Men's Teams of the Week – July 12

Each week the NBL1 will put a spotlight on a women’s and men’s team from each conference for a major performance, a big win or a special occasion for the club.

See the men's Teams of the Week below:

NBL1 East: Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders 

It has taken some time, but the inaugural Men’s Hornsby Ru-Ring-Gai Spiders have finally got their first win in NBL1 East history. 

In a one-point win over the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, Ben White stepped up in the absence of the team’s leading scorer Shareef Saipaia. White dropped a team-high 25 points to get the win on the road. Peitok Machar was the x-factor late, icing two free throws to increase the margin to five points with 13 seconds left. 

NBL1 North: South West Metro Pirates

The South West Metro Pirates pulled off an outstanding win against the title-contending Logan Thunder on Friday night. 

In the seven-point win at home, the story of the game was Jeremy McLaughlin – who scored 22 points off the bench for the Pirates. 

There are five different teams in the NBL1 North trying to lock in their Finals position in the final round of the regular season this weekend.

If the Pirates want to lock in a higher seed, they’ll have to beat Biwali Bayles’ North Gold Coast Seahawks this weekend on Saturday, at 7:00pm AEST via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App here. 

NBL1 West: Rockingham Flames 

The defending NBL1 West and National Champions are on a roll, winning nine games straight in the lead-up to the NBL1 West Conference Finals. 

With the addition of import Jeremy Combs, the Flames started the season with an eight-game win streak – proving they were not backing down after last season. 

On The NBL1 Show, NBL1 West expert Greg Hire explained the Flames’ statement wins against the Perry Lakes Hawks in Round 15.

“It was one of those juicy encounters, top-of-the-table clash,” Hire said.

“Perry Lakes have played well in the past against Rockingham Flames but geez, they just smashed them from the get-go – and that’s warning signs for across the NBL1.

“No pun intended, they are playing like a house on fire.” 

The reigning champions will defend their title in Joondalup, WA from 18-20 of August. Get your tickets here. 

NBL1 South: Hobart Chargers 

Sitting just outside the NBL1 South Finals bracket, the reigning champions kept their post-season hopes alive in Round 13 with two important wins in Tasmania.

With home-court advantage, the Chargers defeated the Mount Gambier Pioneers by 15 points on Friday night – with Finals MVP Sam McDaniel dropping 27 points in the win.

On Saturday, the Chargers handed the Keilor Thunder a loss with an eight-point win in Hobart.

It’s a crucial round for the defending champions as they will face their state rivals the NW Thunder at home on Friday night, from 8:00pm streaming via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App here.
 

NBL1 Central: West Adelaide Bearcats

The West Adelaide Bearcats have locked in the top spot in NBL1 Central – a uniquely important position for the conference. 

The top seed in each women’s and men’s divisions of the NBL1 Central automatically qualify for the Semi-Finals, which grants a major advantage for the team’s regular season success.

With two wins in Round 14, with a clutch overtime performance on Sunday against the Central Districts Lions, the Bearcats are ready for a Finals run and look like the title favourites. 

The shot that sent West Adelaide into over-time??

Anthony Drmic is ???-???? ?

Watch the #NBL1Central Game of the Week Live & Free on @kayosports Freebies ? pic.twitter.com/sBPHyePjar

— NBL1 (@NBL1) July 9, 2023