By Sam Phillips
Forestville Eagles 77 | South Adelaide Panthers 56

Forestville have confirmed their place in this year’s final series, outclassing South Adelaide especially after half time, winning 77-56 on Saturday night.

Olivia Thompson set the tempo early, picking up the first two baskets for the home side. South Adelaide did look up for the challenge, with Claire Dunsmore moving the ball well and providing a couple of crucial assists to get the Panthers going. Teresa Kinross and Ieva Nagy scored consecutive three pointers and looked like they might be a handful for the Eagles to contain.  

Forestville’s pressure grew however and caused turnovers from South, including a rare backcourt violation as the ball carrier was double and even triple teamed at times. The game was up for the taking, the Eagles by just three points at quarter time. 

Thompson and Nagy picked up where they left off, scoring the first basket for their respective sides to start the second. The former was also dominant under the ring, collecting an important 8 rebounds in the first half, allowing Forestville to gather momentum and get their passing game into action. Sam Defrancesco was also busy for Forestville, with 10 points for the half.

Maddie Cunningham provided a nice highlight for South midway during the term, skillfully keeping the ball in play before completing a solo layup. She followed it up with another basket, but it was the Eagles who had stretched their lead to 11 at the main break, 36-25.

In a largely even quarter, South Adelaide pushed back hard against Forestville but were unable to make significant inroads into their healthy lead. Thompson had another 8 rebounds for the quarter and was ably assisted by Ruby Luders who pulled down some strong boards. For all South’s effort, a Defrancesco three in the dying seconds had extended the lead by 2 at the last change.

South began to tire in the last, losing some of their passing game, seeing them forced into taking low percentage shots. This was also due to the continual pressure Forestville exerted, closing up open lanes to the basket. Panthers Coach, Vikki Kelson was animated and called for more effort from her players, despite their predicament both on the ladder and in the game at hand. South’s effort did pick up, but as the heat left the match, Forestville continued to increase their lead.

Thompson was once again dominant, as the fan favourite was best across the night with 24 points and 20 rebounds. Juliet Gordon had some good moments in the last, forcing a turnover and capitalising on an easy layup. Sam Defrancesco was also very good, especially from outside the arc, with 3 three pointers and 21 points.

With a finals spot now sown up, Forestville’s last round match against Sturt will be good preparation as they push for a shot at the title.

Round 21: Saturday, 13 August at 6:30pm
Sturt Sabres v Forestville Eagles @ Pasadena
Norwood Flames v South Adelaide @ Mars