East Wrap | Women's Round 14

Featured image: @flicksby.tessa

Chantel Horvat produced 53 points and 42 rebounds over Sydney Comets games in the penultimate NBL1 East round while Lauren Nicholson had 26/nine assists for Sutherland Sharks, Shyla Heal 34 for Bankstown Bruins, Emily Lytle 31 for Albury Wodonga Bandits, and Caitie Jones 36 for Canberra Nationals.

>> EAST SPOTLIGHT | FALCONS CONSOLIDATE HOME FINAL HOLD

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>> EAST SPOTLIGHT | BEARS BEAT SEA EAGLES TO GO TO 18-0

>> BOFINGER CREDITS BEARS FOR BREAKOUT SEASON

FRIDAY

Norths Bears (77) defeated Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (66)

It was the most anticipated match of the season and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles were on track to hand the Norths Bears a first loss of 2026 until the home team dominated the fourth quarter to prevail 77-66.

It was a rare Friday night match up and it was fitting the top two teams went at it for the first time in 2026 at North Sydney Indoor Sports Centre.

The Cave played host to the massive contest which could very well decide the regular season championship in a rematch of the 2023 Grand Final.

It was the defending champions on top for a lot of the evening too with the Sea Eagles leading by a point at quarter-time, by seven at half-time and still by a point at three quarter-time.

But Norths then took control in the last 10 minutes holding Manly Warringah to just five points on 1/18 shooting which was a three-pointer from Alex Delaney to secure the eventual 11-point win.

The result improves the Bears to the perfect 18-0 record with the Sea Eagles now slipping to 17-2 but remaining clear in second position all the same.

The Bears improve to 18-0 with the win and MVP favourite Jaz Shelley produced 27 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocked shots.

Caitlyn Martin was a standout defensively once more while finishing with 14 points and three rebounds with Talya Brugler adding 18 points, eight boards, four assists and two blocks, and Emma Donnelly 10 points and five rebounds.

It's a second loss of the season for the defending champions with Bree Delaney top scoring with 12 points on 4/6 shooting from the field along with 3/4 from the foul line in just 17 minutes.

Sari Mowbray added 11 points, 15 rebounds and two assists, Alex Delaney 11 points and six boards, Jayda Jansen 11 points two rebounds and two assists, Kim Dickinson seven points, six boards and three assists, and Josie Radan eight points and six rebounds.

Penrith Panthers (67) lost to Hills Hornets (93)

The Hills Hornets made it five straight wins to consolidate their hold on a playoff position with the 93-67 win over the Penrith Panthers with all five starters scoring in double figures plus Lucy Corke off the bench.

The Hornets arrived at Minto Indoor Sports Centre having won their past four games to be sitting in eighth position and if they keep winning, they are guaranteed of a finals berth ahead of hosting a Panthers team having again lost their past three.

It was a dominant start right from the outside by Hills with a 10-0 run helping them to the 17-point lead and they were still up 29-16 by quarter-time.

That lead got out to 19 points in the second term too and the Hornets were on top 51-39 by half-time before again blowing things open further with 28 points to 12 in the third period.

That advantage was as much as 33 points in the fourth before Hills scored the 26-point win to make it five in-a-row to stay inside the top eight with Piper Anderson top scoring with 18 points, four rebound and three assists.

Jade Kirisome added 14 points, five assists, two rebounds and two steals, Kennedy Johnson 13 points, eight boards, three blocks, two steals and two assists, Brooke Bjelko 12 points and four rebounds, Sherrie Calleia 11 points and eight assists, and Lucy Corke 10 points and six rebounds.

The Panthers have now lost their past four to be 2-16 with Tatiana Beaumont producing 23 points, 12 rebound and two assists with Sofia Hunt contributing 19 points, eight boards and three assists, and Chanel Bastin 13 points, two rebounds and two assists.

Sydney Comets (67) defeated Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders (59)

The Sydney Comets denied the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders the chance to guarantee their finals position with the 67-59 home victory.

The Comets were back home on Friday night at Comets Stadium while not able to make finals themselves, but still a dangerous opponent for the Spiders who were sitting seventh but not guaranteed to stay there.

Sydney did come into the game having won their last couple but it was Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai leading narrowly 16-15 by quarter-time before the Comets were on top 33-31 by half-time.

The Spiders then managed to push out to a six-point lead in the third quarter with a win to lock away their finals place but the Comets responded once more with 23 points to 11 in the last term to come from behind and win by eight.

The victory improves Sydney to a 6-12 record with three wins in-a-row with Chantel Horvat a dominant force with 28 points, 23 rebounds, two assists and two steals with 13/24 field goal shooting.

Elle Fletcher also had 10 points and four steals, Alexandra Kayrouz eight points and eight boards, Eryn Fisher eight points, three steals, two boards and two assists, and Mikayla Pirini seven points, seven assists, five rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai are now 10-8 and still fighting for a finals place with Kristina Moore delivering 26 points, 10 rebounds and two assists along with Ay'Anna Bey having 12 points and 14 rebounds, and Laya Hatman six points and four boards.

SATURDAY

Bankstown Bruins (100) defeated Hills Hornets (79)

The Bankstown Bruins are building momentum once again heading to the finals with the 100-79 home win over the in-form Hills Hornets with Shyla Heal delivering 34 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals.

The Bruins were back home at Bankstown Basketball Stadium having got back to winning last week after the losses the previous weekend to both top teams.

But they were going to be tested once by a Hornets team having won five straight including on Friday night to open the round against the Penrith Panthers.

It was a high octane start to the contest with Bankstown narrowly leading 29-27 by quarter-time before the Bruins did open up a 13-point advantage before going into half-time on top 54-46.

It was still just an eight-point lead by three quarter-time before Bankstown put their foot down in the fourth period with 26 points to 13 on the way to the 21-point win to improve to 14-4 and further consolidate third position.

Shyla Heal was outstanding for the Bruins with 34 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals with 5/12 shooting from the outside with Margot De Freitas adding 23 points, six boards, two assists and two steals.

Tahlia Tupaea also had 11 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, Kiahna Davis-White 10 points, five boards and two assists, and Davida Dale nine points, 11 rebounds, four steals and two assists.

The five-game winning run of the Hornets is now over but they remain inside the top eight with Sherrie Calleia ending up with 28 pints, four rebounds, four steals and three assists on 3/6 long-range shooting.

Jade Kirisome also had 13 points, six rebounds and two assists, Angela Tako 10 points and seven boards, Brooke Bjelko 10 points and seven rebounds, and Piper Anderson 10 points and four assists.

Sutherland Sharks (95) defeated Illawarra Hawks (59)

The Sutherland Sharks might have left it too late to still make a run to the playoffs but sent a reminder of what they are capable of beating the Illawarra Hawks 95-59 with Lauren Nicholson back and dominating.

The Sharks were back home at Sutherland Basketball Stadium coming off a win over the Inner West Bulls that snapped a six-game losing streak as they hosted the also out of contention Hawks who were on a six-game losing run.

Sutherland did get the better of the start to be leading 24-20 by quarter-time before then putting up 26 to 13 in the second term to go into the half-time break on top 50-33.

There was no let up from the Sharks from there either with the lead getting out to 21 points in the third quarter and 37 in the fourth for the eventual 36-point victory.

It's back-to-back wins for Sutherland as they improve to 8-10 with Lauren Nicholson outstanding on return with 26 points, nine assists, three steals and two rebounds with 5/8 shooting from the outside.

Ella Dent also had 11 points, eight rebounds and three assists, Maddy Norris 11 points, seven assists and six boards, Aislinn Waller 10 points on 3/3 shooting, and Abi Curtin 10 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Illawarra have now lost seven straight at 5-13 with Darcy Rees finishing with 17 points and 11 rebounds with Asha Phillips contributing 15 points, and Una Jovanovich nine points and three assists.

Central Coast Crusaders (62) lost to Newcastle Falcons (102)

The Newcastle started their weekend double header where they can lock in a home final in emphatic fashion beating the Central Coast Crusaders 102-62.

The Crusaders were back home at Guzman y Gomez Stadium playing their last game at home for the season up against a Newcastle team now building some momentum heading into another finals campaign

Newcastle just need to keep winning to stay fifth and to earn a home final and they started strongly with 26 points to 16 in the opening term on the back of an 11-0 scoring run.

The Falcons then put up another 33 points to 18 in the second term to be leading 59-34 by half-time before another 24 points to eight to open up a 44-point lead in the third quarter, and to go on to win by 40.

The win is a third straight for Newcastle as they improve to a 12-6 record with three-time MVP Nicole Munger producing 26 points and seven assists with 4/8 shooting from the outside.

Meg Jefferson added 21 points, 11 rebound, four steals and three assists, Sophie Brennan 21 points with 5/10 shooting from three-point range, Mia Heide 14 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals, and Kate Kingham nine points and three boards.

Central Coast have now lost seven in-a-row to be 2-17 with Leila Heffernan finishing with 14 points, three rebounds and two steals with Nikki Worner adding 12 points, seven boards and three assists, Darneka Rowe 11 points and 3/4 three-point shooting, and Bronte Moore nine points, six boards, three assists and two steals.

Albury Wodonga Bandits (89) defeated Canberra Nationals (81)

Caitie Jones did all she could to keep the Canberra Nationals season alive with 24 second half points and nine threes on her old home floor, but it wasn’t quite enough with the Albury Wodonga Bandits prevailing 89-81.

The Bandits were back home at Lauren Jackson Sports Centre having already locked in a playoff spot with five straight wins but having a chance to still host a final too should they keep winning.

Canberra then arrived needing to win their last two games to still be a chance of breaking into the top eight setting the stage for the match up, but the Bandits dominated the first half with the Nationals struggling to be shooting 28 per cent over the first 20 minutes.

That saw Albury Wodonga leading by 24 at half-time but they then lost Last-Tear Poa to an ankle injury and Canberra came storming home with Jones putting up 24 second half points, but it wasn’t quite enough.

The Bandits held on for the eight-point win to improve to a 12-7 record while the Nationals now are out of the playoff hunt at 8-11 with the Hills Hornets beating the Penrith Panthers.

Albury Wodonga are now in prime position to lock in a home final with Emily Lytle continuing her standout season with another 31 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals with 11/17 shooting from the field, 3/6 from downtown and 6/6 at the foul line.

Unique Thompson also delivered 19 points and 16 rebounds, Timeeka Coleman 16 points, nine boards and 4/8 three-point shooting, and Last-Tear Poa 10 points, four boards and two assists up until hurting her ankle early in the third quarter.

With the Hills Hornets winning at the same time, Canberra can no longer make the finals with the result with Caitie Jones scoring 26 points in a dazzling second half for 36 for the game with four rebounds, three steals and two assists on 9/19 three-point shooting.

Callie Bourne added 24 points, 11 rebounds and three assists with 4/7 shooting from downtown while Jasmyn Boutzos contributed 10 points and three boards, and Allison Day eight points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Sydney Comets (72) lost to Maitland Mustangs (88)

The Maitland Mustangs kept themselves a live in the finals mix heading into the last round with the 88-72 road victory against the Sydney Comets.

The only hope for the Mustangs to break into the top eight was to win their remaining three matches so it made it a must-win affair against the Comets at Comets Stadium.

Sydney had won three straight as well including beating the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders on Friday night to open the weekend but it was Maitland with the better of the start with 28 points to 18 in the opening term.

The Mustangs were then still leading 48-35 by half-time with the lead growing to as much as 19 points in the second half before they secured the 16-point win to keep their season alive.

Maitland are now 9-9 on the season with games to finish next weekend at home to the Newcastle Falcons and Bankstown Bruins.

Shannon Burton delivered 20 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals off the bench to top score for the Falcons with Sara Matthews contributing 18 points, five boards, three assists and two steals.

Jess Finney also had 17 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals, Kasey Neubert 13 points, 16 boards, three assists and two blocks, and Shakera Reilly 12 points, six rebounds and five assists.

The Comets are now 6-13 having split their double this weekend with Chantel Horvat producing another 25 points, 19 rebounds, two assists and two steals after 28 and 23 the night before.

Mikayla Pirini also had 12 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals for Sydney, Elle Fletcher 10 points, three boards and two assists, Alexandra Kayrouz 10 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals, and Eryn Fisher nine points, four boards, two assists and two steals.

Inner West Bulls (65) lost to Norths Bears (103)

Fresh off beating the defending champions the night before, the Norths Bears took on the bottom side on Saturday and remained undefeated with the 103-65 win against the Inner West Bulls.

The Bears beat the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles on Friday night to improve to 18-0 for the season before backing up to take on the winless Bulls at Sydney Uni Sports and Aquatics Centre.

It didn’t take Norths long to work on top with a 13-0 run in the first quarter to be leading already 22-11 by quarter-time.

It was then another 34 points to 11 in the second period for the Bears to open up 56-22 lead by half-time before that advantage got out to 45 in the second half and they ended up winning by 38.

The win improves Norths to the perfect 19-0 record on the season with MVP favourite Jaz Shelley producing another 25 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and two steals with 7/13 shooting from the outside.

Emma Donnelly added 21 points and seven rebounds, Talya Brugler 21 points, seven boards and four assists, and Peggy Schell 12 points and six rebounds.

Inner West stay winless in 2026 at 0-19 with Seehia Ridard delivering 30 points, eight rebounds and four assists with 11/31 shooting from the field and 4/15 from the outside.

Mizuki Wakamatsu also had 12 points and two assists, Llianna Jacob nine points and 16 rebounds, and Jennifer Mailei eight points and two boards.

SUNDAY

Newcastle Falcons (74) defeated Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders (46)

The Newcastle Falcons are building nicely towards the playoffs with Saffron Shiels still to come in who was on the bench as they beat the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders 74-46.

The Falcons were back home at Newcastle Basketball Stadium having won three straight including a 40-point win the previous night against the Central Coast Crusaders to stay solid in fifth position.

Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai were still in a playoffs position despite Friday night's eight-point loss to the Sydney Comets, but right from the outset on Sunday and the Falcons took control.

Newcastle were already leading 25-14 by quarter-time and then 43-23 by half-time with Kate Kingham already having 17 points.

The Falcons converted that into the 28-point victory to stay fifth at 13-6 while the Spiders are just clinging to eighth position at 10-9 with just one game to go to lock in a finals spot next Saturday at home to the Bankstown Bruins.

Newcastle kept their winning form going on the back Kate Kingham hitting 6/11 from beyond the arc for 24 points and two rebounds.

Meg Jefferson also provided 17 points, 11 rebounds and four assists, Sophie Brennan 12 points, five boards and four assists, and three-time MVP Nicole Munger six points, 12 rebounds, six assists and four steals after just re-signing at the UC Capitals for WNBL27.

Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai were always up against it without Jessie-May Hall, Ruby Perkins and Elizajane Loader to now have lost twice this weekend to now only be just clinging to eighth place.

Ay'Anna Bey top scored with 15 points, four rebounds and two assists, Kristina Moore 12 points, 10 boards and two assists, and Laya Hartman six points and three rebounds.