Our HoopCity NBL1 teams wrapped up their regular season campaign with a trip to Casey on Sunday afternoon. Playing for playoff position both teams were looking to take home a win to lock in their finals spot. Check out how the teams went below!
HOOPCITY NBL1 WOMEN
Our Geelong Women were looking to maintain a chance at a home final on Sunday, with the NBL1 South ladder as close as it possibly could be, it was a must-win game to ensure the team wasn’t on the road in round 1 of finals.
Starting out hot behind some quick scoring from Sarah Elsworthy, Geelong was able to jump out to a 19-10 first-quarter lead as the Cavs were slow out of the gate to start.
While the Women stayed consistent with their scoring, the Cavs heated up as they crushed the first-quarter deficit to be trailing by just 2 heading into the half.
With the starting unit taking most of the scoring load, it was the battle of the Sara(h)’s as Blicavs was putting up points with ease while grabbing rebounds like there was no tomorrow. While for the Cavs Sarah Boothe tried her best to keep up with the Opal leading her team with 23 points.
The third quarter was another closely contested quarter with the Supercats being able to extend their lead by just 2 points as the race for a home final was on the line.
Entering the final 10 minutes the lead flipped back and forth with Geelong looking to Sara Blicavs to deliver a huge side step dagger from 3 to extend the lead to 5 with less than two minutes to go.
Casey wasn’t out yet as Rachel Bell answered for the Cavs just a minute later with a long 3 to cut the lead to 2.
Casey opted to let Geelong run the clock down for their final possession of the game, and while Rebekah O’Donnell’s 3 attempt went wide, it was Sara Blicavs ripping down her 18th rebound forcing the Cavs to foul. Nowhere near the bonus and with less than 10 seconds on the clock Jess Scannell was finally sent to the line to ice the game with two clutch free throws.
With this win, the Women have secured their home finals spot with them taking on the Launceston Tornadoes on Saturday night at the Geelong Arena. Tickets are available HERE and are sure to go fast, so make sure to grab them now!
TOP PERFORMERS
Sara Blicavs 24 points 18 rebounds 3 assists 3 steals
Sarah Elsworthy 14 points 10 3 assists 2 steals
14 points 7 rebounds
HOOPCITY NBL1 MEN
Also heading to Casey for their final regular season game, our HoopCity NBL1 Men were looking to secure a home final of their own. While Casey were sitting near the bottom of the ladder, it was always going to be a tough battle for our Men, with both Owen Odigie and Matt John’s sidelined with injuries.
Starting hot out of the gate the Men were steadied by backcourt duo Isaac Turner and Gabe Hadley as the team took a 3-point lead heading into quarter time.
With no more than 8 available players, Coach Justin Schueller looked to the youth league trio off the bench to provide a spark throughout the game.
While the second quarter saw the lead slip away as Casey’s Dave Hickey started to fire up, a deficit of just 6 was more than manageable for the Geelong Unit.
The third quarter saw the Cavs continue their hot streak as they were able to push the lead to double digits, leading by 12 with 10 to play.
A tough afternoon for DeMarcus Gatlin saw him pick up his 4th and 5th foul late in the fourth, forcing the elite perimeter defender to watch from the sidelines.
Try as they might the Supercats made a push late in the 4th behind some insane shot-making from Gabe Hadley and Isaac Turner as they tried to will their team to a much-needed win to end the regular season.
While they kept it close the team simply ran out of legs in the final minutes as some open looks just missed for the backcourt pair that would’ve helped send Geelong into the lead.
Storming home with 32 points in the final 10, it was not enough as Casey finished out their season 100-95 winners over Geelong.
While the Men weren’t able to collect the win they have set themselves a finals date with destiny as they travel to Frankston to take on the Blues. The game will be live on the NBL1 website and app!
TOP PERFORMERS
Isaac Turner 25 points 2 rebounds 1 assists 1 steal 1 block
Gabe Hadley 22 points 6 rebounds 6 assists
Kris Blicavs 14 points 5 rebounds
Jack Terrill 10 points 8 rebounds
