Eastern Mavericks vs Norwood Flames
WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 5 APRIL | ADELAIDE HILLS
OFFICIALS: A Gillings & P Westbourn

It would be a big momentum swing if the Mavericks are able to beat the Flames this week.

While the Flames have maintained their premiership form of the past two seasons, the Mavericks have not continued on with their finals form of their last two campaigns. Indeed, following the Mavericks’ loss to Southern, they have now lost eight straight games, dating back to Round 14 last season.

Amy Lewis is leading the Flames in scoring with 18.7 ppg, though her team scoring title is in jeopardy thanks to Jessica Good’s 25 point outing last week. Good holds sway in the rebounding department, averaging 8 per game, while centre Rachel Herrick is doing her best Joakim Noah impression, leading the team in assists (3.7 apg).

Shannon Tarran is leading the Mavericks in scoring with 14 per game. Her 8.3 rpg would be good enough to top the Flames, though she is being outdone by Emma Hooley (12 rpg) in that department. Tamara Weiss is first in dimes with 3.3 per game.

The South men’s win over West last week should give the Mavericks some faith that anything Is possible.

 

Eastern Mavericks vs Norwood Flames
MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 5 APRIL | ADELAIDE HILLS
OFFICIALS: N Ireland & J Grigoul

The Norwood Flames will be looking to build on their important win over Centrals when they visit the Eastern Mavericks.

After losing their first two games by a combined total of four points, the Flames picked up a huge road win over one of last season’s finalists – a massive 34-13 third quarter making up for a 14-31 second. The Mavericks are still yet to win a game, following their 65-96 loss to Southern.

In his second game back from an injury shortened 2013, Matthew Lycett scored 30 points on 14-20 shooting against the Lions. As a result, he has jumped to first place on the Flames’ scoring list. Keith Krause is leading the team in rebounding with 7.7 per game, while Daniel Webber (4 apg) is top of the assist chart.

Most of the Maverick offence comes through Curtis Scipio, who leads his franchise in points (20 ppg) and assists (3 apg). Dylan Shorne has been the best rebounder in the two games he has featured in, averaging 7.5 rpg.

The Flames have a strong record against the Mavericks, and although some major streaks have been broken already, the Flames’ good form suggests they will even things up at 2-2.

 

Adelaide Rockets vs Southern Tigers
WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 5 APRIL | HILLCREST
OFFICIALS:M Frost & N Passey

In the Match of the Round, the North Adelaide Rockets host the Southern Tigers in the only Round 4 fixture featuring two top five teams.

The Rockets are unbeaten thus far, following wins over Woodville, West and Sturt. The Tigers have defeated the Lions and Mavericks, but went down to the Flames.

Jo Hill (17.3 ppg) heads the Rockets’ scoring list, while Jamie-Lee Peris is ranked number one on the team in rebounding. Hill has also dropped the most dimes for the Rockets, averaging 3.7 a game.

For the Tigers, Shayde Quintrell (17.7 ppg) has been getting the job done offensively, while Jade Barber (12 rpg) is fourth in the league in pulling down the boards. Lauren Fisher (3 apg) leads the team in assists.

The Rockets won both games against the Tigers last season, and the combination of Hill and Peris will be difficult for them to stop.

 

North Adelaide Rockets vs Southern Tigers

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 5 APRIL | HILLCREST
OFFICIALS: V Devlin & H Starkey

The Southern Tigers will be endeavouring to build on their history-making start when they visit the winless the North Adelaide Rockets.

The Tigers sit atop the ladder with three wins from three games – the first time in the last decade they have been able to accomplish this feat. But even though their opponents sit at the opposite end of the ladder, the Rockets can be buoyed by a 15 game winning streak against the yellow and black, dating back to June 4, 2006.

Samuel McDaniel leads the Tigers in scoring with 15 a game. He is joined at the top of the rebounding list by Codey Ellison, with each player averaging 10 boards. Samuel Johns ranks first on the team in assists with 4.7 per game.

Following a 24 point game against the Sabres, Rocket Daniel Goodluck has boosted his scoring average to a team best 11.7 ppg. John Wernham (7.7 rpg) has been the side’s best rebounder, and Pero Vasilijevic (3.3 apg) leads the team in assists.

On form - it is definitely the Tigers. On history – no doubt the Rockets. Something has to snap!

South Adelaide Panthers vs Sturt Sabres
WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 5 APRIL | MARION
OFFICIALS: M Dyson & N Frost

The Panthers will be trying to equal their combined win tally from the last two seasons when they host Sturt.

Following a 66-55 win over West, the Panthers are 3-0, after finishing each of the past two campaigns with a 2-16 record. The Panthers have not started a season 4-0 since 2005.

In contrast, for 2013 Preliminary Finalists Sturt, it has been a difficult start to this season, with two big home losses either side of a win at Eastern. Hannah Richards has stepped up her scoring to 15 ppg, leading the team, while Lucy Spalding (8.7 rpg) has gathered the most rebounds for the Sabres. Kara Hargreaves (3 apg) has set up the most field goal makes.

The Panthers have the league’s highest scorer and rebounder in Janae Howard (30.7 ppg) and the best playmaker in Jessica Mahony (9.3 apg).

The Sabres will need to get the game on their defensive-minded terms, or else they will have trouble keeping touch with the dynamic Panther offence.

South Adelaide Panthers vs Sturt Sabres
MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 5 APRIL | MARION
OFFICIALS: N Wieland & R Rochford

Fresh off a stunning comeback win against reigning Minor Premiers West Adelaide, the Panthers will be looking to spoil the Sturt party when they host the Sabres at Marion.

The Panthers trailed by nine at after three quarters, but outscored West 30-20 in the fourth quarter, shooting 50 per cent to just 31.6 per cent from the Bearcats. Other than their three wins against Eastern in the last two years, it was the Panthers’ first win triumph since April 29, 2012. It was also their first road win against the ’Cats since May 24, 2008.

The Sabres are one of only two unbeaten teams after three rounds of play. Their wins have been getting bigger week by week, with their 19 point demolition of North Adelaide a little payback for a critical loss late last season.

Shane Boal (19 ppg) is the Panthers’ leading scorer, while Bradley Reid (11 rpg) and Ryan Gardner (2.7 apg) are head of the boards and dimes. Tim Klaosen (16.5 ppg, 3.5 apg) leads the Sabres in scoring and assists, with Shane Breheny (7.7 rpg) their top rebounder.

Is South for real, or was last week a one hit wonder? Can the Sabres keep up their strong play despite their key offseason departures, or will they hit a wall? Saturday may just reveal some answers.

Woodville Warriors v Central Districts Lions
WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 5 APRIL | ST CLAIR
OFFICIALS: M Pepicelli & B Shepard

Although the Warriors have played well enough to be sitting in the top five, they will again be fighting for just their first win of 2014 when they host Central Districts.

One round after a devastating overtime loss at South, the ball once again bounced the wrong way for the Warriors at Wayville. With a chance to win the game, Charli Sargent could only make one of two free throws; most crucially it was the second that went in.

In contrast to the NBA, a CABL timeout cannot be called off a rebound, so had it been the first that dropped and the second that missed the game, the Eagles would not have been able to use the “call time-out and advance the ball” rule. As it was, Jess Fergus was able to make a shot out of the timeout to break the tie. The Warriors followed with a time-out of their own, but Carmen Reynolds could not answer successfully.

Like the Warriors, the Lions are 0-3. Unlike the Warriors, the Lions have not looked like winning any of their games. After three rounds, the Lions have a league low percentage of 53.6.

In her first season in the league, Reynolds (17.3 ppg, 11 rpg, 3.3 apg) is looking to be a possible MVP candidate, leading her team in points, rebounds and assists. The Lions have the league’s third highest long bomb maker in Aimee Herriman (five threes), accounting for a large percentage of her team high 11.3 ppg. Amy Onaca (3.5 apg) is the Lions’ highest dime dropper, while Brianna Wedding (7.7 rpg) is holding down the franchise’s rebounding title.

The Warriors deserve to be on the board by now, and they surely will be after this week.

 

Woodville Warriors vs Central Districts Lions
MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 5 APRIL | ST CLAIR
OFFICIALS: I Domeika & M Harris

In a replay of the 2013 First Semi Final, the Central District Lions will be attempting their first ever win at St Clair against Woodville.

Not since 2009 have the Lions been able to beat the Warriors – their nine game losing streak in this series is their longest active losing sequence against any club (thanks to their Round 2 win over Forestville).

Most significantly, the Lions need a win to get back to .500. Their 17 point home loss to previously winless Norwood last week means they are 0-2 against clubs that finished in the bottom five last season. Following a difficult finish to last season, Kyle Miller (26.3 ppg, 8.3 apg) has got back to his best, leading the league in scoring and assists, but it counts for naught if the Lions succumb to teams they beat (and needed to beat) to get to the finals in 2013.

The Warriors are coming off their first loss of 2014, going down 84-97 to Forestville. Although they were outscored 37-56 after half-time, the Warriors can take some positives from having as come as close as they did against the side that outscored them 193-125 in two finals last campaign.

Alexander Starling has been outstanding for the Warriors, averaging 26 ppg and 14.3 rpg. Daniel Sims’ 3.7 apg is a team high, while he has also shown the ability to rebound and pass.
Top five spots are on the line, making this a big game for both teams.

 

Forestville Eagles vs West Adelaide Bearcats
WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 5 APRIL | WAYVILLE
OFFICIALS: A Just & J Cresp

Thanks to Jess Fergus’ last gasp winner, the Eagles have a chance to win their third straight when they take on the Bearcats at Wayville.

The Eagles’ thrilling win keeps them in fourth position. Although outside the top five, the Bearcats have played some good basketball at times this season. An 11 point loss to South last week was a respectable effort, given the Panthers’ sensational start to the season.

The Eagles have two of the top three scorers in the competition in Jade Johnson (20 ppg) and Fergus (19.3 ppg). Sarah Petrie is equal third league-wide in assists (4 per game), and is also the team’s leading rebounder with 8.3 per game.

Kate Shierlaw is the chief Bearcat scorer with 15.7 ppg, while Trudy Holland (9.3 rpg) and Megan McLeod (3.3 apg) are the team’s respective rebound and assist leaders.

The Bearcats started out 10-26 last week against South, then won the final three quarters. The Eagles were the opposite, leading by two at quarter-time before losing the lead. If the Bearcats can get off to a better start, they are a genuine chance to win this game.

 

Forestville Eagles vs West Adelaide Bearcats
MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 5 APRIL | WAYVILLE
OFFICIALS: A Filmer & B Northcote

In the Match of the Round, the Grand Final rematch has arrived, with the West Adelaide Bearcats Men visiting the Forestville Eagles.

Despite winning both regular season matches convincingly and getting home in the Second Semi Final, the Bearcats went down 73-81 in the most important game of the season. 53 of those Bearcat points came off the hands of Daniel Johnson, Adam Pearce, and Jason Cadee, none of whom are still with the team. The same applies for former Eagles Adam Gibson (24 points) and Adam Doyle (10 points).

Both teams have begun the season with two wins and a loss; the Eagles are the sole team to lose to Centrals, while the Bearcats were upset by South. Trent Fildes (24.3 ppg) is the Eagles’ leading scorer, sitting third in the league in that category. Kane Oakley is top of the rebounds with 7.7 per game, and Kyle Howe-Tipene (4 apg) has supplied the most baskets for the yellow and blue.

Jason Dawson (20 ppg) is the highest Bearcat scorer, while the red and black boast the second best rebounder in the competition in Blake Truslove. Anthony Spadavecchia, with 6.7 apg, ranks second league wide.

The Bearcats were without Tristan Braithwaite (19 ppg) in last week’s loss to South. They may find scoring hard to come by if he fails to suit up again, giving the Eagles an offensive advantage.