West Wrap | Men's Round 6

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It was an NBL1 West weekend of stunning individual performances including from Tim Ibukunoluwa, Isaac White, Jack Browder, Marshall Nelson, Sharif Black, Rowan Mackenzie, Jonah Antonio and Terrandus Smith hit a spectacular winner for Eastern Suns.

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FRIDAY

Cockburn Cougars (103) defeated South West Slammers (76)

The Cockburn Cougars backed up their huge win in Geraldton by dominating the South West Slammers at home with Rowan Mackenzie shining again in the 103-76 win.

With Mackenzie firing and Akeem Springs into the line-up, the Cougars pulled off the stunning win in Geraldton last Saturday night ahead of hosting the Slammers at Wally Hagan Stadium.

Cockburn were without big man import Joseph Bradshaw and still awaiting the availability of two-time Grand Final MVP Johny Narkle, but they still put in a dominant showing.

The Cougars put up 31 points to 15 in the first quarter before turning that into the 57-34 advantage by half-time.

Cockburn then closed the deal with 26 points to 18 in the last quarter on the way to the eventual 27-point victory to improve to 3-3 on the season.

Mackenzie delivered 28 points, five rebounds and three assists in the win on 8/14 shooting from the field, 3/5 from behind the arc and 9/10 at the foul line.

Springs added 16 points, eight rebounds and two assists, Nathan Pond 14 points and eight boards, Josh Hunt 13 points, four boards and four assists, and Seva Chan seven points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals in his 250th game with Cockburn and 311th overall in the SBL/NBL1 West.

The Slammers are now 1-6 with the defeat with Philmon Gebrhiwet producing 29 points on 10/14 field goal shooting along with 4/7 from behind the three-point line and 5/6 at the charity stripe.

Devan Craig also had 13 points and three steals, Jhaylon Martinez 10 points and six rebounds, and Jordan Wayne eight points.

Rockingham Flames (91) lost to Kalamunda Eastern Suns (94)

For the second time the Rockingham Flames have fallen courtesy of a stunning walk off buzzer-beater at home this time with Terrandus Smith playing the hero for the Eastern Suns who took out the 94-91 victory.

Making life more challenging for the Eastern Suns was the absence of Joe Cook-Green and Jordan Simpson, but they weren’t to be deterred even on the road at Mike Barnett Sports Complex.

The Suns built up a 16-point lead by the third quarter and then were still up eight with just over a minute to go, but the Flames don't have superstar playmakers for nothing.

Eventually with 5.3 seconds on the clock, reigning MVP Isaac White tied scores up for Rockingham with a three-pointer and then just when the game looked set for overtime, Smith stepped up for the Suns.

He pulled up on the Harcourts Rockingham logo just before the buzzer, got up the well-balanced three and banked it in to give the Eastern Suns the three-point win to improve to 6-1.

It was the most dramatic way for the Eastern Suns to bounce back from that first loss with Smith not only hitting the game winner, but ending the night with 29 points, seven rebounds, four steals and two assists with 5/11 shooting from beyond the arc.

Teen sensation Marley Sam was tremendous once more particularly with his defensive pressure but the 17-year-old also had 18 points, seven assists, four rebounds and four steals.

Jesse Pollock hit 5/13 from behind the three-point line for 15 points and two assists with Hayden Price having the game of his short career with 12 points, 16 rebounds and two steals while captain Lewis Thomas contributed 11 points, four boards and two assists.

The Flames are now 4-2 on the season with those defeats both coming at home and remarkably both coming from three-point buzzer beaters firstly from Lakeside's Josh Davey and now from Kalamunda's Smith.

Reigning MVP Isaac White had a tough shooting night but still hit a huge three late that looked like sending the game to overtime. He finished with 24 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals on 6/19 shooting from the field and 2/13 from downtown but he went 10/10 at the line.

Emmett Naar added 17 points and five assists with 3/6 three-point shooting, Tevin Jackson 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists, Blake Jones 14 points and 13 boards, and Michael Harris 11 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and four steals despite shooting 1/11.

East Perth Eagles (104) defeated Warwick Senators (82)

New big man Will Tshcetter dominated early for the Warwick Senators but Jonah Antonio then took over for the East Perth Eagles to lift his team to the 104-82 win over the Warwick Senators.

Fresh off being part of the national championship with Michigan, Tschetter had 25 points and 13 rebounds first up for the Senators in last week's win over the Joondalup Wolves.

He then had 17 points in the first quarter alone on Friday night at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre on the way to 29 points and eight rebounds already by half-time with the Senators clinging to the 52-49 advantage.

Antonio then delivered 17 points with five three-pointers in the third quarter to set the Eagles on the path to the eventual 22-point victory to improve to a 4-2 record.

Antonio knocked down 8/15 from behind the arc on the way to 34 points, eight rebounds and five assists in the win for East Perth.

David Okwera also had 21 points and 11 rebounds, Lee Roberts 14 points, 10 boards, three assists and two steals, and Ioannis Dimakopoulos 10 points and two rebounds with 2/3 three-point shooting.

Warwick are now 2-4 with Tschetter finishing with 33 points and 11 rebounds with Marshawn Blackmon adding 28 points, 12 boards, three assists and three steals.

Joondalup Wolves (84) defeated Lakeside Lightning (76)

The Joondalup Wolves got back to the winner's list at home with the 84-76 Friday night victory against the Lakeside Lightning.

After winning the first three matches of 2026, the Wolves had lost their past two ahead of hosting the Lightning at Arena Joondalup with Lakeside also trying to avoid a third consecutive defeat.

Scores were all level 16-16 by quarter-time before the Wolfpack put up 27 points to 20 in the second term on the way to leading 43-36 at the main break.

Lakeside fired back with 27 points to 20 in the third period to have scores all square by three quarter-time but the Lightning could never quite grab the lead.

Joondalup hit back with 21 points to 13 in the final term to score the eight-point win to improve to 4-2 on the season.

Sharif Black starred in the win for the Wolfpack with 28 points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals with CJ Turnage adding 17 points, nine boards, four steals and two assists, Jordan Wellsteed 13 points on 3/3 three-point shooting, and Taylor Young 11 points and four assists.

The Lightning are now 2-6 following three straight losses with Michael Imariagbe finishing with 17 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.

Josh Davey added 13 points and 19 rebounds, Liam Patterson 10 points, six assists and five boards, Tyson Kelly nine points and two rebounds, Yahui Sun eight points and three assists, and Corey Shervill eight points, five rebounds and two steals.

SATURDAY

South West Slammers (89) lost to Joondalup Wolves (104)

The Joondalup Wolves backed up their Friday night win with another strong showing to down the South West Slammers 104-89 on Saturday.

Both teams had played on Friday night with the Slammers losing on the road to the Cockburn Cougars with the Wolves winning at home against the Lakeside Lightning.

They both backed up at Eaton Recreation Centre with the Wolfpack starting strongly with 29 points to 21 in the opening term.

It was another 28 points to 19 in the second frame which saw the Wolves in control going into the locker room leading 57-40.

That lead for Joondalup got out to 23 points in the second half before securing the 15-point victory for the double win weekend and to improve to 5-2.

Sharif Black once again showed the way for the Wolves with 26 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals with CJ Turnage contributing 24 points, seven boards and four assists on 11/14 field goal shooting.

Caleb Davis added 18 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks, Taylor Young 15 points, nine assists and six rebounds, and Jordan Wellsteed eight points and eight boards.

The two losses for the Slammers see them slip to 1-7 with Philmon Gebrhiwet finishing with 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and Dante Matakatea 16 points, three steals and two assists.

Pharell Keats added 11 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals, Jhaylon Martinez 11 points, three boards and two assists, Gavin Deacon eight points, four rebounds and two steals, and Devan Craig eight points, three boards, two assists and two steals.

Warwick Senators (81) lost to Rockingham Flames (113)

The Rockingham Flames returned to the scene of their heartbreak last year and got a measure of revenge on the Warwick Senators with the 113-81 victory.

The Senators and Flames played out a classic preliminary final last year at Warwick Stadium with Cooper Creek hitting the three on the buzzer to send Warwick into the Grand Final and end Rockingham's season.

It was back to that scene on Saturday night with both teams coming off Friday night losses with the Senators overrun by the East Perth Eagles and the Flames losing at the buzzer to the Eastern Suns.

As they did on Friday, Warwick made a strong start even in the absence of Cody Ellis, Keegan Phillips, George Pearl and Ben Henshall to lead 29-26 by quarter-time but Rockingham fired up in the second term on the way to the 58-47 lead by the half.

It was then all the Flames from there with 55 points to 34 in the second half on the way to the 32-point victory to improve to 5-2.

Reigning MVP Isaac White produced 29 points and six assists in the win with Michael Harris returning to his former home floor for 20 points, seven assists and four rebounds.

Travis Durnin added 15 points, Ryan Godfrey 13 points, Tevin Jackson 13 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and three steals, and Emmett Naar 11 points, two boards, two assists and two steals.

The Senators are now 2-5 with Will Tschetter providing another 19 points and six rebounds with Billy McRae adding 13 points, six boards and six assists, Brody England 11 points, four rebounds and three assists, and Marshawn Blackmon 11 points, seven boards, four assists and three blocks.

Goldfields Giants (81) lost to Willetton Tigers (112)

A stunning breakout performance from Tim Ibukunoluwa ensured the Willetton Tigers stayed unbeaten with the 112-81 win on the road in Kalgoorlie against the Goldfields Giants.

The Giants were back home at Evolution Mining Stadium having split their first road double last weekend with the Tigers arriving having won all six matches so far of 2026.

It didn’t take Willetton long to be in charge with 28 points to 16 in the first quarter before the lead got out to 22 in the second frame.

Willetton went into half-time leading 58-39 from there before the Tigers delivered another 54 points to 42 in the second half on the way to the eventual 31-point victory.

Willetton are now 7-0 on the back of the win Ibukunoluwa producing a stunning performance with the 18-year-old delivering 28 points, 13 rebounds and two assists on 11/13 field goal shooting while going 2/3 from downtown and 4/6 at the stripe.

Another rising star, Lachlan Burnett, added 19 points, five assists and three rebounds on 5/6 three-point shooting with Bryce Johnson contributing 17 points and six assists, Tom Gerovich 17 points and seven rebounds, and Damien Scott 17 points, six boards, four assists and three steals.

Goldfields are 2-4 with Sam Vinson finishing with 23 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals with Danny Pippen adding 15 points, three boards and two assists.

Nick Shaw also had 14 points and two blocks with 4/6 three-point shooting while Sam Morrow contributed 10 points and Lino Manhom 10 points, 18 rebounds, three blocks and two assists.

Perry Lakes Hawks (101) lost to Perth Redbacks (103)

A spectacular 42-point performance from 21-year-old new import Jack Browder wasn’t quite enough for the Perry Lakes Hawks with Marshall Nelson's 33 points lifting the Perth Redbacks to the thrilling 103-101 win.

The two teams did battle at Bendat Basketball Centre with Perry Lakes looking to continue the momentum from two wins last weekend following the arrival of imports Browder and Isaiah Moses.

The Redbacks were attempting to bounce back from a loss to the Goldfields Giants and the two teams combined for 59 points in the first term with Perth up 30-29 after one.

Perry Lakes then got rolling with Browder showing the way in the second frame with 28 points to 17 on the way to leading 57-47.

The Hawks led by as much as 12 but the Redbacks responded with a 13-0 scoring run and with their 32 points in the third quarter, the Hawks lead was back to two by three quarter-time.

A huge three from Nelson followed up by a bucket to Luke Phillips and free throws to Nelson saw the Redbacks open up a six-point lead with two minutes to play, and they hold on from there for the two-point win.

The Redbacks improve to 3-3 with the win with Nelson delivering 33 points, six rebounds, four steals, three assists and two blocks with 4/7 three-point shooting and going 9/9 at the foul line.

Sean Conway also had 19 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, Nick Floyd 14 points, six boards and three assists against his former team, Luke Phillips 13 points and 10 rebounds also on his old home floor, and Isaac Etter 11 points and six assists.

The Hawks are now 3-4 with Browder spectacular in his third game out of college with 42 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals with 20/21 free-throw shooting.

Cam Huefner added 27 points and 10 rebounds, Isaiah Moses 14 points, four boards and four assists, and Max Bucknell eight points and five rebounds.

Geraldton Buccaneers (87) lost to Mandurah Magic (97)

Liam Hunt and Verle Williams did all they possibly could for the Geraldton Buccaneers but they were overwhelmed with the troops on board for the Mandurah Magic as they scored first win of the season 97-87.

Geraldton were looking to avoid losing back-to-back home games for the first time since 2021 but that was going to be a tall order with Joshua Keyes and Cooper Creek still yet to arrive for 2026, and with Devondrick Walker and Josh Banks out of the line-up.

It was the opposite story for Mandurah who have been playing shorthanded all season for six losses but Jock Perry, Lachlan Bertram and Ryan Blanchett welcomed in Matt Kenyon last week, and now were joined for the first time by Michael Dupree and Michael Christmas.

That six-man rotation ended up delivering Mandurah their first win of the season but not without Hunt and Williams putting in warrior-like performances for the Buccs as they combined for 62 of their team's 87 points and taking 35 of their 69 shot attempts, and 21 of the 27 free throws.

Big man Perry and little man Bertram had been doing a power of work all season along with Blanchett in his first season with the Magic and after two championships with the Buccaneers.

He made his first return to Geraldton on Saturday night and the Magic opened up a 10-point lead by quarter-time with Dupree and Christmas struggling for five points on 1/9 shooting, but Bertram scoring 10 points.

That lead was back out to 13 in the second quarter for Mandurah but Geraldton hit back before half-time with Williams going into the break on 24 points while Hunt already had 11 and 14 rebounds.

Mandurah were still leading 53-48 by half-time before the Magic pushed out to 13 again by three quarter-time and then 17 early in the fourth, but the Buccs have such belief no matter the situation and they fired back.

Geraldton got back within five points a couple of times late including after a pair of free throws from Hunt with 45 seconds left, but they couldn’t quite get closer.

The Magic held on to win by 10 and improve to 1-6 and they will now try to build some momentum from here.

Bertram finished with 24 points, seven rebounds and four assists for Mandurah with 4/6 three-point shooting with Perry delivering 24 points and seven rebounds also going 4/9 from downtown.

Dupree delivered 18 points, five assists, four steals and three rebounds first up while Christmas contributed 15 points, six boards, two assists and two steals, and Kenyon seven points, 14 rebounds and six assists.

Geraldton are now 3-2 on the season after losing consecutive home games for the first time since they had a rough year in 2021.

Hunt finished the game with 31 points, 19 rebounds, five assists and two blocks on 10/16 shooting from the field, 3/6 from downtown and 8/10 at the foul line.

Williams then also delivered 31 points, eight assists, five rebounds and two steals with 8/19 shooting from the floor, 5/12 from beyond the arc and 10/11 at the stripe.

New import Matthew Norman had 11 points and three assists despite 1/10 three-point shooting with Mat Wundenberg playing 34 minutes and producing nine points, 10 rebounds and three assists in the 548th game of his career.