South Wrap | Men's Anzac Round

Featured image: Rachel Louise - Rachel Louise Photography @rachellouisephotographyau

There were double NBL1 South wins in Anzac Round for the Casey Cavaliers, Knox Raiders, Frankston Blues and Melbourne Tigers while Tana Kopa had a breakout performance for Keilor Thunder with eight triples and 32 points.

>> SOUTH SPOTLIGHT | TIGERS BEAT COBRAS FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT

>> SOUTH SPOTLIGHT | RAIDERS OVERPOWER SABRES IN Q4

>> SOUTH SPOTLIGHT | SHELLEY HITS GAME WINNER FOR BLUES

FRIDAY

Hobart Chargers (99) lost to Casey Cavaliers (106)

The Casey Cavaliers delivered a monster fourth quarter to come back from 11 points down in the third to beat the Hobart Chargers 106-99 to begin their Tasmanian road double.

The Cavs arrived at Hutchins School looking to back up their first win of the season with Hobart also fresh off a win against the Northern Force last week at MyState Bank Arena.

Hobart raced out to a fast start to lead by 12 in the first quarter after going on a 10-0 run and to still be leading 26-17 by quarter-time.

The Chargers were then still leading 48-42 by half-time and that lead got out to 11 again in the third quarter before the Cavs started to make their charge back.

Casey then put up 38 points to 29 in the last quarter to go from two points down at three quarter-time to score the seven and make it back-to-back wins in the process.

Preston Bungei delivered 26 points, four rebounds and two blocks in the win for the Cavaliers with  Tanner Krebs contributing 19 points, seven boards and four assists, and Ibrahima Diallo 19 points, 10 rebounds and two steals.

Jesse Ghee also had 16 points, three rebounds and three assists, and Pat Ryan 10 points and six boards.

Hobart are now 4-2 on the season with Jacob Richards delivering 27 points, seven rebounds and three assists on 11/14 free-throw shooting.

Anthony Drmic also delivered 23 points, six rebounds and four assists, Nick Paul 13 points and six boards, Luke Rosendale 19 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists, and Joe Chilcott 10 points and five boards.

Frankston Blues (88) defeated Dandenong Rangers (86)

It was a tense battle all evening with neither team ever going up double-figures and it was a big late one-legged floater from Austin Shelley that was the winner as the Frankston Blues beat the Dandenong Rangers 88-86.

The Rangers arrived at Jubilee Park Stadium sitting on top having won four of five games so far while Frankston were back home fresh off a last up win over the Kilsyth Cobras.

The biggest lead of the game was the nine points that Dandenong were up by in the second quarter, but no more than six separated them through the entire second half.

In the end, a huge shot in traffic from Shelley gave Frankston the two-point lead which they held to the end after Harry Froling was fouled with time running out and couldn’t convert for Dandenong at the free-throw line.

The Blues made it back-to-back wins to improve to 4-2 with Austin Shelley not only hitting the game winning shot but ending up with 23 points on 10/17 field goal shooting.

Jack Stanwix also worked himself into the ground on his way to 22 points, four rebounds and two blocks with 8/14 shooting from the floor and 3/7 from downtown.

Dibaji Walker ended up with 16 points, five rebounds and three steals, Daniel Trist 10 points, nine boards and six assists, and Tom Garrett seven points, six rebounds and three assists.

It's just a second loss on the season for Dandenong with Joe Palmer finishing with 21 points and 13 rebounds while Harry Froling had another 19 points, six boards and three assists but he'll be kicking himself over going 3/10 at the free-throw line.

Sam Davidson added 14 points, two assists and two steals, Joe Lubarsky 12 points and four rebounds, and Ryan Rapp nine points, six boards and two assists.

ANZAC DAY

Sandringham Sabres (73) lost to Knox Raiders (86)

The Sandringham Sabres got a triple-double from Elliott Brown and 17 first quarter points from Kaylan Kitto but the Knox Raiders took charge in the last quarter to end up winning 86-73 to improve to 5-1.

The defending champion Sabres did regain championship winning centre and former NBL big man Dane Pineau, but still without Kyle Adnam and Malith Machar as they hosted the Raiders at Southern Basketball Stadium.

Knox arrived having won four of five games so far this season but it was the Sabres on top for most of the first three quarters before scores were all tied by three quarter-time.

The Raiders then took over with 25 points to 12 in the last quarter for the 13-point win to go to 5-1 on the season with Sandringham now 2-4 after three consecutive defeats.

Trazarien White top-scored in the win for Knox with 19 points with four rebounds, three assists and two steals while South East Melbourne Phoenix co-captain Jordan Hunter delivered 15 points and 12 rebounds to win the Anzac Medal.

Tasmania JackJumpers big man Kobe Williamson added 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists with 3/6 three-point shooting, Brody Nunn 13 points, six assists and four boards, and Brandon Slater 11 points, four rebounds, four steals and two assists.

Kaylan Kitto had 17 of his 23 points in the first quarter but still shot 7/14 from the field and 5/10 from downtown for Sandringham.

Kyle Bowen added 19 points, six rebounds, three assists and two blocks while Elliott Brown delivered a triple-double consisting of 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in his 37 minutes.

Ballarat Miners (72) lost to Keilor Thunder (116)

Tana Kopa delivered his best NBL1 South performance with eight three-pointers to help fire Keilor Thunder to the thumping 116-72 road win over the Ballarat Miners.

The Miners were back at home at Selkirk Stadium trying to avoid a fourth straight defeat with Keilor coming in after a loss to the Nunawading Spectres.

Keilor started the game on fire with 36 points to 23 in the first quarter before another 29 to 11 in the second which included completing a 19-0 run to lead by as much as 33.

The Thunder were still leading 65-34 by half-time and then led by as much as 45 in the second half on the way to the eventual 44-point victory to improve to 3-3 on the season.

Kopa had a breakout season last year in the NBL1 West with the Willetton Tigers on return from college and now recaptured that form for Keilor with 32 points on 8/13 three-point shooting.

Landon Seaman added 18 points on 7/12 shooting, Cooper Kirkman 15 points and three rebounds, Matthew Johns 14 points and four assists, Daniel Foster 12 points, eight boards, seven assists and six steals, and Zach Hinton 10 points and nine rebounds.

The Miners are now 1-5 following the loss with Jaden Campbell finishing with 31 points and three rebounds with 6/11 three-point shooting.

Lachlan Dent added 12 points and nine assists, Cearius Warren seven points and three rebounds, Brooklyn Bruton six points and three assists, and Yak Nyuon six points and four rebounds.

Ringwood Hawks (91) lost to Melbourne Tigers (103)

The Melbourne Tigers continued their winning ways with the 103-91 road win over the Ringwood Hawks on the back of a combined 60 points from NBL26 pair Tom Wilson and Jack Purchase.

The Tigers took on the Hawks at the Rings on Anzac Day and arrived having won three of four games so far in 2026 with the Hawks having won just one of six.

Melbourne came from four points down early to score 11 straight and lead by seven, and to still be up 23-19 by quarter-time.

It was then just a one-point lead for the Tigers by half-time but then they put up 29 points to 19 in the third frame, and from there converted that into the 12-point victory to improve to 4-1 on the season.

Coming off an NBL season at Melbourne United, Wilson delivered 34 points, six rebounds and six assists while after playing at the Brisbane Bullets, Purchase put up 26 points, seven assists and three boards on 5/9 three-point shooting.

Josh Sykes also had 18 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals, and George Blagojevic 14 points, five boards, three steals and two assists.

Ringwood are now 1-6 following the loss after Jonathan Lawton finished with 24 points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists.

Uche Dibiamaka added 18 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals, Harry Sealey 17 points and four assists, Tom Carroll 13 points and three assists, and Chris Brandon eight points and six rebounds.

Eltham Wildcats (99) defeated Geelong United (81)

Harry Hornery and Zak Cunningham combined for 56 points and 15 rebounds as the Eltham Wildcats made it three straight wins beating Geelong United 99-81.

Eltham were back home at Montmorency Secondary College building some momentum this season as they hosted a Geelong team having won just one of four matches.

It was a tight battle through the first half and even after Eltham opened up an eight-point lead in the second quarter, it was back to just three by half-time.

It was in the third term that the Wildcats made their move with 30 points to 24 and then another 22 to 13 in the last quarter saw them secure the 18-point home win on Anzac Day to make it three on the trot and to improve to 5-2.

Hornery top-scored in the win for Eltham with 29 points and seven rebounds on 9/10 shooting from the floor, 3/4 from downtown and 8/9 at the free-throw line.

Zak Cunningham added 27 points and eight rebounds on 11/15 shooting while Mitch McCarron delivered 10 points, eight boards and six assists, Leonardo Colimerio nine points, six rebounds, three steals and two assists, and TJ Weeks nine points, three boards and three assists.

Geelong are now 1-4 following the loss with Paul Gakmar top-scoring with 17 points, five rebounds and two steals on 8/10 field goal shooting.

Liam Herbert added 15 points and two assists, Lachlan Barker 13 points, six rebounds, three steals and two assists, DeMarcus Gatlin 13 points, seven assists, six rebounds and three steals, and Malang Athian 10 points and three assists.

Northern Force (90) lost to Casey Cavaliers (109)

The Casey Cavaliers backed up their Friday win in Hobart by completing the Tasmanian double in Launceston beating the Northern Force 109-90.

The Cavs beat the Chargers by seven points the night before while the Force were back home at Ulverstone Sports and Leisure Centre and trying to bounce back from last week's loss at MyState Bank Arena also against Hobart.

After the Cavs were leading by just two points at quarter-time, they took over in the second frame with 25 points to 15 on the way to leading 53-41 by half-time.

Casey then completed the job in the fourth quarter with 32 points to 23 on the way to the 19-point victory to complete the Tasmanian double and improve to 3-3 on the season.

Pat Ryan has re-signed at the South East Melbourne Phoenix for NBL27 and delivered 32 points and five rebounds on 13/16 field goal shooting for the Cavaliers.

Ibrahima Diallo also had 18 points, 12 rebounds and two assists, Preston Bungei 17 points, six boards and six assists, and Jesse Ghee 12 points, four rebounds and two assists.

The Force are now 1-5 following the home defeat with Kye Savage having a big showing with 30 points, three rebounds and two steals with 11/11 foul shooting.

Logan Gibson added 20 points, 15 rebounds and four assists, Vincent DeAngelo 15 points and four assists, and Aaron Ridley III 12 points and two boards.

Mount Gambier Pioneers (85) lost to Waverley Falcons (110)

The Waverley Falcons hit the road and delivered a dominant second half performance with Gabe Hadley, Malik Meunier, Miles Gibson and Matthew McCarthy combining for 87 points in the 110-85 win over the Mount Gambier Pioneers.

The Pioneers were back home at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre looking to back up last week's win over the Ballarat Miners with Waverley arriving trying to bounce back from a loss to the Kilsyth Cobras.

Mount Gambier started well with an early eight-point lead and they were still up 30-24 by quarter-time and then clinging to the 51-47 advantage by half-time.

It was then all Waverley in the third quarter with 32 points to 12 and then another 31 to 22 in the final term with the Falcons going on to secure the 25-point victory to improve to a 3-3 record.

McCarthy provided 25 points, 13 rebounds and two steals on 11/16 shooting for the Falcons with Hadley contributing 22 points and five rebounds with 4/9 three-point shooting.

Meunier also had 22 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals, and Miles Gibson 18 points, five boards and two blocked shots.

The Pioneers are now 2-4 following the home defeat with Collin Moore producing 20 points, six rebounds and three assists with Ngor Manyang adding 20 points, three boards and two assists, Micale Mee 12 points and four rebounds, and Scott Telfer 10 points, six boards and three assists.

SUNDAY

Ballarat Miners (83) lost to Frankston Blues (111)

The Frankston Blues made it three straight wins with the 111-83 road win on Sunday against the Ballarat Miners with six players ending up scoring in double-figures.

Both teams played earlier in the weekend with the Blues starting their weekend beating the Dandenong Rangers at home on Friday while Ballarat lost also at home to Keilor Thunder on Anzac Day by 44 points.

They did battle on Sunday at Selkirk Stadium with the Blues starting on fire to open up a 28-16 lead already by quarter-time before another 35 points to 19 in the second term.

That saw Frankston leading 63-35 by half-time and then with another 32 points to 23 in the third period, the advantage for the Blues blew out to 41.

From there the Blues ended up winning by 28 to improve to a 5-2 record with Daniel Trist delivering 25 points, 10 rebounds and four assists on 8/11 field goal shooting with 8/10 at the foul line.

Jack Stanwix added 15 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals, Vincent Monaghan 14 points, three boards, two assists and two steals, Corey Hastings 12 points, six rebounds and five assists, Dibaji Walker 11 points, and Austin Shelley 10 points and four boards.

The Miners are now 1-5 with four straight defeats with Jaden Campbell finishing with 17 points while Brooklyn Bruton added 14 points and three rebounds, and Lachlan Dent 13 points, eight assists and three boards.

Knox Raiders (94) defeated Diamond Valley Eagles (87)

The Knox Raiders took control in the second half to beat the Diamond Valley Eagles 94-87 on the back of 36 points and a big all-round showing from Trazarien White.

The Raiders were back home at the State Basketball Centre attempting to back up the win on Anzac Day to the Sandringham Sabres while the Eagles arrived having not played since last Saturday's win against Geelong United.

It was an impressive start from Diamond Valley with 29 points to 20 in the first quarter before that lead got out to as much as 20 for the Eagles in the second term.

Knox were able to work back into the contest before half-time and to cut the Eagles lead to 57-49 at the break, and then the Raiders took over from there.

Knox put up 22 points to 13 in the third term and then 23 to 17 in the fourth on the way to the seven-point win to improve to 5-2 on the season after splitting their weekend double.

White had a huge performance for the Raiders made up of 36 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and five steals with 13/17 free-throw shooting.

Brandon Slater also had 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, Jordan Hunter 12 points, eight boards and two blocks, and Tad Dufelmeier nine points, five rebounds and two steals.

Diamond Valley are now 2-4 following the defeat with Manny Malou finishing with 20 points, 10 rebounds and two assists with Daniel Poelsma adding 16 points, five boards, three steals and two assists.

Mitchell Blackburn added 15 points and seven rebounds, Noah Todd 11 points, three boards, two assists and two steals, Ryley Haywood 10 points and three rebounds, and Mirko Djeric nine points, eight assists and five boards.

Melbourne Tigers (98) defeated Kilsyth Cobras (79)

The front court pairing of Jack Purchase and Josh Sykes combined for 39 points and 10 rebounds with the Melbourne Tigers making it four straight wins with the 98-79 Sunday victory at home to the Kilsyth Cobras.

The Tigers had won three straight coming into the Sunday clash at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre including on Anzac Day with the 12-point road victory against the Ringwood Hawks.

Kilsyth were playing for the first time since losing a thriller to the Frankston Blues last Saturday and for the first half it was a tight contest with the Tigers only leading by three at quarter-time and two at the half.

Melbourne then took control in the second half outscoring the Cobras 53 points to 36 to score the 19-point win and improve to 5-1 with four victories on the trot.

Purchase top-scored for Melbourne with 20 points, five rebounds and five assists with Sykes having his best game in Tigers colours with 19 points, five boards, two assists and two steals.

George Blagojevic also had 18 points, four assists, three steals and three rebounds, Tom Wilson 16 points, five assists and four boards, and Kai Garnaut 10 points and eight rebounds.

Kilsyth are now 3-3 with Dillon Stith top-scoring with 17 points and six rebounds but he had just seven points after quarter-time.

Adrian Tomada added 14 points and three assists for the Cobras, Chris Payton Jr 12 points, four rebounds and three assists on 5/6 shooting, and Hamish MacDonald eight points and four rebounds.

Bendigo Braves (100) lost to Nunawading Spectres (117)

Christian D'Angelo and Ben Griscti combined for 51 points and 10 three-pointers as the Nunawading Spectres continued their winning ways with the 117-100 road win over the Bendigo Braves.

The Spectres were playing their lone game of the weekend on the back of beating Keilor Thunder last Sunday while Bendigo were also playing a first game since their first loss of 2026 last Saturday to the Dandenong Rangers.

That set up the Sunday clash at Red Energy Arena and the Braves had the better of the start at home with 33 points to 26 in the opening period.

It was still a 57-53 lead in a high-scoring affair by half-time for Bendigo before Nunawading took over in the third frame with 34 points to 20, and then another 30 to 23 in the final period.

That saw the Spectres beat the Braves by 17 points to improve to a 5-2 record with Christian D'Angelo starring with 27 points with 5/11 shooting from beyond the arc.

Griscti added 24 points and six rebounds with 5/6 three-point shooting while Dylan Penn added 21 points, six assists and four rebounds, Kingsley Box 16 points, eight boards, three assists and two steals, and Jack Gandolfo 15 points and two assists.

The Braves are now 3-2 for the season following the defeat with Jarvis Doles finishing with 31 points and nine rebounds with 5/8 three-point shooting while Biwali Bayles produced 28 points and eight assists.

Jordan Straatsma added nine points and five rebounds, and Ray Turner nine points and six boards.