NBL1 Wrap (July 17)

Photo: Gordon Greaves/Cairns Basketball

USC Rip City and the Cairns Marlins played out one of the most offensively charged games of the NBL1 North season over the weekend, in a high-scoring clash that saw the Marlins emerge as 21-point winners.

Both sides surpassed a score of 100, as Taipan Jonah Antonio powered the Marlins to the 123-102 victory.

Antonio found his range early and ended the clash with 41 points on over 70 per cent shooting. He hit 15 of his 21 shot attempts for the game – including seven of 10 three-pointers.

Newly signed Taipans teammate Lachie Anderson ably chipped in with 16 points for the Marlins, and stuffed the statsheet with five boards, six assists, three steals and a pair of blocks.

Sydney star Kouat Noi led the way for the defeated Rip City with 37 points of his own, in addition to 16 rebounds and a block.

Shaun Bruce, Majok Deng and the Logan Thunder overcame heartbreak in their opening game of the round to rebound in time for the second contest of their double-header.

Adelaide’s Jason Cadee and Illawarra’s Todd Blanchfield played chief villains against the Thunder in their clash against Gold Coast. Blanchfield top scored with 26 points and added 14 rebounds, while Cadee registered a 10-point, 11 rebound, 14 assist triple-double in a hotly-contested two-point win.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jason Cadee ???? ?? and locks in top spot for the Rollers???<br><br>WHAT AN ENDING ?<br><br>Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL1North?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL1North</a> via <a href="https://t.co/NEk1I7kaV8">https://t.co/NEk1I7kaV8</a> or the NBL1 App ? &amp; ? <a href="https://t.co/YON96qicDX">pic.twitter.com/YON96qicDX</a></p>&mdash; NBL1 (@NBL1) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL1/status/1679832591073959937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Bruce had 18 points and 11 assists for the Thunder in the defeat. Deng added 12 points and nine boards.

Logan’s NBL24 rostered pair then exploded in its nine-point win over Southern Districts. Deng dominated with 38 points and 19 rebounds, while Bruce registered his second double-double of the weekend with 20 points and 11 assists.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Majok Deng had a STATEMENT GAME ? <br><br>3??8?? points, 1??9?? rebounds and thunderous dunks ??<br><br>Watch the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL1North?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL1North</a> Game of the Week Live &amp; Free via <a href="https://twitter.com/kayosports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kayosports</a> Freebies ? <a href="https://t.co/8LE9Z2EEJZ">pic.twitter.com/8LE9Z2EEJZ</a></p>&mdash; NBL1 (@NBL1) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL1/status/1680188533850488832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Deng’s JackJumpers teammate Junior Madut made his long-awaited return for North’s Bears in NBL1 East to great success, as his side strolled to a 28-point win over Penrith.

Madut played just 16 minutes on his return, but provided a strong spark off the bench with 19 points.

New Wildcats forward David Okwera marked his nomination for the NBL1 West’s Youth Player of the Year, and put in a powerful showing for the Redbacks against the South West Slammers.

The former Melbourne United young gun ended the win with 18 points and six rebounds as he continues to impress upon his return from the United States.

NBL rookie Lachlan Olbrich has continued to grow his game since returning to Australia from collegiate basketball, and starred in the West Adelaide Bearcats’ win over the Southern Tigers.

Olbrich was a dominant force in the paint and finished the clash with a game-high 30 points and 11 rebounds, while hitting six of his 11 three-point attempts.

Adelaide development player Fraser Roxburgh also had 20 points in the win, while fellow Adelaide 36ers development player Akech Aliir suffered heartbreak for North Adelaide – but impressed with 10 points and 19 rebounds.

Owen Foxwell and Angus Glover powered the Eltham Wildcats to a pair of wins in NBL1 South, with each impressed in one of the side’s double-headers.

Glover was quiet in the Wildcats’ first win of the weekend with just eight points and six assists, but Foxwell exploded for 26 points and nine rebounds to lead the side to victory over Diamond Valley.

Foxwell then had 12 points against Nick Marshall’s Mount Gambier, while Glover put in a match-winning performance of 25 points.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Angus Glover was firing shots from the ??? ???? today ?<br><br>His mighty 6?? triples helped the Eltham Wildcats to an important win on the eve of finals ?<br><br>Watch the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL1South?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL1South</a> Game of the Week Live &amp; Free via <a href="https://twitter.com/kayosports?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kayosports</a> Freebies ? <a href="https://t.co/8w7NnZsm5q">pic.twitter.com/8w7NnZsm5q</a></p>&mdash; NBL1 (@NBL1) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL1/status/1680455592907874304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Marshall had 19 points in the defeat for the Pioneers.

Each of the South, North and Central conferences kick off their post-seasons this weekend.

Mitch McCarron – West Adelaide Bearcats (NBL1 Central)
vs Southern Tigers - DNP

Kyrin Galloway – Ipswich Force (NBL1 North)
vs Sunshine Coast Phoenix – 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists

Nick Marshall – Mt Gambier Pioneers (NBL1 South)
vs Waverley Falcons – 16 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists

Jason Cadee – Gold Coast Rollers (NBL1 North)
vs Logan Thunder – 10 points, 11 rebounds, 14 assists

Keanu Rasmussen – Sturt Sabres (NBL1 Central)
vs Eastern Mavericks - DNP

Alex Starling – South Adelaide Panthers (NBL1 Central)
vs Woodville Warriors – 21 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists

Harvey White – Sturt Sabres (NBL1 Central)
vs Eastern Mavericks – DNP

Akech Aliir – North Adelaide Rockets (NBL1 Central)
vs Norwood Flames – 10 points, 19 rebounds, 5 assists

Isaac White - Mackay Meteors (NBL1 North)
DNP

Sam McDaniel – Hobart Chargers (NBL1 South)
vs NW Tasmania – 20 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists

Nathan Sobey – Ipswich Force (NBL1 North)
vs Sunshine Coast Phoenix – 27 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists

Lat Mayen – Bendigo Braves (NBL1 South)
vs Ballarat Miners – 15 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists
vs Knox Raiders – 13 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal

Lachlan Anderson – Cairns Marlins (NBL1 North)
vs USC Rip City – 16 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks

Jonah Antonio – Cairns Marlins (NBL1 North)
vs USC Rip City – 41 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists

Akoldah Gak – Southern Districts Spartans (NBL1 North)
vs Southern Districts Spartans – 15 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist

Harry Morris – Illawarra Hawks (NBL1 East)
vs Central Coast Crusaders – DNP

William Hickey – Illawarra Hawks (NBL1 East)
vs Central Coast Crusaders - 15 points, 10 rebounds, 16 assists

Mason Peatling – Knox Raiders (NBL1 South)
vs Kilsyth Cobras – 6 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists
vs Bendigo Braves – 10 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist

Lachlan Olbrich – West Adelaide Bearcats (NBL1 Central)
vs Southern Tigers – 30 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists

Todd Blanchfield – Gold Coast Rollers (NBL1 North)
vs Logan Thunder – 26 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists

Biwali Bayles – North Gold Coast Seahawks (NBL1 North)
DNP

Wani Swaka Lo Buluk - Sydney Comets (NBL1 East)
vs Hornsby Ku Ring Gai Spiders – 11 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists

Tanner Krebs – Gold Coast Rollers (NBL1 North)
DNP

Campbell Blogg – Sandringham Sabres (NBL1 South)
vs Frankston Blues – 12 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists
vs Melbourne Tigers – 20 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists

Brad Newley – Frankston Blues (NBL1 South)
vs Sandringham Sabres – 26 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist

Zac Triplett – Keilor Thunder (NBL1 South)
vs Geelong United – 3 points, 2 rebounds
vs Casey Cavaliers – DNP

Malith Machar – Forestville Eagles (NBL1 Central)
vs Central Districts Lions – 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists

David Okwera – Perth Redbacks (NBL1 West)
vs South West Slammers – 18 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist

Kyle Zunic – Northside Wizards (NBL1 North)
vs Brisbane Capitals – 4 points, 6 rebounds, 9 assists

Ben Henshall – BA Centre of Excellence (NBL1 East)
DNP

Gorjok Gak - Willeton Tigers (NBL1 West)
vs Mandurah Magic – 16 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists

Owen Foxwell - Eltham Wildcats (NBL1 South)
vs Diamond Valley Eagles – 26 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists
vs Mt Gambier Pioneers – 12 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists

Matt Kenyon - USC Rip City (NBL1 North)
DNP

Ben Ayre - Sandringham Sabres (NBL1 South)
vs Frankston Blues – 24 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists

Angus Glover – Eltham Wildcats (NBL1 South)
vs Diamond Valley Eagles – 8 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists
vs Mt Gambier Pioneers – 25 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists

Jaylin Galloway – Ipswich Force (NBL1 North)
vs Sunshine Coast Phoenix – DNP

Kouat Noi - USC Rip City (NBL1 North)
vs Cairns Marlins – 37 points, 16 rebounds, 2 assists
vs Townsville Heat – 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists

Shaun Bruce – Logan Thunder (NBL1 North)
vs Gold Coast Rollers – 18 points, 7 rebounds, 11 assists
vs Southern Districts Spartans – 20 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists

Makuach Maluach – Darwin Salties (NBL1 North)
DNP

Anthony Drmic – West Adelaide Bearcats (NBL1 Central)
DNP

Sean Macdonald – Darwin Salties (NBL1 North)
DNP

Jarred Bairstow – Hobart Chargers (NBL1 South)
vs NW Tasmania – 11 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists

Junior Madut – Norths Bears (NBL1 East)
vs Penrith Panthers – 19 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals

Majok Deng - Logan Thunder (NBL1 North)
vs Gold Coast Rollers – 12 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists
vs Southern Districts Spartans – 38 points, 19 rebounds, 1 assist

Josh Tomasi - Nunawading Spectres (NBL1 South)
vs Ringwood Hawks – 22 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist

Fabijan Krslovic – Southern Districts Spartans (NBL1 North)
vs Logan Thunder - 7 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists