South Wrap | Women's First Nations Round

Featured image: Andrew Scherer / DLNQNT PHOTOGRAPHY

Kelsey Rees had 45 points and 25 rebounds across an NBL1 South win and loss for Mount Gambier Pioneers while there were double victories as the finals close in for the Kilsyth Cobras, Melbourne Tigers, Diamond Valley Eagles and Waverley Falcons.

>> SOUTH SPOTLIGHT | CAVS WIN BATTLE OF SHORTHANDED TEAMS

>> SOUTH SPOTLIGHT | WILDCATS OVERCOME SHORTHANDED SABRES

>> SOUTH SPOTLIGHT | FALCONS HEAT UP TOP FOUR BATTLE

>> SOUTH SPOTLIGHT | HAWKS RETURN TO WINNER'S LIST

>> MT GAMBIER MOVE IGNITES SPARK IN CHAMPION

TUESDAY

Ringwood Hawks (58) defeated Frankston Blues (53)

It was mid-week basketball with Ally Bates scoring 15 points with five triples to lead the Ringwood Hawks to the gritty 58-53 win over the Frankston Blues to open First Nations Round.

The two teams arrived at Norwood Secondary College keen for a rare win in 2026 with the Hawks having lost 11 of their last 12 games with the Blues on a 10-game losing run.

Both teams were down key players too with Ringwood without Jo Raflo, Izzy Feller and Emma Clarke while Frankston were still without Pahlyss Hokianga.

It turned into quite the Tuesday night grind but after Frankston hit the front early in the fourth quarter, Ringwood took back control on the way to the five-point win to improve to a 3-15 record while the Blues have now lost 10 straight at 5-13.

Ally Bates top scored in the win for Ringwood with 15 points, four rebounds and four assists with 5/8 three-point shooting.

Chelby Koker added 12 points, seven assists and two rebounds, Taylor Mole 11 points, nine boards, five steals and three assists, Honey Kaur 10 points and seven rebounds, and Aneta Bandilovska seven points and eight boards.

It was an 11th straight loss for Frankston with Megan Mullings finishing with 13 points and seven rebounds with Emily Monaghan top scoring with 16 points, seven boards, three steals and two assists.

Jacqui Trotto also had 11 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks, and Lou Brown 10 points, nine boards, three assists and two blocked shots.

THURSDAY

Ringwood Hawks (53) lost to Kilsyth Cobras (80)

The Ringwood Hawks couldn’t quite back up their Tuesday night win with the Kilsyth Cobras instead snapping their 12-game losing streak on Thursday with the 80-53 victory.

The Hawks were playing their second mid-week game at Norwood Secondary College for the week during school holidays and were fresh off beating the Frankston Blues on Tuesday ahead of hosting a Kilsyth team having lost 12 straight.

But it didn’t take long for the Cobras to work on top with 19 points to 11 in the opening term on the way to still leading 36-29 by half-time.

Kilsyth added another 16 points to 11 in the third period and 28 to 13 in the fourth to end up winning by 27 to emphatically snap their 12-game losing run to improve to 5-12.

Nikita Young delivered 20 points, five assists, five steals and four rebounds in the win for the Cobras with Emme Shearer adding 16 points, four assists, two boards and two steals, and Hannah Day 10 points, five rebounds and two assists.

Catelyn Van Es also had 10 points on 3/4 shooting 3/3 at the stripe, Meg Newman 10 points and five rebounds, and Lily Exton eight points, eight boards, three assists and two blocked shots.

Ringwood are now 3-16 with the loss with Honey Kaur producing another 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Jo Raflo returned for 10 points and six rebounds with Asha Young adding nine points and two assists, Ally Bates eight points, and Chelby Koker seven points, four assists and three rebounds.

FRIDAY

Hobart Chargers (70) lost to Melbourne Tigers (85)

The Melbourne Tigers retained their hold on a top 10 position by handing the Hobart Chargers a fourth straight loss with the 85-70 victory on the back of 35 points and 10 assists from Mingling Chen and Shuyu Yang.

The Chargers were beginning their last weekend at home for the season hosting the 10th placed Tigers at Hutchins School and it was the visitors making the flying start to be leading already 29-18 by quarter-time.

Melbourne were still leading 48-38 by the half-time break and then went on with the job with 23 points to 14 in the final term to secure the 15-point that retains their playoff position at 11-8.

Mingling Chen ended up top scoring for the Tigers with 20 points, four rebounds and three assists on 10/12 field goal shooting with Shuyu Yang adding 15 points and seven assists with going 3/6 from beyond the arc.

Isa Brancatisano added 15 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals, Hannah Giddey 13 points, seven boards and four assists, and Eve Braslis eight points and five rebounds.

Hobart already now are out of the hunt at 6-13 with the four losses in-a-row with Tyia Singleton finishing with 24 points, seven rebounds and two assists on 11/14 shooting.

Sharna Thompson added 11 points and four rebounds, Portia Chopping 14 points, four assists and three boards, and Tishara Morehouse nine points, seven assists and six rebounds.

Sandringham Sabres (61) lost to Waverley Falcons (95)

Sophia Locandro scored 22 points with four triples and Maddi Utti had another double double for the Waverley Falcons to take advantage of the Sandringham Sabres missing some key players for the 95-61 win.

The Sabres were home at Southern Basketball Stadium and still on top despite the absence of Steph Reid, Madi Ryan and Maddie Angus with Waverley arriving having won their last couple and needing to keep doing that to try and finish as high up as they can.

Waverley got on top early to be leading by eight points at quarter-time and then continuing to build on that with the lead getting out to 16 points in the second frame, 27 in the third and 34 in the fourth.

That 34-point margin was where it finished with the Falcons improving to an 11-7 record with three consecutive wins with Sabres now 14-4 following the defeat.

The win improves the top four prospects for Waverley with Sophia Locandro top scoring with 22 points and six rebounds with 4/6 shooting from downtown.

Katelyn Shumate also had 17 points, three assists and two rebounds for the Falcons, Liana Kinkela 13 points and two boards, Maddi Utti 10 points, 14 rebounds, two assists and two steals, and Georgia Pineau 10 points, three boards and two blocked shots.

The Sabres battled hard in the absence of Steph Reid, Madi Ryan and Maddie Angus with Lucy Cochrane top scoring with 16 points, 13 rebounds and three assists.

Funda Nakkasoglu also had 11 points and three assists, Isis Lopes 10 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals, Josie Agnew eight points and four assists, and the returning Klara Wischer seven points, seven rebounds and two steals.

Mount Gambier Pioneers (64) lost to Knox Raiders (95)

The Knox Raiders moved to top spot with other results going their way at the same time with the 95-64 road win over the Mount Gambier Pioneers with a combined 44 points, 23 rebounds and 10 assists from Paige Bradley and Agnes Emma-Nnopu.

The Pioneers were back home at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre after losing twice on the road last weekend with Raiders on a nine-game winning streak but arriving without Alicia Froling, Shaneice Swain and Haliegh Reinoehl.

Knox had the chance to go to if Sandringham lost also on Friday night and the Raiders started strongly with 28 points to 18 in the first quarter.

That lead for Knox blew out to 25 points in the second frame after they scored 13 straight points with the Raiders leading 50-32 by half-time and going on with it from there.

The lead was as much as 39 points in the second half before the Raiders won by 31 to improve to a 15-4 record with 10 straight wins to move to first place.

Paige Bradley delivered 23 points, nine rebounds and four assists for Knox with 4/7 shooting from downtown with Agnes Emma-Nnopu adding 21 points, 14 boards and six assists while going 4/6 from beyond the arc.

Rachel Bell also had 18 points and five rebounds, Paige Burrows 17 points, five boards and four assists, and Leah Santomaggio eight points, eight rebounds and three steals.

Mount Gambier are just clinging to a place in the top 10 at 10-9 with Kelsey Rees finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds and five assists while Gracie Champion added 12 points and four boards, and Carla Pitman 12 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Tilly Boler also had 10 points, five rebounds and two steals, and Abby Prohaska nine points, five boards and three steals.

SATURDAY

Kilsyth Cobras (105) defeated Casey Cavaliers (92)

The Kilsyth Cobras made it a double win round after starting the weekend on a 12-game losing streak with the 105-92 win over the Casey Cavaliers.

The Cobras returned to the winner's list back on Thursday night beating the Ringwood Hawks ahead of hosting the Cavaliers at Kilsyth Sports Centre who were sitting fourth but missing Nya Lok and Sharne Robati.

Casey still started well to be leading 28-25 by quarter-time before Kilsyth got on top with 32 points to 18 in the second frame to go into half-time leading 57-46.

That lead blew out to 20 points in the third quarter for the Cobras after they went on a 13-0 scoring run and they completed the 13-point win from there to make it two straight wins after that 12-game losing slide.

Emme Shearer delivered 29 points, five rebounds and five assists with 4/5 three-point shooting with Catelyn Van Es contributing 19 points, seven boards and two steals, and Georgia McBean 19 points and four assists.

Nikita Young also had 11 points, seven assists, five rebounds and four steals, Kylie Horstmeyer 10 points on 4/8 shooting, Meg Newman six points, nine rebounds and five assists, and Lily Exton six points, seven boards and four assists.

Casey are now 13-6 with the loss with Dallas Loughridge putting up another 29 points, nine assists, four rebounds and three steals with 4/11 three-point shooting.

Chelsea D'Angelo added 25 points, five assists, four rebounds, three steals and two blocks, and Sam Bowman 22 points, 11 rebounds and three assists.

Northern Force (51) lost to Melbourne Tigers (73)

The Melbourne Tigers completed the Tasmanian road double this weekend with the 73-51 win over the Northern Force with another 33 points from Shuyu Yang and Mingling Chen.

The Tigers were fresh off the Friday night win over the Hobart Chargers while the Force were back home at Elphin Sports Stadium trying close in on their own top 10 position.

It was a big game as a result for both teams as they jostle over a playoff spot and by quarter-time it was the Force clinging to a two-point lead and still being up by that margin at the half.

Melbourne turned that around in the third period with 20 points to six and then another 21 to 11 in the fourth on the way to the 22-point win having outscored the home team 41 to 17 after half-time.

The Tigers improve to 12-8 with the pair of wins this weekend with Shuyu Yang producing another 18 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals with 3/6 shooting from behind the arc.

Mingling Chen added 15 points and five rebounds, Isa Brancatisano 15 points, 10 boards and four assists, and Eva Braslis 17 points, four assists, three boards and three steals.

The Force are now 8-11 to slip further from 10th position with Keely Froling producing another 16 points, 11 rebounds and three assists despite shooting 6/24 from the floor.

Sarah O'Neill added nine points and two rebounds, Josie Pinkerton nine points, five boards and three steals, and Parker Hill four points, 15 rebound and two steals.

Eltham Wildcats (75) defeated Sandringham Sabres (67)

The shorthanded Sandringham Sabres suffered a second loss of the weekend to concede a top two spot with the Eltham Wildcats moving ahead of them with the 75-67 victory.

The Sabres came into the weekend on top of the NBL1 South but were again without Steph Reid, Madi Ryan and Maddie Angus having lost on Friday night to the Waverley Falcons.

Eltham came into the game having won three straight and having a chance to move into the top two and they worked way into a double-figure lead during the second term.

The Wildcats remained leading the rest of the way and even though they could never fully put the Sabres away, they did enough to secure the eight-point win to improve to a 15-4 record while Sandringham slip to 14-5 with the pair of defeats this weekend.

Sara-Rose Smith finished with 12 points, 15 rebounds, three assists and two steals for Eltham with Jayde Cadee adding 12 points, five boards, two assists and two steals, and Bec Pizzey 11 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Sarah Elsworthy added 11 points, four assists, three steals and three rebounds, Addison Knight 10 points on 4/6 shooting, and Lil Dart eight points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocked shots.

Sandringham might have slipped from first place with the two losses this weekend but Funda Nakkasoglu put in another strong showing made up of 25 points and three rebounds.

Isis Lopes added 15 points, six rebounds, four steals and two assists, Lucy Cochrane 10 points, 24 boards and four assists, and Sierra Woodhouse nine points and four rebounds.

Diamond Valley Eagles (88) defeated Nunawading Spectres (84)

The Diamond Valley scored the last five points of the game in the final minute to come from behind and score a crucial 88-84 win over the Nunawading Spectres.

The Eagles were back home at Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre in sixth position against a Spectres whose only hope of keeping their season alive was to win their final three matches.

Diamond Valley opened up a 10-point lead in the first quarter and were still up 19-15 by quarter-time before another 35 points to 15 in the second term on the way to the 54-30 advantage by half-time.

That lead was 27 in the third quarter but then Nunawading came storming back and found themselves leading 84-83 when Rachel Antoniadou scored with a minute to play.

Shannon Dufficy then hit the next two buckets to return the Eagles to the three-point lead and with Nunawading missing their last three shots, the home team secured the four-point win with a free-throw to Erin Riley.

The win improves Diamond Valley to the 12-7 record with Shannon Dufficy showing the way with 20 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Isis Beh added 15 points, 10 rebounds and two assists, Erin Riley 14 points, nine assists and eight boards, Tayha Watkins 14 points, five rebounds and four assists, and Alex Sharp 11 points, seven boards and four assists.

Nunawading are now 8-12 and with just two games left any finals prospects appear gone with Rachel Antoniadou coming up huge with 33 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals with 6/16 three-point shooting.

Riley Lupfer added 14 points and five assists, Eliza Hollingsworth 10 points, eight rebounds and four blocks, and Tsz Kwan Li nine points, three steals, two boards and two assists.

Frankston Blues (75) lost to Geelong United (80)

Geelong United managed a fifth win of the season beating the Frankston Blues 80-75 with only seven players available but all five starters scoring at least 12 points.

The Blues were back home at Jubilee Park Stadium having lost their past 11 games including back on Tuesday night to the Ringwood Hawks while Geelong arrived having lost their past couple.

Geelong had the better of the start with 19 points to 14 in the first quarter before building up a 14-point lead by the third quarter, and then holding out the fast-finishing Blues on the way to securing the five-point victory to return to the winner's list.

Geelong are now 5-14 on the season as a result of the win with Jordan Vasquez delivering 20 points, 15 rebounds and four steals with Reagan Bass adding 19 points, nine boards, three assists and two steals.

Indi Bowyer also produced 14 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals with 4/10 three-point shooting with Dakota Crichton ending up with 13 points, three assists and two rebounds, and Aleks Connolly 12 points and three rebounds.

Frankston have now lost 11 straight to be 5-14 on the season as well with Lou Brown delivering 23 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocked shots.

Megan Mullings added 22 points, 11 rebounds, six steals, five assists and two blocks, Emily Monaghan 15 points, five boards, two assists and two steals, and Tori Jackson eight points, four rebounds and two assists while hitting both three-point attempts.

Mount Gambier Pioneers (94) defeated Bendigo Braves (68)

The Mount Gambier responded to three straight losses to keep themselves inside the top 10 with the 94-68 home win against the Bendigo Braves on the back of 31 points and 16 rebounds form Kelsey Rees.

The Pioneers remained home at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre having lost their past three matches and needing to hit back to stay in the top 10 while the Braves arrived out of the finals mix, shorthanded and having lost four in-a-row.

Bendigo were still without Kelly Wilson and Kelsey Griffin even with regaining Hannah Hank and they got off to a flying start opening up an 11-point lead by quarter-time.

Mount Gambier turned that around with 28 points to 11 in the second quarter to go into half-time leading 44-38 and then dominating the second half with 25 points to 13 in the third frame, and 25 to 17 in the fourth.

That saw the Pioneers outscore the Braves 50 points to 28 in the second half on the way to the 26-point win to improve to an 11-9 record with Kelsey Rees huge with 31 points and 16 rebounds on 13/19 shooting.

Abby Prohaska also had 20 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals, Carla Pitman 16 points, 11 boards, seven assists and four steals, and Gracie Champion 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Bendigo have now lost five straight to be 5-14 with Hannah Hank ending up with 23 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals with 10/17 field goal shooting.

Jess Smith added 17 points, three rebounds and two assists on 5/11 three-point shooting with Olivia Pollerd contributing 16 points, seven boards and three assists, and Mia Harvey four points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.

SUNDAY

Keilor Thunder (49) lost to Casey Cavaliers (59)

With both their rosters decimated this week despite having locked in playoff spots, it was quite the Sunday battle that saw the Casey Cavaliers prevail 59-49 over Keilor Thunder with Sam Bowman and Chelsea D'Angelo the standouts.

The two teams arrived at Keilor Stadium well short of full strength with the Thunder missing Issie Bourne, Izzy Wightman and Maddy Rocci while there was no Sharne Robati, Nya Lok and Dallas Loughridge for the Cavaliers.

There was still plenty on the line, though, and it was Casey on top most of the way leading by two points at quarter-time, by 14 at half-time, by 12 at three quarter-time and ending up winning by 10.

The win improves the Cavs to 14-6 having split their weekend with the Thunder now 13-7 with both having two games left over the last two weekends.

Sam Bowman had 18 points and 11 rebounds to half-time for Waverley and finished with 20 points, 14 boards, four assists and four steals for the game despite dealing with a cut to her hand.

Chelsea D'Angelo also had 19 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals despite shooting 6/28 from the field and 3/12 from downtown.

Kassie Boorer added eight points, eight rebounds and two steals, and Mica Nightingale six points and four boards.

It was tough going for Keilor without their superstars and coach Kristi Harrower having to play all five starters at least 27 minutes including Macey Boyle for all 40 with just two players available off the bench.

Lara McSpadden did finish with 13 points, nine rebounds and two assists with Kasey Burton adding 12 points, 13 boards, two steals and two blocks, Tess Heal 11 points, five rebounds and two assists, and Boyle seven points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Dandenong Rangers (89) defeated Ballarat Miners (82)

The Dandenong Rangers might still be up against it but did keep themselves alive this season with the 89-82 home win against the Ballarat Miners.

The Rangers were at home to the Miners at Dandenong Basketball Stadium and likely needing to win outright if they want to break into the top 10 while the Miners did arrive occupying one of those positions.

Dandenong fell down five early before leading 21-17 by quarter-time before the Rangers were still up by four at half-time and then just by two at three quarter-time.

Dandenong then completed the win with 25 points to 20 in the final term to win by seven and improve to 9-11 to keep their finals hopes just alive with two games remaining.

Manny Puoch produced 21 points, five rebounds and three steals for the Rangers with Imogen Rock contributing 17 points, eight boards and two assists, and Marena Whittle 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Marianela Fakalata also had 15 points, seven rebounds and three steals with Adrianna smith adding 10 points, six boards, three assists and two steals.

The Miners are one team the Rangers might still be able to replace sitting at 11-9 with Abbey Wehrung delivering another 25 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and two steals.

Camille Hobby added 19 points, five rebounds and two assists, Laura Taylor 13 points with 3/6 three-point shooting, Elissa Brett 10 points and seven rebounds, and Malia Fisher nine points and five boards.

Geelong United (82) lost to Diamond Valley Eagles (90)

The Diamond Valley Eagles made it a double win weekend even without Abbey Ellis to keep themselves a shot at a top four finish with the 90-82 win away to Geelong United.

Geelong also played the night before beating the Frankston Blues before returning home to The Arena to host an Eagles team fresh off beating the Nunawading Spectres.

United were on their home floor and started well to lead by as much as 11 in the first quarter before being up 27-18 by quarter-time.

Diamond Valley turned things around with 27 points to 18 in the second period to leave scores all level 45-45 by half-time before the Eagles did complete a 15-0 run into the third term to go up nine.

Even after Geelong found a way back in front in the fourth, Diamond Valley once more responded on the way to the eight-point win for the double win weekend to improve to a 13-7 record.

Isis Beh produced 26 points, seven rebounds and 10/16 field goal shooting for the Eagles with Shannon Dufficy contributing 12 points, three boards and three assists, and Tayha Watkins 18 points and six rebounds with 4/8 three-point shooting.

Alex Sharp added 10 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals, and Lauren Jones eight points with 2/4 shooting from downtown.

Geelong are now 5-15 having split their weekend double with Reagan Bass top scoring for 21, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals with 9/14 shooting.

Indi Bowyer added 20 points, nine assists and six rebounds, Jordan Vasquez 18 points, 12 boards and three assists, and Dakota Crichton 15 points and six rebounds.

Waverley Falcons (66) defeated Frankston Blues (61)

Despite the loss of Maddi Utti, the Waverley Falcons got the win they needed to stay solid in the top 10 for the 66-61 home win against the Frankston Blues.

The Falcons were back home at Waverley Basketball Centre coming off beating the Sandringham Sabres back on Friday night while the Blues came into the match up having lost their past 11 including to Geelong United on Saturday.

Waverley had the better of the start to be leading 16-12 by quarter-time before another 21-17 to on the way to the 37-29 by half-time.

That lead for the Falcons blew out to 18 in the second half as well before securing the five-point win in a tight finish as they consolidate their playoff spot at 12-7.

Tayla Dalton delivered 20 points, six assists, four rebounds and four steals for Waverley with Katelyn Shumate adding 13 points, seven boards and four assists, and Liana Kinkela eight points and seven rebounds.

Millie McCarthy also had eight points and four assists, and Sophia Locandro six points, seven rebounds and two steals.

Frankston have now lost 12 straight at 5-15 with Lou Brown doing a power of work for 28 points, 12 rebounds, four steals and three blocked shots.

Emily Monaghan added nine points and five rebounds, Sophie Alexander seven points and four assists, and Tori Jackson six points and three rebounds with 2/4 shooting from deep.