South Wrap | Men's Round 12

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Gabe Hadley had a night out with 50 points and 10 triples in the NBL1 South for the Waverley Falcons while the Frankston Blues made it six straight, the Eltham Wildcats and Nunawading Spectres won twice, and Biwali Bayles had 70 points despite two Bendigo Braves losses.

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FRIDAY

Hobart Chargers (87) lost to Eltham Wildcats (97)

TJ Weeks had 19 first half points and a monster dunk to help set the Eltham Wildcats on the path the to the 97-87 road win over the Hobart Chargers to go top despite 36 points from Jacob Richards for the home team.

The Chargers were back home at Hutchins School and having lost four straight were slipping from playoff contention ahead of hosting the second placed Wildcats who had the chance to go to top spot if they started their Tasmanian road double weekend with the win.

It was a blistering opening from both teams combining for 57 points in the first quarter including 16 of those to Weeks and 18 from Richards, but as the game wore on, Eltham were able to take more and more control.

There were plenty of highlights too including a monster one-handed dunk from Weeks where he posterised an unsuspecting Noah Clarke just before half-time.

In the end, the Wildcats opened up a 12-point lead in the second half and won by 10 to improve to a 13-4 record to go just ahead of the Melbourne Tigers in top spot for now while the Chargers have lost five straight to be 7-11.

Weeks had a stunning first half with 19 points including that monster one-handed dunk and ended up with 25 points and six rebounds with 4/10 three-point shooting and going 9/10 at the foul line.

Harrison Horney also had 24 points, seven rebounds and two blocks with 5/9 three-point shooting with Zak Cunningham contributing 14 points and 12 rebounds, Leonardo Colimerio 12 points, five boards and two assists, Sam Short nine points, six rebounds and five assists, and Mitch McCarron seven points, six assists and five boards.

Hobart did take 12 more shots than Eltham with the 10 offensive rebounds and just the five turnovers, but outside of Jacob Richards they had a tough shooting night ending up going 39 per cent as a team and 10/37 from long-range.

Richards had 28 points in the first half and finished the game for the Chargers with 36 to go with five rebounds and two assists on 12/20 shooting from the floor and 9/10 at the charity stripe.

Luke Rosendale was the only other Hobart player to score in double figures with 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals with Anthony Drmic adding nine points, four boards and two assists, Joe Chilcott eight points and two rebounds, and Noah Clarke eight points and six boards.

SATURDAY

Geelong United (100) lost to Nunawading Spectres (106)

A huge triple to break the deadlock with 2:30 to play set the Nunawading on the path to the 106-100 road win over Geelong United to keep them in touch of a top two position.

Nunawading arrived at The Geelong Arena in third position in the standings while United were three games out of 10th position with only five matches left in their season.

The Spectres opened up a nine-point lead in the first quarter and were still up 30-22 by quarter-time before Geelong fired back with a huge 33-point to 22 second frame to go into half-time with the 55-54 advantage.

Nunawading then turned things around to open up a 13-point lead with 34 points to 28 in the third period but still, with scores all level with three minutes to play when Lachlan Barker scored for Geelong.

That's when Lobsinger landed his crucial three-point bomb for Nunawading and by the time Dylan Penn also scored with 30 seconds to go, the Spectres were up six and that's what they went on to win by.

The win improves Nunawading to 13-5 on the season with all five starters scoring in double digits as did Dyson King-Hawea off the bench with 13 points and four rebounds.

Dylan Penn top-scored with 21 points, eight rebounds and eight assists with Owen Lobsinger adding 19 points, 13 boards, four steals and three assists, Christian D'Angelo 19 points, four rebounds and four assists, Kingsley Box 12 points and seven boards, and Ben Griscti 11 points and seven rebounds.

Geelong's finals hopes are now all but over at 5-13 Lachlan Barker ending up with 25 points on 9/15 shooting along with 5/6 from the free-throw line.

Liam Herbert added 21 points and six assists with 6/9 three-point shooting, DeMarcus Gatlin 15 points, seven boards, six assists and five steals, and Deng Riak 10 points, two rebounds and two assists.

Bendigo Braves (84) lost to Casey Cavaliers (96)

Jesse Ghee produced 28 points and the Casey Cavaliers consolidated their playoff position with the 96-84 road win against the Bendigo Braves.

The Braves were back home at Red Energy Arena trying to break back into a playoff spot after losing their past two matches while the Cavs arrived looking to move further up the finals standings.

The Braves had the better of the start with an early 11-point advantage before still leading 23-19 by quarter-time and then going into the half-time break on top 49-41.

Casey came out of half-time a different outfit delivering 27 points to 10 in the third period to open up a 13-point lead and from there they went on to score the 12-point victory.

The win improves the Cavaliers to an 11-7 record to stay right in the top four race with Jesse Ghee the standout with 28 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Preston Bungei added 18 points and two rebounds, Pat Ryan 16 points, six boards, two assists and two steals, Yuot Gai 11 points and six rebounds, and Ibrahima Diallo 11 points, nine boards and two blocks.

Bendigo remain outside a playoff position at 7-10 having lost three straight with Biwali Bayles outstanding with 38 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and two steals despite the result.

Seth Anderson added 16 points, three assists and two rebounds, and Billy Smythe 10 points and nine boards.

Dandenong Rangers (100) defeated Mount Gambier Pioneers (98)

The Dandenong Rangers produced a stunning final two minutes to outscore the Mount Gambier Pioneers eight points to one to come from being five points down to win 100-98 with Joe Palmer and Justin Bieker the heroes.

The Rangers were back home at Dandenong Basketball Stadium trying to get some form and momentum back as they hosted a Pioneers team starting their road double having lost their past six matches.

Both teams combined for 64 points in the first quarter with Dandenong leading 33-31 by quarter-time before the Rangers were clinging to the 55-54 advantage at half-time.

There was then no more than five points separating the teams the entire second half as well with Mount Gambier on top by that margin thanks to a triple from Ngor Manyang with just under two minutes to play.

From there, it was all Dandenong starting with five quick points from Joe Palmer before Justin Bieker scored attacking the basket after the Rangers forced the Pioneers into a shot clock violation.

In the end, Dandenong held on for the two-point win to improve to a 10-8 record with Sam Davidson delivering 26 points, four rebounds, four steals and two assists on 4/7 three-point shooting.

Harry Froling added 21 points, five rebounds and four assists, Joe Palmer 17 points and three steals with 3/5 shooting from deep, and Josh Kunen nine points, nine rebound, two assists and two steals.

Mount Gambier have now lost seven straight at 5-12 with Deng Deng putting up 26 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and three steals with Alex Mudronja adding 24 points, six assists and five rebounds.

Titus Robinson also had 26 points, five rebounds, three blocks and two steals, and Ngor Manyang 15 points and four boards.

Kilsyth Cobras (95) defeated Diamond Valley Eagles (90)

The Kilsyth Cobras were three points down with three minutes to play before finishing up outscoring the Diamond Valley Eagles 10 points to two the rest of the way for the 95-90 home victory.

The Cobras were back home Kilsyth Sports Centre needing to keep winning to stay in the top 10 as they played host to an Eagles team having not given up still on breaking into a playoff position.

Kilsyth started strongly with 30 points to 24 in the opening period before Diamond Valley responded with 25 to 16 in the second term with the visitors leading 49-46 by half-time.

The Cobras hit back with 27 points to 19 in the third term but again Diamond Valley found themselves in front by three with just over three minutes to play with a three ball from Mirko Djeric.

Malik McKinney then brought Kilsyth back within one with Chris Payton Jr putting them in front, McKinney stretching that lead to three at the foul line and then a dunk from Payton Jr ended up securing the five-point victory.

The Cobras improve to a 9-7 record as a result with Angus Glover producing 26 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals with 4/11 three-point shooting.

Jamie Ahale also had 23 points, five rebounds and two assists, Chris Payton Jr 20 points, 11 boards, three steals and two assists, and Malik McKinney 18 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Diamond Valley now remain outside the playoffs at 7-11 with Archie Woodhill finishing with 26 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks with Noah Todd adding 15 points, five boards and two steals, Xavier Bledson 15 points, four rebounds and three steals, and Mirko Djeric nine points, 12 assists and six boards.

Ballarat Miners (98) lost to Waverley Falcons (130)

The Waverley Falcons didn’t score less than 29 points in any of the four quarters with Gabe Hadley unstoppable with 50 himself with 10 three-pointers in a massive 130-98 win over the Ballarat Miners.

The Falcons arrived at Selkirk Stadium trying to keep their finals hopes alive against the bottom placed Miners and opened up with 31 points to 14 in the first quarter.

It was another 36 to 29 in the second frame for Waverley to head into the half-time interval leading 67-43 and they went on with the job from there with 34 to 28 in the third period, and 29 to 27 in the last.

Waverley ended up leading by as much as 37 points before securing the 32-point win to improve to 7-10 on the season thanks to shooting 55 per cent from the field and 14/28 from three-point range while getting up an extra 15 shots.

Hadley exploded for the Falcons with 50 points with seven rebounds and three assists with 16/26 shooting from the floor, 10/15 from downtown and 8/8 at the foul line.

Reaudale Williams contributed 17 points, six assists, three rebounds and three steals for the Falcons, Mawot Mag 16 points and seven boards, Shaquille Maharaj 12 points, five rebounds and three assists, and Malik Meunier 11 points, seven steals, six boards and six assists.

Ballarat are now 2-17 with the loss with Will Hynes producing 16 points and four assists, Lachlan Dent 16 points, seven assists and five rebound, Bailey Jacobs 13 points and three assists, Bol Bak 11 points and five assists, and Riley Dilges 11 points and three rebounds.

Keilor Thunder (88) defeated Ringwood Hawks (82)

All five Keilor Thunder starters scored in double figures as they came away with the 88-82 win over the Ringwood Hawks to keep themselves right in the top four hunt.

The Thunder were back home at Keilor Stadium needing to keep winning to stay in touch of the top four and solid in the top 10 while Ringwood were trying to keep their playoff hopes alive.

It was the Hawks who had the better of the start with 28 points to 20 in the opening period and the visitors were still leading 50-45 by half-time.

Keilor then worked on top in the third quarter with 23 points to 15 in the third term and then built a double-figure lead from there on the way to the eventual six-point victory.

The win improves the Thunder to a 12-7 record with Deng Dut delivering 20 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and three steals.

Landon Seaman also had 20 points, five rebounds and two blocks, Daniel Foster 18 points, nine boards, three assists and two steals, Tana Kopa 18 points and five rebounds with 4/7 three-point shooting, and Matthew Johns 10 points, six boards and four assists.

Ringwood remain outside the top 10 at 7-10 with Uche Dibiamaka delivering 30 points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Harry Sealey added 20 points and five assists, Junior Garbrah 12 points, and Chris Brandon 11 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots.

Northern Force (82) lost to Eltham Wildcats (117)

The Eltham Wildcats completed their successful road double in Tasmania with the 117-82 win over the Northern Force who did come into the contest on a four-game winning streak.

The Wildcats started their road trip to Tasmania with the 10-point win on Friday night against the Hobart Chargers before arriving at Ulverstone Sports and Leisure Centre to take on a Force team having won their past four matches.

Eltham built on that momentum from the previous night with another 34 points to 20 in the first quarter but the Force responded to 27 to 17 in the second term to limit the Wildcats' lead at half-time to 51-47.

Eltham then took back control with 29 points to 17 in the third frame and then put up 37 to 18 in the fourth to romp to the emphatic 35-point victory to improve to a 14-4 record to make it four straight.

Harrison Hornery put up 27 points with eight rebounds for the Wildcats on 6/10 three-point shooting with Sam Short landing 3/5 for 20 points, six boards, six assists and three steals.

Sam Alexander also made 5/7 from three-point range for 16 points with Zak Cunningham adding 12 points, 12 rebounds and four assists, Mitch McCarron 11 points, 14 assists and seven boards, Leonardo Colimerio 11 points, four rebounds and three assists, and TJ Weeks 11 points.

The Force now are 6-12 with their first loss in the past five matches with Vincent DeAngelo finishing with 16 points, nine assists and seven rebounds with 7/11 shooting.

Kye Savage also had 15 points, three assists and two rebounds, Jack Moran 11 points and two boards, and Ole Angerstein 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Frankston Blues (86) defeated Knox Raiders (85)

The Frankston Blues shook off conceding the first 12 points and then a late four-point deficit with Jeremy Combs scoring the last five points to make it six straight wins beating the Knox Raiders 86-85.

The Blues were back home at Jubilee Park Stadium having won five straight matches to be banging on the door of the top four with Knox in that fourth position coming off a loss to the Waverley Falcons.

Knox then shot out of the blocks with the first 12 points and it took Frankston almost five minutes to score but then the Blues had their own 13-0 run in the second half to lead by eight early in the fourth only for the Raiders to respond once more to be up four in the final minute.

But that's where Combs came up huge in just his fourth appearance with Frankston firstly with a strong and-one play and then getting a steal off Brody Nunn, who then fouled him hard to make him have to step up at the foul line.

And Combs had missed six of his first eight foul shots, but then made those last three with the game on the line to prove the hero as Frankston made it six straight wins to replace Knox (12-6) in fourth position at 12-5.

Austin Shelley ended up with 16 points with the Blues making it six consecutive wins while Jeremy Combs made those three huge free throws when they mattered most even with going 5/11 by the finish on his way to 15 points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots.

Tom Garrett also had 15 points, three rebounds and three steals, Kynan Philippe 10 points, two boards, two assists and two steals, Corey Hastings 10 points, four rebounds and three assists, and Jack Stanwix nine points and four assists.

It's consecutive defeats now for Knox with Trazarien White finishing with 16 points, seven rebounds and two assists while Kobe Williamson had a hot start and his dominant moments down low on his way to 15 points and seven rebounds.

Then there was Sydney Kings NBL powerhouse Keli Leaupepe play his first game since rupturing his ACL in the NBL26 pre-season that saw him miss that entire championship run. He was back on the floor for Knox and got through 17:32 for 13 points and two rebounds.

Deng Acouth had nine points and seven rebounds to half-time and that's where he finished with Tad Dufelmeier adding nine points, six assists, four boards and two steals, and Brody Nunn eight points, seven assists and three rebounds.

SUNDAY

Melbourne Tigers (99) defeated Dandenong Rangers (76)

Jack Purchase delivered a triple double while George Blagojevic and Tom Wilson combined for 45 points as the Melbourne Tigers kept on winning beating the Dandenong Rangers and Harry Froling 99-76.

The Tigers were playing their lone game of the weekend and trying to reclaim top spot as they hosted the Rangers at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre who were fresh off a Saturday night thrilling win over the Mount Gambier Pioneers.

That stopped a run of two losses for Dandenong with Froling in their line-up against the team he reached a Grand Final with last year, but Melbourne put up 36 points to 19 in the first quarter and never really looked back from there.

The lead for the Tigers grew to as much as 30 points in the second half before they won by 23 to improve to a 14-4 record as a result with four consecutive wins while the Rangers slip to 10-9 having now lost five of the past seven.

It's four straight wins now for the Tigers as a result with Jack Purchase delivering a triple double consisting of 14 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds.

George Blagojevic top scored with 23 points, six assists and five rebounds with 11/15 field goal shooting while Tom Wilson ended up with 22 points, four boards and three assists, and Josh Sykes 13 points, five rebounds and two steals.

Dandenong end up splitting their weekend with Joe Palmer producing 27 points and four rebounds with 6/13 shooting from three-point territory.

Harry Froling was up against the team he helped lead to a Grand Final last year and had 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals, Michael Meadows 15 point and two steals, and Joe Lubarsky 10 points and seven rebounds.

Sandringham Sabres (110) defeated Bendigo Braves (102)

The Sandringham Sabres kept themselves in a playoff position as defending champions with the 110-102 win over the Bendigo Braves with Kyle Bowen and Kyle Adnam combining for 46 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists.

The Sabres were back home at Southern Basketball Stadium clinging to 10th position ahead of hosting a Bendigo team arriving just one win behind and still having playoff aspirations despite the previous night's loss to the Casey Cavaliers

Sandringham had 30 points to 28 in the first quarter before the Sabres had another 28 to 22 to go into the half-time break leading 58-50.

Bendigo fired back with 29 points to 16 in the third frame and as a result were leading 79-74 but it was all Sandringham in the last quarter with 36 points to 23 on the way to the eventual eight-point victory.

The win improves the Sabres to a 9-8 record in their championship defence with Kyle Bowen finishing with 24 points, 12 rebound, five steals, four blocks and four assists with 8/12 field goal shooting and going 8/10 at the free-throw line.

Kyle Adnam also had 22 points and seven assists with 12/12 free-throw shooting with Malith Machar contributing 21 points and five rebounds, Shea Ili 12 points and five assists, Elliott Brown 11 points and two boards, and CJ Asuncion-Byrd nine points and three steals.

Bendigo are now 7-11 having lost twice this weekend with Biwali Bayles delivering another 32 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and four steals with 10/11 free-throw shooting.

Ray Turner also had 20 points and seven rebounds, Seth Anderson 19 points, four assists, here rebounds and three steals, Jordan Straatsma 11 points, four boards and two assists, and Billy Smythe 10 points and three rebounds.

Nunawading Spectres (110) defeated Mount Gambier Pioneers (100)

The Nunawading Spectres resisted a late charge and 34 points in the last quarter from the Mount Gambier Pioneers to secure the 110-100 victory to make it a double win weekend.

The Spectres were fresh off beating Geelong United the night before on the road ahead of hosting the Pioneers at Nunawading Basketball Centre who had lost the first of their two away matches this weekend in a thriller to the Waverley Falcons.

Nunawading produced 32 points to 27 in the first quarter before another 31 to 19 in the second to go into half-time leading 63-46.

The Spectres then saw their lead get out to as much as 25 points in the second half before Mount Gambier did put up 34 points in the final term including going on a 13-0 scoring run but that only cut the Nunawading winning margin to 10.

The Spectres improve to a 14-5 record with the pair of wins with Christian D'Angelo delivering 25 points, seven rebounds and three assists with 3/6 three-point shooting.

Ben Griscti added 22 points and three rebounds, Dylan Penn 21 points, 10 boards, five steals and three rebounds, Kingsley Box 11 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals, and Jack Gandolfo 10 points and five assists.

Mount Gambier are now 5-13 after their two more losses this weekend with Lucas Gordon ending up with 22 points and 16 rebounds while Titus Robinson top scored with 27 points on 10/13 field goal shooting with 4/4 from downtown.

Deng Deng also had 19 points, four rebounds and three assists, Alex Mudronja 16 points, eight assists and four boards, and Micale Mee eight points and three steals.