South Wrap | Women's Round 12

Featured image: Rachel Louise - Rachel Louise Photography @rachellouisephotographyau

Tess Heal had 30 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists to keep Keilor Thunder winning in the NBL1 South minus Maddy Rocci with Lil Dart having 51 points over two Eltham Wildcats wins, and Rachel Antoniadou having a 19-point fourth quarter for 38 points for Nunawading Spectres.

>> SOUTH SPOTLIGHT | SABRES DOMINATE BRAVES IN SECOND HALF

>> SOUTH SPOTLIGHT | MINERS HOLD OUT FAST FINISHING FALCONS

>> SOUTH SPOTLIGHT | DART SHOOTS ELTHAM TO IMPORTANT WIN

>> MT GAMBIER MOVE IGNITES SPARK IN CHAMPION

>> ON THE PATH TO THE NATIONAL FINALS

FRIDAY

Hobart Chargers (79) lost to Eltham Wildcats (89)

Lil Dart knocked down six triples for 27 points and led the Eltham Wildcats to the 89-79 road win against the Hobart Chargers to start their double to stay in the top two hunt.

The Chargers were back home at Hutchins School with little room for error if they wanted to stay in the finals hunt while the Wildcats remained knocking on the door of a top two position.

Dart already had four three-pointers to her name by half-time and Eltham did retain a degree of control for most of the contest just because of their better efficiency even though the Chargers were pressuring them well and were getting up more shot attempts.

In the end the Wildcats completed the deal on the 10-point victory to improve to a 13-4 record to remain right in the top two hunt while the Chargers fall further from playoff contention at 6-12 having lost the past three.

Dart had 27 points, five rebounds and three assists in the win for Eltham with 6/11 three-point shooting with Bec Pizzey providing another 15 points, eight boards, four assists and two steals.

Sara-Rose Smith also had 13 points, 11 rebounds and two assists, Mackenzie Smith 11 points, two rebounds and two steals, and Sarah Elsworthy nine points, six assists and four boards.

Sharna Thompson top scored in the finish for Hobart with 26 points, four rebounds and three assists with 5/10 three-point shooting with Tyia Singleton adding 14 points and four boards, and Chloe Broomhall 13 points, five rebounds, four steals and three assists.

Portia Chopping also had eight points and five assists, and Emerson Wells eight points and three assists.

SATURDAY

Geelong United (74) lost to Nunawading Spectres (82)

The Nunawading Spectres kept themselves an outside chance of staying in the playoff hunt with the 82-74 road win over Geelong United with Jordan Vasquez dominant with 33 points and 14 rebounds.

Geelong were back home at The Arena looking for a fifth win of the season hosting a Spectres team trying to make it consecutive wins for the first time since winning the opening four matches of the season.

Nunawading got the better of the start to lead 18-12 by quarter-time before still leading 39-33 by half-time but it was back to being just a four-point ball game by three quarter-time.

The Spectres did enough from there to secure the eight-point victory to make it back-to-back win to improve to 7-11 on the season to remain in playoff contention.

Rachel Antoniadou top scored in the win for Nunawading with 20 points, four assists and three rebounds with Riley Lupfer adding 15 points, four boards, three steals and two assists.

Kylee Blacksten also had 15 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals, Tsz Kwan Li 14 points, two boards and two assists, and Keeley Frawley nine points, six rebounds and three assists.

Geelong are now 4-14 to be out of the playoff hunt after making last year's Grand final with Jordan Vasquez delivering 33 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and two steals 13/16 shooting at the foul line.

Indi Bowyer added 20 points, six rebounds and four assists, Dakota Crichton 13 points, five assists, four steals and four boards, and Reagan Bass six points and six rebounds.

Bendigo Braves (67) lost to Casey Cavaliers (91)

Sam Bowman and Dallas Loughridge combined for 55 points, 16 rebounds, 11 assists and eight steals for the Casey Cavalieres to consolidate a top four position with the 91-67 road win over the Bendigo Braves.

The Braves were back home at Red Energy Arena just clinging to playoff contention but again missing a string of key players as they hosted a Cavs team in fourth position and having won their past couple of games.

Bendigo started well for an early eight-point lead but Casey were then leading narrowly 19-18 by quarter-time before putting 28 points to 19 in the second frame on the way to the 47-35 half-time edge.

The Cavaliers took over further in the third frame with another 22 points to 12 and then 22 to 20 in the fourth on the way to the eventual 24-point victory to improve to a 13-5 record with three straight wins.

Dallas Loughridge produced another 28 points, six steals, four assists and three rebounds with 4/9 shooting from long-range with Sam Bowman adding 27 points, 13 boards, seven assists and two steals.

Chelsea D'Angelo also had 14 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals, and Kassie Boorer seven points and five boards.

Bendigo are now 5-12 having lost the last three with Mia Harvey producing 28 points and four assists with 6/11 three-point shooting with Jess Smith adding 14 points with 4/7 shooting from behind the arc.

Olivia Pollerd also had 12 points, 19 rebounds, seven assists and two steals, and Ahlise Hurst eight points and two boards.

Dandenong Rangers (90) defeated Mount Gambier Pioneers (76)

The Dandenong Rangers closed in on a playoff position with the 90-76 home victory against the Mount Gambier Pioneers with Adrianna Smith starring with 21 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and three steals.

The Rangers had won their past two to be back in the playoff mix ahead of hosting the Pioneers at Dandenong Basketball Stadium who started their road double on a four-match winning run.

Dandenong started well with 23 points to 18 in the first quarter but Mount Gambier hit back with 25 to 21 in the second and by half-time the Rangers were clinging to the 44-43 edge.

The Rangers then took control with 22 points to eight in the third period and then built a 17-point lead from there on the way to the eventual 14-point victory to make it three straight to further close in on a top 10 spot at 8-10.

Cat MacGregor top scored for Dandenong with 22 points, three rebounds, three assists and two blocks with 6/12 three-point shooting with Adrianna Smith adding 21 points, 13 boards, seven assists and three steals.

Georgia Taylor also had 16 points and three rebounds, and Imogen Rock 12 points, three boards, three steals and two assists.

The Pioneers are now 10-7 following the loss to begin their road double with Lara Edmanson producing 18 points, 10 rebounds and four assists with Gracie Champion adding 14 points, seven boards and two assists.

Tilly Boller added 14 points, seven rebounds and two steals, Tayah Burrows 11 points, eight boards, three assists and three steals, and Carla Pitman 11 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Kilsyth Cobras (60) lost to Diamond Valley Eagles (98)

The Diamond Valley Eagles produced a dominant performance on the road to beat the Kilsyth Cobras 98-60 on the back of 22 points, eight rebounds and four assists from Shannon Dufficy.

The Cobras were back home at Kilsyth Sports Centre trying to arrest an 11-game losing slide while the Eagles arrived sitting in eighth place and needing to keep winning to hold off the chasing pack.

Diamond Valley started on fire with 28 points to 13 in the first quarter and then another 21 to 18 in the second term to go into half-time on top 49-31.

It was more of the same in the second half with the Eagles having 27 points to 12 in the third frame and 22 to 17 in the fourth to score the 38-point win to improve to an 11-7 record.

Shannon Dufficy finished with 22 points, eight rebounds and four assists in the win for Diamond Valley with Erin Riley adding 18 points, five boards, four assists and four steals.

Tayha Watkins also had 17 points and two steals, Alex Sharp 11 points, eight rebounds, five steals and four assists, and Abbey Ellis 10 points, seven assists and two steals.

Kilsyth have now lost 12 straight to be 4-12 with Emme Shearer finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three blocks.

Georgia McBean added 12 points with 4/7 three-point shooting while Meg Newman added 10 points and six boards, and Kyle Horstmeyer eight points and three rebounds.

Ballarat Miners (80) defeated Waverley Falcons (79)

The Ballarat Miners built a 21-point lead in the third quarter on the Waverley Falcons but it took yet another massive late three-point bomb from Abbey Wehrung for them to secure the 80-79 victory.

Both teams arrived at Selkirk Stadium on Saturday night on 10 wins for the season so the stakes were high in the match up and the Miners made a blistering start to be leading by 19 points in the second quarter and by 15 at half-time on 19 points from Casey Samuels.

It was then a 21-point lead in the third term for Ballarat, but Waverley then came storming back and drew level in the final quarter but it was a huge three from Wehrung that broke the deadlock and ended up securing the one-point win for the Miners.

It's crucial in the context of the season too with Ballarat improving to an 11-8 record while Waverley are now 10-7 with the one-point loss.

Casey Samuels finished with 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds with 4/10 three-point shooting for Ballarat but she already had 19 points and 4/5 shooting from deep by half-time.

Camille Hobby also had 16 points and five rebounds for the Miners, Abbey Wehrung 15 points, four boards, three assists and three steals, Malia Fisher 14 points, 12 rebounds, four steals and three assists, and Elissa Brett 13 points, three rebounds and three assists.

Maddi Utti finished with 31 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and two steals with 11/18 field goal shooting and going 9/10 at the free-throw line.

Katelyn Shumate finished with 15 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocked shots, Sophia Locandro eight points and two boards, Georgia Pineau eight points, four rebounds, two assists and two blocks, and Hannah Rapp six points, five boards and four assists.

Keilor Thunder (86) defeated Ringwood Hawks (85)

Five points in the last 30 seconds from Jo Raflo got the Ringwood Hawks to overtime but Keilor Thunder escaped with the 86-85 home win thanks to two huge shots from Tess Heal at the end of the extra period.

The Thunder were back home at Keilor Stadium having lost back on Sunday when losing Maddy Rocci to an ankle injury in overtime against the Waverley Falcons.

Ringwood arrived still in bottom spot and then overcame an early seven-point deficit before leading 24-20 by the end of the first quarter.

The Hawks were still clinging to the 43-41 lead by half-time with Ringwood then still up three at three quarter-time to set up the thrilling finish.

Keilor had worked their way on top and by the time Kasey Burton scored with just under a minute to play, the home team was up five and on track for a win that would keep them in the top four race.

Ringwood responded firstly with a three-pointer to Jo Raflo who then scored again going to the basket to level scores up and things remained 76-76 by the end of regulation.

Tess Heal hit a couple of three-pointers to open the extra period and then she scored again to put Keilor up three with 45 seconds to go before Taylor Mole scored for Ringwood to make it a one-point ball game.

Then Tess Barnes missed up one end and Raflo up the other for the Thunder to hold on for the one-point win to improve to a 13-6 record even in the absence of Rocci.

Heal came up huge with 30 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds with 12/21 shooting from the floor, 4/9 from downtown and 2/2 at the foul line.

Macey Boyle added 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists, Kasey Burton 13 points, six boards and three assists, Lara McSpadden 12 points, nine rebounds and three assists, and Tess Barnes 11 points, nine rebounds and three assists.

Ringwood remain in last place at 2-15 with Honey Kaur delivering 32 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and three steals with 12/20 field goal shooting along with 3/5 from downtown and 5/6 at the foul line.

Jo Raflo also had 17 points and two rebounds, Chelby Koker 14 points and six assists, Taylor Mole 11 points, 11 boards and two steals, and Aneta Bandilovska six points, 10 assists, four rebounds and three steals.

Northern Force (72) lost to Eltham Wildcats (97)

The Eltham Wildcats completed their road double to Tasmania in impressive fashion with the 97-72 win over the Northern Force with Lil Dart having another 24 points and three triples.

The Force were back home at Ulverstone Sports and Leisure Centre knocking on the door of the top 10 having won seven of the last nine games with Eltham having started their road double in Tasmania with the Friday night win over the Hobart Chargers.

The Wildcats started well with 29 points to 21 in the opening term before another 26 to 24 in the second on the way to leading 55-45 by half-time.

Eltham then dominated further in the third quarter with 29 points to 11 and then the lead got out to as much 33 in the fourth term before securing the 25-point win to make it a double win weekend and improve to a 14-4 record.

Lil Dart had another 24 points with 3/7 three-point shooting while Mackenzie Smith contributed 19 points, four rebounds and two steals, Sara-Rose Smith 17 points and seven boards, Jayde Cadee 13 points and three rebounds, and Sarah Elsworthy 10 points, eight assists and six boards.

The Force are now 8-10 to remain outside a playoff position following the loss with Sarah O'Neill top scoring with 22 points and three rebounds with 4/7 three-point shooting.

Keely Froling added 19 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots, and Rebekka Kalaydjiev nine points, six assists and three boards.

Frankston Blues (54) lost to Knox Raiders (75)

The Knox Raiders couldn’t quite shake the Frankston Blues until the final quarter where they ended up securing the 75-54 win with Alicia Froling delivering another 23 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks.

The Blues came into the clash at Jubilee Park Stadium having lost the last eight matches while the Raiders were on an eight-game winning streak so they couldn’t possibly have more contrasting momentum.

Knox then used that to open up a 10-point lead in the first quarter on the way to still being up 21-16 by quarter-time, but the Blues hit back and by half-time it was just a one-point lead for the Raiders.

Knox then held Frankston to just nine points in the third quarter and seven in the third while having 36 in the second half themselves on the way to the eventual 21-point victory.

The Raiders improve to a 14-4 record with nine consecutive wins with Froling delivering 23 points, 16 rebounds, four blocks and two assists on 9/12 shooting from the field and 4/5 from the foul line.

Paige Bradley also had 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists, Agnes Emma-Nnopu 17 points and five boards, and Leah Santomaggio 14 points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots.

Frankston are now 5-12 with nine losses in-a-row with Megan Mullings producing 25 points and nine rebounds with 9/17 shooting.

Lou Brown added 11 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks on 4/18 shooting with Tori Jackson scoring seven points on 3/4 shooting.

SUNDAY

Melbourne Tigers (80) defeated Dandenong Rangers (70)

Shuyu Yang was back in the line-up for the Melbourne Tigers and had 17 points to lead her team to the bounce back 80-70 win against the Dandenong Rangers.

The Tigers were coming off a loss to the Diamond Valley Eagles ahead of hosting the Rangers at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre who were coming off beating the Mount Gambier Pioneers on Saturday night.

Melbourne opened up a 10-point lead by the end of the first quarter before that got out to 15 and at half-time the Tigers were on top 43-36.

The Tigers had another 21 points to 14 in the third frame and then the advantage was 17 during the final term before scoring the 10-point victory to improve to a 10-8 record to remain inside the top 10.

Shuyu Yang marked her return with 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists with 3/4 three-point shooting.

Hannah Giddey also had 16 points, seven rebounds, three blocks and two assists for Melbourne, Mingling Chen 14 points, seven boards, two assists and two steals, and Isa Brancatisano 14 points, six rebounds, four steals and two assists.

The Rangers are now 8-11 having split their double this weekend with Adrianna Smith finishing with 22 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, four steals and two blocked shots.

Marianela Fakalata also had 13 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks, Manny Puoch 12 points, five boards and four steals, and Cat MacGregor 10 points.

Sandringham Sabres (106) defeated Bendigo Braves (65)

The Sandringham Sabres maintained top spot with the 106-65 home win over the Bendigo Braves with Madison Ryan delivering 27 points and Funda Nakkasoglu 24 with a dominant second half.

The Sabres were playing their lone game of Round 12 and hosted the Braves at Southern Basketball Stadium who were fresh off losing at home to the Casey Cavaliers the previous night.

It was then a tight battle through the first half with Sandringham only leading 37-34 but it was then all the Sabres from there with 32 points to nine in the third quarter, and 37 to 22 in the fourth.

That saw the Sabres outscore the Braves 69 points to 31 in the second half on 30/42 shooting from the field along with 7/16 from three-point range while Bendigo managed only 9/24 shooting along with having 14 turnovers after half-time.

The win improves Sandringham to a 14-3 record to retain top spot with Bendigo now slipping further from playoff calculations at 5-13 with the double loss weekend.

The Sabres maintained their hold on top spot with Ryan putting in a standout performance with 27 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals on 12/19 shooting from the floor.

Nakkasoglu also had 24 points, five assists, five steals and two rebounds with Steph Reid contributing 12 points, seven assists and three boards, and Lili Long 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Lucy Cochrane added 10 points, 13 rebounds and three assists, Ella Ongarato nine points, Natasha Rivas Lee eight points and three rebounds, and Sierra Woodhouse six points and three assists.

Once again the Braves were battling without a host of key players including Kelly Wilson, Kelsey Griffin and Hannah Hank with Olivia Pollerd finishing with 16 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Jessica Smith also had 16 points and five rebounds with 4/6 three-point shooting with Ahlise Hurst contributing 12 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals, and Elsie Noonan nine points, four assists, three boards and two steals.

Nunawading Spectres (77) defeated Mount Gambier Pioneers (74)

Rachel Antoniadiou put up 19 points in the fourth quarter and 38 for the game as the Nunawading Spectres came from behind the beat the Mount Gambier Pioneers 77-74.

The Spectres were back home at Nunawading Basketball Centre fresh off beating Geelong United the night before while Mount Gambier arrived after starting their road double with a loss to the Dandenong Rangers.

The Pioneers had the better of the start to be leading 17-11 at quarter-time before Nunawading hit back with 22 points to 15 in the second term for the home team to lead 33-32 by half-time.

Mount Gambier then opened up a six-point lead in the third quarter and then early in the fourth term they were up by seven on the back of three-pointers from Lara Edmanson and Gracie Champion.

From there, Leia Hanafin hit a three-pointer for the Spectres before Riley Lupfer knocked down two in succession and suddenly the home team was up four.

Rachel Antoniadiou then hit two more triples for Nunawading to stretch the lead to five and she hit the two clutch free throws to secure the three-point win to make it a double win weekend to improve to the Spectres to an 8-11 record.

Antoniadou was the star of the win for Nunawading with 38 points, three rebound and two assists with 5/11 three-point shooting with 19 of those points in the last 10 minutes.

Riley Lupfer added 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals, Kylee Blacksten nine points, four rebounds and two steals, and Tsz Kwan Li eight points, four boards, three assists and three steals.

Mount Gambier are now 10-8 after losing twice this weekend with Gracie Champion ending up with 19 points, seven rebounds and two assists with Lara Edmanson adding 19 points, 11 boards and three assists.

Carla Pitman delivered a triple double consisting of 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists with Tilly Boler 10 points and seven boards, and Mackenzie Burke nine points, three boards and two steals.