West Wrap | Men's First Nations Round

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The Geraldton Buccaneers had two huge NBL1 West wins at home over the Rockingham Flames and Willetton Tigers while the South West Slammers snapped a 17-game winning in stunning fashion and the Perht Redbacks won a cracking contest in Albany.

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FRIDAY

Cockburn Cougars (117) defeated Mandurah Magic (109)

The Cockburn Cougars might have dealt a serious blow to the playoff hopes of the Mandurah Magic with a 38-point fourth quarter with 12 of those from Johny Narkle for the 117-109 victory.

The Cougars were back home at Wally Hagan Stadium having broken into the top four winning their past three while the Magic were just clinging to finals contention by winning their last two games having now welcomed back Matt Kenyon and Michael Dupree.

Jock Perry is still out but the Magic started strongly to be leading most of the way including still by six points at three quarter-time before the Cougars delivered a dominant fourth term.

That saw Cockburn put up 38 points with 14/18 shooting from the field and 5/8 from downtown while holding the Magic to 24 points on 6/14 shooting with seven turnovers.

That saw the Cougars secure the eight-point victory to make it four straight and improve to a 12-5 record while the Magic slip further from the top eight at 6-12 with four matches remaining.

Joe Bradshaw continued to impress as a versatile big man for Cockburn delivering 27 points, 11 rebounds and two assists with 6/9 three-point shooting.

Rowan Mackenzie produced another 26 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals while Johny Narkle put up 12 points in the fourth quarter on his way to 22 for the game with seven rebounds and four assists.

Seva Chan also had 15 points and six assists in his 322nd game with Fletcher Klasztorny providing 10 points, six boards and two assists.

Matt Kenyon finished with 29 points, six rebounds and six assists with 10/12 field goal shooting along with 8/9 at the foul line for Mandurah.

Michael Christmas top scored with 33 points, seven rebounds and three assists with 6/17 three-point shooting fresh off his engagement during the week.

Lachlan Bertram added 25 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals on 5/8 shooting from deep with Ryan Blanchett adding nine points, six boards and three assists in his 252nd game.

Willetton Tigers (94) defeated Joondalup Wolves (89)

The Willetton Tigers dug deep for a gutsy 94-89 home victory on the back of a dominant second half despite missing a whole lost of keep players against the Joondalup Wolves.

The Wolves would have deservedly liked their chances upon arrival at Willetton Basketball Stadium sitting in third place and having won their past couple and with the Tigers missing Taeshon Cherry, Bryce Johnson, Alex Edwards, Tim Ibukunoluwa, Tom Musumeci and Zac Gattorna.

Willetton had also lost six of their last eight games after starting off the season 8-0 and it was the Wolfpack leading 25-23 by quarter-time and then 57-46 at half-time on the back of 32 points to 23 in the second period.

Willetton then fired back with 26 points to 13 in the third quarter and 22 to 19 in the fourth to end up securing the five-point victory which not only was important to improve them to 11-6, but was gutsy given their personnel situation.

Damien Scott delivered 22 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals in his 392nd game with Channing Olowoyo making the first start of his career for 21 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals on 4/7 three-point shooting.

Tom Gerovich added 19 points, nine rebounds and three assists, Michael Vigor 13 points, 10 boards and four assists, Lachlan Burnett nine points, three rebounds and two steals, and Josh Harris eight points, five boards and two assists.

Joondalup slip to a 13-5 record with the loss to start their double header weekend with Sharif Black finishing with 22 points, seven rebounds and two steals with CJ Turnage adding 21 points, six boards, three steals and two assists.

Caleb Davis also had 16 points, nine rebounds and four steals, Ben Geel 12 points, two boards and two assists, and Gabe Chadinha eight points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals.

East Perth Eagles (112) defeated South West Slammers (101)

The East Perth Eagles were missing last season's Perth Wildcats NBL teammates Lat Mayen and David Okwera, but found some offensive groove to get an important 112-101 win over the South West Slammers.

The Eagles were back home at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre still clinging to eighth position but having lost eight of the past 10 games while the Slammers arrived on a 16-game losing slide.

As well as not having Okwera and Mayen, the Eagles were also without starting point guard Nick Filpo but they started strongly with 24 points to 15 in the first quarter.

But the Slammers were on a mission to end their losing streak and put up 36 points in the second quarter to cut the East Perth lead to just 52-51 by half-time.

East Perth did manage another 30 points to 25 in each of the last two quarters to secure the crucial 11-point victory to consolidate eighth position with an 8-10 record.

Captain Lee Roberts delivered 26 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals with 10/10 free-throw shooting with Bing Huang adding 16 points and two assists, and Jonah Antonio 14 points and seven assists with 4/9 three-point shooting.

Kai Kabugua was into the starting line-up and continued to shine with another 13 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and two steals, and Emmanuel Dech 12 points with 2/2 three-point shooting.

South West have now lost 17 straight to be 1-17 with Philmon Gebrhiwet finishing with 23 points, four rebounds and three assists with 4/7 three-point shooting.

Jhaylon Martinez also had 22 points and seven rebounds, Dante Matakatea 13 points, nine assists and four boards, Gavin Deacon 11 points, four assists and three rebounds, and Rhys Barrett 10 points and three assists.

SATURDAY

Warwick Senators (109) lost to South West Slammers (110)

The South West Slammers have been banging down the door of a second win of the season and got their wish in spectacular fashion with the go ahead bucket from Philmon Gebrhiwet with 7.4 seconds to go to beat the Warwick Senators 110-109.

The Slammers put in another competitive showing the night before away to the East Perth Eagles but still fell to a 17-game losing streak ahead of taking on the Senators at Warwick Stadium.

Warwick had also won just five games so far this season and were without Will Tschetter once again who is now at NBA Summer League with both Cody Ellis and Jay Thwaites not suiting up.

The scores were all tied at 28-28 by the end of the first quarter and then the Senators were clinging to the 57-56 lead by half-time even with the most spectacular shot for the Slammers on the buzzer from Pharell Keats when he chased down a loose ball and flung it up while falling out of bounds.

The Senators worked back on top to lead by 17 points in the third quarter but the Slammers came storming back and hit the front thanks to two free throws from Jack Flynn with just over a minute to play.

Marshawn Blackmon then scored to return Warwick to the front and then it was Philmon Gebrhiwet making the tough driving layup for the Slammers to put them back up one with 7.4 seconds to go.

Warwick had one more chance and Blackmon was fouled but missed both at the line to end up giving the Slammers the drought breaking win in dramatic fashion.

Rhys Barrett stepped up for 19 points and two assists with 5/6 three-point shooting for the Slammers with Pharell Keats adding 18 points, three boards, three assists and two steals on 5/6 shooting from downtown.

Philmon Gebrhiwet finished with 16 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and two blocks, Jhaylon Martinez 16 points and six boards, and Jack Flynn 14 points, six rebounds and two steals.

The Senators are now 5-13 having been so close to a championship last year with Blackmon putting up 37 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. He went 5/7 from the foul line but the two he missed were with 0.6 seconds left.

George Pearl added 18 points, eight assists, six rebounds and three steals, Tristan Forsyth 18 points, nine boards and five assists, and Billy McRae 18 points, eight assists, six rebounds and three steals.

Perth Redbacks (117) defeated Perry Lakes Hawks (108)

Albany was treated to a spectacular contest with the Perry Lakes Hawks putting up 42 points in the first quarter and getting 33 and 15 rebounds from Cam Huefner but it wasn’t enough with the Perth Redbacks prevailing 117-108 with a combined 61 points from Sean Conway and Isaac Etter.

The two teams were playing a second annual in Albany and it was a crucial game for both teams too with the Hawks just sitting inside the top eight and the Redbacks trying to stay in playoff contention.

It was a blistering start from Perry Lakes with 42 points to 29 in the first quarter and then the Hawks on the back of that were still leading 66-55 heading into the half-time break.

The Redbacks then took over the contest after half-time with 34 points to 19 in the third quarter, and 28 to 23 in the fourth to end up winning by nine to keep their season alive.

Perth improve to a 6-11 record to stay in finals contention with the win with Conway delivering 31 points, nine rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

Etter also had 30 points, four rebounds and four assists, Nick Floyd 22 points and six boards on 10/13 shooting, Luke Phillips 16 points, five rebounds and four assists, and Malakye Cunningham seven points, three boards and three assists.

Perry Lakes are now 8-9 having lost two straight with Cam Huefner finishing with 33 points and 15 rebounds with Isaiah Moses adding 25 points, six assists and four boards, and Jack Browder 22 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

Lakeside Lightning (89) defeated Goldfields Giants (85)

The Lakeside Lightning came storming home to come from 14 points down to the beat the Goldfields Giants 89-85 and stay hot on the heels of eighth position.

The Lightning were back home at Lakeside Recreation Centre trying to break into the top eight as they hosted the Giants fresh off beating the East Perth Eagles last Saturday.

Incidentally it's the Eagles who the Lightning are trying to take the spot of in the top eight but Goldfields had the better of the start to be leading 25-20 by quarter-time and then still 48-41 by half-time.

The Giants then opened up a 14-point lead in the third quarter and were still up by 11 when Michael Jok delivered five quick points early in the fourth term.

It was all the Lightning from there, though, including scoring the next 13 points topped off by a Liam Patterson three-pointer that put them in front with 3:30 to play.

Lakeside went on with it from there too to finish the game with a 23-8 run to go from 11 points down to win by four and improve to 8-11 and keep the pressure on the 8-10 Eagles in eighth position.

Michael Imariagbe continued his standout first season with another 26 points, 11 rebounds and two assists in the win for the Lightning with Isaiah Lewis adding 20 points and five assists on 4/8 three-point shooting.

Josh Davey had another 16 points, 14 rebounds and three assists, Liam Patterson 11 points, four assists and three boards, and Corey Shervill nine points, six rebounds and two assists.

Goldfields are now 5-12 following the defeat with Matthew MacLellan producing 25 points, six rebounds and three assists on 9/14 field goal shooting.

Michael Jok also had 17 points, three rebounds and two steals, Josh Duach 16 points, six boards and four assists, and Sam Vinson 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

Joondalup Wolves (98) defeated Kalamunda Eastern Suns (74)

Joondalup Wolves took out their frustrations after a loss the night before with a dominant 98-74 home victory against the Kalamunda Eastern Suns with CJ Turnage and Sharif Black combining for 40 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.

The Wolves lost a game that denied them a chance to further consolidate third place and stay in touch of the top two against the Willetton Tigers on Friday night ahead of returning home to host the Eastern Suns at Arena Joondalup.

Kalamunda was also trying to stay in the hunt for a top four position and it was the Wolves narrowly leading by two points at quarter-time before another 28 points to 19 in the second period on the way to the 47-36 half-time lead.

Joondalup then dominated the second half with 29 points to 21 in the third quarter and 22 to 17 in the fourth before securing the 24-point victory to improve to a 14-5 record having split their weekend double.

CJ Turnage finished with 20 points, five rebounds and two assists for the Wolfpack, Sharif Black 20 points, seven boards and four assists, and Caleb Davis 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Gabe Chadinha also had 10 points, eight rebounds, six steals and four assists, Damon Ballantyne 10 points, three assists, two steals and two blocks, and Taylor Young 10 points and six assists.

The Eastern Suns slip to a 11-7 record with the loss with Joe Cook-Green putting up 26 points and four rebounds with Marley Sam adding 14 points, nine boards, eight assists and three steals, Terrandus Smith 14 points and five steals, and Colin Howells 10 points and two rebounds.

Geraldton Buccaneers (102) defeated Rockingham Flames (93)

The two teams would have to Grand Final favourites right now and after the Rockingham Flames won at home a fortnight ago, the Geraldton Buccaneers held serve with Devondrick Walker delivering 30 points for the 102-93 home win.

The two teams played in a cracking Grand Final back in 2022 and have remained contenders every year since with the Buccs winning championships in 2023 and 2025, but the Flames falling heartbreakingly close of another appearance in the decider each of the past three years.

They do appear on a collision course at the moment in 2026 and after they played out a tremendous contest in Rockingham two weeks ago with the home team prevailing, the Buccs hosted the Flames at Active West Stadium this time around.

And with Walker on fire with 14 points in the opening quarter, Geraldton ended up leading by as much as 22 points in the second frame and after Rockingham got back within a point in the fourth, the Buccs had the answers to the delight of their raucous home crowd.

The nine-point win improves Geraldton to a 13-3 record with Rockingham now 15-3 after their 11-game winning streak ended making it a fascinating battle over top spot the rest of the way.

Walker started on fire against his former team he became a superstar with and had 14 points in the first quarter before finishing the night with 30 to go with four assists with 12/19 field goal shooting along with 4/7 from downtown.

Liam Hunt was huge too with 22 points, 17 rebounds and three assists with Verle Williams contributing 17 points, seven assists, three boards and two steals, Josh Keyes 16 points, five rebounds and five assists, and Matt Norman seven points, four boards and two assists.

Isaac White had to deal with Williams defending him ferociously the entire night, but in the face of that he showed why he's the MVP with another 31 points, six assists and three rebounds with 7/12 three-point shooting.

Michael Harris had eight points in the first term on the way to 17 for the game with four rebounds and four assists while Blake Jones contributed 12 points and 10 boards, Emmett Naar nine points and four assists, and Laquinton Ross nine points and 12 rebounds.

SUNDAY

Kalamunda Eastern Suns (85) defeated Goldfields Giants (74)

Marley Sam once again flirted with a triple double and the Kalamunda Eastern Suns welcomed back captain Lewis Thomas for the crucial 85-74 win over the Goldfields Giants.

Both teams had been in action the previous night with the Eastern Suns losing by 24 to the Joondalup Wolves while the Giants went down to the Lakeside Lighting having been up by 11 early in the fourth quarter.

That set up the match up at Ray Owen Sports Centre with the visiting Giants again starting well to be leading 21-18 by quarter-time and then going up as much as seven in the second term before still leading 38-35 by half-time.

Kalamunda took over in the third quarter with 28 points to 15 to end up leading by as much as 17 and winning by 11 to stop their losing run at three to improve to a 12-6 record.

Marley Sam finished with another 16 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks with Terrandus Smith adding 15 points and five boards with 5/12 three-point shooting.

Joe Cook-Green also had 15 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals, Joel Vaiangina 11 points, five boards and four steals, and Colin Howells 10 points and two rebounds.

The Giants have now lost both games this weekend on the road to be 5-13 for the season with Matthew MacLellan producing another 25 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks.

Josh Duach added 18 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals, Sam Vinson 11 points, six boards, six assists and two steals, and Jerome Reid six points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals in the 250th game of his career.

Geraldton Buccaneers (118) defeated Willetton Tigers (92)

The teams have played incredible preliminary finals the past two seasons but this time around the firepower of the Geraldton Buccaneers was too much with 66 points through the second and third quarters to beat the Willetton Tigers 118-92.

The night before the Buccs beat the Rockingham Flames at home by nine points as well to stay in the hunt for top spot and backed up on Sunday at Active West Stadium against the Tigers.

It's the same venue Willetton won a preliminary final at back in 2024 before Geraldton got one back at Willetton Basketball Stadium against the Tigers last year on the way to the championship.

The Tigers were coming off a stirring win on Friday night at home to the Joondalup Wolves but it was a big test coming to Geraldton without Bryce Johnson, Zac Gattorna, Alex Edwards, Tim Ibukunoluwa and Tom Musumeci.

The spice was there at the end of the first quarter with Willetton's 393-game veteran guard Damien Scott at the forefront, but the Buccs took control with 66 points to 45 through the second and third quarters.

Over those 20 minutes, Geraldton shot 24/37 from the field, 6/15 from three-point range and 12/13 at the foul line to build a 30-point lead on the way to the 26-point win.

The result improves the Buccaneers to 14-3 just behind the 15-3 Flames while the Tigers are now 11-7 having split their weekend double.

It was a superb all-round display from the reigning champions with six players scoring at least 14 points with Verle Williams delivering 21 points, 12 assists, three rebounds and two steals.

Josh Keyes also had 21 points, eight rebounds, three blocks and two assists, Matt Norman 20 points, six boards and four assists, and Devondrick Walker 20 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Cooper Creek added 14 points, eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks, and Liam Hunt 14 points, six boards and three assists.

Taeshon Cherry put up another 28 points and 11 rebounds for the Tigers with Damien Scott having 13 points on 5/5 shooting in the first quarter on his way to 21 for the game with five assists and three steals.

Channing Olowoyo earned his first starts over this weekend with the players missing and produced 11 points, two rebounds and two assists with Lachlan Burnett contributing 10 points, four boards and four assists, and Tom Gerovich 10 points and four rebounds.