South Wrap | Women's Round 5

Featured image: Shane Panther | @shanejpg.sport

Shuyu Yang continued to lead the winning and excitement with Melbourne Tigers while Abbey Ellis led Diamond Valley Eagles to two NBL1 South wins and the Casey Cavaliers and Sandringham Sabres are now both on five-match winning streaks.

>> SOUTH SPOTLIGHT | NEW ARRIVALS HAVE TIGERS TALK OF NBL1

>> SOUTH SPOTLIGHT | ELLIS LEADS EAGLES OVER ROCCI-LESS THUNDER

>> SOUTH SPOTLIGHT | FORCE ARE ON THE BOARD

>> ROCK'S OFFENCE NOW CATCHING UP TO DEFENCE

FRIDAY

Northern Force (78) defeated Bendigo Braves (70)

The Bendigo Braves might have been missing their big name guns but that matters little to the Northern Force who made it a night to celebrate in Launceston as they scored a first win with the 78-70 victory.

The Force were playing host to the Braves at Elphin Sports Stadium having lost their first six games this season since the rebrand from the Tornadoes with Bendigo arriving off an inspired win over the Nunawading Spectres.

Key to that all-time great point guard Kelly Wilson, but she wasn’t there on Friday night and nor were Kelsey Griffin and Georgia Booth, but still the Braves led for a lot of the night.

Bendigo led by two points at quarter-time, by five at half-time and still by three at three quarter-time, but then it was all the Force in the final period.

The Force had 19 points to eight in the fourth quarter to secure that breakthrough win having been down by as much as 12 in the third quarter.

Rebekka Kalaydjiev delivered 19 points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists with 3/5 three-point shooting and going 8/8 from the charity stripe in the breakthrough win for the Force.

Sarah O'Neill also ended up with 17 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals, Keely Froling 17 points, seven boards and seven assists, Parker Hill 15 points, seven rebounds and two steals, and Josie Pinkerton 10 points, five boards, four assists and two steals.

The Braves led for just about the entire first three quarters but just ran out of gas despite the best efforts of Olivia Pollerd who delivered 29 points and eight rebounds with 3/6 three-point shooting and going 6/6 at the free-throw line.

Ahlise Hurst had 10 points in the first quarter and finished the night with 25 with four assists, three rebounds and three steals on 4/7 shooting from beyond the arc.

Jess Smith also had 10 points, five rebounds and two assists, and Mia Harvey four points, five boards and five assists.

SATURDAY

Hobart Chargers (92) defeated Bendigo Braves (67)

The Hobart Chargers made it a tough weekend road double for the shorthanded Bendigo Braves when they scored the 92-67 victory.

The Braves arrived in Tasmania for the weekend without Kelly Wilson, Kelsey Griffin and Georgia Booth, and they were backing up from Friday's loss to the Northern Force by taking on the Chargers at Hutchins School on Saturday.

Hobart were hunting a second win for the season and were up five by quarter-time but the Braves hung in there to outscore the Chargers 21 to 17 and cut the home team's lead to 43-41 by half-time.

Hobart then took total control in the second half with Bendigo running out of gas and the home team outscored them 49 points to 26 on the way to the 25-point win to improve to a 2-5 record.

Sharna Thompson delivered 23 points and five assists for the Chargers despite going 1/11 from downtown with Tishara Morehouse adding 17 points and seven assists, and Chloe Broomhall 17 points and 13 rebounds.

Tyia Singleton added 16 points and five rebounds, and Potia Chopping 11 points and nine boards.

Bendigo are now 3-4 with the pair of Apple Isle defeats having played again with just seven players available with Ahlise Hurst delivering 26 points, four assists and three rebounds.

Olivia Pollerd also had 18 points, eight rebounds and two steals, Elsie Noonan seven points and eight boards, Jess Smith seven points and eight rebounds, and Jacaila Dettmann seven points, five assists and four boards.

Geelong United (62) lost to Sandringham Sabres (81)

The Sandringham Sabres made it four consecutive wins when they headed down the Princess Freeway and came away with the 81-62 win over the still undefeated Geelong United.

The Sabres took on the winless United at The Geelong Arena on the hunt for a fourth consecutive win and they did open up an eight-point lead in the first quarter.

That was back to just one at quarter-time but again Sandringham pulled away once more in the second period and this time the lead was as much as 13, and still 38-27 at half-time.

Sandringham then kept building on that lead in the second half with it out to 18 in the third quarter, and 23 in the fourth before they claimed the eventual 19-point victory.

The Sabres improve to a 6-1 record as a result with Klara Wischer continuing to shine in 2026 with 21 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Steph Reid added 16 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals with Madi Ryan contributing 15 points and seven rebounds, and Isis Lopes 12 points, four boards and two assists.

Geelong are now 0-6 to start the season with Lilly Rotunno delivering 21 points on 5/9 shooting from the field and 9/9 from the foul line.

Dakota Crichton added 16 points, three rebounds and three steals with Jordan Vasquez adding 13 points, 10 boards and two assists, and Indi Bowyer seven points, five assists and four rebounds.

Casey Cavaliers (96) defeated Eltham Wildcats (77)

Nyaduoth Lok and Dallas Loughridge combined for 51 points to lead the Casey Cavaliers to the 96-77 win over the Eltham Wildcats to give them five wins on the trot.

The Cavs were back home at Casey Stadium on a four-match winning run hosting a Wildcats team having lost six in-a-row since losing their opening game of the season.

That set the stage for a fascinating match up with Casey starting strongly with 22 points to 16 in the first quarter, but Eltham weren’t going away and cut that deficit to four by half-time.

The Cavaliers then blew the game open in the third quarter with 30 points to 19 to build a 15-point lead and that got out to 21 in the fourth before they secured the 19-point victory.

The win is a fifth straight for Casey as they improve to 6-1 with Nyaduoth Lok delivering 26 points and six rebounds with 6/13 three-point shooting.

Dallas Loughridge also had 25 points and five assists on perfect 8/8 shooting from the floor, 5/5 from downtown and 4/4 at the free-throw line.

Sam Bowman also stood tall for 15 points, 17 rebounds and five assists with Chelsea D'Angelo providing 17 points, five assists, five steals and three rebounds, and Sharne Robati 11 points, 14 boards and five assists.

It's just a second loss of the season for the now 6-2 Eltham with Lil Dart finishing with 16 points, five rebounds and four assists despite shooting 6/22 from the field and 3/13 from downtown.

Bec Pizzey produced another 14 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks with Mackenzie Smith adding 13 points and four boards, Jayde Cadee nine points and three rebounds, and Sara-Rose Smith eight points, seven boards and five assists.

Kilsyth Cobras (79) lost to Ballarat Miners (87)

Abbey Wehrung continued to thrive under the coaching of Brendan Joyce by delivering another standout performance in the trip to Melbourne to lead the Ballarat Miners to the 87-79 win over the Kilsyth Cobras.

The Cobras were back home at Kilsyth Sports Centre looking to avoid a third straight loss as they hosted a Miners outfit who arrived having won their past two.

Ballarat shot out of the blocks with 30 points to 24 in the first quarter but Kilsyth had 26 to 20 in the second to leave scores tied at 50-50 at half-time.

The Cobras then had 21 points to 13 in the third term but the Miners had the last say with a dominant final quarter with 24 points to eight on the way to the eight-point victory.

The win improves Ballarat to a 5-3 record with Abbey Wehrung showing the way with 22 points and seven assists with 3/5 three-point shooting.

Camille Hobby also had 20 points and seven rebounds with 10/11 free-throw shooting while Elissa Brett added 18 points, seven boards, five assists and two steals, and Malia Fisher 16 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.

Kilsyth are now 4-3 with the loss with Lily Exton having a huge performance with 15 points, 20 rebounds and two steals on 7/10 shooting.

Nikita Young also had 13 points, five rebounds and five assists, Emme Shearer 13 points, six boards, three assists and three steals, Georgia McBean 13 points, four assists and three rebounds, and Kylie Horstmeyer 11 points, five boards and two steals.

Dandenong Rangers (93) defeated Ringwood Hawks (60)

Adrianna Smith had a spectacular performance in just her second game for the Dandenong Rangers leading her team to the 93-60 home win over the Ringwood Hawks.

Smith joined the Rangers in their last up loss to the Waverley Falcons ahead of her home debut at Dandenong Basketball Stadium against a Hawks team with just one win so far from seven matches.

Dandenong started strongly with 25 points to 18 in the first quarter and then another 29 to 16 in the second saw the Rangers leading 54-34 by half-time.

Then the Rangers asserted their authority with 23 points to 12 in the final term on the way to the 33-point win to improve to 2-5 as a result.

Smith had a stunning all-round performance in her second game for Dandenong finishing with 29 points, 17 rebounds and nine assists on 12/25 shooting from the field, 2/3 from downtown, and 3/4 from the foul line.

Imogen Rock continued her career-best form with another 25 points, 12 rebounds and two assists with Cat MacGregor adding 12 points and two boards, and Marianela Fakalata nine points, seven rebounds, four steals and three assists.

The Hawks are now 1-7 with three straight defeats with Taylor Mole putting up 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists with Chelby Koker adding 11 points and six boards, and Honey Kaur eight points and two rebounds.

Knox Raiders (83) defeated Mount Gambier Pioneers (72)

Paige Bradley was outstanding to lead the defending champion to consecutive wins with the 83-72 victory at home to the Mount Gambier Pioneers.

The Raiders were back home at the State Basketball Centre trying to build momentum into their championship defence hosting a Pioneers outfit trying to bounce back from a first loss of 2026.

Mount Gambier shot out of the blocks for an early eight-point lead, but Knox hit back and by quarter-time had assumed the 23-18 advantage.

The Raiders then built that to a 47-38 edge by the half-time interval and then after the Pioneers did their best to hang in there, Knox pushed away again with 21 points to 16 in the last quarter to lead by as much as 15 and go on to win by 11.

That improves Knox to a 5-3 record as defending champions with Bradley delivering 22 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals with 4/9 three-point shooting.

Alicia Froling added 12 points, 13 rebounds and two assists, Paige Burrows 11 points, three assists and two boards, Shaneice Swain 11 points, six rebounds and two steals, and Rachel Bell 11 points.

Mount Gambier have now lost back-to-back games to 5-2 on the season with Kelsey Rees finishing with 15 points and eight rebounds with Tilly Boler adding 12 points and six boards, Abby Prohaska 12 points, nine rebounds and four assists, Carla Pitman 11 points and five rebounds, and Lara Edmanson 10 points, six boards and three assists.

Frankston Blues (82) defeated Nunawading Spectres (68)

Lou Brown continued her standout 2026 form for the Frankston Blues by leading her team to the 82-68 home victory over the Nunawading Spectres.

The Blues were back home at Dandenong Basketball Stadium looking to bounce back from a last up loss to the Ballarat Miners as they hosted a Spectres team having now lost three in-a-row after starting 2026 with four wins.

Nunawading did open up an eight-point first quarter lead but that was back to just two by quarter-time and then it was Frankston leading 38-37 at the half-time break.

The Blues were then able to take control throughout the second half with 24 points to 18 in the third period, and 20 to 13 in the fourth on the way to the eventual 14-point win.

The victory improves Frankston to a 5-3 record with Brown outstanding once more with 21 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Pahlyss Hokianga also had 14 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals with Sianni Martin contributing 12 points, Emily Monaghan 12 points, five rebounds and three steals, and Sophie Alexander 10 points, seven boards and two steals.

Nunawading have now lost four in-a-row to be 4-4 with Riley Lupfer finishing with 21 points, three rebounds and two assists with 7/18 three-point shooting.

Rachel Antoniadou also had 12 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals while Eliza Hollingsworth finished with 12 points, 14 boards and two assists, Kylee Blacksten eight points, six rebounds and two assists, and Kate Tanner eight points, five boards, two assists and two steals.

Diamond Valley Eagles (93) defeated Keilor Thunder (68)

The return of Maddy Rocci didn’t quite eventuate for Keilor Thunder and the Diamond Valley Eagles led by Abbey Ellis took advantage to bounce back with a strong 93-68 home victory.

Both teams came into the match up at Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre coming off losses with the Eagles losing on Sunday to the Knox Raiders while the Thunder went down to the Ballarat Miners on Anzac Day.

Keilor were hoping for the return of Rocci following her training camp experience with the Toronto Tempo of the WNBA, and she was in the building, but red tape got in the way of her being able to suit up.

Diamond Valley had their stars on deck and they continued to build on their lead throughout the evening on the way to the eventual 25-point victory to improve to a 5-2 record with Keilor now 3-4.

Ellis scored 11 of her 25 points in the third quarter and ended up shooting 9/15 from the floor, 4/8 from downtown and 3/4 at the foul line in the win for Diamond Valley.

Tayha Watkins added 15 points, three rebounds and two assists for the Eagles with 5/6 shooting along with going 4/4 at the free-throw line.

Alex Sharp added 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists, Erin Riley 13 points, seven boards, four steals, four blocks and two assists, Shannon Dufficy nine points and five rebounds, and Isis Beh eight points, five boards, two assists, two steals and two blocks.

Lara McSpadden finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and two assists for Keilor while Izzy Wightman ended up with 17 points, three steals and 3/6 three-point shooting.

Tess Heal also had 17 points, five assists and four rebounds, and Macey Boyle eight points, three boards, two assists and two steals.

SUNDAY

Waverley Falcons (73) defeated Dandenong Rangers (61)

The Waverley Falcons had to come from behind in the third quarter but delivered a dominant final term for the 73-61 home victory against the Dandenong Rangers.

The Falcons were back home at Waverley Basketball Centre trying to back up their last up win over the Mount Gambier Pioneers hosting a Rangers team fresh off a strong win the night before against the Ringwood Hawks.

Waverley did open up a 10-point edge in the opening quarter but that was back to just five at quarter-time before the Rangers outscored them 20 points to 16 in the second stanza.

That made it a one-point ball game by half-time and then it was just a four-point lead by three quarter-time for Waverley before the Falcons took control with a 10-0 run and then with 20 points to 12 in the final period for the eventual 12-point win.

Waverley improves to 4-3 with the win with Sophia Locandro delivering 17 points, 11 rebounds, five steals and two blocks with Maddi Utti contributing 16 points, 10 boards and four assists.

Amelia Todhunter added 13 points, five assists and four rebounds, and Tayla Dalton eight points, three boards, three assists and three steals.

Dandenong are now 2-6 after splitting their two games this weekend with Adrianna Smith backing up her huge performance the night before with another 16 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Imogen Rock had another 11 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals while Marianela Fakalata added 10 points, three boards, two assists and two steals, and Cat MacGregor eight points and three rebounds.

Keilor Thunder (74) defeated Geelong United (70)

Maddy Rocci still wasn’t able to suit up for Keilor Thunder but her teammates got the job done nonetheless with the 74-70 home win against the winless Geelong United.

Keilor had been hoping to welcome back Rocci from her WNBA training camp experience for their double this weekend, but she wasn’t cleared in time again as the Thunder hosted Geelong on Sunday at Keilor Stadium.

Keilor were trying to bounce back from Saturday's loss to Diamond Valley with United still on the hunt of a first win 2026.

Geelong were leading by a point at quarter-time but Keilor then took over with 26 points to 16 in the second frame to take a 44-35 lead into the main break.

Geelong still fired back and briefly hit the front in the last term but Keilor took back the lead 30 seconds later and remained in front the rest of the way for the four-point win.

Keilor improve to 4-4 with the victory with Lara McSpadden finishing with 15 points, nine rebounds and three assists while Tess Barnes added 15 points, four boards and two assists.

Izzy Wightman added 12 points on 5/8 shooting with Tess Heal contributing 11 points and four assists, and Caitlyn Petersen eight points, four rebounds and three steals.

Geelong are now 0-7 after two more losses this weekend with Reagan Bass delivering 21 points and three rebounds with Lilly Rotunno adding 19 points and three boards, Jordan Vasquez 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Dakota Crichton 10 points and five boards.

Melbourne Tigers (86) defeated Knox Raiders (81)

The excitement that Shuyu Yang and Mingling Chen have brought to the Melbourne Tigers saw another sold out crowd on Sunday and their team kept winning too with the 86-81 win over defending champion Knox Raiders.

The Tigers struggled to start the season losing their first four matches, but all of a sudden with the arrival of Yang and Chen last week along with Zitina Aokuso, and they look a completely different team.

Not only that, but they could well be bringing the most excitement from any team around the country with the way the local Chinese community has got around their two stars.

That led to a packed Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre again on Sunday and any time Yang or Chen did anything, the noise was deafening.

They had plenty to cheer for as well especially from Yang who had 13 points in the first quarter and ended up with 33 to lead the Tigers to the five-point victory to make it three straight since her arrival along with having Chen and Aokuso in the line-up.

Melbourne have improved to a 3-4 record as a result of those three consecutive wins while Knox in their championship defence are now 5-4 having split their double this weekend.

Shuyu Yang was the star of the win with 13 points in the first quarter and 10 in the third on her way to 33 for the game with seven assists on 11/17 shooting from the floor, 5/8 from behind the arc and 6/8 at the free-throw line.

Zitina Aokuso added 21 points, five rebounds and two assists for the Tigers while Isa Brancatisano contributed 13 points and five boards, and Charlotte Brancatisano six points and five assists.

Shaneice Swain did deliver 20 points, seven steals and three assists for the Raiders with Agnes Emma-Nnopu adding 16 points, five rebounds and two steals with 11 of her points in the opening half.

Paige Bradley also provided 13 points, four assists and three rebounds, Alicia Froling 12 points, nine boards and two steals, and Haliegh Reinoehl 10 points and eight rebounds.

Sandringham Sabres (100) defeated Mount Gambier Pioneers (74)

The Sandringham Sabres made it five straight wins with Steph Reid brilliant with 31 points but having four teammates in double figures too in the 100-74 victory over the Mount Gambier Pioneers.

The Sabres had won a fourth in-a-row on Saturday night against Geelong United ahead of returning home to Southern Basketball Stadium to host a Pioneers team having lost their past two after going 5-0 to open 2026.

Sandringham started on fire with an early 10-0 run before Mount Gambier answered with 10 straight points themselves but by quarter-time it was the Sabres on top 31-23.

That lead for Sandringham got out to 18 in the second term and by the break the home team were on top 55-37.

The Sabres took complete control from there with 22 points to 12 in the third frame and the lead grew to 32 points, and then 39 in the last term before they secured the 26-point win after the Pioneers did go on a late 13-0 run.

Sandringham have now won five straight to be 7-1 on the season with Reid brilliant with 31 points five assists, four rebounds and four steals on 12/21 field goal shooting along with 5/11 shooting from behind the arc.

Madi Ryan added 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks, Isis Lopes 14 points, three boards, three steals and two assists, Klara Wischer 12 points, 14 rebounds, two steals and two blocks, and Josie Agnew 11 points and two blocked shots.

Mount Gambier are now 5-3 with three consecutive defeats with Lara Edmanson top-scoring with 19 points and eight rebounds with Tilly Boler adding 11 points, three boards and two steals, Abby Prohaska 11 points and seven rebounds, Grace Champion 10 points and two boards, and Kelsey Rees nine points, four rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

Nunawading Spectres (76) lost to Diamond Valley Eagles (98)

Abbey Ellis had another 26 points to lead the Diamond Valley Eagles to their second win of the weekend to continue the struggles of the Nunawading Spectres with the 98-76 victory.

Diamond Valley got back to winning on Saturday night beating Keilor Thunder ahead of taking on the Spectres at Nunawading Basketball Centre who were trying to avoid a fifth straight defeat.

The Eagles did open up a seven-point lead in the first quarter and were still on top 29-25 by quarter-time and then they built on that further to be leading 55-45 at the half-time break.

Diamond Valley took over further throughout the second half with that lead getting out to 20 points in third period, and 27 in the fourth on the way to the 22-point win.

It's back-to-back wins this weekend for the Eagles as they improve to 6-2 with Ellis again showing the way with 26 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals with Shannon Dufficy producing 16 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Isis Beh also had 16 points, nine rebounds and two assists, Erin Riley 14 points, four rebounds and four assists, and Alex Sharp 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.

Nunawading have now lost five straight after winning the first four of 2026 with Rachel Antoniadou producing 20 points and six assists on 4/13 three-point shooting.

Kylee Blacksten also had 18 points, eight rebounds and three assists, Riley Lupfer 16 points on 4/10 shooting from downtown, and Keeley Frawley eight points, four boards and two assists.