By Benito Carbone (@_DavidCarbone)

Woodville Warriors 68 | West Adelaide Bearcats 59

A barnstorming final-quarter performance from Nelson Kirksey and his Woodville Warriors saw the St Clair side battle back from a 10-point three-quarter time deficit to record their 11^th win of the season over the West Adelaide Bearcats on Saturday night.

The match was a fantastic display of defensive effort from both teams. This was showcased by the Warriors side, a team known for their offensive depth, scoring just 40 points in the first three terms. The home side managed to open the floodgates with a 28-point final period, as the tiring Bearcats cracked under intense pressure and a vocal opposition crowd. Kirksey starred for the hosts, collecting 28 points, 12 rebounds and a match-high 5 steals. Darren Ng, his partner-in-crime, struggled at times but came to life in the second half, recording 15 points while teammate Stanbridge managed 10 and 13 boards. For West Adelaide, Tom Kubank made his presence known under the ring, gathering 15 rebounds and 9 points. Demetrius Perkins started brilliantly but faded to finish with 12 points and 2 blocks, while Braithwaite utilised his shooting ability to manage 17 points.

It was evident early that the Bearcats, and particularly Perkins, had arrived at St Clair ready to play. The American import forced Kirksey into a missed three-point attempt with great body-on-body defence before sinking a triple over the Woodville star’s head on the very next move. Perkins also laid claim to play of the night soon after. Kicking it off with a whirlwind rejection of Maiorana’s layup, the Ohio State product ran the ball up the court and controlled, before unleashing an electrifying dunk and one over the Warriors defence to send shockwaves through a visibly impressed Woodville crowd. The Bearcats reached quarter-time 8 points to the good, before a rapid start from the Warriors saw them score 9 consecutive points. A strong three-point play from Truslove restored their lead and when Braithwaite released consecutive triples late in the term, West Adelaide had gained a useful margin over the home side. Continuous rabid defending allowed the visitors to muster a huge 16-point unanswered streak in that term, with the half-time margin at 15 points.

An early maximum from Kubank extended the Bearcats’ lead but the coach’s son was exposed seconds after by a huge block from Miller. The 3^rd term continued to be a quarter of push and shove but a late three from the Warriors captain closed the West Adelaide lead to 10 points entering the final quarter. The home crowd anticipated a Warriors fightback and a superb layup and one from Kirksey began the revival. A clean jump shot from the American closed the gap to three points, before Ng’s basket from the perimeter brought the margin to a solitary point. The hosts continued to rebound fiercely and with 3:39 on the clock, the Warriors levelled scores at 57 apiece. A dazzling layup over Bearcats veteran Truslove from Kirksey gave Woodville the lead, before the Warriors import landed an incredible buzzer-beating triple under pressure to send his side 7 points up with just 1:05 left. West Adelaide failed to create any sort of comeback, with the hosts securing an intense 9-point win off the back of a 28-9 final term.

After the match, Warriors star Nelson Kirksey had this to say, about the extraordinary final term, as well as his effort and the upcoming match against stragglers South Adelaide.

“Definitely our defence (turned it around). There’s no other way to put it. Our defence (and rebounding) got us the court and allowed us to take quality shots.

“I was able to help my team out as much as I can. It was such a good win for us and a great team effort, I’m pleased with how we played.

‘We’ll see on Monday, we’ll get to practice and discuss it. On any given night you can give up one so we’ll go back, prepare and get ready to play them.”

Kirksey was also confident when discussing the upcoming finals series.

“Right now we’re playing good enough (to win the title). We still have areas to keep working on, but I feel good about our chances. As long as we keep grinding and keep doing what we do, then good things will come out of it.”

Despite the disheartening loss, the Bearcats are still at 8-7 and are just one game from the 5^th seeded Forestville Eagles, who they play next week in a potential mini-final.

Round 16: Saturday, 9 July at 8:15pm

Woodville Warriors v South Adelaide Panthers @ St Clair

West Adelaide Bearcats v Forestville Eagles @ Port Adelaide