Day 5
Day 5 - Match Reports
Women Game 69
ACT 37 lost to VIC Metro 78
As expected for this time of the week the intensity is lifting, and despite Vic Metro being 5-0 ACT were not going to hand over an undefeated run, and very much were looking to get the win to add to their 3-1 standing. This being said, Vic Metro’s Magbegor went to work against the smaller ACT team and racked up 10 rebounds and 12 points by the half time break. And as much as ACT tried to shut down the inside scoring for VIC metro, poor position resulted with Vic Metro going to the foul line and fortunately for ACT Magbegor was less successful from this position, but still was a big contributor to the half time lead of 22 over ACT.
ACT continued their endeavour in the second half with ball pressure but the experienced Vic Metro were able to find the open player and secure the score. With the game still competitive, you could tell that Vic Metro were starting to concentrate on their defence creating 17 turnovers from ACT by the games end of the game. Vic Metro now go through undefeated.
Statistical leaders
C.Bourne 3 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists (ACT)
R.Schweizer 8 points and 7 rebounds (ACT)
E.Magbegor 16 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks (VICM)
K.Tessari 12 points and 3 assists (VICM)
Women Game 70
SA Metro 42 defeated NSW Metro 39
With these teams sitting on the same Win/Loss, the winner of this game would likely determine who finishes top of the pool. And from the outset it was a high standard game. Scores within a point for most of the first half, it was a game that saw the lead change several times. Simons and Lehmann stood up for SA Metro early, against NSW’s Robinson and Carroll.
Scores were tough to find in the second half with NSW making good use of their on ball screens to get scores, where SA Metro were looking for points off the break. The final quarter saw the teams still going hard it. SA Metro using structure to work the ball around to shift the man defence, and working the shot clock down under the control of Lehmann. Very much a game played in the half court NSW ball movement against SA saw some great inside seals but when SA defence collapsed, made the score difficult, and outside shot options had dried up. NSW were doing what they could to slow the clock in the final minutes, but time and shooting was not in their favour and SA Metro held their nerve to see out a 3 point win and finish the round 5 and 1.
Statistical leaders
D.Rees 7 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks (SAM)
S.Simons 9 points, 3 steals and 3 blocks (SAM)
L.Marov 9 points, 3 blocks and 6 rebounds (NSWM)
J.Robinson 8 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists (NSWM)
Men Game 71
SA Country 74 defeated WA Country 60
A game that ebbed and flowed. SA Country got away early, only to go to a zone and allow WA Country some free open triples. WA Country took the opportunity, nailing some massive shots going into the half time while SA Country looked flustered. The third quarter began very scrappy, SA Country turning the ball over but WA Country couldn’t finish off to make it worth their while. The last quarter was back to a high standard. Both teams hitting shots, with SA Country ball movement against WA Country zone a highlight. Some clutch shots down the stretch secured the win for the SA group, sending them into the top eight for the week. Meanwhile WA Country have to back up this afternoon in a crucial game to determine who goes top four in the pool against ACT.
Statistical leaders
K.Matthews-Hampton 29 points, 10 rebounds and 5 steals (SAC)
L.Munzberg 14 points and 7 rebounds (SAC)
J.Falco 16 points, 2 assists and 3 steals (WAC)
J.Murray 16 points and 2 steals (WAC)
Men Game 72
QLD South 66 lost to New Zealand 75
QLD South had their hands full with the NZ bigs, like so many teams have this week. NZ were able to keep QLD scoreless in the first 3 minutes giving them a 7 point lead, which they took into the first break.
In the second term both teams relied on interior play, like the first, but NZ was not finishing off, and were causing turnovers, and four minutes went without a score, which provided the opportunity for QLD South to find their feet and peel back the lead eventually taking a 2 point lead into the half time break. NZ came out of the half time break fired up, and held QLD South to a 7 minute period without a score, giving them an 11 point lead, with Naboa being given a rest in the last three minutes of the term, QLD South were able to score eleven points and go into the third term break 4 points down.
The 4th term, QLD South unable to reduce the gap any further, resorted to half court pressing, and with good defensive rotation, they forced NZ to hand the ball over, making a difference to the scoreline but not enough to stop NZ entirely, and the only thing separating the teams on the stats sheet would be the shooting percentage, which with NZ height, they had a clear advantage with inside the key. The loss will hurt QLD South as they are now going to be in a two way tie for four place in their pool.
Statistical leaders
T.Fullarton 16 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists (QLDS)
N.Stoddart 29 points and 5 rebounds (QLDS)
S.Waardenburg 22 points and 12 rebounds (NZ)
U.Naboa 14 points and 4 assists (NZ)
Women Game 73
Northern Territory 62 lost to Vic Country 71
Getting out to an 18 point lead at one point the NT girls took Vic Country by surprise and made full use of their zone to limit the scoring options of Vic Country in the first half. Vic country took a considerable time to find their game and went to work late in the 2nd quarter continuing into the third where the margin narrowed. Finding their form from the 3 point line the NT zone was not able stop, and defensively fell into their own zone to reduce NT’s ability to convert points by forcing NT into an outside game.
Vic Country secured the lead half way through the third term with some heavy pressing and quick transition and whilst the game was in the balance, Vic Country looked to have more control about their game and got over the line with the win leaving NT unrewarded for their exceptional effort and start.
Statistical leaders
A.Walsh 13 points and 8 rebounds (NT)
A.Cubillo 26 points, 6 assists and 3 steals (NT)
C.D’Angelo 10 points and 9 rebounds (VICC)
T.Wynne 20 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists (VICC)
Women Game 74
New Zealand 48 lost to NSW Country 78
NSW Country got into a comfortable lead in the game, extending into full court defence and ball pressure in the half court forcing poor shot selection and successfully keeping NZ off the boards. NZ looked to have lost some spark into the third quarter offensively with scores hard to come by. There was still some good defensive stops in the NZ zone however, failing to keep NSW off the boards was costly, that is, when NSW were not dropping exterior shots.
NSW’s defensive pressure pushed NZ, causing a head ache both for shot selection and the control of their offence, evident from the statistics where NZ outshot NSW inside the perimeter but were not able to convert having only a 26% conversion, and even less from the three point line. The telling tale for NSW is their finish off from turnovers, with both teams achieving the same number of turnovers, NSW managed 19 points against NZ 4. NSW were always a very good outfit and NZ could have made it closer, but a third quarter fade out ended their chances. And NSW Country make it a 5-1.
Statistical leaders
A.Russell 8 points, 14 rebounds and 2 assists (NZ)
N.Ruske 10 points, 2 assists and 2 steals (NZ)
C.McLean 20 points 7 rebounds and 3 assists (NSWC)
B.Khoury 13 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals (NSWC)
Men Game 75
Northern Territory 47 lost to Vic Country 75
Vic Country took off in the right direction with a score in the first 9 seconds of the game. Of course that didn’t Victoria got away with every score as quickly, but with a steady zone from the NT Victoria struggled to get inside the key to put shots up and forced Victoria to look at perimeter shooting enabling rebound opportunities for Victoria’s Matthew Johns.
Teamwork was the key for Victoria seeing them run the shot-clock down with multiple passes waiting for the right shot. NT applied a 3-2 zone which put the pressure on the Victorian, but true to form, they would keep finding the gaps and feeding the ball to bigs Matthew Johns and Lukas Essenwanger. Victoria fell into a high 2-3 zone making NT run their shot-clock down, using multiple passes in what is now a regular scene of disciplined basketball from the Territorians, unfortunately this didn’t mean they would make the shots at the end of it. As the game extended, the NT adjusted to the Victorian zone defence and confidently took the outside shots.
Even with the perimeter shots NT just couldn’t pull back the hard lead this efficient operating Victorian team set at the start of them game. This now sees Victoria Country go 4 and 2, and securing their spot in the crossovers to the big game.
Statistical leaders
M.Rowse 25 points, 2 assists and 2 steals (NT)
W.McClay 3 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists (NT)
M.Vekic 14 points, 14 rebounds and 3 assists (VICC)
L.Essenwanger 14 points and 12 rebounds (VICC)
Women Game 76
SA Country 67 defeated WA Metro 52
The SA Country girls are now top eight bound after a comfortable win over WA Metro. It was a tight opening quarter that saw both sides trade baskets, but it was SA Country who pulled away in the second quarter with suffocating defence and running the break well, and making some good outside shots to boost their confidence. WA Metro were struggling to land shots and gave up several turnovers and this was the gap SA Country. SA’s McKay was too athletic in the full court for WA Metro defence. WA’s Kilsura and Fisher came out firing in the third quarter but SA Country were able to settle and continue to build the on the margin they had created. WA Metro condemned to 0-6 for the pool rounds and will be looking to find success in their remaining games.
Statistical Leaders
T.Gray 18 points (SAC)
B.McKay 19 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists (SAC)
R.Kilsura 17 points and 8 rebounds (WAM)
R.Benn 8 points and 4 rebounds (WAM)
Men Game 77
Tasmania 50 defeated QLD North 49
With both teams seated on one win a piece, it would be hard to say how the game would turn out. QLD North with their good interior game and strength in penetration, against a Tasmanian team exploring versions of dribble drive with a drive and dish.
QLD North had the lead going into the first quarter but Tasmania outscored QLD North in the 2nd quarter and took a 2 point lead into the half time break. The chase was then on with QLD North being outscored in the third also. Neither team showed great range outside the key, nor the intensity of the man defence from both teams saw them being more confident of putting the ball to the floor to find gaps but making baskets was costly to both, as demonstrated in the field goal percentage of 30%.
Towards the end of the game it was Tasmania who were holding on for life, with QLD making their run at the 5 minute mark to peel back the 7 point lead, they held Tasmania from a scoring spree but just couldn’t convert in the half court with several missed shots and passing turnovers, they were given every chance.
Statistical leaders
B.Boag 11 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists (TAS)
K.Paul 7 points, 21 rebounds and 5 assists (TAS)
S.Froling 23 points and 14 rebounds (QLDN)
M.McGaughey 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals (QLDN)
Men Game 78
Vic Metro 75 defeated NSW Metro 62
This could be a preview to the grand final game for the championship, so the competitive forces were going to be hard at work here. Vic Metro were going to need to take care of sharp guards to ensure success. Taking a 0-6 hit in the first few minutes, NSW Metro switched their defence. Their focus of ball pressure was intense but being clean about it, not wanting to see the game won and lost in the foul line.
New South Wales' Elkaz put the first points on the board for his team, and that got the ball rolling. Vic metro made their next break away in the third with a 10-0 run, scoring from everywhere including punishing New South for their lapses in defence putting VIc Metro on the line. New Sales Metro continued with their zone in defence hoping to get stops and transfer in to points in transition from turnovers and steals.
Against Vic Metros man, New South Wales were scoring but it was going point for point and there wasn't a convincing gap to keep either team safe. Finally in the fourth, Vic Metro lifted again and took a gap of under ten and pushed it out to create the final winning margin of 13 points.
Statistical leaders
P.Bines 24 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists (VICM)
M.Barry 18 points, 5 rebounds and 5 steals (VICM)
J.Green 11 points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal (NSWM)
A.Waban 10 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists (NSWM)
Men Game 79
NSW Country 62 defeated SA Metro 56
SA Metro started the game strong, desperate for the win to lock in their position in the top 4. They got off to a 7-0 lead and at the 6 minute mark when NSW finally dropped their first points SA didn’t know what hit them, causing a combination of turnovers and fouls, the momentum changed and SA went five minutes without a score against an instance NSW team. The second quarter saw SA really struggle to land any outside scores, similar to the NSW team, but they were at the least looking interior for them to make their baskets and it worked, enabling NSW to take their lead into the break with them.
In the second half SA Metro delivered a press, which failed to slow the ball down but they were a little more effective in their half court zone creating poor shot options for the New South Wales team. NSW stopped the scoring for SA for a three minute period which was a catalyst in the team putting on a few extra points and outscoring SA by 6. NSW took this lead into the break and extended it to 11 at one point but took home the win.
Statistical leaders
W.Howell 17 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists (NSWC)
J.Rauch 11 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals (NSWC)
D.Crook 14 points and 6 rebounds 9 (SAM)
M.Squire 10 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists (SAM)
Women Game 80
Tasmania 73 defeated QLD South 50
A fairly even contest at the start of the game, with 11 all at quarter time and neither team too successful from the outside. Tas continued to look to their exterior into the second quarter while QLD South shut down and focused only inside, with Tas taking 12 shots to QLD Souths 21, but having a higher percentage of makes, the scoreline was heading in Tasmania’s direction. From third quarter, Tasmania fell into a zone and this further limited QLD options from there as they were unsuccessful outside the key. The game was locked in by the end of the third with 23 point gap, which was never closed.
Statistical leaders
T.Mole 20 points, 7 rebounds & 3 assists (TAS)
R.Abel 14 points, 7 rebounds & 6 steals (TAS)
I.Parker 13 points, 4 rebounds and 1 steal (QLDS)
J.Fuiava 12 points and 7 rebounds (QLDS)
Women Game 81
QLD North 49 lost to ACT 73
A close matched game with both teams having the lead at different times QLD North came in as the underdog with ACT needing the win to secure their berth in the top 4. ACT came out of the blocks hard with a 5 point lead, but QLD were able to turn that around in the 2nd term outscoring them by 6 points to take it to a 1 point ball game. With QLD applying a zone, it seemed to suit the ACT unit who made effective use of their ball movement and bigs to get open looks, sealing the defence to get passes inside the key. The zone might have seemed like a good idea given the ACT shooting outside the key was not great.
QLD were lucky a few times in their offensive end, with screens that were ineffective to get penetration but a poor responding ACT man defence still gave them the opportunities to get shots off. QLD simply had no patience about them and forced up shots that weren’t there. A really great story for ACT to get this scalp and finish the pool games 4-2.
Statistical leaders
E.Hutchinson 14 points and 6 rebounds (QLDN)
J.Reichhold 5 points, 4 rebounds & 1 assist (QLDN)
I.Bourne 18 points, 4 assists and 4 blocks (ACT)
R.Schweizer 12 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists (ACT)
Men Game 82
WA Country 47 lost to ACT 72
There was desperation all over this game. WA Country wanting to get another win on the board, but for ACT it was about securing a place in the top 4 – and not leaving it to chance. The team were going for point for point in the first quarter with little inside scoring playing a role, and this carried over to the second quarter where both teams were heavy on their interior scoring, either from the penetration or the rebounds.
It was the third quarter that broke the game open and allowed ACT to show they controlled what was going to happen at the end, holding to just 5 points with a fairly intense man mixed with some press action, enabling them to cause WA turnovers, and convert into transition points. Like their women’s team ACT showed more control in their game, knowing when to use transition scoring or work the ball to give them the best scoring option. Their agility also helped their offensive rebounding where they secured more than half their boards in the offensive end. WA Country have some great athletes, but ACT are just that little more refined in their game and well deserving of their place in the top four.
Statistical Leaders
D.Ballantyne 7 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists (WAC)
J.Falco 11 points and 3 rebounds (WAC)
A.Ophel 19 points and 13 rebounds (ACT)
G.Morison 6 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks (ACT)
Women Game 83
WA Country 61 lost to Northern Territory 62
The NT were hungrier than a crocodile in the dry season for this win, and they made sure the WA Country girls were aware of it, with an aggressive approach to the basket. This sometimes backfired on the team, NT got into a good position by mid-way in third term, with a 12 point lead after trading baskets prior to that.
And it was with a team effort that WA found their spark, and with three minutes to go in the third team the NT relinquished the lead to WA who seemed to be playing a much more controlled game. NT were giving up the ball off missed shots and fumbled plays, allowing WA Country transition options which they swiftly converted, and suddenly WA were dictating the terms of play.
The lead changed a few times towards the end but it WA were still in control of the play. WA held a 1 point lead with 30 seconds, but the win was still up for grabs and a turnover by the WA girls with 13 seconds to go gave NT a chance to win the game. A strategically called timeout was all it took, and a basket by Stanislaus, gave the NT the lead by 1, with five seconds to play and WA Country were unable to get a return basket, bringing NT their much sought after win.
Statistical lead
C.Anderson 18 points, 24 rebounds and 1 assist (WAC)
T.Sears 17 points, 11 rebounds and 5 steals (WAC)
F.Swan 16 points, 9 rebounds and 6 steals (NT)
A.Cubillo 16 points, 7 assists, 6 steals (NT)
Men Game 84
New Zealand 70 defeated WA Metro 36
The way the game started you would have thought it was a grand final with the noise coming off the court suggesting that this was this big time. WA struggled early to get past the big hands and bodies of NZ who were playing a zone. NZ put their bigs to work against the quicker WA team, securing a solid 14 point lead by the first break.
WA coming up against a NZ zone in the half court into the second quarter, could not get past McCrae who was efficient on the rebound and being a big body between player and the basket. His defensive rebounds gave his guards opportunity to run. The scoreline at half time was not huge, as WA Metro had made an attempt to peel back the lead, coming back from 16 to 12 at the half. However by third quarter the game was all over and the gap was 20 points at the third break, extending further by games end.
Statistical leaders
Q.Clinton 14 points, 2 assists and 1 steal (NZ)
S. Waardenburg 10 points and 7 rebounds (NZ)
G.Ansey 8 points and 2 assists (WAM)
B.Martin 7 points and 3 rebounds (WAM)
