West Wrap | Women's Anzac Round

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Mikayla Pivec, Georgia Adams, Ella Averill, Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard, Sam Ashby, Sarah Mortensen, Stacey Barr and Sierra Moore were among the stars leading their NBL1 West teams to Anzac Round wins while the Willetton Tigers made it a double.

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FRIDAY

Willetton Tigers (77) defeated South West Slammers (74)

The Willetton Tigers survived a late scare with the South West Slammers scoring the last six points of the game to hold on and score the 77-74 home victory.

The Tigers were back home at Willetton Basketball Stadium coming off their first win of the season against the Mandurah Magic with the Slammers arriving and hunting their second win as well.

South West made a flying start with 30 points to 14 in the first quarter and would end up leading by 20 in the second frame on the back of a 13-0 scoring run, but then Willetton managed to work back into the contest.

The Tigers were then in control leading 77-68 with just over two minutes to play before things got interesting with the Slammers scoring the next six points only for Willetton to hold on for the three-point win to improve to 2-3.

Emma Gandini was outstanding once more for Willetton with 15 points, eight rebounds, seven steals and four assists despite only shooting 4/16.

Reigning Grand Final MVP Ruby Porter added 15 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two assists, Remy Hearn 12 points and four assists, and Ella Murdoch 11 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocked shots.

The Slammers are now 1-4 after the loss with Marshaun Bostic putting up another 22 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Bri Bailey added 15 points and six assists, Hana Lacey-Rameka 10 points, 10 rebounds and two assists, and Javene Fitch 10 points and 10 boards in her 101st appearance.

Lakeside Lightning (57) lost to Kalamunda Eastern Suns (78)

The Eastern Suns backed up their first win of the season with another strong showing on Friday night to beat the Lakeside Lightning 78-57.

The Suns broke through to beat the South West Slammers last Friday night as they took on the Lightning at Lakeside Recreation Centre a week later.

It was a horror start to the game even at home for Lakeside with just the four points in the first quarter with Kalamunda putting up 18 and then even with the Lightning scoring 26 in the second frame, the Suns were still up 37-30 by half-time.

It was then all the Eastern Suns with 41 to 27 in the second half on the way to the 21-point victory to improve to a 2-3 record.

Ella Averill starred in the win for Kalamunda with 27 points and six rebounds on 13/20 shooting with Gaby Bronson delivering 15 points and six boards, Alyssa Bowen 11 points and six rebounds, and Emma Strelein nine points and two boards.

The Lightning are now 3-3 with Esme Morales finishing with 12 points, three steals and two assists, Regan Turnour-McCarty 11 points, six rebounds and two steals, and Sam Lubcke eight points and nine rebounds.

Rockingham Flames (84) lost to Mandurah Magic (86)

The Mandurah Magic have the utmost belief no matter the situation against the Rockingham Flames which was on full show coming back from 19 points down with Mikayla Pivec brilliant with a triple-double and Georgia Adams' game of her life in the 86-84 win.

The cards were certainly stacked coming into the contest at Mike Barnett Sports Complex against the Flames for the Magic with both Claire and Mia Jacobs unavailable along with Emma Klasztorny still being sidelined along with Erin Antosh.

That was somewhat offset with the first appearance of the season of Pivec, but still they were on the road to a Rockingham team having won three straight.

Rockingham then built a 19-point lead during the second quarter to be in control and still up 12 midway through the third period.

That's when Mandurah dug deep and scored the last 10 points of the third quarter and overall outscored the Flames 35 to 21 from the moment they were down 12 with Georgia Adams hitting the two biggest shots in the biggest performance of her 60-game career.

She hit a huge three that put Mandurah in front with a minute to play and then responded to a Morrell bucket to score the game winner on the dime from new arrival Pivec that gave her a triple-double and the Magic got the stunning win against the odds to improve to 3-2.

Pivec delivered a triple-double consisting of 21 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, three steals and two blocked shots.

Then there was the breakout performance from Adams who delivered 25 points and eight rebounds on 10/15 shooting from the floor and 3/4 from downtown.

Jade Gowland also had 16 points and eight rebounds, and Sharn Hayward 15 points and four assists.

Rockingham are now 3-2 following a loss they will be kicking themselves over with Teige Morrell finishing with 20 points, 16 rebounds and two assists on 9/14 shooting.

Amy Atwell ended up with 19 points, 10 rebounds and four assists with Stef Berberabe contributing 15 points, four boards, three assists and two steals.

New import Sara Puckett was having a significant impact with 11 points, four rebounds and three assists before fouling out.

ANZAC DAY

Kalamunda Eastern Suns (73) lost to Willetton Tigers (82)

The Eastern Suns put up 36 points in the first quarter chasing a third straight win but the Willetton Tigers took over from there to make it three in-a-row themselves with the 82-73 victory.

Both teams came into the annual Anzac Day clash at Ray Owen Sports Centre having won two straight after starting their seasons with three consecutive defeats.

They then combined for a stunning first quarter with 67 points between them and the Suns leading 36-31, but the Tigers took over with 28 points to 11 in the second frame on the way to the eventual nine-point victory.

Willetton now sit on a 3-3 record with Ruby Porter putting up 23 points, four assists, four steals and three rebounds, and Emma Calvert 22 points, 15 boards, five assists and three blocks.

Emma Gandini delivered another 11 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals, and Carla Drennan eight points, four boards and three assists.

The Eastern Suns are now 2-4 with Gaby Bronson top-scoring with 15 points, eight assists, four rebounds and three steals.

Alyssa Bowen also had 14 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and two blocks, Emma Strelein 13 points, seven steals and six boards, and Yume Knoll nine points and three boards.

 

Warwick Senators (94) defeated Joondalup Wolves (79)

Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard knocked down eight triples and scored 30 points to fire the Warwick Senators to the 94-79 win at home on Anzac Day against the Joondalup Wolves.

It was the first Battle of Joondalup for 2026 at Warwick Stadium, both teams came into the clash in winning form with Warwick bouncing back from a first loss with the Wolves scoring their first victory.

The hot shooting from the Senators all night that was the difference with Clinch Hoycard showing the way.

Warwick landed six threes as a team in the first quarter, two more in the second, five in the third and another five in the fourth to end up going 18/37 for the game opposed to just 6/21 from the Wolves on the way to the 15-point victory.

It was a night out for Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard to win the Anzac Medal as she continues her career at the Senators on the back of a WNBL season at the Geelong Venom.

She put up 30 points with seven rebounds, two assists and two steals on the back of knocking down 8/11 from three-point territory.

Chloe Forster added another 18 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals, Jayda Clark 16 points, seven boards and seven assists, and Kyana Weir 16 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals.

The Wolfpack might now be 1-4 after the loss but they continue to show enough signs that when everything clicks with the talent they have, they are going to be quite a threat the longer the season goes.

Asianae Johnson finished with another 25 points, six rebounds and three assists on 11/15 field goal shooting.

Kim Pierre-Louis also had 24 points, six rebounds and two assists, and Awatea Leach 11 points, six assists and three boards.

Perth Redbacks (93) defeated Goldfields Giants (79)

The Perth Redbacks scored their first win of the season without the heroics of Anneli Maley with Sam Ashby putting up 30 points in the 93-79 home win against the Goldfields Giants.

The Redbacks hosted the Giants on Anzac Day at Belmont Oasis with both teams chasing a second win of the season with Perth starting well to lead 28-22 by quarter-time.

The Redbacks continued to build on that lead with it growing to 11 points in the second frame, 18 in the third and 19 in the fourth before they secured the 14-point victory to improve to a 2-3 record.

Sam Ashby was the start in the win for Perth with 30 points, six rebounds, three steals and two assists with Olivia Berry adding 15 points, two boards and two assists.

Shenae Hartree also had 14 points, three rebounds and two assists, Mya Dimanlig 11 points and five boards, and Aimee Borchet 10 points, six rebounds and two blocks on 5/6 field goal shooting.

The Giants started their first road double of the season with a loss to slip to 1-2 with Sierra Moore putting up 27 points, four rebounds and two assists, and fellow import Delaynie Byrne 26 points, 11 boards and two blocked shots.

East Perth Eagles (97) defeated Perry Lakes Hawks (84)

The East Perth Eagles responded to their first loss of the season by hitting back at home on Anzac Day with Stacey Barr and Sarah Mortensen combining for 43 points and 17 rebounds in the 97-84 win over the Perry Lakes Hawks.

The Hawks arrived at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre trying to build some momentum into their season and started well to be up six at quarter-time and stretching that advantage to 12 in the second frame.

East Perth responded to be leading 47-40 by half-time and then went on with the job from there in the second half for the 13-point victory to improve to a 4-1 record despite having lost Jasmin Fejo for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Barr delivered 25 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Eagles with Mortensen enjoying her first home game at her new club with a win by putting up 18 points and nine boards.

It was a breakout performance as well from Jo Odude with 17 points and 14 rebounds with Sydney Wright adding 14 points and four assists, Brooke Malone 11 points, six rebounds and four steals, and Jade Williams 10 points and five boards.

Perry Lakes slip to 1-3 to start the season with Bridgette Rettstatt providing another 19 points and 18 rebounds with Maddy Zugna adding 18 points, three boards and two assists, Mia Bailey 18 points and three assists, and Emilie Beggs 10 points and six assists.

SUNDAY

Perry Lakes Hawks (65) lost to Goldfields Giants (89)

Goldfields Giants duo Delaynie Byrne and Sierra Moore combined for 44 points and 22 rebounds to lead them to a first road win of the season with a dominant second half to beat Perry Lakes Hawks 89-65.

Both teams were looking to respond to Anzac Day defeats with the Hawks going down to the East Perth Eagles while the Giants lost to the Perth Redbacks in their first road game of 2026.

It was a tight battle through the first half with the Giants up by three at quarter-time and by four at the half, but the visitors took over from there outscoring Perry Lakes 44 points to 24 in the second half to win by 24 and improve to 2-2 in the process.

The Giants return home having split their first double-header road trip for the season and their import duo delivering standout performances to offer a glimpse of what they will be capable throughout 2026.

Moore provided another 24 points, 11 rebounds, five steals and three assists on 10/18 shooting from the floor with Bryne delivering 20 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks with 7/8 free-throw shooting and pulling down six offensive boards.

Lexi Pana chimed in with 15 points and five assists as well with Chloe Zorzi contributing 14 points on 6/9 field goal shooting, and Rachel Pettit nine points with four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

The Hawks are now 1-4 to open the season but again you couldn’t question the work ethic of Bridgette Rettstatt who had another 14 points, 12 rebounds and two assists.

Mia Bailey added 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists, Ellie Newman eight points and two assists, Maddy Zugna eight points and four boards, and Mila Wawszkowicz seven points, six rebounds and five assists.