Mid-year report cards: NBL1 East Men and Women grades, top performers and best young guns
With finals fast approaching, it’s time to take a deep dive into the mid-year report cards for the NBL1 East men and women, including grades, top performers and the best young guns of each side.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
With a majority of the NBL1 East season in the books and finals fast approaching, it’s time to look back at the year so far.
We take a look at how the men’s and women’s teams have fared in 2023, with school in session for our mid-year report cards.
MEN
ALBURY WONDONGA
Record: 7-8 (10th)
Top performer (MVP candidate): Jamir Coleman
Young gun (20 or under): Dylan Wilkie (22)
Analysis: We’ve seen glimpses of brilliance from the Bandits that have them firmly in contention for a finals spot. A high-powered offence has Coleman, Lochlan Cummings and Michael Parks all averaging over 16 points per game. Their defence needs to improve though, currently sitting at the second most points conceded per contest. Fix that up and they’re a finals contender.
Grade: B-
BA CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
Record: 16-1 (1st)
Top performer: Ben Henshall
Young gun: Alex Toohey
Analysis: The benchmark of the competition that has been superb in every aspect of the game. The only team averaging 100+ points, the one-two combo of Henshall and Toohey has been enormous so far. Their maiden loss came back in April, with the side currently on a 10-game win streak. A well-balanced unit that are the deserved title favourites at this stage.
Grade: A+
BANKSTOWN
Record: 3-11 (13th)
Top performer: Hayden Blankley
Young gun: Jonah Pares
Analysis: A tough start to the year saw them drop their first seven games, but the Bruins can take some pride in going 3-4 through their next seven outings. Blankley has been a star for this side, leading the team in points, rebounds, assists and blocks to go with a 20pt-10r double-double. If they can split their remaining games that will be a positive result for Bankstown.
Grade: C-
CANBERRA
Record: 9-5 (5th)
Top performer: Glenn Morrison
Young gun: Cameron Pender
Analysis: When the Gunners win, they win well. They have the third best percentage in the league and are doing it on the back of a stellar season from Morrsion. An all-round beast of a year has him in the MVP race with 20pts-10r and almost two blocks per contest. A 26-point win over the Bulls and a close loss to the CoE gives them belief they can contend.
Grade: B+
CENTRAL COAST
Record: 3-10 (12th)
Top performer: Aaron Redhead
Young gun: Jamal Shoaib
Analysis: A promising start to the season has been negated with an eight-game skid. Sitting at 3-2 and with a win over Canberra, their expectations would have been much higher. Still, they have had some good performers with Redhead strong on the inside and Aaron Lawton among a couple of high-percentage three-point shooters within the side.
Grade: C-
HILLS
Record: 8-6 (8th)
Top performer: Shawn Montague
Young gun: Saxon Orsini
Analysis: Sitting right on the borderline of finals in eighth but with a good run home, anything less than a 6-2 finish would be below par. Remarkably they’ve won four games by three or less points, a testament to their coolness in the clutch. A good mix of scorers has contributed to them being right in the thick of things.
Grade: B
HORNSBY KU-RING-GAI
Record: 0-15 (16th)
Top performer: Shareef Saipaia
Young gun: Peitok Machar
Analysis: The only winless side in the competition and points have been hard to come by, a category they sit last in. They’re competing hard though, highlighted by a three-game run of losses by two or less points earlier in the season. Young gun Peitok Machar’s form has been a strong point of the year.
Grade: D-
ILLAWARRA
Record: 7-7 (9th)
Top performer: William Hickey
Young gun: Noah Pagotto
Analysis: A 7-7 record perfectly sums up the Hawks’ season so far. They’ve shown the potential to do big things, but consistency has been their struggle at times. William Hickey has been enormous this year, and with plenty of high-quality scorers, there is no reason they can’t go on a big run to make a finals push.
Grade: B-
INNER WEST
Record: 12-2 (2nd)
Top performer: Blake Morrow
Young gun: Joseph Kordahi
Analysis: A real contender for the crown. The Bulls have been superb in 2023 and have responded to both losses they’ve suffered in style. Boast the league’s second-best offence and a strong D has them firing. Morrow, Christopher Bryant and Alexander Higgins-Titsha all averaging about 17 points shows the weapons they possess.
Grade: A
MAITLAND
Record: 8-6 (6th)
Top performer: William Cranston-Lown
Young gun: Will Mortimore
Analysis: Confidence should be high among the Mustangs. With an active four-game win streak and knowing they can push the top-two, they should like their chances of going deep in the playoffs. Cranston-Lown has been really coming into his own to guide this team, with help across the board in rebounding as a unit.
Grade: B
MANLY WARRINGAH
Record: 3-12 (15th)
Top performer: Matthew Eldridge
Young gun: Jock McHugh
Analysis: It hasn’t been a season to remember so far for the Sea Eagles, with just the three wins. However two of those have come from their past four, so hopefully it’s a sign of better things to come. Eldridge has been the shining light by averaging a double-double and swatting opponents away at will.
Grade: C-
NEWCASTLE
Record: 8-6 (7th)
Top performer: Ryan Beisty
Young gun: Michael Walker
Analysis: Their best goes close to winning this league, but their worst has them nowhere near playoffs. Despite back-to-back 29-point defeats, they still sit in seventh and have the chance to turn things around before the post-season. Beisty and Myles Cherry have been the duo to get it done, and they can lead this team to good things.
Grade: B
NORTHS
Record: 11-3 (3rd)
Top performer: Brennan Rymer
Young gun: Michael Yoong
Analysis: A very strong season so far with the odd down performance. Still, they hold the mantle of being the only team to knock off the Centre of Excellence so far. Junior Madut's early scoring exploits have been continued by Rymer, who is averaging 24 points per game, with Lewis Holey also getting the job done.
Grade: A-
PENRITH
Record: 3-11 (14th)
Top performer: Caleb Fetui-Fa’amoe
Young gun: Jaedyn Fetui-Fa’amoe
Analysis: The going has been tough, mostly due to the fact their defence has let them down to sit as a league worst. Currently in a four-game slump and facing on of the toughest run homes. The form of the Fetui-Fa’amoe boys has been a high point throughout the season.
Grade: C-
SUTHERLAND
Record: 11-4 (4th)
Top performer: Lochlan Hutchison
Young gun: Joshua Sheehy
Analysis: One of the league’s better offensive sides who needs to tighten up their defence coming into the business end of the season. They’ve won their last four and face some playoffs contenders over the conclusion. One of the league’s most explosive offensive units and a good core of quality talent should have them challenging for a title.
Grade: A-
SYDNEY
Record: 6-8 (11th)
Top performer: Archie Woodhill
Young gun: Christian Aukuso
Analysis: Since winning six of their first seven, they’ve gone on to drop their next seven. They have to face the top-three over the finish of the season, so they’re going to have to snap out of their rut fast. Woodhill and Wani Swaka Lo Bulik when he plays, are going to have to be the duo to turn it around.
Grade: C+
WOMEN
ALBURY WONDONGA
Record: 7-7 (8th)
Top performer (MVP candidate): Emma Mahady
Young gun (20 or under): Elizabeth Murphy
Analysis: Their best has them as playoff certainties and a chance to advance further. We just need to see more of it. A last-start defeat by just three to the CoE shows how much they can compete. With a number of key contributors like Emma Mahady and Malury Bates, they can impress over the final weeks.
Grade: B-
BA CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
Record: 13-3 (5th)
Top performer: Isla Juffermans
Young gun: Jessica Petrie
Analysis: One of the more exciting teams in the competition with their incredibly talented youth leading the way. They sit in fifth but 13 wins on the board has them primed to move higher. Isla Juffermans is a baller who gets it done on both ends of the floor, while Jessica Petrie is another young star. Title contenders.
Grade: A-
BANKSTOWN
Record: 6-8 (10th)
Top performer: Violet Morrow
Young gun: Shalome Dunlop
Analysis: In the mix and in a spot where they can’t drop too many more games. A four-game slide against some top teams has really hurt their momentum, but they still have time on their side. Violet Morrow is the heart and soul of this team and is having an MVP-calibre season to date.
Grade: C+
CANBERRA
Record: 6-8 (9th)
Top performer: Lizzy Tonks
Young gun: Jasmyn Boutzos
Analysis: The Nationals are another team that is in the mix for playoffs, but need to put it together. Isabelle Bourne has been enormous since joining the team, perfectly complementing Lizzy Tonks, with both averaging over 20ppg. They have the talent and the draw to make it to the post-season.
Grade: C+
CENTRAL COAST
Record: 5-10 (11th)
Top performer: Sara Matthews
Young gun: Kasey Quigley
Analysis: After winning four of their first six, they’ve struggled to find their best. That was until they knocked off the first-placed Manly last week in the upset of the season. That alone proves they have what it takes to make the playoffs, and that must be the catalyst for a positive run to finish 2023.
Grade: C
HILLS
Record: 2-12 (15th)
Top performer: Rhiannon Yetsenga
Young gun: Ella Leasuasu
Analysis: Just two wins for the season, and it’s obvious their major issue has been scoring points with them ranked last in the NBL1 East. They’ve performed well against some good sides and Rhiannon Yetsenga has given them a consistent output.
Grade: D+
HORNSBY KU-RING-GAI
Record: 1-14 (16th)
Top performer: Kristina Moore
Young gun: Keira Hudson
Analysis: Sitting at the bottom of the ladder with their defence the real issue, a league worst. Their one win came two games ago against Hills, and hopefully that can motivate them for the rest of the season. Kristina Moore is their biggest weapon with an incredible 26 and 7 for the year in a tough setting.
Grade: D
ILLAWARRA
Record: 3-11 (12th)
Top performer: Emilia Garcia Leon
Young gun: Ella Dent
Analysis: They haven’t set the world on fire so far in 2023, with just the three wins to their name. They can take confidence from a 19-point win two games back, but need to bring that energy more regularly. The future is in 20-year-old Ella Dent, who has put up some outstanding numbers. She’ll only continue to improve.
Grade: C-
INNER WEST
Record: 3-11 (13th)
Top performer: Mikaela Dombkins
Young gun: Jolzyne Impreso
Analysis: Have underachieved so far this season, but there’s still time to turn it around. A two-game winning run has been unfortunately backed up with five defeats. Still, Mikaela Dombkins has been a beast, averaging 20 and 14, while Leilani Mitchell is still a star of Australian basketball.
Grade: C-
MAITLAND
Record: 8-6 (7th)
Top performer: Sydney Hunter
Young gun: Mila Wawszkowicz
Analysis: Overall they’ll be happy with how they are sitting, given a few consecutive wins should ensure them a playoffs spot. One of the only teams to down Newcastle, Maitland has the potential to do big things. Shakera Reilly and Sydney Hunter make a formidable duo, while 18-year-old Mila Wawszkowicz has been outstanding.
Grade: B
MANLY WARRINGAH
Record: 13-2 (1st)
Top performer: Kimberly Hodge
Young gun: Felicity Henderson
Analysis: Currently setting the benchmark at the top and they’ve looked very good in doing so. A shock loss to the Central Coast was their first defeat since round two, but they certainly have the firepower to hit back stronger. A core of Kimberly Hodge, Felicity Henderson and the Delaney girls (Bree and Alex) have them as title favourites.
Grade: A
NEWCASTLE
Record: 12-2 (2nd)
Top performer: Nicole Munger
Young gun: Emily Foy
Analysis: Another real contender who will be disappointed with anything less than a grand final spot. Wins in eight of their last nine have them sitting in second, including a big win over fellow contenders the Comets. Nicole Munger’s 18-13 averages for the season are pure quality. Another strong all-round team.
Grade: A
NORTHS
Record: 11-2 (3rd)
Top performer: Emily Simons
Young gun: Carla Pitman
Analysis: Right in the hunt for a title. They boast the best attack and defence in the league, and will be most impressed with holding opposition teams to 50 or less points six times. There are so many cohesive parts of this team that gel together so well, including Kate Seebohm who is having a great season.
Grade: A
PENRITH
Record: 3-11 (14th)
Top performer: Meg Jefferson
Young gun: Chloe Williams
Analysis: They’ve found themselves on the wrong end of some big scorelines in recent times, but a two-point loss to ladder-leaders Manly shows they can find form on their day. Their draw is favourable enough for the run home, and Meg Jefferson’s all-round court presence can see them add to their win tally.
Grade: C-
SUTHERLAND
Record: 10-5 (6th)
Top performer: Lauren Nicholson
Young gun: Emily Garland
Analysis: A solid mid-season has saw them drop just one game in their last six, with Lauren Nicholson just a simpy dominant force. She’s averaging 26-6-6 on 51 per cent shooting in what has been an MVP calibre season. Some good scoring around her has their attacking firing on all cylinders. Can win this competition.
Grade: B+
SYDNEY
Record: 11-2 (4th)
Top performer: Shyla Heal
Young gun: Jada Crawshaw
Analysis: The one-two punch of WNBL stars Shyla Heal and Vanessa Panousis, coupled with the rising star that is Jada Crawshaw, has the Comets primed to be major contenders come playoffs time. Their form has been strong and there’s no reason they can’t go undefeated heading into the playoffs.
Grade: A
Bradman Cup: Team previews and players to watch
Country NSW has produced some of the best cricketers to play the game. Ahead of this year’s Bradman Cup, we’re putting the spotlight on the best young talent from the bush.
Strange way Sydney to Hobart sailing guns found their yacht
There’s no cat or celebrities but women will be ruling the waves, two Sydney to Hobart supermaxis will resume hostilities and an adventurous pair will race on a yacht they sourced on WhatsApp.