having lost eight straight.

It didn’t take long for Sutherland to get going and Norris set the tone with five three-pointers and 18 points in the first quarter before another six on two long balls in the second term to help the Sharks to the 59-36 half-time advantage.

The Sharks went on to score the 32-point victory from there to improve to a 6-4 record on the season with the double win weekend.

Norris set the tone for Sutherland with 18 points in the first quarter on the way to 26 for the game with 14 rebounds and six assists on 7/14 shooting from three-point land.

Lauren Nicholson also provided 17 points, six assists and five rebounds on 3/7 three-point shooting while Abi Curtin contributed 12 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals, Olivia Douglas 11 points, nine boards, six steals and three assists, and Jordyn Dewhurst seven points and three rebounds.

Tatiana Beaumont top scored for Penrith with 18 points and two assists with 5/6 three-point shooting for the Panthers with Chanel Bastin adding 10 points and three boards, Sofia Hunt nine points and three assists, and Maria Garcia Leon eight points and 13 rebounds.

Central Coast Crusaders (52) lost to Bankstown Bruins (94)

The Bankstown Bruins continued their winning ways with Shayla Heal and heaped some more pain on the Central Coast Crusaders with the 94-52 road win.

It was a big test for the Crusaders even back home at Guzman y Gomez Stadium where they did lose on Saturday to the Canberra Nationals ahead of hosting a Bankstown team fresh in their only appearance of the weekend and having won eight straight.

It was a dominant start from the Bruins with 26 points to eight in the first quarter and then the lead grew to 29 points in the second term and they were leading 50-23 by half-time.

Bankstown then pulled away further in the final quarter with 29 points to 16 on the way to the 42-point win to make it nine on the trot to improve to a 10-2 record and to remain unbeaten with Shyla Heal dating back to last year.

Speaking of Heal, she put up another 25 points, eight rebounds and five assists with 8/13 field goal shooting.

Shalome Dunlop added 16 points, three rebounds and two steals, Jane Dunlop 10 points, three boards and two steals, Margot De Freitas 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals, and Davida Dale 10 points, five boards and two steals.

The Crusaders lose both their games of the weekend by a combined 102 points to slip to a 2-12 record with Jess Stone finishing with 18 points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Nikki Worner added 18 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals, and Cushla Alpen six points, six boards and two steals.