West Wrap | Men's Round 16

Featured image: Travis Anderson | @andmediaphoto

Jack Browder starred with 60 points and 26 rebounds in two massive NBL1 West wins for Perry Lakes Hawks with Sean Conway going for 40 for Perth Redbacks, Zac Gattorna 28 for Willeton Tigers, and East Perth Eagles and Geraldton Buccaneers winning twice.

>> CHEEKY VERLE READY TO PUSH JOHNY'S BUTTONS

>> WEST SPOTLIGHT | NORMAN, KEYES FIRE BUCCS TO BIG WIN

>> WEST SPOTLIGHT | BUCCS OVERRUN JOHNY-LESS COUGARS

>> THREE-TIME CHAMP PROUD TO REACH 200 AT FLAMES

THURSDAY

East Perth Eagles (71) defeated Lakeside Lightning (69)

The winner was going to finish Thursday night in eighth position and it was the East Perth Eagles holding out the Lakeside Lightning for the crucial 71-69 home win despite getting up 25 less shot attempts for the game.

Coming into the match up at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre and the Eagles were still in eighth spot after beating the South West Slammers last Friday night with the Lightning hot on their heels after Saturday's win over the Goldfields Giants.

That set the stage for the Thursday night match up and Jonah Antonio caught fire early for 11 first quarter points for East Perth but Lakeside were up one by half-time.

The Lightning then only scored five points in nine minutes of the third quarter with the Eagles going up as much as 13 and then holding on in the finish on the back of being more efficient offensively when they didn’t turn the ball over and a strong defensive showing led by Antonio and remarkable timing, anticipation and sheer length of David Okwera.

The win keeps East Perth in eighth position at 9-10 with Lakeside now facing an uphill battle to take their place ahead of the finals at 8-12 with just two games to go.

East Perth got the win on being more efficient when not throwing the ball away and with a strong defensive showing with De'Sean Parsons also having 19 of his 25 points in the second half to go with six rebounds and two assists.

David Okwera was back from Australian Boomers duties for 16 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks despite battling foul trouble to also be outstanding defensively as was Antonio to go with having 11 of his 12 points in the opening quarter while having four rebounds and two assists.

Considering the extra shots the Lightning created, they will be kicking themselves for missing a chance to go into eighth position with Josh Davey ending up with 11 points and 15 rebounds with six of those at the offensive end.

Michael Imariagbe top scored for 19 points, eight rebounds and three steals with Yahui Sun adding 12 points and four assists, and Lewis eight points, eight assists, five rebounds and two steals.

Perry Lakes Hawks (110) defeated Rockingham Flames (88)

The Perry Lakes Hawks showed just how good they are capable of being with the 110-88 win over the league-leading Rockingham Flames with Jack Browder and Cam Huefner combining for 65 points and 25 rebounds while holding their opponents to nine fourth quarter points.

The Thursday night match up at Bendat Basketball Centre saw the Hawks have a chance to make a statement but the Flames also needed the win to ensure they held their hold on top spot.

It was an entertaining start with Rockingham going on a 12-0 run in the first quarter but by half-time the scores were back level at 28-28.

It was then the Hawks clinging to a 54-52 advantage by half-time before it was another 27 points each in the third period to see Perry Lakes still just leading by two by three quarter-time.

That's when the Hawks took control with 27 points to nine in the fourth quarter on the way to the 22-point victory to improve to a 9-9 record and go a long way to locking away a playoff spot.

Jack Browder has been a revelation since joining Perry Lakes earlier in the season and he might have even ensured he's the biggest challenger to Isaac White as MVP with another 34 points, 13 rebounds and two assists with 14/27 field goal shooting.

Cam Huefner was also outstanding with 31 points, 12 rebounds and two steals with 6/12 shooting from the outside with Isaiah Moses adding 18 points and five assists on 4/7 three-point shooting.

Jack Kingswood also contributed 10 points and two rebounds, and Max Bucknell six points, six boards and three assists.

Rockingham have now lost consecutive games following Saturday night's loss in Geraldton to be 15-4 having scored just the 88 points on 44 per cent shooting when they have been averaging 106.5 all season.

Blake Jones finished with 24 points, six rebounds and two assists with Emmett Naar adding 22 points, six boards, four assists and two steals, Isaac White 18 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals, and Laquinton Ross 10 points and four boards.

FRIDAY

South West Slammers (78) lost to Cockburn Cougars (95)

Even without an unwell Johny Narkle after quarter-time the Cockburn Cougars kept on build on their double figure lead away to the South West Slammers to stay in fourth place with the 95-78 win.

The Slammers were back home at Eaton Recreation Centre fresh off their second win of the season last week against the Warwick Senators and hosting a Cougars team having won four in-a-row to now be solid in a top four position.

Cockburn opened up on fire away from home with 33 points to 18 in the first quarter including a cameo from Narkle who clearly was under the weather, and didn’t start, and didn’t return again the rest of the night.

The Cougars were still leading 59-44 by half-time before another 19 points to 11 in the third term and then seeing their lead grow to 27 in the fourth frame before winning in the end by 17.

The win for the Cougars keeps them solid in fourth position at 13-5 with Akeem Springs producing 26 points and two steals with 4/7 three-point shooting.

Rowan Mackenzie also had 15 points, four assists and two steals, Joe Bradshaw 14 points, three rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots, Jack Pitt eight points and three boards, and Seva Chan seven points and four assists.

The Slammers are now 2-18 with Philmon Gebrhiwet providing another 26 points, seven rebounds and two steals with Eythan House adding 11 points and three boards, Jhaylon Martinez 11 points and seven rebounds, Jack Flynn nine points and seven boards, and Pharell Keats eight points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals.

Mandurah Magic (101) defeated Willetton Tigers (98)

Michael Christmas, Matt Kenyon and Ryan Blanchett all fired Mandurah Magic to the 101-98 Friday night win over the Willetton Tigers to keep their dwindling playoff aspirations alive.

The Magic have left themselves with plenty to do to make a third straight playoff appearance as they hosted the Tigers at Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre in a rematch of the remarkable 2024 Grand Final at RAC Arena.

Mandurah were leading most of the way including 51-47 by half-time on the back of a combined 53 points from Kenyon and Christmas, but the Tigers refused to go away with 394-game veteran guard Damien Scott leading the charge.

It set up a dramatic finish but Mandurah got the job done including a monster dunk from Christmas late when he drove in from the corner and finished emphatically.

The Magic held on for the three-point win to improve to a 7-12 record with the Tigers now 11-8 having lost eight of their last 11 games.

Christmas was outstanding once more for Mandurah with 28 points, seven rebounds and four assists with 11/19 field goal shooting with Kenyon running the show and delivering 23 points, nine boards, eight assists and two steals with 4/7 three-point shooting.

Lachlan Bertram also had 19 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals, Michael Dupree 15 points, six rebounds and four assists, and Ryan Blanchett might well be in the best form of his career.

He hit six threes back in his 250th game with 24 points and six rebounds against the Goldfields Giants, backed up with 23 and eight in game 251 against the Warwick Senators, and then had another 16 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and three blocks in game 253 on Friday night.

The Tigers do slip further from top four contention with the loss but again without Tim Ibukunoluwa and Bryce Johnson who were crucial in helping them to such a standout first half of the season.

Damien Scott was playing the 394th game of his career and top scored once more for Willetton with 25 points to go with seven assists, six rebounds and three steals with 4/7 three-point shooting and going 9/14 overall.

Taeshon Cherry finished with another 18 points and five rebounds, Lachlan Burnett 14 points and three boards, Michael Vigor 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals, and Shayden Weerakoon 10 points, three boards and two assists.

Kalamunda Eastern Suns (92) lost to Perth Redbacks (102)

A 40-point explosion fro Sean Conway with seven three-pointers saw the Perth Redbacks keep themselves in the playoff hunt with the 102-92 win over the Kalamunda Eastern Suns.

The Suns were back home at Ray Owen Sports Centre trying to build some momentum again having lost three of their past four games while the Redbacks also couldn’t afford a fifth straight defeat to keep their playoff hopes alive.

It was Kalamunda on their home floor with the better of the start with 27 points to 22 in the first quarter but Perth then caught fire with 36 to 23 in the second including nine in-a-row to open up a 58-50 advantage by half-time.

The Redbacks then led by as much as 12 in the second half before completing the 10-point victory that keeps their season alive with a 7-11 record.

Sean Conway was on fire for Perth with 40 points, 12 rebounds and three steals with 7/13 shooting from the outside to be a +17 in his 34 minutes.

Isaac Etter added 13 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals for Perth, Connor Mincherton 12 points and four assists with 4/5 shooting from beyond the arc, and Luke Phillips nine points, eight rebounds and three assists.

The Eastern Suns are still going to play finals but are now 12-8 having lost four of the last five games with Joe Cook-Green delivering 27 points, seven rebounds and two assists.

Marley Sam added 19 points, seven assists, six rebounds and four steals, Terrandus Smith 15 points and five assists, and the returning Travis Fee 11 points and six rebounds on 3/4 shooting from the outside.

SATURDAY

Perth Redbacks (87) lost to East Perth Eagles (108)

After a gritty win back on Thursday, the East Perth Eagles found some impressive form two nights later to further confirm their top eight position with the 108-87 road win over the Perth Redbacks.

Both teams were coming off wins earlier in the weekend with the Eagles winning a low scoring grind over the Lakeside Lightning at home on Thursday night while the Redbacks also stayed in the playoff mix beating the Eastern Suns on Friday.

That made the match up at Belmont Oasis crucial with East Perth clinging to eighth spot and Perth trying knock them out, and it was East Perth going into quarter-time leading 24-19.

The Eagles were then still clinging to the 51-46 advantage by half-time and then it was all the visitors through the second half with 26 points to 15 in the third frame, and 31 to 26 in the fourth.

That saw East Perth end up winning by 21 points having found some impressive offensive chemistry with Jonah Antonio showing the way with 28 points and six rebounds with 7/16 shooting from the outside.

De'Sean Parsons also had 21 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, four steals and two blocks, Lat Mayen 20 points, nine boards, six assists and two steals, and David Okwera 17 points, five rebounds and four assists.

Willetton Tigers (100) defeated Warwick Senators (89)

The Willetton Tigers had to battle hard but ended up overcoming the Warwick Senators 100-89 to remain a chance of still finishing in the top four with Taeshon Cherry having 25 points and 13 rebounds.

The Tigers were back home at Willetton Basketball Stadium having lost eight of their past 11 matches after starting the season 8-0 and needed a bounce back win from Friday's loss to the Mandurah Magic.

The Senators arrived in their own hole having won just five games all season but they did start well with 31 points to 29 in the opening quarter.

Willetton responded with 21 points to 10 in the second term to be leading 50-41 by half-time and then still holding a nine-point edge at three quarter-time, and then completing the 11-point victory.

The Tigers improve to a 12-8 record with the win to remain a chance of the top four but at worst locking in a home final with Taeshon Cherry finishing with 25 points, 13 rebounds and two assists.

Zac Gattorna had his best performance since returning in an exciting sign of what he can deliver with the two-time championship winner and NBL champion having 28 points on 9/13 shooting in 20 minutes and with a +27 in that time.

Tom Gerovich also had 14 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and two steals for the Tigers, Channing Olowoyo 10 points, three boards and three assists, and Shayden Weerakoon 10 points and two steals.

Warwick are now 5-14 with the loss with George Pearl finishing with 24 points, 10 rebounds, three steals and two assists while Tristan Forsyth added 17 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Billy McRae also had 14 points, five assists and four rebounds, and Marshawn Blackmon 14 points, four boards, three steals and two assists.

Joondalup Wolves (69) lost to Rockingham Flames (97)

The Rockingham Flames all but confirmed themselves a top two finish bouncing back from Thursday night's loss to dominate the third placed Joondalup Wolves on the road for the 97-69 victory.

The Flames lost last Saturday night in Geraldton and then conceded first place with Thursday's loss to the Perry Lakes Hawks and there was the chance for them to fall to third with another loss at Arena Joondalup to the Wolfpack.

The Flames started on fire with 29 points to 14 by quarter-time before another 28 to 21 in the second term to go into half-time well in control leading 57-35.

Rockingham then confirmed the big win with 25 points to 14 in the last quarter to win by 28 in the battle of second against third to improve to a 16-4 record having avoided the third straight loss.

Michael Harris produced 24 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals in the win for the Flames with Isaac White delivering 23 points, four assists and three boards with 4/12 shooting from the outside.

Blake Jones also had 18 points and four rebounds, Laquinton Ross 15 points and six boards, and Emmett Naar 11 assists to go with seven rebounds, four points and three steals.

The Wolves do remain third but the top two now looks out of reach with them 14-6 with Ben Geel top scoring with 15 points and eight rebounds with Sharif Black adding 13 points, three boards, three assists and two steals, CJ Turnage 12 points, eight rebounds and six assists, and Caleb Davis 10 points, four boards and two assists.

Goldfields Giants (75) lost to Perry Lakes Hawks (104)

The Perry Lakes Hawks continued their momentum from Thursday night's win by beating the Goldfields Giants in Kalgoorlie 104-75 with Jack Browder delivering another 26 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.

The Hawks consolidated their playoff spot and showed what a threat they can be with Thursday night's win against the Rockingham Flames ahead of taking on the Giants two nights later at Evolution Mining Stadium.

Perry Lakes were coming off that big win but arrived in Kalgoorlie without Cam Huefner, but they still started the better to be leading 25-18 by quarter-time.

It was then a blistering second period from Perry Lakes with 35 points to 18 on the way to the 60-36 advantage by half-time.

The Hawks went on with the job from there to lead by as much as 32 points in the fourth quarter before ensuring the 29-point victory to make it a double win weekend and improve to a 10-9 record.

Jack Browder delivered another 26 points, 13 rebounds and five assists for Perry Lakes with Isaiah Moses adding 26 points, nine assists and three boards with 6/10 shooting from the outside.

Max Bucknell also had 16 points, 17 rebounds and two assists on 8/8 shooting, and Jaden Exeter nine points and six boards.

The Giants have now lost three straight to be 5-14 for the season with Sam Vinson finishing with 17 points, six rebounds and three assists with Sam Morrow adding 15 points, three boards, three assists and two steals, and Matthew MacLellan 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Cockburn Cougars (84) lost to Geraldton Buccaneers (94)

The most anticipated match up of 2026 again didn’t eventuate with Johny Narkle not suiting up for the Cockburn Cougars and the reigning champion Geraldton Buccaneers took advantage for the 94-84 road win.

Narkle turned himself into a Buccaneers legend as a two-time Grand Final MVP in the 2023 and 2025 championship triumphs to earn himself an NBL opportunity at the Illawarra Hawks, and then joining the Cougars for 2026.

He was not yet cleared to play earlier this season when Cockburn visited Geraldton and then come Saturday night, he wasn’t available to play either having left Friday night's win over the South West Slammers at quarter-time having tried to play after coming back unwell having starred for the Indigenous Basketball Australia All Stars in Cairns back on Tuesday night.

Even without that match up of Narkle against his old side eventuating, the Cougars were on top most of the first three quarters leading by as much as 16, but the Buccs took control in the fourth quarter with 25 points to 14 for the 10-point win.

The win improves the Buccaneers to a 15-3 record while the Cougars are now 13-6 having split their double header weekend.

Verle Williams Jr delivered 21 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals for Geraldton with Devondrick Walker providing 20 points, five assists and three rebounds.

Josh Keyes also had 16 points, nine boards and three assists, Liam Hunt 14 points, 11 rebounds and four assists, and Cooper Creek 11 points and five boards.

There was a lot to like from what the Cougars did especially without Narkle and to lead most of the night with Akeem Springs producing 21 points and four steals against the team he won a championship with in 2025.

Rowan Mackenzie added 16 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals, Seva Chan 15 points and four assists with 5/7 shooting from the outside, and Joe Bradshaw 15 points and five rebounds while also going 4/8 from downtown.

SUNDAY

Warwick Senators (64) lost to Geraldton Buccaneers (111)

It was a Grand Final rematch but the Warwick Senators unfortunately are in a very different place now than 12 months ago and Matt Norman and Josh Keyes combined for 62 points and seven triples as the Geraldton Buccaneers won 111-64.

The two teams played a classic Grand Final at RAC Arena last year with the Buccs prevailing and now they are putting themselves in a prime position to be a chance to go back-to-back.

They started this weekend's road double beating a Cockburn Cougars team without Johny Narkle with a big fourth quarter and then took on the Senators now without Will Tschetter on Sunday at Warwick Stadium.

Geraldton took charge right from the outset with 33 points to 18 in the first quarter with 25 of those points from Norman and Keyes.

The Buccs remained in control the rest of the way to win by 47 points in the finish to improve to a 16-3 record and be sitting in top spot just ahead of the 16-4 Rockingham Flames.

Warwick have now lost five straight to be struggling at 5-15 with just two games left in their forgettable 2026 season.

Matt Norman was straight into the starting five with Devondrick Walker not suiting up and he was on fire with 15 points in the first quarter with four triples on his way to 28 in 27 minutes for the game with five steals and three assists and 5/7 shooting from the outside.

Josh Keyes also was brilliant once more showing his all-round talents with 34 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals with 13/16 field goal shooting.

Cooper Creek was up against the team he shot into the preliminary final last year and had 17 points, 16 rebounds, five assists and four steals with Liam Hunt providing nine points, eight boards and three assists, Brendan Redhead nine points and four assists, and Verle Williams Jr seven points and four assists.

It's another tough outing for Warwick who are crying out for the end of the season having now lost five straight with Tristan Forsyth battling hard for 29 points, nine rebounds and two assists.

But import guard Marshawn Blackmon who has had two 40-point games in 2026 and another couple over 30 went scoreless with four turnovers on only three shot attempts while playing 27 minutes.