With just 1 round to go in the regular season both our teams are fighting for playoff positioning as week 1 of finals tips off in just 13 days. With both teams taking on a doubleheader this past weekend, check out below how they faired on the court!
HOOPCITY NBL1 WOMEN
Our Women were first up on Friday night as they took on the Nunawading Spectres at the Geelong Arena for their final regular season home game. Missing Sara Blicavs and Aimie Rocci, the team had their work cut out for them looking to replace the scoring load the two superstars provide. Starting out strong, Geelong jumped out to a quick lead before seeing the scoring dry up as the length of the Spectres defence put the heat on the teams scoring ability. Facing a 9-point deficit at quarter time the team looked to re-group but could not make up much ground, with the Spectres extending their lead to 16. An unfortunate injury saw Taylah Simmons leave the floor in the first half, putting further pressure on the depleted Supercats. An injection of life in the 3rd saw the Women pull the margin back to 12 behind some hot shooting from Sarah OβNeill who provided a much-needed spark off the bench. However, the team simply ran out of legs in the 4th as the Spectres came home 18-point winners.
The team then travelled to Keilor looking to rectify Fridayβs blip with a win over the Thunder. Taking the game against them earlier in the season, and with Sara Blicavs returning to the line-up, the team looked to take care of business and maintain a chance at a top 4 spot. Reversing the start of their game the night before, The Supercats were quick to start grabbing an 11-point advantage at the main break 22-11. The Thunder fought back in the second quarter giving the Supercats the slight 2 point advantage heading to the main break. After a tough night from the field against Nunawading, the Geelong outfit looked much improved with Blicavs leading tearly on her way to a 24/8/5 and 5 steal game. The third quarter saw Geelong create more separation regaining a double-digit advantage before claiming the much-needed win by 8 through the final 10.
The win puts the Women at 5th place with a 14-7 record with just 1 game to go in the regular season the Supercats will look to leap-frog the Spectres who are sitting at the same record. The team will need the dice to roll their way however as the Spectres will match up against the lowly Melbourne Tigers. For our Women, they will travel to Casey on Sunday and will look to knock out the Cavs from finals contention. A win would lock in almost certainly lock in a home final.
TOP PERFORMERS
Sara Blicavs 24 points 8 rebounds 5 assists 5 steals
Sarah Elsworthy 19 points 7 rebounds 3 assists
Alex Duck 14 points 6 rebounds 1 assist
Sarah OβNeill 15 points
Eve Braslis 10 points 8 rebounds 2 assists
HOOPCITY NBL1 MEN
Entering the second last round of the 22 regular seasons our Men were looking to make amends for some tough losses earlier in the season and maintain their spot in this yearβs finals series. Facing off against the Nunawading Spectres on Friday night, the Men were looking to get one over on their long-time rivals.
Coming out of the gates slow the Spectres were firing on all cylinders as they jumped out to a 6-point lead 28-22 through 10. The Spectres were hitting their shots at an incredible rate and at the end of the first had hit a ridiculous 6 threes on 86% shooting.
Weathering the storm, Geelong bounced back in the second locking in on defence but struggled down the other end as the margin slipped out to 8 at halftime.
The third quarter rolled around and with a breath of life, the Supercats began their run behind the incredible work of DeMarcus Gatlin and Isaac turner. With Turner seemingly unable to miss and Gatlin showing the league why he is still a top defender, the Men managed a 16-point swing to lead by 8 heading into the final 10 minutes. Geelong was rolling and with big shot after big shot continuing to fall the team ultimately ran out 14-point winners in a crucial game.
The following day the Men also hit the road to face the Keilor Thunder in an early season rematch. Despite the great win the night before, the team had suffered two losses on court, with Big men Owen Odigie and Matt Johns both suffering injuries that kept them out of this one.
Leading by 2 through the first quarter, it was always going to be an uphill battle trying to claim a win over the Thunder with such a depleted line-up. Holding a three-point lead at halftime, the Thunder put their foot on the gas to pull away by 24 points. Despite the tough loss it was good to see the young trio of Cheney, Posterino and Terrill get some extended playing time with Terrill posting a solid 6 points and 11 rebounds as the only other forward on the roster, prior to finals commencing.
Sitting 7th on the ladder, the Men will look to take their final regular season win on the road against the Casey Cavaliers, with a reunion of former Supercats guard Aj Williams and Gat sure to be a classic. A win for the team would see them finish with a 13 and 9 record and most likely maintain their 7th spot on the ladder, while a loss could be costly with Diamond Valley and Knox both right behind them which could see the team potentially fall out of playoff contention.
TOP PERFORMERS
DeMarcus Gatlin 21 points 12 rebounds 7 assists // 19 points 6 rebounds 4 assists
Isaac Turner 25 points 3 rebounds 4 assists // 19 points 2 rebounds
Gabe Hadley 18 points 3 rebounds 4 assists
Liam McInerney 11 points 11 rebounds
