South Wrap | Women's Anzac Round

Featured image: Ian Knight Photography

The Casey Cavaliers and Ballarat Miners had two strong NBL1 South wins while Kelly Wilson was spectacular for Bendigo Braves and then there was Chinese pair Shuyu Yang and Mingling Chen inspiring Melbourne Tigers to their first two victories of 2026.

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FRIDAY

Hobart Chargers (89) lost to Casey Cavaliers (113)

Dallas Loughridge, Nyaduoth Lok, Chelsea D'Angelo and Sam Bowman all had 20-plus points and combined for 16 triples as the Casey Cavaliers opened their Tasmanian road double beating the Hobart Chargers 113-89.

The Cavaliers arrived having won their last couple of games and they kept that momentum going to set the tone for the evening with the 16-4 start.

They ended up continuing to catch fire more and more as the night went on including 34 points in the fourth quarter and having 113 for the night on the way to the 24-point victory to improve to a 4-1 record with Hobart now slipping to 1-5 with the defeat at home.

It was a stunning offensive outburst by the Cavs with them shooting 55 per cent from the floor along with going 19/38 at 50 per cent from three-point territory along with pulling down 16 offensive rebounds and having 29 assists to just 11 turnovers.

Dallas Loughridge continued her hot form with another 27 points, eight assists and three rebounds for the Cavaliers on 11/15 shooting from the field and 4/7 from behind the arc.

Nyaduoth Lok also went 6/13 from deep for 26 points, six rebounds and three assists while Chelsea D'Angelo went 5/8 for 21 points with nine assists and five boards.

Sam Bowman had a monster performance too with 20 points, 19 rebounds and five assists with Sharne Robati adding 11 points, five boards and two assists while nailing both her three-point attempts too.

Tishara Morehouse finished with 25 points and four assists, Sharna Thompson 24 points, three boards and two steals with 5/9 three-point shooting, Portia Chopping 15 points and two blocks, and Tyia Singleton seven points and seven rebounds.

Frankston Blues (85) defeated Dandenong Rangers (69)

Lou Brown and Imogen Rock both had standout performances for either team but it was the Frankston Blues who prevailed in the finish for the 85-69 home victory.

The Blues played host to the Rangers at Jubilee Park Stadium looking to make it consecutive wins as were Dandenong after breaking through to beat the Bendigo Braves last Saturday.

Frankston opened up a nine-point lead by quarter-time but that was back to just one at half-time before the Blues did take over in the second half with 49 points to 34 on the way to the 16-point victory to improve to a 4-2 record.

Lou Brown delivered another 17 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks in the win for Frankston with Emily Monaghan adding 16 points and eight boards, Sianni Martin 15 points and three assists, Pahlyss Hokianga 15 points and three assists, and Tori Jackson 12 points, five assists and four rebounds.

Imogen Rock continued her standout form for Dandenong despite the loss with 21 points, seven rebounds and two steals with 7/9 free-throw shooting.

Cat MacGregor added 13 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals, Marianela Fakalata 12 points, seven assists and three steals, Holly Griffiths 11 points and seven rebounds, and Clare Camac 10 points and five boards.

ANZAC DAY

Sandringham Sabres (82) defeated Knox Raiders (72)

Steph Reid showed the way and received plenty of help with the Sandringham Sabres starting hot and going on with it from there for the 82-72 Anzac Day win over the defending champion Knox Raiders.

The Sabres were back home at Southern Basketball Stadium having won four of five matches so far in 2026 as they played host to the defending champion Raiders who were coming off a bounce back win over the Nunawading Spectres.

Sandringham shot out of the blocks with a 17-4 to start the game and from there would lead by 17 points in the second quarter, 18 in the fourth and go on to score the eventual 10-point victory to improve to a 5-1 record with Knox now 3-3 in their championship defence.

The Sabres kept their impressive winning run going even in the absence of Funda Nakkasoglu with Steph Reid delivering 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Madison Ryan added 16 points, six rebounds and three assists, Lucy Cochrane 15 points, four boards and four assists, Klara Wischer 15 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and four steals, and Isis Lopes 13 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals.

It's a third loss of the season already for the defending champion Knox even with Haliegh Reinoehl finishing with 24 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals on 8/14 shooting from the field.

Shaneice Swain added 17 points, six rebounds and two steals, Paige Bradley 12 points, seven assists and six boards, and 200-game veteran Leah Santomaggio 10 points with Alicia Froling adding six points, 11 rebounds and three assists.

Ballarat Miners (70) defeated Keilor Thunder (58)

Abbey Wehrung showed the way and the Ballarat Miners returned to the winner's list on Anzac Day with the 70-58 home victory against Keilor Thunder.

Coming off a heartbreaking double overtime loss in Mount Gambier and then losing less than 24 hours later at home to the Eltham Wildcats, the Miners were looking to hit back at Selkirk Stadium.

The Thunder arrived coming off a win against Nunawading Spectres, but it was a strong start from the home team to open up a nine-point lead after one.

That lead continued to grow the rest of the way to be as much as 14 points in the second frame, 16 in the third and 17 in the fourth before the eventual 12-point win to improve to a 3-3 record.

Wehrung led from the front for Ballarat with 19 points, six rebounds and three assists with Camille Hobby adding 14 points and 10 boards, Elissa Brett 12 points, seven rebounds and three steals, and Casey Samuels 10 points, seven boards, three assists and three steals.

Keilor are now 3-3 as well despite Lara McSpadden delivering 25 points and 12 rebounds with Izzy Wightman adding 12 points and four blocks, Tess Barnes 10 points and three rebounds, and Macey Boyle seven points, four boards and four assists.

 

Ringwood Hawks (83) lost to Melbourne Tigers (86)

New Chinese recruits Shuyu Yang and Mingling Chen made an immediate impact combining for 50 points as the Melbourne Tigers opened their account for the season with the thrilling 86-83 win over the Ringwood Hawks.

The Tigers arrived at The Rings having lost their opening four matches of the season to take on a Ringwood team having just one win themselves from six games in 2026.

But Melbourne had added Chinese pair Yang and Chen to provide an added boost, and they brought plenty of supporters with them as the Tigers were chasing a first win of 2026.

It was Ringwood who opened up an 11-point lead during the second quarter, though, and who were still up by seven at half-time, but the Tigers found their groove in the second half.

When Chen scored with three minutes to play, the Tigers were out to a six-point lead before it was Chen and Isa Brancatisano who iced the win at the foul line with Melbourne prevailing by three to improve to 1-4.

Shuyu Yang was brilliant for the Tigers with 31 points and three steals on 9/13 field goal shooting with Mingling Chen adding 19 points, three rebounds and three assists on 6/10 shooting overall and 7/10 at the foul line.

Zitina Aokuso also had 15 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, and Hannah Giddey six points, three boards and three assists.

The Hawks are now 1-6 on the season with Honey Kaur delivering 26 points and eight rebounds, Taylor Mole 20 points and three assists, Emma Clarke 17 points, six rebounds and four assists, and Izzy Feller 11 points and three assists on 3/4 three-point shooting.

Eltham Wildcats (87) defeated Geelong United (47)

The Eltham Wildcats made it six straight wins with another dominant performance at home on Anzac Day to beat Geelong United 87-47.

The Wildcats were back home at Montmorency Secondary College on a five-game winning streak against a Geelong team yet to win in 2026 after going through undefeated all of 2025 until the Grand Final.

It didn’t take long for Eltham to take control with 20 points to six in the first quarter before going on to lead 49-22 by half-time, 67-37 by three quarter-time and then securing the 40-point win to improve to 6-1 with the six consecutive victories.

Lil Dart delivered 22 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals while Bec Pizzey gave another 14 points, eight boards and three blocks, Kennedy Dickie 12 points and five rebounds, and Mackenzie Smith 11 points, two assists and two steals.

Geelong are now 0-5 on the back of shooting just 22 per cent and going 2/2 from downtown with Lilly Rotunno having nine points and three rebounds, Mackenzie Drew nine points and two boards, and Indi Bowyer seven points, four steals, two rebounds and two assists.

Northern Force (84) lost to Casey Cavaliers (88)

Dallas Loughridge hit the last four points in the final 30 seconds to deliver the Casey Cavaliers a second win for their Tasmanian road trip beating the Northern Force 88-84 in an Anzac Day thriller.

The Cavs were fresh off beating the Hobart Chargers by 24 points the night before with the Force still chasing a first win and hosting them at Ulverstone Sports and Leisure Centre.

Casey did open up an early nine-point lead but that would be the biggest margin of the game with the Cavaliers just up six at quarter-time and one at half-time before the Force turned that around to lead by two at three quarter-time.

That set up a big finish with huge plays down the stretch from both teams including big threes from Loughridge and Chelsea D'Angelo for Casey responded to by a three from Keely Froling and three-point play from Rebekka Kalaydjiev for the Force.

It was a Sam Bowman three-pointer that returned the Cavaliers to the lead with two minutes on the clock but a minute later and the Force were back up one after a Sarah O'Neill floater.

Scores were then level again with 30 seconds left before Loughridge hit a step back jumper and sealed then win for Casey at the foul line as they won by four to improve to 5-1 as a result.

Loughridge delivered another 29 points and nine assists for the Cavs in the win with D'Angelo adding 22 points, seven rebounds and five assists, Bowman 14 points and five boards, and Nyaduoth Lok 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

The Force are now 0-6 to start life in the NBL1 South with Keely Froling having a monster performance of 35 points, eight rebounds, three blocks and two assists.

Parker Hill added 13 points and six rebounds, Millie Baker 12 points, seven boards and four assists, Sarah O'Neill 10 points, 12 rebounds and three assists, and Rebekka Kalaydjiev eight points, seven assists and six boards.

Mount Gambier Pioneers (59) lost to Waverley Falcons (86)

The Waverley Falcons delivered a standout all-round team performance for the 86-59 win on the road to the Mount Gambier Pioneers on Anzac Day.

The Pioneers had won their first five games of the season and were home at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre to host the Falcons.

Mount Gambier were leading by one at quarter-time, but then the Falcons took control with an 11-0 run and 25 points to 11 in the second frame on the way to building a 19-point lead.

That got out to 27 in the fourth quarter for the eventual 27-point win to improve to 3-3 on the season with Amelia Todhunter finishing with 17 points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals.

Millie McCarthy added 17 points on 3/3 three-point shooting, Liana Kinkela 16 points and two rebounds, Tayla Dalton 11 points, five boards, three assists and two steals, and Katelyn Shumate 10 points and five rebounds.

Mount Gambier suffered a first loss of 2026 with shooting just 31 per cent from the field and 2/14 from three-point range.

Kelsey Rees finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds, Abby Prohaska 13 points and six boards, Lara Edmanson 12 points and eight rebounds, Tilly Boler 10 points, three boards and two steals, and Carla Pitman eight points and eight rebounds.

SUNDAY

Ballarat Miners (91) defeated Frankston Blues (74)

The Ballarat Miners made it a double win weekend at home with Abbey Wehrung again starring as they beat the Frankston Blues 91-74.

Both teams had played already this weekend with Ballarat winning at home over Keilor Thunder on Anzac Day with Frankston arriving after beating the Dandenong Rangers at home back on Friday.

It was a tight battle in the first half with the Miners only leading by four at half-time before Ballarat took over from there with 21 points to eight in the third quarter including a 16-0 scoring run to set up the eventual 17-point victory.

The Miners are now 4-3 after their pair of home wins with Wehrung producing another 23 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Casey Samuels added 20 points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals, Camille Hobby 17 points, five boards and three assists, Malia Fisher 10 points and nine rebounds, Laura Taylor 10 points, three boards and two steals, and Elissa Brett nine points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals.

The Blues are now 4-3 on the season with Lou Brown providing another 22 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Emily Monaghan also had 20 points, five rebounds and four assists, Sianni Martin 13 points and three boards, and Pahlyss Hokianga nine points, five rebounds and three assists.

Knox Raiders (77) defeated Diamond Valley Eagles (62)

The Knox Raiders hit back from an Anzac Day loss to beat the Diamond Valley Eagles 77-62 at home on Sunday.

The Raiders went down to the Sandringham Sabres on Anzac Day with Diamond Valley having not played since beating Geelong United last Saturday.

Knox managed to build a four-point lead by the end of the first quarter before that advantage grew to nine at half-time, 18 at three quarter-time and they secured the eventual 15-point win to improve to 4-3 on the season.

Haliegh Reinoehl produced 23 points, four rebounds and two steals for Knox with 4/6 three-point shooting.

Alicia Froling added 16 points and 14 rebounds, Shaneice Swain 13 points and eight boards, Paige Bradley 12 points and six assists, and Paige Burrows 10 points, seven assists and four rebounds.

Diamond Valley are now 4-2 following the loss with Abbey Ellis ending up with 21 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Alex Sharp also had 15 points, six rebounds and two steals, Erin Riley nine points, four boards, three steals and two assists, and Tayha Watkins nine points, four steals and three rebounds.

Melbourne Tigers (71) defeated Kilsyth Cobras (66)

The Melbourne Tigers backed up their first win of the season on Anzac Day by winning twice in less than 24 hours with the 71-66 home win against the Kilsyth Cobras

The Tigers were fresh off beating the Ringwood Hawks on Anzac Day with the Cobras arriving at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre having not played since suffering a first loss of the season last Saturday against Frankston.

The Cobras started strongly trying to hit back with 17 points to 10 in the first quarter and they were still leading by as much as 11 in the third quarter, but then the Tigers took over.

Melbourne turned that 11-point third period deficit into the five-point win to now improve to 2-4 after the two wins this weekend.

The new Chinese pair were again strong contributors for the Tigers with Shuyu Yang providing 13 points, three rebounds and three steals, and Mingling Chen nine points, four boards and four assists.

Zitina Aokuso also had 19 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, Isa Brancatisano 10 points, six steals, five boards and four assists, Charlotte Brancatisano seven points, three rebounds and two assists while Hannah Giddey pulled down 10 boards.

Kilsyth have now lost two straight to be 4-2 with Nikita Young providing 14 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals, Kylie Horstmeyer 12 points and three boards, and Ariel Jenkins 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Bendigo Braves (113) defeated Nunawading Spectres (97)

Kelly Wilson might have just missed the triple-double but that's all she didn’t do in her 26-point, 19-assist, nine-rebound performance to lift the Bendigo Braves to the 113-97 shootout home win over the Nunawading Spectres.

After winning their first four games of the season, the Spectres lost twice last weekend and were trying to hit back when they arrived at Red Energy Arena with Bendigo also attempting to respond to a last up loss to the Dandenong Rangers.

The two teams combined for 67 points in a spectacular first quarter and it wasn’t until the last term when the Braves confirmed the win and it was all on the back of the heroics of Wilson in the absence of Kelsey Griffin.

In the fourth quarter alone Wilson had 15 points, two rebounds and three assists with the Braves going on to win by 16 points to improve to 3-2 on the season with Nunawading now 4-3 with three losses on the trot.

It was just a remarkable individual performance from Wilson to lead Bendigo to their third win of the season finishing with 26 points, 19 assists, nine rebounds and four steals on 11/13 shooting from the floor and 3/3 from beyond the arc.

Olivia Pollerd top-scored for the Braves with 28 points and five rebounds on 11/19 shooting with Ahlise Hurst adding 18 points on 4/8 shooting from downtown, Mia Harvey 18 points and five assists, Jess Smith 12 points and five assists, and Isabel Whitelaw 11 points on 3/6 shooting from behind the three-point line.

Riley Lupfer was back to top-scoring for Nunawading with 21 points along with four assists and four rebounds on 5/12 three-point shooting with Rachel Antoniadou delivering 20 points, seven assists and six boards with 4/12 shooting from behind the arc.

Kylee Blacksten added 17 points, six rebounds and three assists, Eliza Hollingsworth 14 points and six boards, Kate Tanner 13 points and four rebounds, and Keeley Frawley 12 points and seven boards.