South Wrap | Men's Round 3

Featured image: Rachel Louise - Rachel Louise Photography @rachellouisephotographyau

Preston Bungei helped the Casey Cavaliers open their NBL1 South account while there were first home wins for the Mount Gambier Pioneers and Frankston Blues while the Eltham Wildcats, Dandenong Rangers and Knox Raiders continued to impress.

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>> SOUTH SPOTLIGHT | MCCARRON, WHELAN SPARK BIG ELTHAM WIN

WEDNESDAY

Eltham Wildcats (95) defeated Frankston Blues (81)

With Mitch McCarron expertly running the show and Sam Whelan on fire from behind the arc, the Eltham Wildcats proved too strong for the Frankston Blues with the 95-81 home win.

It was Wednesday night action at Montmorency Secondary College with the Wildcats looking to bounce back from a last up loss to the Dandenong Rangers while the Blues were looking for a third win in the first four games.

The Wildcats took control with 25 points to 11 in the second quarter and the way McCarron ran the team helped that cause with them having 16 assists already to the half.

Then with Whelan going 6/7 from downtown for the game even with the rest of the team managing just 4/19, Eltham would end up leading by as much as 28 points on the way to the 14-point win to improve to 3-2 on the season while Frankston are now 2-2.

Sam Whelan hit his first four three-point attempts, and going 6/7 for the game even if he didn’t end up getting another attempt off from two minutes to go in the third quarter.

He ended the night with 21 points with six assists and four rebounds while the Wildcats were +20 in his 28 minutes.

Zak Cunningham also finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Wildcats, TJ Weeks 15 points and four assists, Leonardo Colimério 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists, and Harry Hornery 11 points, three boards and two steals.

Mitch McCarron showed all of his 270 games of NBL experience along with being the starting point guard on a Melbourne United championship team. He finished with eight points, nine assists and four rebounds to be +21 in just under 28 minutes.

Austin Shelley had 25 points, three rebounds and three assists for Frankston with Daniel Trist adding 22 points and 10 boards, and Dibaji Wlaker 15 points and five rebounds.

THURSDAY

Sandringham Sabres (66) lost to Melbourne Tigers (81)

Given the players the Sandringham Sabres were missing, the Melbourne Tigers were expected to take care of business in the Grand Final rematch and they did win 81-66 but not without a third quarter scare.

Current Melbourne United player Malith Machar, former NBL veteran big man Dane Pineau and short-term NZ NBL signing Kyle Adnam all weren’t there for the Sabres, but still the home team fired back from a 16-point deficit to be just three down at three quarter-time.

The Tigers were able to take control once more in the fourth quarter for the 15-point win after scoring the opening eight points and improve to 3-1.

Reigning MVP Tom Wilson ended up delivering 19 points, six rebounds and two assists in the win for the Tigers even while shooting just the 6/18 from the field.

George Blagojevic finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and two steals while Mason Gaze shook off a bit of an injury scare for 13 points, five rebounds and two assists.

Jack Purchase also had 12 points, five rebounds and three assists, and Josh Sykes 12 points and eight boards.

Melbourne United's Kyle Bowen finished with 17 points, nine rebounds and two steals for Sandringham while playing 36 minutes with Kaylan Kitto ending up with 16 points and six boards.

CJ Asuncion-Byrd also had nine points and two rebounds, Elliott Brown eight points, five boards and three assists, and Sammy Cartwright six points and 10 rebounds.

Kilsyth Cobras (100) defeated Waverley Falcons (87)

Jamie Ahale had 29 points and five three-pointers with the Kilsyth Cobras scoring the 100-87 home win over the Waverley Falcons on Thursday night.

The Cobras were back home at Kilsyth Sports Centre looking to hit back from a loss to the Hobart Chargers with the Falcons arriving trying to back up a win over that same opponent.

It was quite the entertaining opening quarter with both teams combining for 59 points with the Falcons leading 30-29 by quarter-time before Kilsyth worked on top in the second term with 25 points to 17.

The Cobras then built on that lead with it getting out to as much as 14 points in the second half before they secured the 13-point win to improve to 3-1.

Ahale starred in the win for Kilsyth with 29 points, eight rebounds and two assists with 5/11 three-point shooting with Dillon Stith adding 18 points and nine boards.

Malik McKinney also had 18 points and two assists, Adrian Tomada 12 points and three assists, and Chris Payton Jr 10 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

Waverley are now 2-3 following the loss with Gabe Hadley delivering 21 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals with Malik Meunier adding 18 points, seven boards and four assists.

Bennie Lewis also had 14 points, four rebounds and two steals, Miles Gibson 12 points, two rebounds and two steals, and Matthew McCarthy 12 points and eight boards.

FRIDAY

Casey Cavaliers (101) defeated Ringwood Hawks (84)

Patrick Ryan had 14 first quarter points and Preston Bungei 33 for the game with the Casey Cavaliers getting a first win leaving no more winless teams with the 101-84 victory over the Ringwood Hawks.

The Hawks arrived at Casey Stadium having just won their first game of the season while the Cavaliers were still chasing their first victory after opening up with losses at the hands of the Dandenong Rangers, Knox Raiders and Frankston Blues.

From the outset the Cavs were able to work on top and with Ryan and Ibrahima Diallo catching fire in the first quarter, Bungei doing the same in the second and then that trio influential the rest of the way, they were able to get on the board in 2026 with the 17-point home triumph.

Bungei finished with 33 points, six rebounds and five assists on 12/16 field goal shooting, 2/3 from three-point territory and 7/8 at the free-throw line.

Coming off his season with the South East Melbourne Phoenix in the NBL, Patrick Ryan had 23 points and five rebounds on 8/9 shooting with 14 of his points coming in the opening period.

Ibrahima Diallo added 22 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, and Tanner Krebs 12 points, nine boards and two steals even on 1/7 three-point shooting.

Ringwood are now 1-5 unable to back up their breakthrough win on Saturday against the Northern Force to cap a run of three home matches in five days last week.

Uche Dibiamaka was instrumental in that victory having just come into the team and he was again impressive despite the result with 22 points and six rebounds.

Tom Carroll went 3/4 from beyond the arc for 15 points and seven rebounds with Harry Sealey contributing 15 points and four assists, Lawson Eales 10 points and four rebounds, and Mitch Dielemans 10 points and two boards.

Mount Gambier Pioneers (101) defeated Ballarat Miners (99)

Ultimately two huge threes in the last two minutes from Elijah Saifaleupolu and Collin Moore had a big say in the Mount Gambier celebrating their home opener with the thrilling 101-99 win over the Ballarat Miners.

The Pioneers were playing at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre for a first time in 2026 and were hosting a Ballarat team trying to build some early season momentum too.

The two teams would play out quite the dramatic affair with Mount Gambier putting up 34 points to 26 in the first quarter on the way to leading by as much as 15 points in the second term, and still being up 65-50 by half-time.

The Pioneers couldn’t keep that offensive output going and had just 13 points in the third term with Ballarat putting up 22 and setting up a big finish.

A huge alley-oop finish from Cearius Warren on the pass from Bol Bak had Ballarat on top by one with 2:45 to play before 45 seconds later the Pioneers regained the lead with a three ball from Saifaleupolu.

Moore answered soon after to stretch the lead to five and that ended up being enough for Mount Gambier with Ethan Fiegert missing the attempted game winner at the buzzer for the Miners.

Moore ended up with 26 points, eight rebounds, five blocks, four assists and three steals in the win for the Pioneers with 4/9 three-point shooting.

Ngor Manyang also had 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals, Elijah Saifaleupolu 21 points and five boards with 5/8 shooting from downtown, Scott Telfer 13 points, three assists and three steals, and Lucas Gordon eight points and seven rebounds.

Jaden Campbell top-scored for Ballarat with 21 points, seven rebounds and three steals while going 5/11 from behind the three-point line.

Brooklyn Bruton added 20 points and four assists, Lachlan Dent 19 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, and Bol Bak 16 points, seven boards and three assists.

SATURDAY

Frankston Blues (106) defeated Kilsyth Cobras (101)

The Frankston Blues celebrated their first home game of the season beating the Kilsyth Cobras in a high-scoring thriller 106-101 and having come from behind to do so.

The Blues had gone 2-2 on the road to open the season ahead of a home opener at Jubilee Park Stadium with the Cobras arriving also having split the first four games.

The tone was set for the night with 62 points in the first quarter with Kilsyth leading 32-30 at quarter-time before things dried up with just 32 between them in the second.

The Cobras were still leading 49-45 and then they were still up four at three quarter-time before a big finish from Frankston with 36 points to 27 in the final term for the five-point victory to improve to 3-2.

Daniel Trist came up huge in the win with 31 points, 13 rebounds and two assists on a supremely efficient 12/15 shooting from the field, 4/5 from deep and 3/4 at the line.

He had plenty of help too with Dibaji Walker delivering 26 points, seven rebounds and three assists, Lucas Barker 24 points, five boards, three assists and three steals on 5/5 three-point shooting, and Austin Shelley 12 points, five assists and four rebounds.

Dillon Stith finished with 24 points and eight rebounds for Kilsyth with Jamie Ahale adding 20 points and two assists, Adrian Tomada 20 points and six assists, Malik McKinney 11 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals, Corey Jeffs 10 points, six boards and three assists, and Chris Payton Jr nine points, nine rebounds and six assists.

Keilor Thunder (86) defeated Sandringham Sabres (79)

Keilor Thunder resisted 29 points from Elliott Brown for the still shorthanded Sandringham Sabres to beat the defending champions 86-79.

The Thunder were back home at Keilor Stadium looking to bounce back from a loss to the Northern Force while the Sabres had lost a Grand Final rematch to the Melbourne Tigers on Thursday.

They were still without key trio Kyle Adnam, Dane Pineau and Malith Machar to take on Keilor but started well with 27 points to 22 in the first quarter before only managing seven points in the second term.

The Thunder worked on top as a result to lead 41-34 at half-time and then go on with the job in the second half to win by seven and improve to a 2-2 record.

Daniel Foster produced 16 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists and three steals for Keilor with Matthew Johns adding 16 points, nine boards and three assists, Zach Hinton 15 points and four rebounds, Tana Kopa 12 points, five boards and two blocks, Deng Dut nine points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals, and Landon Seaman eight points and eight boards.

Sandringham are now 2-3 in their championship defence with Elliott Brown putting up 29 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Kyle Bowen added 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Sammy Cartwright 12 points and 10 boards.

Ballarat Miners (60) lost to Eltham Wildcats (107)

It was a tall order for the Ballarat Miners to come back from losing a heart breaker in Mount Gambier on Friday to playing at home on Saturday and the Eltham Wildcats took full advantage for the 107-60 win.

The Miners lost at the death by two points on Friday night and then returned home to Selkirk Stadium to host Eltham on Saturday with the Wildcats arriving fresh off beating the Frankston Blues on Wednesday.

Eltham wasted no time taking charge with 29 points to 15 in the first quarter and then another 34 to 15 in the second to go into half-time well in control leading 63-30.

There was no coming back from there for the Miners even at home with the Wildcats romping to the 47-point win to improve to a 4-2 record.

TJ Weeks top-scored for Eltham with 23 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals on shooting 4/8 from downtown with Harry Hornery producing 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Leonardo Colimerio also had 20 points and eight rebounds, Zak Cunningham 15 points and 10 boards, Sam Short 10 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks, and Mitch McCarron six points and eight assists.

Ballarat are now 1-4 with Jaden Campbell finishing with 16 points on 4/10 three-point shooting with Lachlan Dent adding nine points and seven assists, and Yak Nyuon nine points and four rebounds.

Knox Raiders (109) defeated Nunawading Spectres (95)

The Knox Raiders continued their ominous start to the season with the 109-95 home win over the Nunawading Spectres.

The Raiders were back at the State Basketball Centre trying to bounce back from a first loss of the season to the Bendigo Braves hosting a Spectres outfit on a three-game winning run.

 After Nunawading started well to be up six, Knox responded with the next nine points and were leading 31-24 by quarter-time before still being on top 55-46 at half-time.

The Raiders did push out to a 14-point lead in the second half but the Spectres wouldn’t go away although the home team did enough to secure the eventual 14-point win and improve to a 4-1 record.

Trazarien White delivered 27 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and three steals for Knox with Brody Nunn adding 22 points, four boards and four assists, and Brandon Slater 15 points, 11 rebounds and three assists.

Jordan Hunter also had 15 points, nine rebounds and three blocks with Kobe Williamson adding 12 points, 11 boards and two assists.

Nunawading are now 3-2 following the loss with Jack Gandolfo top-scoring with 23 points with 5/10 shooting from three-point range.

Kingsley Box added 22 points with 6/13 from downtown while Ben Griscti had 15 points, six boards and two assists, Dylan Penn 14 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, and Christian D'Angelo 13 points, six boards, two assists and two steals.

Diamond Valley Eagles (104) defeated Geelong United (91)

The Diamond Valley Eagles started and finished on fire to overcome Geelong United 104-91 at home on Saturday.

The Eagles were back home at Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre trying to back up a win over the Mount Gamber Pioneers taking on a Geelong outfit having won one of three games so far.

Diamond Valley made the flying start with 33 points to 14 in the first quarter but Geelong worked back into the contest in the second frame and by half-time the Eagles were only leading 52-44.

Geelong also had 30 points to 23 in the third quarter but then the Eagles took over with 29 to 17 in the final term to score the 13-point win to improve to a 2-3 record.

Manny Malou delivered 24 points, 10 rebounds and two assists for the Eagles with Mirko Djeric adding 20 points, eight assists and six boards, and Ryley Haywood 16 points and seven rebounds.

Daniel Poelsma also had 13 points and six rebounds, Noah Todd 12 points and five boards, and Aleksandar Bandilovski 12 points, two rebounds and two assists.

Geelong are now 1-3 with Liam Herbert delivering 26 points on 4/8 shooting from deep and 11/17 overall with DeMarcus Gatlin adding 17 points, seven assists and five rebounds, Lachlan Barker 16 points, six boards and five assists, Deng Riak 11 points and seven rebounds, and Malang Athian 10 points and five boards.

Dandenong Rangers (109) defeated Bendigo Braves (84)

Joe Palmer and Harry Froling combined for 64 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists as the Dandenong Rangers continued their imposing start to the season with the 109-84 win over the Bendigo Braves.

After suffering a first loss of the season to the Knox Raiders, Dandenong hit back beating the Eltham Wildcats on Sunday ahead of hosting the Braves at Dandenong Basketball Stadium who arrived having won their first three games of 2026.

It was a scorching start at home from Dandenong with 35 points to 18 in the first quarter with them leading by as much as 19 along the way before that lead got out to 30 in the second period.

The Rangers still led 65-39 by half-time and maintained that sort of advantage throughout the second half on the way to the emphatic 25-point win to improve to a 4-1 record.

Palmer delivered 37 points, eight rebounds and six assists with 5/11 three-point shooting with Froling putting up another 27 points, 12 boards and four assists with 10/14 shooting from the floor, 3/5 from deep and 4/5 at the stripe.

Sam Davidson also had 20 points with 4/11 shooting from behind the arc.

Bendigo are now 3-1 following a first defeat with Biwali Bayles producing 29 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Jarvis Doles added 20 points, 14 rebounds, two assists and two blocks, Billy Smythe nine points and five boards, Dashiel Walker eight points, and Ray Turner eight points and two rebounds.

Hobart Chargers (89) defeated Northern Force (87)

Anthony Drmic hit the biggest shot of the night where he plays with the Tasmania JackJumpers and top-scored for the Hobart Chargers in 89-87 win at MyState Bank Arena over the Northern Force.

It was a showcase of Tasmanian basketball in the first NBL1 South meeting between the two clubs with the Chargers celebrating their 30-year anniversary on Saturday night by taking on the Force.

The Chargers did lead for most of the night including by 10 points in the third quarter, but they could never quite shake the Force until Drmic hit his fourth three-pointer of the game with 1:15 to play which was the dagger blow before Jacob Richards and Luke Rosendale iced the win at the line.

The Chargers held on for the two-point win to improve to 4-1 to start the new season under the coaching of JackJumpers assistant coach Jarrad Weeks.

Drmic delivered 29 points, nine rebounds and five steals with 4/8 three-point shooting in over 34 minutes for the Chargers.

Luke Rosendale also had 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists for Hobart with Jacob Ricahrds providing 21 points, 11 boards and nine assists with 10/15 free-throw shooting, and Ambros Eugster nine points and three rebounds.

Despite the loss and the Force now slipping to a 1-4 record, there was plenty of encouraging signs with Aaron Ridley III finishing with 22 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots with 4/11 three-point shooting.

Logan Gibson also had 21 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and two steals on 9/12 shooting while pulling down six offensive boards along the way.

Kye Savage also had 12 points, nine rebounds, six assists and five steals.

SUNDAY

Nunawading Spectres (102) defeated Keilor Thunder (83)

The Nunawading Spectres had six players score in double-figures as they bounced back from Saturday night's loss to beat Keilor Thunder at home 102-83.

The Spectres lost to the Knox Raiders on Saturday night and were backing up on Sunday at Nunawading Basketball Centre against a Thunder team having beaten the reigning champion Sandringham Sabres the previous evening.

Nunawading would end up being on top all afternoon and scored the 19-point victory with six players scoring in double-figures as they scored the big win despite taking eight fewer shots and 10 less free throws, and giving up 25 offensive rebounds to Keilor.

Nunawading improve to 4-2 with the victory on the back of a hot shooting performance going 56 per cent with 10/26 from behind the three-point line, and 18/23 at the foul line.

Jack Gandolfo top-scored with 22 points and three assists with 4/9 three-point shooting while Christian D'Angelo contributed 17 points, four boards, three assists, two steals and two blocks, and Owen Lobsinger 14 points and seven rebounds.

Dylan Penn also had 13 points and 11 assists, Kingsley Box 10 points and four rebounds, and Ben Griscti 11 points, two boards and two assists.

Keilor are now with Deng Dut ending up top-scoring for Keilor with 16 points, six rebounds and three assists while Cooper Kirkman delivered 14 points and two boards, Daniel Foster 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists, and Tana Kopa 11 points, six boards, two assists and two steals.