Central Districts’ men end seven-year win drought over ladder leader Norwood with hard-fought victory
Central Districts stakes its claim for a men’s playoff berth after ending a seven-year drought against ladder leader Norwood, while North Adelaide’s women continue their slide. Here’s our round 11 wrap.
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Central Districts is emerging as a men’s team to watch after upsetting ladder leader Norwood, Sturt remains winless in the same competition, while North Adelaide’s women continue to slide after losing to Woodville.
All in all, the competitions are intriguingly placed heading into this weekend’s league-wide bye for the state junior championships.
This is Messenger Community News’ wrap of round 11.
YOUNG LIONS TAME FLAMES
Central Districts men’s coach Ricky Simpson reckons his team usually tries to “keep a lid on it” after regular season wins.
But ending a seven-year losing streak against ladder leader Norwood with an upset 102-94 victory ensured there was more emotion than usual at Starplex on Saturday night.
“You always try to keep a lid on it when it’s a (regular season) game but they were no more excited than I was,” Simpson said.
“I said to them ‘I can’t remember the last time we beat them’ and so the boys were unusually happy after a win.
“It’s still early in the season and we’re trying to build a culture of expectation where you try not to go too high (after wins) or too low on losses.
“But there was a bit of happiness around the place with the fans, the boys and myself – everybody was enjoying the moment.”
The result boosted Central’s chances of making its first playoff appearance in five years.
Victory took the sixth-placed Lions to a 6-5 record, leaving them one win behind fifth-ranked Southern Tigers.
Simpson said Saturday’s success was one “we were desperate to get”.
“The boys dug deep and played really well,” he said.
Simpson said his team’s defence was crucial to the victory and captain Jordan Centenera (eight points, six assists) helped stabilise the team when Norwood made a run.
Imports Jordan Riewer (29 points, seven rebounds) and De’Vaughn Jones (20 points, nine boards) led the way for the Lions.
James Legan (22 points) and Daniel Webber (21 points, seven rebounds) were Norwood’s top scorers.
The Flames are now 10-2 this season – their only other loss being to Woodville.
In women’s action, Norwood kept Central winless with a 75-62 triumph.
The Lions led by one point at quarter-time and were level at the main break but fell away during the second half.
Leah Swain (17 points) and Jazmen Boone (18 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, six steals) battled hard for Central, while Tess Bruffey (20 points, 11 boards) topscored for the Flames.
Norwood has a 7-5 record.
MEN: Central Districts 102 d Norwood 94
WOMEN: Norwood 75 d Central Districts 62
SABRES SUFFER ANOTHER LOSS
Sturt’s dominant women’s season hit a speed bump on Saturday night as it went down to Forestville at home.
The hard-fought 70-66 result was the second straight loss for the Sabres after last week’s defeat to Norwood.
Elissa Brett scored 16 points and pulled in 10 rebounds to lead the way for Sturt, while Kylee Smith had a massive 19 boards to go along with 11 points.
The Sabres are now 8-3 this season.
In men’s action, winless Sturt fell 104-88 to Forestville at Pasadena.
The hosts held their own early with scores locked at the first break before the Eagles pulled away.
Dylan Rawson topscored for Sturt with 15 points.
Import Greg Mays (32 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks) was huge for Forestville, while Brendan Teys (25 points, seven assists) also had a significant influence on the result.
The Sabres remain bottom of the ladder with an 0-11 record, while the Eagles are second with a 9-2 ratio.
MEN: Forestville 104 d Sturt 88
WOMEN: Forestville 70 d Sturt 66
WEST NOT BLAMING BAD LUCK
West Adelaide men’s coach Corey Maclean refused to blame bad luck after his side lost a thriller against South Adelaide at Port Adelaide on Saturday night.
The Bearcats held a four-point advantage at three-quarter time but the Panthers triumphed 91-89.
South’s Adam Brown sealed the game with a free throw and the Bearcats missed five shots late, including a lay-up with one second remaining, according to Maclean.
The Bearcats mentor said his side’s depth was being tested with Patrick Ciganovic and Lachlan Haufe out injured, and Fabian Johnson in the US.
“We missed three lay-ups and two free throws, so I wouldn’t really call it unlucky,” MacLean said.
“The way we are playing is not acceptable, to be honest.
“The guys who we expected to step up and be better just haven’t done that.”
US import Bryan Jefferson (31 points, nine rebounds) was huge for West with 31 points and nine rebounds, while captain Patrick Thomas (14 points, seven boards, seven assists) was the next top scorer.
The Bearcats have slumped to a 4-7 record.
In women’s action, West enjoyed a 91-85 victory against South at home.
Jasmin Fejo topscored for the hosts with 16 points, while amassing seven rebounds and dishing off five assists.
Keeley Pearce was solid off the bench with 13 points, while Michaela Lappin added a handy 12, also as a substitute.
West’s women are fifth with a 7-4 record.
MEN: South Adelaide 91 d West Adelaide 89
WOMEN: West Adelaide 91 d South Adelaide 85
ROCKETS CONTINUE SLIDE
The gap between defending women’s champion North Adelaide and the top five is widening after the club’s 12-point loss to Woodville at St Clair on Saturday night.
Nine months ago, the Rockets beat Forestville to win the title but during the off-season they lost veterans Jo Hill and Kirsty Williams, along with coach Brenton Johsnton, and they have struggled this campaign.
The 79-51 defeat to the Warriors left North three wins outside the finals placings with a 4-8 record.
US import Teige Morrell (31 points, 20 boards) starred for the Warriors, while Samantha Defrancesco (18 points, four assists) was one of only two Rockets to score in double figures.
In men’s action, North prevailed 85-73 to strengthen its spot in the top three.
All five of the Rockets’ starters scored in double figures for an even team performance, led by Alex Starling’s 22 points.
Woodville import Josh Clippinger topscored with 25 points and claimed 14 rebounds.
“I’d say our finals chances now are just about done,” Warriors coach Scott Whitmore said.
“We had destiny in our own hands for quite a while, now we need to rely on other teams losing.”
MEN: North Adelaide 85 d Woodville 73
WOMEN: Woodville 79 d North Adelaide 51
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