South Adelaide Panthers Vs North Adelaide Rockets

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 10 MAY | MARION
OFFICIALS: V Devlin & R Rochford

In the Match of the Round, the Rockets will be aiming to extend their lead for second place when they visit the Panthers.

The Rockets’ 6-1 record has them one game above the 5-2 Panthers. While a win would put the Panthers into a tie for a top two spot, a loss could see them drop back out of the top three, should Sturt and/or Forestville win.

Last week, the Rockets demolished Centrals 87-46, allowing their squad players to see some extended action. The core of Shannon McKay (15 points, 4 rebounds), Jo Hill (14 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals) and Jamie-Lee Peris (15 rebounds, 10 points, 5 steals) still had time to put up impressive numbers. Kirsty Williams (12 points) had her second double digit scoring game in as many weeks.

The Panthers had won just one of three prior to their date with Eastern, but put their opponents away early en route to an 84-56 triumph. Janae Howard (31 points, 10 rebounds) bounced back from a 9 point game against Norwood, while Jessica Mahony (15 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals) filled up the boxscore.

The Rockets have been the more consistent of the two teams, but if the Panthers are at their best they could get the W.

 

South Adelaide Panthers Vs North Adelaide Rockets

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 10 MAY | MARION
OFFICIALS: M Dyson & J Cresp

The Panthers will be playing for their fifth win in six outings when they welcome North Adelaide to Marion.

A loss here and the Rockets will probably need to win eight of their last 10 to keep their hopes of a ninth straight post-season appearance alive. The Panthers have not made the playoffs since 2008, but in contrast to the Rockets, their form suggests they are on the way up.

The combination of Shane Boal (20.6 ppg, 21-69 3FG) and Bradley Reid (15.3 ppg, 10.1 rpg) has given the Panthers a lethal inside-outside duo. Daniel Goodluck (13.3 ppg, 7-16 3FG) and Pero Vasilijevic (13.1 ppg, 8.9 rpg) have shown potential to be a strong post-wing threat, but they have not had the same effect as Boal and Reid.

Despite not being at their best, the Rockets have still managed a couple of quality wins this season, so the Panthers need to be on their guard if they are to continue their revolution.

 

Sturt Sabres Vs Central Districts Lions

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 10 MAY | PASADENA
OFFICIALS: M Frost & B Northcote

The Sabres will attempt to bounce back from a disappointing loss to West when they host Centrals.

After playing some excellent basketball from rounds 4-6, the Sabres were level with the Bearcats after three quarters, but fell away in the fourth. The 59-71 loss was disappointing for the Sabres given they had beaten the Bearcats so comfortably on both occasions last year.

With 19 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, Natalie Novosel was outstanding for the Sabres once more, but did not get enough support on the night.

Despite Aimee Herriman’s sixth double figure scoring game in seven appearances, the Lions were rolled by 41 by the Rockets. They are still yet to win a game, having given up almost twice the amount of points that they have scored.
There is no reason why the Sabres should not bounce back from last week’s loss.

 

Sturt Sabres Vs Central Districts Lions

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 10 MAY | PASADENA
OFFICIALS: A Filmer & A Just

Sturt and Centrals will meet on Saturday with the same overall records, but in different veins of recent form.

The Sabres began the year 3-0, but have won just one of their last four games. They had to rely on a sensational 48 point effort from Dexter Moore last week just to stay within 10 points of West Adelaide. The Sabres are going to need more than 35 points combined from the remainder of their team if they are to avoid back-to-back seasons without a finals appearance.

The Lions started 1-3, but are now on a three game winning streak and playing some scintillating basketball. Over that span, Kyle Miller is averaging 19 ppg, 4.3 rpg, and 7 apg, bouncing back in the best possible fashion since being held scoreless against Woodville in Round 4.

These teams split their series last year, with the away team winning on both occasions.

The Sabres rarely lose consecutive home games, but the Lions’ outstanding play in recent weeks suggests they deserve to start favourites.

 

West Adelaide Bearcats Vs Southern Tigers

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 10 MAY | PORT ADELAIDE
OFFICIALS: J Grigoul & J Brown

With consecutive wins on the board, the Bearcats can continue their push for a first finals berth since 2011 when they welcome the Tigers to Port Adelaide.

The Bearcats are now just one win outside the top five, with a healthy percentage. They hold the head-to-head advantage over fifth-placed Sturt, following their upset 12 point win, in what was their best victory of the season.

Meg McLeod had a huge 18 point game, tying a career high from 2012. Kate Shierlaw added 14 points and 9 rebounds.
Despite a second straight career rebounding night from Shayde Quintrell, the Tigers fell five points short of Woodville.

Quintrell (22 rebounds, 12 points) was ably assisted by Denelle Fawcett, who finished with 15 points off just nine field goal attempts.

The Tigers are two games outside the five.

This is a game that both teams should be confident of winning, and one that could have a large bearing on their final ladder positions.

 

West Adelaide Bearcats Vs Southern Tigers

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 10 MAY | PORT ADELAIDE
OFFICIALS: I Domieka & L Sorensen

The Bearcats went 8-1 at Port Adelaide last season, losing only to the Tigers. However, the Bearcats are just 2-2 from their four home matches thus far.

Southern have had to make do without their two top scorers in Samuel McDaniel and Samuel Johns lately and have produced mixed results in their absence. Codey Ellison has picked up the slack, while Michael Florance scored a season high 23 points in last week’s loss to Woodville.

If the Tigers are to make it two straight at the Port, they are going to have to find a way to limit Jason Dawson’s scoring, and keep Blake Truslove off the boards. Dawson leads the league in scoring at 24.5 ppg. Perhaps the best way to negate him is to make him take three points shots, as he is shooting well under 30 per cent from down. Truslove is gathering almost five more boards a game than any other player in the league.

Without McDaniel and Johns, it is going to be hard for the Tigers to find enough points to combat this deep Bearcat line-up.

 

Woodville Warriors Vs Norwood Flames

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 10 MAY | ST CLAIR
OFFICIALS: M Harris and B Shepherd

The Warriors will have to prevent a 30^th straight win for Norwood to square the ledger and keep in touch with the top five.

Last round’s 69-64 win at Southern means the Warriors have won three of their last four. Ashleigh White came up big with 18 points on 11 shots, while Carmen Reynolds continued her great form with 17 points and nine rebounds.

The Flames were challenged early by Forestville, but a 27-14 second quarter proved instrumental in the final scoreline. Jessica Good starred with 24 points on 11-12 shooting, while adding nine rebounds. Amy Lewis and Jess Foley had seven assists along with 24 and 16 points respectively.

The Flames have still not lost since going down in the 2012 Second Semi Final to North Adelaide.

The Warriors have been a competitive outfit throughout this season, but overcoming this deep and talented Flames line-up is likely to prove beyond them.  

 

Woodville Warriors Vs Norwood Flames

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 10 MAY | ST CLAIR
OFFICIALS: N Durant & A Gillings

In arguably the Match of the Season thus far, the Warriors will be trying for just their second home win over the Flames since 2005.

The Warriors’ 77-64 win at St Clair on June 29 last year was their first home success against the Flames since a double overtime victory at Adelaide Arena on June 18, 2005.

Coincidence or not, the Flames’ only two bottom five finishes since 2004 have happened in years where they have fallen to the Warriors on the road.

After losing their opening two games, the Flames have recovered to win four of five. Matthew Lycett has averaged 20.4 ppg in that span. They beat Forestville by 20 last week, a 50 point turnaround from Round 18 last year. The Flames’ 114 point total was the highest by any team this year, eclipsing the 101 the Warriors set in the previous round.

Meanwhile, the Warriors held an opponent to 55 points or under for the third time already, in their 23 point win over Southern last week. Alexander Starling (18.9 ppg, 10.6 rpg) and Daniel Sims (15.3 ppg, 2.2 spg) continue to form a lethal inside-outside duo at both ends of the court.

The Flames’ Ian O’Boyle could be the x-factor for this game. O’Boyle has cracked 20 points twice, while also posting zero and two. Given he is second in the league in three pointers made, the temperature of his shooting hand could greatly impact the amount of points his team scores.

With the Warriors unbeaten at home and the Flames yet to lose on the road in regulation, both teams have a record to protect.

 

Forestville Eagles Vs Eastern Mavericks

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 10 MAY | WAYVILLE
OFFICIALS: N Ireland & H Starkey

Having challenged the unbeaten Flames for much of last week’s game, a win over the Mavericks would cap a solid couple of months for the Eagles.

The Eagles scored the same amount of points as the Flames over the first, third and fourth quarters combined, only letting themselves down in the second period. Samantha Defrancesco, Jade Johnson and Jess Fergus combined for 55 of the side’s 74 points.

The Eagles are 4-3 and fourth on the ladder, just one game outside the top three.

In contrast, the Mavericks had a great second quarter against South last week, but played poorly in the first and third. In the end, they lost by 28, dropping to 1-6. After two seasons of finals, it appears the Mavericks will not feature in the postseason this year.

Despite her team’s struggles, Emma Hooley (13 points, 11 rebounds) registered her fourth double-double of the season.

The Eagles have not been winning their games by a lot, so perhaps they can use this one as a percentage booster.

 

Forestville Eagles Vs Eastern Mavericks

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 10 MAY | WAYVILLE
OFFICIALS: N Wieland & N Frost

Having posted the worst seven-round record for a reigning premier in the last decade, the Eagles will need their recent domination of Eastern to rub off at Wayville this week.

The Mavericks have not beaten the Eagles since July 29, 2006. They have been on the wrong side of some of the most lopsided contests in the CABL since that night, including a 66 point hiding in the hills the last time they met.

For whatever reason, however, the Eagles of 2014 are not as intimidating as in years gone by. Admittedly, they have lost two games by a bucket and another in double overtime, but this is a club that has become accustomed to winning in any way, shape or form. Trent Fildes has slowed down after a devastating start, leaving too much onus on Jake Rios, who had 42 points in the loss to the Flames last week.

The Mavericks have been more competitive in recent weeks. After beating the Rockets, they fought back from a slow start to challenge South. They got within seven points with a quarter to go, before falling behind again. Curtis Scipio (19 points, 7-10 FT) and Daniel Lean (16 points, 6 assists) helped to rally the Mavericks back into the game.

This is just about the Mavericks’ best shot of beating the Eagles in the last eight years.