South Wrap | Women's Round 10

Featured image: Shane Panther | @shanejpg.sport

Emma Clarke, Marena Whittle and Hannah Hank had huge NBL1 South returns from the Australian Gangurrus while the Mount Gambier Pioneers, Keilor Thunder, Ballarat Miners and Knox Raiders had impressive double win weekends.

>> SOUTH SPOTLIGHT | PIONEERS BLOW FORCE AWAY IN SECOND OT

>> SOUTH SPOTLIGHT | FALCONS MAKE IT FOUR STRAIGHT

>> SOUTH SPOTLIGHT | ROCCI, BOURNE KEEP KEILOR WINNING

>> SOUTH WRAP | WOMEN'S HERITAGE ROUND

FRIDAY

Mount Gambier Pioneers (109) defeated Northern Force (90)

Grace Champion helped shoot the Mount Gambier Pioneers to overtime before Tilly Boler shot out of a slump to get them to a second extra period and they then dominated the last five minutes to snap the Northern Force winning streak with 109-90 win.

The Force arrived at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre as the NBL1 South season resumed on Friday night on a six-game winning streak while the Pioneers were on their home floor also trying to make it consecutive victories.

Amazingly, Mount Gambier then took part in their second double overtime thriller at home already this season and the Pioneers had to dig deep to overcome an 11-point deficit to the Force in the third quarter.

Champion caught fire early in the fourth term to help Mount Gambier back into the game and then the Force still looked on track for a seventh straight win until Boler hit her first three of the game on an eighth attempt at the end of the first overtime.

Then in the second extra period, it was all the Pioneers with 23 points to four over the last five minutes on the way to the 19-point victory to improve to an 8-6 record as a result.

Grace Champion ended up hitting 6/11 from downtown on her way to 25 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals for the Pioneers with Carla Pitman adding 20 points, seven boards, six steals and five assists on 8/12 field goal shooting.

Lara Edmanson also finished with 19 points, 21 rebounds and two blocks including eight of those boards coming at the offensive end with Abby Prohaska contributing 18 points, 13 boards, four assists and two steals, and Kelsey Rees 15 points and five rebounds.

The Force's six-game winning streak is now over as they slip to a 7-8 record with Parker Hill producing 26 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Rebekka Kalaydjiev also had 22 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and five steals, Sarah O'Neill 22 points, three boards, two assists and two steals on 4/8 three-point shooting, and Keely Froling 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocked shots.

SATURDAY

Sandringham Sabres (63) lost to Keilor Thunder (82)

Keilor Thunder made a blistering start and with Maddy Rocci threatening another triple double and Tess Heal and Issie Bourne starring, they knocked off the NBL1 South leading Sandringham Sabres 82-63.

The Sabres were back home at Southern Basketball Stadium looking to maintain their hold on top position having won their past 10 matches as they hosted a Keilor team also having won their last couple to have started to build some momentum.

It was Keilor who totally dominated the first half holding the Sabres to just nine points in the first quarter and 19 for the opening half on shooting 8/31 shooting and with 10 turnovers.

Heal had 17 of the 35 points to half-time for Keilor with them having led by as much as 18 points and not even a Steph Reid half-court bomb on three quarter-time could change the tide of the evening.

Keilor closed the deal on the eventual 19-point victory which is their third win in-a-row to improve to a 10-5 record while Sandringham's 10-game winning run comes to an end for them to now be 12-2 after a first home defeat of 2026.

Maddy Rocci played all 40 minutes of the game and had a huge say in the result just missing out on a triple double on her way to 10 assists, nine points and eight rebounds.

Issie Bourne also finished with 23 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three blocks while going 3/6 from behind the three-point line with Tess Heal shooting 3/5 from deep for 21 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Tess Barnes also had 18 points on 4/4 three-point shooting.

Madi Ryan finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals for the Sabres with Lucy Cochrane adding 15 points, five boards and three steals, and Steph Reid 14 points, five rebounds and three steals.

Casey Cavaliers (78) lost to Ballarat Miners (95)

Camille Hobby put up 30 points to lead the Ballarat Miners to the 95-78 road victory to start their weekend double by beating the Casey Cavaliers.

The Cavs were home at Casey Stadium on a three-game winning streak and trying to break into the top two as they played host to a Miners team having lost their past two to have slipped down to ninth spot.

Ballarat started strongly with 27 points to 15 in the first quarter but Casey then responded with 28 to 15 in the second term and that saw the Cavaliers head into half-time leading 43-42.

It was then in the last quarter when the Miners pulled away with 27 points to 12 on the way to the eventual 17-point victory to improve to 9-7 in their first of two games this weekend.

Camille Hobby finished with 30 points, eight rebounds and three assists on 12/18 field goal shooting with Elissa Brett contributing 21 points, three assists and two boards on 5/8 shooting from downtown.

Casey Samuels also had 18 points, four rebounds and three assists on 4/6 three-point shooting with Abbey Wehrung adding 12 points and 10 assists, and Malia Fisher nine points and 18 rebounds.

Casey are now 10-4 following the defeat with Dallas Loughridge finishing with 23 points, five assists and four rebounds with Chelsea D'Angelo contributing 16 points, seven assists and three boards.

Sam Bowman added 13 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and two steals, and Sharne Robati 13 points and three boards.

Dandenong Rangers (99) defeated Diamond Valley Eagles (83)

Marena Whittle returned from the silver medal winning 3x3 World Cup performance from the Australian Gangurrus to deliver a triple double on the way to the 99-83 win over the Diamond Valley Eagles.

The Rangers were back home at Dandenong Basketball Stadium trying to stay in the mix for a top 10 position while the Eagles arrived having also lost their past couple.

Dandenong did open up a nine-point lead in the first quarter but that was back to just one at quarter-time and then Diamond Valley ended up leading 46-43 by half-time.

The momentum swings continued and the Rangers took over once more in the third quarter with 23 points to 11 and that put them on the path to the eventual 16-point win thanks to another 33 to 26 in the last term.

The win improves Dandenong to a 6-10 record with Marena Whittle finishing with a triple double consisting of 23 points, 14 rebounds, 12 assists and five steals.

Imogen Rock continued her career-best season with 24 points, five rebounds and two steals with 3/6 three-point shooting while Adrianna Smith contributed 17 points, nine assists and six boards, Sophie Taylor 14 points, three rebounds and three steals, and Manny Puoch 12 points, eight boards and seven assists.

Diamond Valley have now lost three straight at 9-6 with Abbey Ellis delivering 33 points, five rebounds and three assists with 11/22 field goal shooting and going 9/9 at the free-throw line.

Alex Sharp also had 16 points, six rebounds and two steals, Tayha Watkins seven points, five boards and three assists, Erin Riley seven points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals, and Shannon Dufficy seven points and two boards.

Knox Raiders (89) defeated Ringwood Hawks (63)

Six Knox Raiders players scored in double figures and the defending champions were dominant in their 89-63 home win against the Ringwood Hawks to start their double header.

The Raiders were back home at the State Basketball Centre on a five-game winning streak ahead of hosting the bottom placed Hawks who had lost their past eight.

So it was naturally a significant challenge for Ringwood but they did start well to be leading 21-17 by quarter-time before Knox responded with a 13-0 run in the second frame on the way to putting up 35 points to be leading 52-35 by half-time.

The Raiders then had another 22 points to 10 in the final term on the way to the 26-point win that made it six on the trot to improve them to the 11-4 record.

Alicia Froling delivered 17 points, five rebounds and three assists for Knox with Rachel Bell adding 16 points and five boards, Paige Burrows 15 points, five assists and three rebounds, and Leah Santomaggio 11 points, nine boards, three steals and two assists.

Agnes Emma-Nnopu also had 11 points and eight rebounds, Paige Bradley 10 points, six assists and four boards, and Haliegh Reinoehl six points, seven rebounds and two assists.

Ringwood have now lost nine in-a-row to be 1-13 on the season with Honey Kaur providing 19 points and 13 rebounds with Jo Raflo contributing 16 points, four boards and three assists, Chelby Koker 13 points and six assists, and Ally Bates nine points, four boards and three steals.

Frankston Blues (70) lost to Hobart Chargers (73)

The Hobart Chargers held out the fast finishing Frankston Blues for the 73-70 road victory that keeps them alive in the battle over a top 10 position.

Both teams arrived at Jubilee Park Stadium on identical 5-9 records to be looking on at the top 10 from the outside so it shaped as a crucial match up in the context of their seasons.

Hobart were on the road and started impressively with 20 points to 10 in the first quarter and then that lead got out to 16 in the second term before Frankston steadied to limit the Chargers lead to 38-30 by half-time.

The Blues kept on doing their best to get close enough to strike throughout the second half but could never quite do it and the Chargers held on for the three-point win in the finish.

The victory improves Hobart to the 6-9 record to be in touch of the top 10 with Tishara Morehouse leading the way with 25 points, seven assists, three steals and two rebounds.

Tyia Singleton also had 14 points and six rebounds on 6/8 shooting, Portia Chopping 11 points and four boards, and Sharna Thompson 10 points, 14 rebounds and four assists.

The Blues slip further from a finals place now sitting at 5-10 with Lou Brown putting up 20 points, 16 rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Megan Mullings also had 18 points, seven boards, four assists and four steals, Sianni Martin 16 points, five rebounds and three assists, and Tori Jackson six points, four assists, three boards and two steals.

Eltham Wildcats (84) lost to Melbourne Tigers (96)

Rachel Brewster came up huge for the Melbourne Tigers as they returned to the winner's list with the 96-84 away win against the Eltham Wildcats who missed the chance to move into top spot.

The Wildcats were home at Montmorency Secondary College sitting in second spot having won five straight and with the Sandringham Sabres losing at the same time, they had the chance to end the night in top spot.

Melbourne arrived sitting in 10th spot and having bid farewell to imposing centre Zitina Aokuso and it was a tight battle in the opening term with the Tigers clinging to the one-point advantage.

Melbourne then pushed out to 26 points to 18 in the second term and then that lead continued to grow and was as much as 15 in the last quarter before settling at 12.

The win improves the Tigers to an 8-7 record to stay solid inside the top 10 with Mingling Chen delivering 22 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two blocked shots.

Rachel Brewster stepped up for 20 points and six rebounds too having only scored 70 points in total across the previous 12 matches this season since going for 22 against the Ballarat Miners.

Isa Brancatisano also had 17 points, six rebounds and five assists, Shuyu Yang 14 points, seven assists and six boards, and Eve Braslis 11 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.

The Wildcats are now 11-3 with their five-game winning run coming to an end with Lil Dart putting up 26 points to go with five rebounds, four assists and two steals on 4/11 three-point shooting.

Jayde Cadee also had 17 points on 5/8 shooting from downtown with Mackenzie Smith adding 12 points, four rebounds and four assists, and Sara-Rose Smith 10 points and four boards.

Waverley Falcons (86) defeated Nunawading Spectres (78)

The Waverley Falcons produced a huge fourth quarter and Katelyn Shumate finished with 27 points on the way to the crucial 86-78 win over the Nunawading Spectres.

The Falcons were back home at Waverley Basketball Centre having won four straight ahead of hosting a Spectres team having slipped outside the top 10 on the back of losing their past three games.

It was a fast start on the road from Nunawading with an early nine-point lead and still being up 24-20 by quarter-time and the Spectres still went into half-time on top 41-35.

Nunawading were then still leading 64-59 by three quarter-time but it was all Waverley over the last 10 minutes with 27 points to 14 to secure the eight-point home victory.

The win improves the Falcons to a 9-5 record with five wins on the trot with Katelyn Shumate producing 27 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two blocked shots with 3/6 shooting from deep.

Tayla Dalton added 15 points, three assists, three steals and two rebounds, Millie McCarthy 14 points and three boards, Sophia Locandro 12 points, seven rebounds and two steals, and Maddi Utti eight points, seven boards and five assists.

Nunawading are now 5-10 having lost four in-a-row with Kylee Blackstein ending up with 21 points, seven rebounds and two steals with Charlise Dunn adding 20 points, six boards and three assists.

Riley Lupfer landed 4/11 from downtown for 14 points with Eliza Hollingsworth adding seven points and seven rebounds, and Rachel Antoniadou six points and six assists.

SUNDAY

Ringwood Hawks (96) defeated Hobart Chargers (84)

The Ringwood Hawks snapped their nine-game losing run beating the visiting Hobart Chargers 96-84 with Honey Kaur showing the way with 22 points and 11 rebounds.

Both teams arrived at The Rings having played on Saturday night with the Hawks slipping to a ninth straight loss going down to the Knox Raiders while the Chargers started their road double beating the Frankston Blues.

Hobart did start well coming off the momentum from the night before with an early five-point lead but Ringwood responded with a 9-0 run on the way to leading 24-16 by the end of one.

The lead for the Hawks then grew to 14 in the second term and the home team went into the main break leading 46-32.

Ringwood then retained control throughout the second half leading by as much as 21 points and winning by 12 for a first win since April 11.

The Hawks are now 2-13 as a result on the season with Honey Kaur putting up 22 points and 11 rebounds on 8/11 field goal shooting.

Emma Clarke was back from playing in the silver medal winning Australian Gangurrus team at the 3x3 World Cup and delivered 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

Chelby Koker also had 17 points, six rebounds and four assists, Taylor Mole 15 points, seven assists, six boards, three steals and two blocks, and Ally Bates 11 points, six assists and four rebounds.

The Chargers return home at 6-10 having split their weekend double with Portia Chopping finishing with 25 points, three assists and three steals on 5/13 three-point shooting.

Sharna Thompson added 19 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, Chloe Broomhall 16 points, seven boards and two assists, Tyia Singleton 12 points and seven rebounds, and Tishara Morehouse 12 points, five boards and three assists.

Ballarat Miners (77) defeated Northern Force (75)

The Northern Force produced a huge fourth quarter to get all the way back level thanks to Keely Froling in the dying stages but Abbey Wehrung hit the game winner in the end for the Ballarat Miners for the 77-75 victory.

The Force saw their six-game winning ended in a double overtime cracker in Mount Gambier back on Friday night while the Miners were back home at Selkirk Stadium fresh off beating the Casey Cavaliers on the road the previous evening.

That set the stage nicely for the Sunday match up and it was the Miners with the flying start with 25 points to 12 in the first quarter before leading by as much as 18 points in the second term, 16 in the third and still 12 in the fourth.

But Northern are still on the outside of the top 10 despite their six-game winning run they came into this weekend with so they threw everything at a fightback and drew back level with 13 seconds to go when Froling landed a huge three-pointer that banked in.

Ballarat then had one more chance out of a Brendan Joyce timeout to avoid overtime and the ball was in the hands of Wehrung who drove to the rack and made a tough finish to hit the winner for the Miners.

The win improves Ballarat to 10-7 on the season with the double win weekend with Wehrung finishing with 19 points and seven assists on top of that huge late shot.

Casey Samuels had a hot start on her way to 18 points and six rebounds on 4/8 three-point shooting with Camille Hobby contributing 16 points, 12 boards and four assists, Malia Fisher seven points, nine rebounds and six assists, and Elissa Brett seven points, nine boards and six assists.

The Force are now 7-9 after losing twice on the road this weekend with Keely Froling finishing with 27 points, seven rebounds and four assists while Parker Hill added 18 points, seven boards, two assists and two steals.

Josie Pinkerton also had 10 points and six rebounds, Rebekka Kalaydjiev nine points, five boards and four assists, and Sarah O'Neill nine points, seven assists and four rebounds.

Casey Cavaliers (73) lost to Keilor Thunder (84)

Keilor Thunder delivered a huge fourth quarter to make it a double win weekend to keep their imposing form rolling with the 84-73 win over the Casey Cavaliers.

Both teams played on Saturday night with the Cavaliers losing at home to the Ballarat Miners while Keilor knocked off the league leading Sandringham Sabres to set up their match up at Casey Stadium.

The Cavs started well to be leading 22-16 by quarter-time and they were clinging to the 41-39 lead at half-time and then 61-57 by three quarter-time.

But then it was all Keilor in the final 10 minutes with 27 points to 12 on the way to the 11-point victory to make it four in-a-row to improve to an 11-5 record.

Issie Bourne had another 24 points, five rebounds and three blocks on 4/7 three-point shooting for Keilor with Lara McSpadden putting up 24 points, eight boards, two assists and two steals.

Maddy Rocci had another 15 points, nine rebounds, five assists and three steals, and Tess Heal 10 points, seven boards and two assists.

Casey have now lost twice this weekend to slip to 10-5 as a result with Dallas Loughridge delivering another 24 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals with 10/10 free-throw shooting.

Chelsea D'Angelo added 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals, Sharne Robati 12 points, three boards and two assists, and Sam Bowman 11 points, 12 rebounds and three steals.

Mount Gambier Pioneers (93) defeated Geelong United (66)

The Mount Gambier Pioneers backed up their double overtime win on Friday with a dominant Sunday win 93-66 against Geelong United with five players stepping up to score in double figures.

The Pioneers ended up beating the Northern Force in double overtime back on Friday night also at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre while Geelong arrived having not played since beating the Dandenong Rangers back on May 31.

It was a blistering start from Mount Gambier with a 10-0 run in the first quarter on the way to leading by as much as 16 points, and they turned that into the 50-29 advantage by half-time.

The Pioneers continued to build on that through the second half with the lead as much as 29 points in the third quarter, and 33 in the fourth before they ended up winning by 27.

It's a double win weekend from Mount Gambier to improve them to a 9-6 record with Gracie Champion having another 21 points, four steals and three rebounds with 7/12 field goal shooting and going 3/7 from deep.

Kelsey Rees added 18 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and three blocks, Tilly Boler 18 points on 3/6 three-point shooting, Abby Prohaska 11 points, four rebounds and three assists, Carla Pitman 10 points, five assists, three steals and two rebounds, and Lara Edmanson seven points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Geelong remain well outside the top 10 now holding a 3-12 record with Indi Bowyer top scoring with 22 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Jordan Vasquez also had 12 point and nine rebounds, Dakota Crichton 11 points, three boards and two steals, and Reagan Bass 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Nunawading Spectres (56) lost to Knox Raiders (78)

The Knox Raiders produced another dominant performance to make it seven straight wins as defending champions beating the Nunawading Spectres 78-56.

Both teams played on Saturday night with the Spectres continuing to struggle with another loss to the Waverley Falcons while the Raiders made it six straight beating the Ringwood Hawks.

They arrived at Nunawading Basketball Centre on Sunday with the Spectres started well with an early seven-point lead before the Raiders hit back to be leading 23-18 by quarter-time.

It was still a 40-35 lead for Knox by half-time before they dominated the third term with 20 points to six which set the Raiders on the path to the eventual 22-point victory.

That's seven straight wins for the reigning champions to improve to a 12-4 record with Alicia Froling delivering 20 points, 10 rebounds and two assists on 8/11 field goal shooting along with 4/5 at the foul line.

Leah Santomaggio added 13 points and four rebounds on 4/7 shooting from behind the arc, Haliegh Reinoehl 11 points and eight boards, Paige Bradley 11 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and three steals, and Agnes Emma-Nnopu nine points and 11 boards.

Nunawading are now 5-11 with the two more losses this weekend with Charlise Dunn finishing with 23 points, 12 rebounds, four steals and two assists.

Riley Lupfer went 2/4 from downtown for 10 points with Eliza Hollingsworth adding eight points, seven rebounds and three steals, and Kylee Blacksten seven points and four boards.

Bendigo Braves (89) defeated Kilsyth Cobras (79)

Hannah Hank marked her return from the 3x3 World Cup with the Australian Gangurrus by putting up 30 points and nine rebounds to lead the Bendigo Braves to the 89-79 home win against the Kilsyth Cobras.

Bendigo were playing their first game since losing to the Waverley Falcons back on May 30 as they hosted the Cobras at Red Energy Arena with Kilsyth also not having played since losing to the Knox Raiders back on that same night.

So both teams were in similar situations but Bendigo regained Hank fresh off winning silver in Poland at the 3x3 World Cup and the home team were leading 27-22 by quarter-time.

It was another 24 points to 18 in the second term for Bendigo to be up 51-40 by half-time and the Braves went on with the job from there to lead by as much as 16 and end up winning by 10.

The win improves Bendigo to a 5-9 record with Hank starring with 30 points, nine rebounds and two blocks with 11/16 shooting from the field and 8/9 at the foul line.

Jess Smith added 18 points and three rebounds with 4/5 three-point shooting, Olivia Pollerd 14 points, eight boards, five assists, two steals and two blocks, and Mia Harvey 12 points, seven assists and five rebounds.

Kelly Wilson also produced another outstanding showing with nine points, 15 assists, four rebounds and two steals.

Kilsyth slip to a 4-10 record with a 10th straight defeat with Emme Shearer producing 19 points, five rebounds and two steals with Nikita Young adding 17 points and eight assists, Hannah Day 13 points with 3/6 three-point shooting, and Kylie Horstmeyer nine points, four boards and three assists.