West Wrap | Men's Anzac Round

Featured image: @ArcticMoonPhotography

Teen gun Marley Sam was spectacular with Will Tschetter, Isaiah Moses and Jack Browder huge in NBL1 West debuts for Warwick Senators and Perry Lakes Hawks with Rowan Mackenzie the hero for Cockburn Cougars as Taeshon Cherry fired twice for Willetton Tigers.

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>> WEST SPOTLIGHT | WHITE UNSTOPPABLE AS FLAMES WIN BIG

FRIDAY

Willetton Tigers (115) defeated South West Slammers (96)

The South West Slammers put in a strong showing for three quarters but the Willetton Tigers put in a monster fourth quarter to come from behind to stay unbeaten with the 115-96 win.

The Tigers were back home at Willetton Basketball Stadium putting their perfect record on the line against a Slammers team trying to avoid a fifth consecutive defeat.

Both teams combined for 60 points with scores locked at 30-30 by quarter-time before it was 22 to 16 in favour of the Slammers in the second period for the visitors to be up 52-46 at the half.

The Slammers pushed that advantage out to nine in the third quarter and were still leading by five at three quarter-time.

But that's when Willetton took over with 42 points in the fourth quarter to build a 20-point lead on the back of going on a 13-0 run to score the 19-point win to improve to 5-0.

Taeshon Cherry had another standout performance for the Tigers with 31 points, nine rebounds and two assists on 12/19 shooting with Bryce Johnson adding 23 points, five boards and five assists on 10/13 field goal shooting.

Tim Ibukunoluwa also had 15 points, six rebounds, three blocks and two steals, Tom Gerovich nine points and three boards, Michael Vigor nine points, five assists and four rebounds, and Damien Scott eight points, five boards and four assists.

Despite the encouraging showing for a lot of the night, South West are now 1-5 with Philmon Gebrhiwet finishing with 24 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals, and Eythan House 17 points and three boards.

Jhaylon Martinez added 15 points, five rebounds and two assist, Pharell Keats 15 points, five boards, four assists and two steals, and Dante Matakatea 14 points, three assists and two steals.

Lakeside Lightning (76) lost to Kalamunda Eastern Suns (90)

The Eastern Suns continued their undefeated start to the season beating the Lakeside Lightning 90-76on the back of a spectacular performance from 17-year-old sensation Marley Sam.

Defying his age and stature, it was Sam who stole the show at Lakeside Recreation Centre on Friday night delivering 35 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals in the Kalamunda win with 13/24 shooting from the floor, 5/10 from downtown and 4/6 at the foul line.

The Suns came into the match up having won all four games so far in 2026 while the Lightning were without injured import Isaiah Lewis and trying to improve on their 2-4 start.

The Eastern Suns had the better of the start with 29 points to 21 in the first quarter but Lakeside hit back to tie scores up by half-time.

The Suns pulled away again with 32 points in the fourth quarter and from there completed the 14-point win to improve to 5-0.

On top of what Sam did, Terrandus Smith added 21 points and five rebounds for Kalamunda, Hayden Price nine points and six boards, and Joe Cook-Green eight points, six boards and three assists.

The Lightning are now 2-5 with Michael Imariagbe finishing with 25 points, 10 rebounds and two assists with Josh Davey adding 11 points, 17 boards and two blocks, Liam Patterson 12 points and five assists, and Corey Shervill eight points and eight rebounds.

Rockingham Flames (119) defeated Mandurah Magic (95)

Reigning MVP Isaac White proved unstoppable even by his Adelaide 36ers NBL teammate Matt Kenyon as he hit nine threes for 40 points as the Rockingham Flames romped to the 119-95 victory against the still winless Mandurah Magic.

Kenyon was a welcome arrival to help Ryan Blanchett, Lachlan Bertram and Jock Perry who had been desperately trying to get the Magic on the board, but it was never going to be easy against the fully powered Flames.

After Kenyon helped Mandurah to a 7-2 start, Rockingham took control and put up 70 points in the first half including shooting 14/25 from three-point range before they resisted Mandurah's 33 points in the third frame to still cruise to the 25-point victory.

Reigning MVP White showed that he has every intention to give himself a chance at back-to-back awards with 40 points, five rebounds and three assists with 9/13 three-point shooting.

His 36ers teammate Michael Harris also had 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals with Emmett Naar delivering 13 points and nine assists, and Ryan Godfrey 11 points and four assists on another 3/5 three-point shooting effort.

Travis Durnin also had nine points, five rebounds and four assists, Tevin Jackson eight points and three boards, and Blake Jones eight points, eight rebounds and three assists.

Kenyon made his NBL1 West debut for Mandurah and played 32 minutes for 17 points, seven rebounds and five assists despite shooting 5/16 from the field.

Lachlan Bertram top-scored with 25 points, five rebounds and four assists on 4/8 shooting from downtown with Jock Perry adding 20 points, seven boards, five assists and two blocks, and Ryan Blanchett 17 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.

ANZAC DAY

Kalamunda Eastern Suns (89) lost to Willetton Tigers (99)

Teen sensation Marley Sam again lit it up for the Eastern Suns but Taeshon Cherry starred once more for the Willetton Tigers and combined with double-doubles from Damien Scott and Tom Gerovich his team stayed unbeaten with the 99-87 win.

Both teams were unbeaten and played out an entertaining affair with more responsibility falling on the shoulders of Sam in the opening five minutes when the Eastern Suns lost Joe Cook-Green.

Sam still did his best to keep his team in the contest, but Willetton were too powerful with 64 points to 32 over the second and third quarters to open up a match winning lead, and turn that into the 12-point win after Kalamunda put up 30 in the last term.

The result means that Willetton are now 6-0 on the season after five rounds with the Eastern Suns now 5-1 having tasted defeat for the first time.

Cherry fired the Tigers with 24 points, five rebounds and two blocks with 8/17 shooting from the field and 6/6 at the free-throw line.

Tom Gerovich was strong with 19 points, 12 rebounds and two assists while 381-game veteran guard Damien Scott turned playmaker for 14 assists to go with 14 points, four rebounds and three steals while hitting 3/4 from downtown.

Sam backed up his stunning performance the night before for the Suns with 35 points against the Lakeside Lightning by delivering another 29 points, seven rebounds, five assists and five steals with 10/20 shooting from the floor and 8/14 at the free-throw line.

Terrandus Smith added 24 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Suns, Lewis Thomas nine points, 10 boards, six assists and four steals, and Reece Maxwell seven points and four rebounds in his 346th appearance.

Warwick Senators (103) defeated Joondalup Wolves (89)

Marshawn Blackmon delivered another 40 points and Will Tschetter had a debut to remember as the Warwick Senators impressed in the Battle of Joondalup beating the Joondalup Wolves 103-89.

The Senators were back home at Warwick Stadium trying to snap a three-game losing run with the Wolfpack arriving trying to hit back from a first loss of the season.

The Senators got a boost with the inclusion of rookie big man Tschetter fresh off winning a national championship with Michigan, and it was in the second quarter when Warwick made their move.

Warwick put up 36 points to 20 to go into half-time on top 59-41 and from there maintained that advantage through the second half on the way to the 14-point win to improve to 2-3.

Blackmon has had a spectacular start to the season and continued that in the win with 40 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks.

Tschetter was also impressive on debut with 25 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and two assists with 2020 championship winning captain Cody Ellis showing he still has plenty to offer 15 points and five rebounds having just celebrated his 36th birthday.

Billy McRae also added 10 points, six rebound and five assists, and Tyler Shand seven points, six boards, four blocks and three assists.

The Wolves are now 3-2 after consecutive losses with Sharif Black finishing with 26 points and six rebounds, CJ Turnage 17 points and eight boards, Caleb Davis 11 points and four rebounds, Ben Geel 11 points on 3/3 shooting, and Jordan Wellsteed 11 points, eight boards, four assists and two steals.

Perth Redbacks (104) lost to Goldfields Giants (110)

Michael Jok's three-point dagger with 1:30 to play proved instrumental in the Goldfields Giants celebrating their first road game of 2026 beating the Perth Redbacks 110-104.

The Giants had won just one of three home games to start the season ahead of taking on the Redbacks at Belmont Oasis who were fresh off winning two of their past three.

Goldfields started impressively with 31 points to 20 in the first quarter before heading into half-time still on top 61-53.

The Redbacks did briefly hit the front in the third period but the Giants got back on top and ended up sealing the deal with Jok's late three-pointer providing the most important shot in the contest.

The Giants are now 2-2 following the win with Danny Pippen unstoppable on his way to 35 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.

Sam Vinson added 24 points, seven assists and four rebounds, Jok 25 points and three steals with 6/9 three-point shooting, and Lino Manhom 10 points and seven rebounds.

The Redbacks slip to 2-3 now on the season with Luke Phillips finishing with 26 points and 12 rebounds, Isaac Etter 24 points and five assists, Marshall Nelson 20 points, seven assists and five rebounds, and Malakye Cunningham 17 points, five boards and four assists.

East Perth Eagles (98) lost to Perry Lakes Hawks (100)

New Perry Lakes Hawks imports Jack Browder and Isaiah Moses made the most spectacular debuts including the former hitting the game winning three ball to lift their team to the inspired 100-98 road win over the East Perth Eagles.

The Eagles were back home at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre on a three-game winning run including handing the Joondalup Wolves a first defeat but they were without NBL forward Lat Mayen.

The Hawks did get on the board with a first win of the season over Lakeside and then were boosted with the inclusions of imports Browder and Moses, and what a difference they made.

It proved to be quite the entertaining battle all evening with no more than eight points ever separating the teams with Perry Lakes up seven at quarter-time before East Perth went into half-time with the 50-49 advantage.

Perry Lakes were up seven midway through the fourth quarter before East Perth scored seven straight points capped with a triple from Nick Filpo to be leading by two with just under two minutes on the clock.

Jonah Antonio stretched that lead for the Eagles to four and they were still up two with 1:30 to play after a David Okwera dunk but Moses nailed a three ball to return Perry Lakes to the lead.

Okwera scored driving to the basket to put the Eagles back up one but then Browder knocked down the game winner right in front of the East Perth bench and he was the hero on debut with Perry Lakes improving to 2-3.

On top of hitting the game winner, Browder delivered 34 points and five rebounds on 4/11 three-point shooting and 10/12 at the foul line for the Hawks with Moses adding 32 points, five boards and five assists with 6/10 shooting from downtown.

Cam Huefner added 19 points and 13 rebounds with Max Buckness contributing eight points, eight boards and three assists, and Andreas Grubisa seven points and five rebounds.

The Eagles are now 3-2 on the season with Antonio finishing with 25 points and six assists on 5/9 three-point shooting with Okwera adding 23 points, four rebounds and four blocks.

Filpo added 15 points and four assists, Max Rice 14 points, three rebounds and two assists, and Lee Roberts 13 points, three boards and three steals.

Geraldton Buccaneers (83) lost to Cockburn Cougars (87)

It was mighty unfortunate Johny Narkle's Cockburn Cougars debut was pushed back a week but his new team delivered a stunning 87-83 win all the season on the road to the Geraldton Buccaneers with Rowan Mackenzie brilliant.

Mackenzie made his own debut for the Cougars the week before against his Lakeside team and had the chance to be the hero, but eight days later and that's exactly what he was against the defending champion Buccaneers.

Narkle might not have been able to play for the Cougars, but they did unveil another Geraldton championship winner from last year with the inclusion of Akeem Springs with the Buccs still without an import with Josh Banks injured and Joshua Keyes yet to arrive.

Cockburn were on a mission in hostile territory and overcame an eight-point deficit in the third quarter to go on a stunning 13-0 scoring run.

That saw the Cougars build their own nine-point lead and they held out the Buccs down the stretch for the four-point win to improve to a 2-3 record.

Mackenzie was spectacular running the show for Cockburn with 33 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals with 12/17 shooting from the floor and 4/7 from deep.

Josh Hunt also returned home for 24 points and five rebounds with 4/6 long range shooting while Joseph Bradshaw contributed 16 points, eight boards and three steals, and Springs six points and five rebounds in his first appearance for 2026 with his new team.

It's a first loss of the season for the Buccs with Devondrick Walker putting up 30 points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists, Liam Hunt 24 points, 11 boards and four assists, and Verle Williams 20 points, eight assists and four rebounds.

SUNDAY

Perry Lakes Hawks (93) defeated Goldfields Giants (72)

In under 24 hours the Perry Lakes Hawks have announced themselves as a genuine threat with some big time help for Cam Huefner from Jack Browder and Isaiah Moses as they beat the Goldfields Giants 93-72.

Only eight days earlier and the Hawks were struggling without either import arriving, with Perth Wildcats NBL point guard Jaron Rillie still not right to play, and his 'Cats teammate Huefner holding down the fort.

He shot Perry Lakes to a first win of the season over Lakeside last Saturday and then this week he was joined by new import pair Browder and Moses.

That pair were inspired in helping the Hawks to the win over the East Perth Eagles ahead of them hosting the Giants back at Bendat Basketball Centre on Sunday.

The Giants were coming off their own stirring win over the Perth Redbacks the night before in their first road game of 2026.

The Hawks got on top early with Browder and Moses catching fire, and then despite only leading by six at half-time, Perry Lakes took charge from there for the 21-point win to make it three straight and improve suddenly to 3-3.

Cam Huefner delivered 30 points, 13 rebounds and two assists including hitting 11/12 at the free-throw line.

Then the two new imports for Perry Lakes backed up their heroics from the night before with two more standout performances with Browder delivering 22 points and five rebounds while Moses had 24 points, three assists and two boards with 7/8 three-point shooting.

Andreas Grubisa also had eight points, two rebounds and two assists for the Hawks, and Darcy Knox two points, seven boards and five assists.

The Giants return home to Kalgoorlie having split their first road double of the season with Danny Pippen finishing with 27 points and eight rebounds including going 8/8 at the foul line.

Sam Vinson added 23 points, six steals, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks with Lino Manhom producing a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds while Michael Jok contributed seven points and two boards.