The Wolfpack start the NBL1 season with a BANG!

The 2024 NBL1 West season has finally arrived, and Wolfpack fans couldn’t have been more eager to show the league why they are the BEST fans not only in the west, but in the nation! The Wolfpack came in droves, packing the stands on Van Kailis Court, HBF Arena with a record attendance of 1,552.

The Wolves and Redbacks put together impressive rosters in the off-season, however with many new players finishing their seasons overseas, not everyone was available for opening night which saw many juniors from both clubs hit the floor. Joondalup Women’s Head Coach Jesse Pence leads the Pack with a new core of players featuring an impressive collection of both national and international talent.

The Wolfpack were missing Emma Clarke, Jorjah Smith, Sirena Tuitele, Dynn Leaupepe and Briana Chambers but Sarah Toeaina displayed her impact right away with 27 points, 10 rebounds and six assists on 10/16 field goal shooting. Huff added 21 points and six rebounds, Jo O’dude 10 points and five boards, Ella Thornton-Elliott nine points, five rebounds and three assists, and Julia Chandler collected a game high of 16 rebounds in just 20 minutes of play, whilst only landing in Australia less than 12 hours before tip off!

The Wolves men were still missing Jonathan Wade and Jeremy Combs while the Redbacks were without Ioannis Dimakopoulos and Connor Mincherton. The Wolves started well with 25 points to 18 in the first quarter and never looked back.

The Joondalup lead got out to 27 points in the third quarter before they went on to score the 22-point victory.

CJ Turnage was a man possessed for the Wolves in the win with 38 points and five rebounds on 13/20 shooting from the floor and 9/13 at the free-throw line.

New point guard Ethan Elliott was impressive too with 20 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals with Christian Jurlina adding 13 points and three rebounds, and Caleb Davis seven points, seven boards and two assists.

The Wolfpack are back home this Saturday to host the Slammers on Van Kailis Court. Get your tickets by visiting our NBL1 website, or bit.ly/Wolvestickets