South Wrap | Women's Heritage Round

Featured image: Shane Panther | @shanejpg.sport

Maddy Rocci inspired Keilor Thunder to a stunning comeback NBL1 South win while Knox Raiders made it a double, Sarah Elsworthy hit the winner for Eltham Wildcats, Maddi Utti dominated for Waverley Falcons and Parker Hill had 21/20 in sixth straight for Northern Force.

>> SOUTH SPOTLIGHT | YANG, CHEN STAR AS TIGERS PREVAIL

>> SOUTH SPOTLIGHT | ROCCI INSPIRES KEILOR TO 18-POINT COMEBACK WIN

>> SOUTH SPOTLIGHT | PIONEERS LOCK DOWN SHORTHANDED HAWKS

>> HERITAGE ROUND | GAZE AND TIGERS GO HAND IN HAND

FRIDAY

Mount Gambier Pioneers (76) defeated Ringwood Hawks (42)

The Ringwood Hawks were missing several key players and the Mount Gambier Pioneers held them to just four second quarter points on the way to the 76-42 home win.

The Pioneers were back home at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre trying to avoid a third consecutive loss while the Hawks had lost seven straight with just one win for 2026.

Ringwood were then also missing Ally Bates, Aneta Bandilovska, Emma Clarke and Izzy Feller with Mount Gambier holding them to just 11 points on 5/19 shooting in the first quarter before just four points on 2/13 in the second.

That saw the Pioneers build a 40-point lead in the end by final quarter on the way to winning by 34 to improve to a 7-6 record on the season.

The Hawks have now lost eight straight to be 1-12.

It was a dominant display at home from Mount Gambier with Tilly Boler producing 21 points and eight rebounds with 9/17 field goal shooting.

Grace Champion added 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals for the Pioneers, Abby Prohaska 11 points, seven boards and two assists, Lara Edmanson eight points and 14 rebounds, and Mackenzie Burke eight points and eight boards.

It was a rough night all-round for Ringwood in the absence of Ally Bates, Aneta Bandilovska, Emma Clarke and Izzy Feller with Jo Raflo top scoring with 12 points with four rebounds.

SATURDAY

Melbourne Tigers (80) lost to Keilor Thunder (82)

Another jam packed Melbourne Tigers crowd thought they were going home happy, but they left frustrated in a dramatic finish with Maddy Rocci lifting Keilor Thunder to come back from 18 points down to prevail 82-80.

Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre was packed and provided another fantastic atmosphere which has been the case ever since the Tigers welcomed Chinese pair Mingling Chen and Shuyu Yang.

The Tigers then dominated the first half and led by as much as 18 points, but with Rocci leading the way and with Issie Bourne along for the ride, Keilor stormed back.

They got all the way back in front when Rocci made two critical free throws but the drama wasn’t done yet.

Yang drove hard to the basket for the Tigers trying to beat the clock, but she couldn’t and the contact she received came after the buzzer for Keilor to hold on for the two-point win.

The result improves Keilor to an 8-5 record while the Tigers slip to 6-6 with their three-game winning run coming to an end.

Maddy Rocci as usual was the star of the performance for Keilor and she ended up delivering 34 points, five rebounds and two assists on 10/20 shooting from the floor, 4/9 from three-point range and 10/11 at the foul line.

Issie Bourne also provided 24 points and nine rebounds with 10/19 shooting while Macey Boyle had nine points and three assists, Tess Heal seven points, six rebounds and two assists, and Tess Barnes six points, four assists and three boards.

Isa Brancatisano ended up top scoring for the Tigers with 22 points and three steals while knocking down 6/7 from three-point territory.

Shuyu Yang also delivered another 18 points, five assists and two steals, Mingling Chen 14 points, six assists and three rebounds, Hannah Giddey 10 points, 10 boards and five assists, and Tylah Hooper nine points on 3/3 three-point shooting.

Kilsyth Cobras (67) lost to Knox Raiders (84)

Haliegh Reinoehl scored 20 points and knocked down four three-pointers to lead the Knox Raiders to the 84-67 win over the Kilsyth Cobras.

The Cobras were back home at Kilsyth Sports Centre having lost their past eight matches with Knox arriving having won three straight to be building some momentum into their championship defence.

The Raiders then started in dominant fashion to be leading 27-12 by quarter-time before putting up another 25 points to 14 in the second term to go into half-time on top 52-26.

That lead remained around the same mark for much of the second half too before Kilsyth did pull things back a little late with Knox going on to win by 17 points to make it four in-a-row to improve to 9-4.

Haliegh Reinoehl knocked down 4/7 from three-point territory for 20 points and eight rebounds in the win for the Raiders with Alicia Froling adding 13 points, eight boards and two blocks, and Paige Burrows 12 points and three assists.

Agnes Emma-Nnopu also had 10 points, 11 rebounds and two assists, Paige Bradley 10 points, four boards, three assists and two steals, and Shaneice Swain seven points, four rebounds and four assists.

It's nine straight defeats now for Kilsyth to be 4-9 on the season with Emme Shearer finishing with 17 points, three rebounds, three steals and two assists with Lily Exton adding 12 points and eight rebounds, Nikita Young 10 points and four assists, and Catelyn Van Es eight points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Northern Force (74) defeated Hobart Chargers (64)

The Northern Force made it six straight wins as they continue to build impressive momentum with Parker Hill dominant with 21 points and 20 rebounds on the way to the 74-64 in their Tasmanian battle with the Hobart Chargers.

It was the second meeting of the season between the two Tasmanian teams with Elphin Sports Stadium playing host this time with the Force coming into the match up on a five-game winning run while the Chargers were coming off a win against the Ballarat Miners.

Hobart started well with an 8-0 run late in the first quarter on the way to the 23-17 lead by quarter-time before clinging still to the 37-36 advantage going into half-time.

The Force then worked on top in the third frame with 17 points to 12 before another 21 to 15 in the final term on the way to the 10-point win to make it six straight and improve to 7-7.

Parker Hill had a monster game for the home team with 21 points, 20 rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots on 9/14 field goal shooting.

Keely Froling also had another 17 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and two blocks with Sarah O'Neill contributing 15 points and five assists, Josie Pinkerton 11 points and four boards, and Rebekka Kalaydjiev seven points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three steals.

The Chargers are now 5-9 with the loss with Sharna Thompson delivering 25 points and 10 rebounds with 5/13 three-point shooting.

Tishara Morehouse finished with 14 points, eight boards, three assists and three steals, Portia Chopping eight points, two rebounds and two steals, and Emerson Wells seven points.

Bendigo Braves (70) lost to Waverley Falcons (91)

Maddi Utti delivered 24 points and 17 rebounds as the Waverley Falcons put in a strong showing on the road to beat the Bendigo Braves 91-70 for a third straight victory.

The Braves were back home at Red Energy Arena trying to stay in touch with the top 10 but still without Kelsey Griffin, Hannah Hank and Georgia Booth as they hosted a Waverley team having won their past couple.

The Falcons made a flying start with 31 points to 16 in the first quarter and then again leading by 19 in the second before Bendigo did score 12 straight points to cut the Waverley lead to 48-41 by half-time.

It was still just a nine-point lead by three quarter-time for Waverley before they took over in the final term with 23 points to 11 on the way to the 21-point win to make it three straight and improve to 7-5.

Maddi Utti was the star in the win for Waverley with 24 points, 17 rebounds and two steals on 11/15 shooting from the floor.

Katelyn Shumate added 20 points, five assists and three rebounds with Tayla Dalton contributing 11 points and four assists, Hannah Rapp eight points, nine rebounds and four assists, and Liana Kinkela eight points and five boards.

Bendigo are now 4-9 following the loss with Ahlise Hurst delivering 25 points and seven steals with 7/10 three-point shooting.

Mia Harvey added 14 points while Olivia Pollerd finished with 16 points, six rebounds and three assists, and Kelly Wilson 13 points, eight assists, five boards and three steals.

Nunawading Spectres (63) lost to Dandenong Rangers (64)

The Nunawading Spectres almost pulled off a spectacular comeback but the Dandenong Rangers just managed to hold on for the 64-63 road win.

The Spectres were back home at Nunawading Basketball Centre having lost seven of their past eight games up against a Rangers team fresh off beating Keilor Thunder last week.

Nunawading then had the better of the start to be leading 14-11 by quarter-time before Dandenong held them to just nine points in the second frame while scoring 21 themselves to go into half-time leading 32-23.

Dandenong then built a 16-point lead in the third quarter and were still on top by eight with two minutes to play, but that's when things took a turn.

The Rangers wouldn’t score again including a shot clock violation and two missed free throws to Haley Peters while the Spectres scored seven points and gave themselves a chance at the death but Kylee Blacksten three-point attempt at the buzzer wouldn’t go.

Dandenong held on to win by a point to improve to a 5-9 record with Haley Peters finishing with 24 points, nine rebounds and three assists on 9/16 field goal shooting with 3/6 from three-point range.

Adrianna Smith added 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals, Manny Puoch 11 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and three steals, and Cat MacGregor eight points.

Nunawading are now 5-8 with the loss with Kylee Blacksten finishing with 18 points, six rebounds and two assists with Charlise Dunn adding 15 points and 11 boards, Taylah Schmidtke nine points on 4/4 shooting, and Rachel Antoniadou eight points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals.

Ballarat Miners (95) defeated Geelong United (73)

The Ballarat Miners received strong contributions right across the board to come back from a quarter-time deficit to beat Geelong United 95-73 at home.

The Miners were back at Selkirk Stadium trying to bounce back from a loss to the Hobart Chargers while Geelong arrived having lost their past three matches.

Ballarat then started well to lead early by seven points but then Geelong hit back with a 12-0 scoring run to go into quarter-time leading 21-16.

The Miners responded with 32 points to nine in a dominant second term to lead 48-30 by half-time and the home team went on with the job from there with 24 points to 19 in the third frame, and claimed the 22-point victory in the finish.

Ballarat improves to 8-5 with the win with Malia Fisher finishing with 20 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals on 10/14 field goal shooting.

Casey Samuels added 18 points, eight assists and five rebounds, Laura Taylor 14 points on 4/7 three-point shooting, Elissa Brett 13 points, four rebounds and three assists, Camille Hobby 12 points, eight boards, five assists and three blocks, and Abbey Wehrung nine points and five assists with 3/5 shooting from downtown.

Geelong are now 2-11 following the loss with Jordan Vasquez top scoring with 20 points, six rebounds and two steals with Indi Bowyer adding 19 points, five boards and five assists, Lilly Rotunno 12 points, five rebounds and four assists, and Dakota Crichton 10 points, six boards and three assists.

Eltham Wildcats (82) defeated Diamond Valley Eagles (81)

It was Erin Riley who got the Diamond Valley Eagles to overtime but Sarah Elsworthy hit the game winning three ball at the end of the extra period for the Eltham Wildcats to prevail 82-81.

The Eagles arrived at Montmorency Secondary College in third place having won their last couple against Eltham who were second on a four-game winning streak setting up a mouth watering contest.

It was Diamond Valley who started on fire with 29 points to 12 by quarter-time on the back of going on a 15-0 scoring run.

That lead for the Eagles grew to 24 points in the second term and they were still on top 46-31 heading into the half-time break.

Eltham fired back with 20 points to 10 in the third quarter and then they were leading by three with just over 30 seconds to play thanks to a bucket from Lil Dart.

From there, Erin Riley scored for Diamond Valley and then she hit one free-throw to level scores and the game ended up going to extra time.

By the end of overtime, Tayha Watkins went 1/2 at the line for Diamond Valley with 6.4 seconds left.

When she missed the second, Kennedy Dickie grabbed the defensive rebound and got it off to Elsworthy who charged up the floor and got off the three-point attempt from up top.

It bounced off the front of the rim but went up and in from there as time expired for the stunning walk off three-pointer to secure the one-point win and improve Eltham to 11-2 with a fifth straight victory.

Elsworthy finished with 15 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and four steals with that three-point shot on the buzzer her lone make of the night after missing the first three.

Bec Pizzey had a monster night with 24 points, 26 rebounds, five blocks, three steals and two assists with Lil Dart adding 15 points, five boards, four assists and three steals, and Mackenzie Smith 12 points, three rebounds and two assists.

Diamond Valley are now 9-4 following the heartbreaking loss with Alex Sharp finishing with 23 points, 17 rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Shannon Dufficy also had 12 points, six rebounds and six steals, Tayha Watkins 11 points, four boards and four assists, and Abbey Ellis 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

SUNDAY

Dandenong Rangers (82) lost to Geelong United (85)

The Dandenong Rangers had their chances late to at least force overtime but couldn’t quite get it done with Geelong United holding on for the 85-82 road victory.

The Rangers were fresh off beating the Nunawading Spectres in a one-point thriller the night before ahead of hosting Geelong at Dandenong Basketball Stadium who were coming off a loss in Ballarat the night before.

It was a tight affair the entire afternoon with no more than five points ever separating the two teams with Geelong leading by a point at quarter-time and then scores were level at the half.

It was United up by three at three quarter-time before they maintained that advantage with just over a minute to play when Indi Bowyer scored.

From there, Haley Peters missed two free throws for Dandenong but they got the offensive rebound courtesy of Adrianna Smith but she also missed the put back.

The Rangers also had a chance from Georgia Taylor to tie things up but her shot didn’t fall either and then Bowyer forced the turnover of Manny Puoch for Geelong to hold on and win by three.

United improve to a 3-11 record with the win with Reagan Bass delivering 21 points and nine rebounds with Lilly Rotunno contributing 21 points, five assists, four steals and three boards, and Jordan Vasquez 16 points, nine rebounds and two assists.

Dakota Crichton also had 14 points, five rebounds and two assists, and Indi Bowyer seven points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals.

Dandenong are now 5-10 having split their weekend as well with Adrianna Smith having a huge performance with 36 points, 10 rebounds and four steals on 15/26 field goal shooting.

Manny Puoch added 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists, and Haley Peters 18 points, 13 boards and two assists.

Melbourne Tigers (80) defeated Nunawading Spectres (66)

The Melbourne Tigers took charge in the second half and with a combined 46 points and 12 rebounds, Mingling Chen and Shuyu Yang saw them outscore the Nunawading Spectres 50 points to 31 on the way to the 80-66 win.

Both teams arrived at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre coming off thrilling Saturday night losses with the Tigers going down to Keilor Thunder by two points and the Spectres by a solitary point to the Dandenong Rangers.

That set the stage for a fascinating Sunday clash with Nunawading working on top in the second quarter with 23 points to 16.

The Tigers turned things around to then dominate the second half and went 50 points to 31 to turn a five-point half-time deficit into the 14-point victory.

The win improves Melbourne to a 7-6 record to close the weekend with Nunawading now 5-9 having lost nine of their past 10 matches.

To the delight of the home fans, the Chinese superstars for the Tigers led them to the victory with Shuyu Yang finishing with 26 points, five rebounds and five assists with 4/6 three-point shooting to make up for the missed call she felt she could have got at the end of the game the night before.

Mingling Chen also delivered 20 points and seven rebounds with 8/14 shooting while Hannah Giddey produced nine points and two rebounds, Isa Brancatisano nine points, eight boards, four assists and two steals, and Leila Davis eight points and nine rebounds.

It's now been a tough stretch of 10 games with nine losses for the Spectres despite Charlise Dunn scoring 10 of their 12 points in the first quarter and finishing the game with 29 to go with nine rebounds and two steals on 11/19 shooting.

Kylee Blacksten added 12 points for Nunawading with Teagan Potter contributing eight points with 4/4 free-throw shooting, Riley Lupfer seven points and three rebounds, and Eliza Hollingsworth seven points, six boards and two assists.

Ballarat Miners (84) lost to Knox Raiders (91)

The Knox Raiders built a double figure lead in the first half and then maintained control for much of the second on the way to the 91-84 road win over the Ballarat Miners.

Both teams came into the match at Selkirk Stadium fresh off wins the previous night with Ballarat beating Geelong United at home while Knox made it four straight with the road victory against the Kilsyth Cobras.

Knox managed to work their way on top 27-19 by quarter-time before leading by as much as 13 in the second frame and going into half-time on top 50-43.

It remained a good contest through the second half but Knox did retain control through the majority of it to complete the seven-point victory to make it five straight wins and improve to a 10-4 record as defending champions.

Alicia Froling delivered another 20 points and four rebounds on 7/9 field goal shooting and 6/9 from the free-throw line in the win for the Raiders.

Paige Bradley also had 19 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds and three steals, Rachel Bell 15 points on 3/6 three-point shooting, Agnes Emma-Nnopu 10 points and six rebounds, Paige Burrows nine points, Haliegh Reinoehl eight points and six boards, and Shaneice Swain eight points and six assists.

Ballarat are now 8-6 having split their weekend with Abbey Wehrung top scoring with 19 points and five rebounds with 2/4 three-point shooting.

Camille Hobby also had 17 points, seven rebounds and two assists with Malia Fisher contributing 16 points, six boards and three assists, Elissa Brett 12 points, two rebounds and two assists, and Casey Samuels 10 points, eight boards and four assists.