Tigers and Flames don’t take to the floor after Basketball SA decides to abandon match
Rain is not typically an issue when it comes to basketball but Southern Tigers and Norwood have felt the brunt of winter after having their games cancelled on Saturday night.
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- Central Districts end seven year win drought over Norwood
An unfinished roof project at Morphett Vale led to the cancellation of a key fixture, West gets “punched in the face” down at Mount Gambier and the return of Jack Turnbull inspires Sturt to its first win of the season.
Check out all of Messenger Community News’ match reports from an unpredictable round of men and women’s Premier League basketball.
ROOF WORKS AGAINST TIGERS
Weather is not typically an issue when it comes to basketball but Southern Tigers and Norwood felt the brunt of winter when their games were cancelled on Saturday night.
Water on the court from condensation and a leak in the roof, currently under reconstruction, was the cause of the abandonment of the men’s and women’s fixtures.
The project was meant to be completed in January but has been put on hold after Onkaparinga Council cancelled the contract of its selected roofing company.
It is understood to have been because of an occupational health and safety issue.
The match has been rescheduled to round 19 and will be played on Sunday, July 14 at Morphett Vale.
Southern’s next fixture at Morphett Vale is Saturday, June 15 against Eastern Mavericks.
Tigers coach Dean Nyberg said the cancellation was unfortunate, although safety of players was important.
“It was meant to be done in January but there was a problem with the contractor and (the project) got put on hold,” Nyberg said.
“There were issues during the week with leaking and – even if the rain held off – if it is cold enough the condensation with people inside the stadium was leaving the court wet.
“Basketball SA decided for safety reasons to postpone it and the court wasn’t playable.
“I understand why the cancelled it … and I’m not sure if other venues were explored, but it would have been difficult to move the game so late.”
News of the match being abandoned spread about midday last Saturday and led for calls on social media for the game to be moved to another stadium.
Norwood men’s player Andrew Webber was vocal on Facebook saying: “Soooo reschedule the game to another venue then. There’s plenty available.”
The Tigers have had three straight weeks without a game, something Nyberg has never experienced in the middle of a season.
They were the only team to have a bye in round 11, the competition then broke for the state championships on May 17 and 18, before the weekend’s cancellation.
Southern will be back on the court this Saturday night against South Adelaide at Marion and on Sunday versus Sturt at Pasadena.
Norwood will host Mount Gambier at the ARC Campbelltown then travels to West Adelaide the following day.
WEST WHACKED BY PIONEERS
West Adelaide’s men leaked points at a rapid rate in the first period of a sour trip to the Ice House to face Mount Gambier on Saturday night.
It was a blistering opening quarter from the hosts as they piled on 44-27 by the first break to set up a strong 121-97 victory.
The Bearcats moved to a 4-8 record with the loss. They face a battle to make the finals, despite starting 3-0.
West coach Corey Maclean said his side was “weak” in a flat opening period.
“They pretty much punched us in the face in the first quarter,” Maclean said.
“That was very disappointing and it was a very weak defensive effort, which is not what we’re about.
“I gave them a big rocket at quarter-time and they then went and won the second quarter.
“The damage was done early though.”
Mount Gambier’s stars went to work on the Bearcats in a show of strength.
Import Kentrell Barkley, who Maclean said was “just too big” for his small line-up, had his way with 34 points and 17 rebounds.
Captain Tom Daly had 22 points and dished out 11 assists, while Brad Rathjen (22 points) and Erik Burdon (20) were also solid.
West import Bryan Jefferson had a game-high 40 points, Tom Kubank recorded 20 and Patrick Thomas had 12 boards and 10 assists.
It was the first trip to the Ice House for the Bearcats and Maclean said the preparation was “rushed”.
“I think BSA might have to look at the way it’s working at the moment because we needed more time to prepare,” he said.
“I’m not using that as an excuse, it wasn’t why we came out the way we did, but it was rushed.”
West’s women went down to Mount Gambier in a tight battle, 82-74.
It snapped a three-game winning streak for the Bearcats, who were led by Jasmin Fejo (16 points) in the loss to the Pioneers.
West takes on Norwood at home this Sunday.
Mount Gambier is away to Norwood and then Central this weekend.
MEN: Mount Gambier 121 d West Adelaide 97
WOMEN: Mount Gambier 82 d West Adelaide 74
JACK’S BACK WITH A WIN
The return of Jack Turnbull inspired Sturt’s men to finally grab their first win of the season against South Adelaide at Marion on Saturday night.
With Turnbull back on the court for the first time since suffering a stroke on April 30, the Sabres came from behind to prevail 83-74.
Sturt trailed by eight points at the half but fought back to level the scores at three-quarter time before a 21-12 final period sealed the victory.
It had been a rough start for the Sabres, going 11 matches without a win to begin the season.
CJ Rivers led the way for Sturt with 19 points, 11 boards and five assists.
The Panthers, 3-8 on the season, spurned the chance to christen the long-awaited new floor at Marion with a win.
Zachary Allmon (19 points, 13 rebounds) and Brad Jonnek (19 points) fought hard for South, which gave up 54 points in the paint.
In women’s action, Sturt had a 96-68 triumph over South.
The Sabres shot out to a nine-point lead at the first break and did not look back, despite the best efforts of Panthers captain Mollie McKendrick (23 points).
Sturt skipper Kayla Matthews led from the front in a dominant 33-point performance, while Kylee Smith had 27 points and 12 boards.
The Sabres are away to North at Hillcrest this Saturday night and then home to Southern on Sunday.
South will be at home again when Southern Tigers arrive on Saturday night before a bye the following day.
MEN: Sturt 83 d South Adelaide 74
WOMEN: Sturt 96 d South Adelaide 68
INCONSISTENT LIONS
Central Districts’ up-and-down men’s season continued as it fell to North Adelaide on Saturday night.
The Lions left Hillcrest with their tails between their legs following the 112-91 defeat.
It followed a surprise upset win over Norwood the previous round.
Central has lost a match straight after winning one on five occasions this season.
De’Vaughn Jones topscored for Central with 20 points and also pulled in 10 rebounds.
North’s import duo of Alex Starling (27 points, 14 rebounds, six assists) and Tobias Dowdell (24, 10, 2) starred.
In women’s action, the winless Lions were outplayed in an 86-54 defeat to the Rockets.
They never recovered after trailing by 13 points at the first change to slump to a 12th-straight loss this season.
Jazmen Boone battled hard for 15 points and 17 rebounds.
Central takes on Eastern Mavericks at Mount Barker this Saturday night and then is home to Mount Gambier on Sunday.
The Rockets host Sturt then are away to Forestville in their double-header weekend.
MEN: North Adelaide 112 d Central Districts 91
WOMEN: North Adelaide 86 d Central Districts 54
STATEMENT VICTORY
Eastern Mavericks continue to assert themselves as contenders in the women’s competition after knocking off 2018 grand finalists Forestville at Wayville on Saturday night.
The 72-65 victory edged the Mavericks into third spot on the ladder and just one win behind the 9-3 Eagles.
It was set up by a stunning 36-point performance from Eastern star Carmen Tyson-Thomas, who also pulled in 14 boards.
Chelsea Roberts (18 points) battled hard for Forestville.
Meanwhile, the Eagles’ men made light work of the Mavericks with a 115-95 victory at Wayville.
It was business as usual for the high-flying Forestville as it poured more misery in the battling Eastern outfit.
Former Adelaide 36er Majok Deng recorded 33 points and Brendan Teys added 26, including four from long range.
The Eagles are at St Clair against Woodville this Saturday night and back it up with a big clash at home to North on Sunday.
Eastern hosts Central Districts on Saturday then has a bye the following day.
MEN: Forestville 115 d Eastern Mavericks 95
WOMEN: Eastern Mavericks 72 d Forestville 65
patrick.keam@news.com.au
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