Eastern Mavericks Vs North Adelaide Rockets

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 12 JULY | ADELAIDE HILLS
OFFICIALS: M Frost & J Brown

Eastern (3-11) v North (10-4)

The Mavericks have the chance to move out of the bottom two if they can upset the Rockets, who have lost just once away from home this campaign.

The Mavericks have won two straight at home and two of three overall. The Rockets have slipped out of second spot, having won just two of five. All three of those losses in that span have come at home. Last time they met, the Rockets comfortably beat the Mavericks 91-63. Jess Smart had 24 points for the Rockets, and was well-supported by Jamie-Lee Peris and Jo Hill, who each registered a double-double. Georgia Green was the standout statistically for the Mavericks, finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

There is now a good chance the Rockets could miss out on a double chance, despite looking like Minor Premiership challengers only a few weeks ago. They cannot afford another loss.

 

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 12 JULY | ADELAIDE HILLS
OFFICIALS: N Ireland & B Northcote  

Eastern (1-13) v North (3-11)

The Mavericks will be chasing a rare sweep of the Rockets when the two sides go head-to-head in a potential Wooden Spoon decider.

The Mavericks have not beaten the Rockets at home since July 11, 2009. However, considering their away win earlier in the year was their first at Hillcrest for eight years, this statistic should not be of concern.

Curtis Scipio (20 points, 4 assists), Will Smith (17 points, 3-7 3FG) and Dylan Shorne (13 points, 10 rebounds) filled up the boxscore for the Mavericks when these teams met in Round 6. The Rockets had four players foul out that night, leaving Luke Mapunda (20 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists) to carry the offence.

The Mavericks are winless at home since 2011. Given their opponents’ form, this is as good a chance as any for the men from the far east to saviour something for their fans.

 

Norwood Flames Vs South Adelaide Panthers

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 12 JULY | MARS
OFFICIALS: M Dyson & N Passey 

Norwood (13-1) v South (10-4)

In the Match of the Round, the Panthers can clinch their first finals berth since 2009, while a Flames victory would guarantee the Minor Premiership.

Both teams have been in great form. The Flames have won four straight since Sturt broke their 31 game winning streak, including a 76-42 blowout of premiership contenders North last week. The Panthers have won five of six, the one loss also to Sturt, by two points.

Last time they met, the Flames dismantled the Panthers 79-49. They burst out of the blocks with a 22-5 first period and were never seriously threatened thereafter. Jess Foley was aggressive with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 6 steals for the Flames, while Teresa Kinross led the Panthers in scoring with 16 points.

Star Panthers Janae Howard and Jessica Mahony combined for just 16 points on 6-29 shooting against the Flames in Round 6. The pair have carried much of the load for the Panthers this season, and will need to be at their best if the Panthers are to redeem themselves.

 

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 12 JULY | MARS
OFFICIALS: I Domeika & J Grigoul

Norwood (11-3) v South (6-8)

The Panthers’ playoff chase will almost certainly be over if they fail to defeat the Flames on Saturday.

Last week’s 88-77 win over Southern has given the Panthers slight hope of a dramatic finish. The Flames’ 88-63 win over North made it a season of avoided sweeps for the red and the blue, who have been the ones singing their post-match song in nine consecutive matches.

Last time they met, the Flames shut down Panthers star Bradley Reid (4 rebounds, 2 points) and held off the Marion side 69-65. Matthew Lycett (18 points, 17 rebounds) and Andrew Webber (18 points, 6 rebounds) did a lot of damage for the Flames. Jordan Robertson also scored 18 for the Panthers, to go with 10 rebounds.

The Panthers can take confidence from running the Flames so close last time, but the Flames have been putting teams away early and often since the second half of the season began. The first quarter could have a big say in the final result.

 

Southern Tigers Vs Forestville Eagles

 

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 12 JULY | MORPHETT VALE
OFFICIALS:V Devlin & N Frost

Southern (3-11) v Forestville (7-7)

With Woodville facing a huge challenge against Sturt, the Eagles can put some distance between themselves and their biggest challenger for the fifth seed if they can defeat the Tigers.

The Eagles and Warriors are tied on seven wins apiece, but the Eagles hold the upper hand through sweeping their series. An Eagle win and a Warrior loss this round would essentially give the Eagles a two game buffer, with just three matches remaining after this week.

The Tigers’ 15 point loss to the Panthers this week was one of their closer encounters in recent times. They have won just once since Round 3, and are in danger of slipping into the bottom two.

Last time they met, the Eagles got off to a strong start and held on for an 82-69 victory. Jade Johnson scored 31 for the Eagles, while Kelsie Rutland had 20 for the Tigers.

A finals chase gives the Eagles a motivational edge, but it also means there is extra pressure on them to perform.

 

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 12 JULY | MORPHETT VALE
OFFICIALS: N Wieland & A Gillings

Southern (6-8) v Forestville (8-6)

When the Tigers meet the Eagles in Round 15, they will have the opportunity to not only put a dent in their rivals’ finals chances, but keep their own alive.

Last week’s 11 point loss to South has put the Tigers on the verge of missing out on a playoff spot yet again. They have won just three of their last 11 games.

The Eagles have beaten four of the league’s best sides in the last month, thanks to an outstanding defensive display in the fourth quarter last week. They held Sturt to just nine points, and came back from a seven point ¾ time deficit to win 82-80.
The Tigers were without their two top scorers in Samuel McDaniel and Samuel Johns when they visited the Eagles in Round 6, but upset the three time defending champions 73-72. Codey Ellison was outstanding with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks for the Tigers. Jake Rios scored 21 for the Eagles.

This has the makings of a danger game for the Eagles, as they are finally playing an opponent lower than themselves on the ladder.

 

Sturt Sabres Vs Woodville Warriors

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 12 JULY | PASADENA
OFFICIALS: R Rochford & P Welbourn

Sturt (11-3) v Woodville (7-7)

After finally avoiding a fourth quarter fadeout and coming away with their most important win in years, things only get more challenging for the Warriors, with a date against the Sabres.
Behind 35 points and 11 rebounds from Carmen Reynolds last week, the Warriors’ defeated the Bearcats 83-77 to jump the Bearcats on the ladder and move into a tie for fifth with Forestville. The Sabres’ 68-55 win over the Eagles was their seventh in a row, and after North’s loss to Norwood, they are now in outright second position.

The Warriors were in touch with the Sabres at half-time when they met in Round 6, but got thrashed 29-50 in the final 20 minutes, going down 62-86. Reynolds and Katherine Perkas combined for 39 points and 19 rebounds, but that duo was outdone by the Sabres’ trio of Hannah Richards (18 points, 9 rebounds), Natalie Novosel (17 points, 2 steals) and Lucy Spalding (15 points, 13 rebounds).

The Warriors have struggled to put four quarters of consistent basketball together this year, but managed to do so last week. If this is a sign of things to come, then an upset is definitely not out of the equation. 

 

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 12 JULY | PASADENA
OFFICIALS: A Filmer & M Harris 

Sturt (8-6) v Woodville (10-4)

The Warriors will be battling for their first win against the Sabres at Pasadena since April 12, 2008, in a match that could go a long way to deciding the final five.

The Sabres suffered a critical loss to Forestville last week, yet Dylan Rawson may have scored their most important two points of the season with the last shot of the game. Jake Rios had given Forestville a four point lead with two seconds to play, but after a time-out , Rawson was able to halve the deficit. As the Sabres won the previous match with Forestville by three points, they were able to steal the tiebreaker with no time to spare.

At St Clair, the Warriors demolished the Bearcats 80-60 behind 27 points from Darren Ng. Ng has scored 20-plus in three of his past four matches, after reaching that mark just once in his previous nine appearances this season.

Last time they met, the Warriors dominated in a 101-76 victory. Ng scored a season best 31 and Alexander Starling 23 for the Warriors, while Tim Klaosen and Dexter Moore combined for 43 for the Sabres.

A win for the Warriors means outright second position; a win for the Sabres would prevent them falling behind the top five. Neither can afford a loss, but someone has to go down.

 

Central Districts Vs West Adelaide Bearcats

WOMEN 3:00 PM | SATURDAY 13 JULY | STARPLEX

OFFICIALS: M Pepicelli & J Cresp

Centrals (0-14) v West (6-8)

After failing to offer much resistance against Eastern last week, the Lions have just four opportunities remaining to win a game in 2014, starting with their Round 15 clash at home to the Bearcats.

The Lions fell just three points short of Woodville in Round 13, but followed up by being 12 points down after one quarter against the Mavericks and could not get back into the game. They can take some solace from the Bearcats losing by twice the amount to the Warriors in their Round 14 clash – a defeat that could prove costly for the red and black in their finals pursuit.

The Bearcats are in seventh position, one game behind both Forestville and Woodville.

Last time they met, the Bearcats won comfortably, 75-51. Bearcat Kate Shierlaw (21 points) and Lion Aimee Herriman (19 points) were the teams’ top scorers.

A loss would just about end the Bearcats’ season, making this their most vital game in three years.

 

MEN 1:15 PM | SUNDAY 13 JULY | STARPLEX
OFFICIALS:  V Devlin & N Wieland & A Filmer

Centrals (8-6) v West (9-5)
In the Match of the Round, the Lions and Bearcats will square off at Starplex in a must win game for both sides.

The Bearcats are in third spot, one game above the Lions, who are tied in fourth with Sturt and Forestville. A win for the Bearcats would just about seal a finals berth, but a loss could see them with the same record as the Lions, Sabres and Eagles.

A victory for the Lions would give them favouritism for a top three spot, given they will hold the tiebreaker over all their rivals for a double chance, although they still have to replay the Sabres. However, a loss could be devastating for them, as they could be a game out the five at the end of the round if results go against them.

Last time they met, the Lions took the game away from the Bearcats with a 28-16 third quarter, en route to a 90-78 success. Kyle Miller and Jordan Centernera each scored 19 for the Lions. Christopher Clausen added a further 18, Matthew Atkins scored 14 and Paul Joyce registered a double-double. Jason Dawson (24 points) and Blake Truslove (19 points, 15 rebounds) were the only Bearcats to significantly trouble the scorers.

In the biggest game to date for both teams this year, handling the psychological pressure will be just as important as the physical stuff. The Lions have not had much experience in high pressure games, but have shown the past couple of seasons that they can win when they most need to. In contrast, the Bearcats have played in many big finals in recent years, but have been on the losing end more often than not.