WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 14 JUNE | MORPHETT VALE
OFFICIALS: R Rochford & N Passey

Southern (3-7) v Norwood (9-1)

The Flames will try to bounce back from a loss for the first time since 2012 when they make the trip to the far south to visit the Tigers.

The Flames went down by a point in overtime to Sturt in Round 10, their first loss since the Second Semi Final against North two years ago. It was a horror final five seconds of regulation for the Flames. Amy Lewis had two free throws with a chance to extend the margin to four points, but produced one of the worst possible results by missing the first and making the second. The Sabres were able to call timeout, advance the ball and make a three, and the rest is history.

The Tigers got a win at Centrals last week, ending a six game losing streak. In Round 2, they lost to the Flames 52-91. Lauren Fisher scored 23 for the Tigers on 10 shots, while Amy Lewis and Jessica Good combined for 45 Flame points.

Their loss at Mars could bring the Flames back to Earth, which means the verdict is likely to go one of two ways.

Either the Flames lift their intensity and put the game away as quickly as possible, or they lose confidence and give the Tigers a chance.

The Flames’ professionalism suggests the former.

 

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 14 JUNE | MORPHETT VALE
OFFICIALS: A Filmer & H Starkey

Southern (4-6) v Norwood (7-3) Men

The Tigers have won their last three against the Flames, but since their last meeting, these side have experienced much different journeys.

With star Flame Todd Matthews absent, the Tigers held off the Flames at Mars in Round 2, winning 82-80. Codey Ellison registered 16 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists for the Tigers, while Ian O’Boyle scored 15 for the Flames.

Since that night, the Tigers have won just two of eight, while the Flames have taken down seven opponents. Despite struggling from beyond the arc, the Flames eclipsed Sturt by 30 in their previous match, whereas the Tigers looked a shadow of the team that defeated Centrals in Round 1. A 43 point turnaround saw them go down by 28.

The Tigers’ win over the Flames at Morphett Vale last year was their first since April 6, 2008.
It would take a major momentum swing for the Tigers to get up again.

 

 

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 14 JUNE | PASADENA
OFFICIALS: M Harris & D Miller

Sturt (7-3) v Eastern (1-9)

Having just achieved the seemingly unachievable, the Sabres will be keen to continue their good form when they host the Mavericks.

With Kate Gladstone scoring her only basket of the night from downtown in the final seconds of regulation, and Natalie Novosel making the go-ahead field goal with 17 seconds remaining in overtime, the Sabres were able to start the month with an upset win at Norwood. It was a 37 point turnaround from Round 1. They have won their last three and closed to within a game of second placed North.

The Mavericks came close to a boilover of their own in their most recent battle, going down by just five to the Bearcats. They have lost their last five overall.

Last time they met, the Sabres eclipsed the Mavericks 99-56. Hannah Richards scored 24 for the Sabres, while Amanda McDermott had 21 points for the Mavericks.

With seven wins from eight games, the Sabres have been near unbeatable in recent times, but the first week of June proves no one can take anything for granted in this league.

 

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 14 JUNE | PASADENA
OFFICIALS: I Domeika & J Cresp 

Sturt (5-5) v Eastern (1-9)

The Sabres are in a similar position to when they last faced the Mavericks at home, and they can ill-afford a repeat of that result this week.

In 2013, the Sabres were in a fight for fifth position, when the Mavericks won their only game of the year, 90-76. As it stands in 2014, the Sabres are tied for fifth spot with South, and the Panthers hold the split.

Both teams are coming off big losses last week, with the Sabres going down to Norwood and the Mavericks defeated at home to West Adelaide.

The Sabres won at Adelaide Hills in Round 2. Tim Klaosen scored 17 for the Sabres and Curtis Scipio picked up 18 for the Mavericks.

With the Panthers facing a tough game at Woodville, and Forestville and Southern also handed difficult assignments this week, the Sabres have a great chance to pull away from the bottom half.

 

 

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 14 JUNE | PORT ADELAIDE
OFFICIALS: N Ireland & M Pepicelli 

West (5-5) v North (8-2)

After being stunned by Woodville in Round 10, the Rockets will aim to avoid consecutive losses for the first time since Rounds 12-13 last season when they visit the Bearcats, in the Match of the Round.

By falling 69-78 to the Warriors, the Rockets were unable to take advantage of Norwood’s maiden loss and steal a share of first place. They still have significant work to do to maintain their place in the top two by the end of the season.

The Bearcats have won four of five and are tied for fifth with Forestville and Woodville. Both of those clubs hold the split over the Bearcats, although they are still to play each franchise a second time.

In Round 2, scores were level late in the game, but the Rockets made the crucial plays in coming away with a five point win. Rockets stars Jamie-Lee Peris and Jo Hill combined for 36 points and 18 rebounds. Alana Nairn scored 16 for the Bearcats, and Trudy Holland finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

The Bearcats have improved their roster since that last meeting, and with some good form behind them, an upset could be on the cards.

 

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 14 JUNE | PORT ADELAIDE
OFFICIALS:  N Wieland & N Frost

West (7-3) v North (3-7)

If they are to keep their fading finals hopes alive, the Rockets will have to reverse their poor recent record at Port Adelaide against the Bearcats.

The Bearcats have won six of their last seven against the Rockets at home. It is the Rockets’ worst run of results against a rival club on the road.

The Rockets were unable to end another long drought last week, losing their sixth straight home game against Woodville. In contrast, the Bearcats won their sixth straight at Adelaide Hills against Eastern.

The Bearcats beat the Rockets emphatically, 78-58, in Round 2. Blake Truslove dominated the paint with 14 points and 13 rebounds, while Tristan Braithwaite was the Bearcats’ top scorer with 17. John Wernham and Brett Collins scored 14 apiece for the Rockets.

All signs point to a Bearcat win, but the Rockets have had a habit of saving their season just when it has looked over, so cannot be written off.

 

 

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 14 JUNE | ST CLAIR
OFFICIALS: M Frost & L Sorensen

Woodville (5-5) v South (7-3)

With just two games separating the Warriors and the Panthers on the ladder, this week’s clash could go a long way to deciding where these teams finish up at the end of the season.

All three of the Panthers’ losses to date came during Rounds 4-8, but their last two fixtures have seen them thrash Centrals and comfortably beat Forestville.

The Warriors lost their first three games, but have bounced back by grabbing five of seven, which includes shocking North in Round 10. They have a legitimate shot at playing finals for the first time in more than a decade.

In Round 2, Jane Howard scored on the buzzer as the Panthers defeated the Warriors 91-90 in overtime. Howard finished with 38 points and 14 rebounds, while Jessica Mahony had 20 points and 15 assists. For the Warriors, Katherine Perkas and Rachael Griffiths combined for 41 points, but Carmen Reynolds was held to 11 points and 7 rebounds – both season lows.
 
Following their most recent result, the Warriors should be confident of a win, but the Panthers, at 5-0 on the road, will be no easy-beats.

 

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 14 JUNE | ST CLAIR
OFFICIALS: A Devlin & A Just 

Woodville (7-3) v South (5-5)

The Warriors may have beaten South easily in Round 2, but the Panthers have shown great improvement ahead of their rematch this week.

When they last met, the Warriors held a 17 point half-time lead over the Panthers, and eventually won by 22. Alexander Starling and Daniel Sims combined for 54 Warrior points, while Shane Boal stood out for the Panthers with 25.

But after producing a 50 point turnaround against Forestville in their last match, the Panthers should feel confident of putting any past difficulties behind them. Overall, they have won five of their last eight.

The Warriors have won two in a row on the road since being blitzed by Norwood at St Clair in Round 9, in what is their only home loss in 2014. Their point difference is so high that their percentage actually dropped slightly after last week’s 13 point win at North.

With the Warriors sharing first place and the Panthers in a tie for fifth, the stakes are high for this Match of the Round encounter.

 

 

WOMEN 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 14 JUNE | WAYVILLE
OFFICIALS: J Grigoul & D Rault

Forestville (5-5) v Centrals (0-10)

With Woodville and West facing top four opponents, a home match with the winless Lions could not have come at a better time for the Eagles.

A loss to South in Round 10, combined with wins for the Warriors and Bearcats, has resulted in the Eagles falling out of the five on percentage. The Eagles hold the split over both clubs, but will face each again before the end of the season.

The Eagles have not missed the finals since 2007.

The Lions lost their last match to Southern 61-82, despite winning the third period 20-9. They have a lot of work to do to avoid a winless campaign.

Last time they met, the Eagles defeated the Lions 92-45. Jade Johnson, Sarah Petrie and Jess Fergus combined for 63 Eagle points, while Aimee Herriman (11 points), Brianna Wedding (8 points) and Coby Rodda (8 points) were the high point scorers for the Lions.

The Eagles cannot afford to drop this one if they are to stay in the race for the finals. 

 

MEN 8:15 PM | SATURDAY 14 JUNE | WAYVILLE
OFFICIALS: M Dyson & A Gillings

Forestville (4-6) v Centrals (7-3)

For the second straight season, the Eagles and Lions will meet in Round 11, and under some similar circumstances.

The similar: The Lions won the first meeting of the season. The Eagles, as reigning premiers, are coming off a disappointing loss and are faced with the possibility of missing the finals.
The different: Last year, the Eagles signed 36er/Boomer Adam Gibson. This year, the Lions are on a six game winning streak.

Gibson led the Eagles to a blowout 104-63 win over the Lions in 2013, but the signs are suggesting a much different result this time.

Last week, Matthew Atkins scored 29 points in under 18 minutes as the Lions ran away with a 90-62 win over Southern. Jake Rios played the whole game and hit 36, but he did not get enough support as the Eagles were handled 77-91 by the Panthers.

The Eagles will need to produce a minimum 21 point turnaround from their last meeting with the Lions to avoid guaranteeing an inferior record to last season.