NBL1 East Finals: We look at the 16 most underrated players heading into the preliminary finals
NBL1 East finals action is underway and it’s not just the big names standing tall. We take a look at the 16 most underrated players from the eight teams headed to the preliminary finals.
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Eight teams remain across the men’s and women’s divisions of the NBL1 East finals with spots in the grand finals on the line this weekend.
We look at 20 of the most underrated players remaining in the competition as they look to make a huge impact on the big stage.
MEN
KYE SAVAGE (BA CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE)
The 18-year-old from Tasmania enjoying the best year of his career with an Australian U19s squad spot and a breakout year at NBL1 level.
High percentage shooter getting a just reward for his efforts, averaging almost 12 points per game at over 51 per cent.
LUKE FENNELL (BA CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE)
Super talented shooting guard who is part of the NBA Global Academy and has starred at national U18s level for Victoria Metro.
A high volume shooter who came up with a big 17-point effort against Newcastle to keep the BA COE in the finals hunt.
DENG GAK (SUTHERLAND)
Approaching veteran territory in this league, but has been a crucial part of the puzzle for the Sharks in the second half of the season.
The University of Miami centre spent time with Ballarat last year and has been a model of consistency since coming home.
JOSHUA SHEEHY (SUTHERLAND)
Didn’t see a lot of court time against Norths but made the most of it with a steal and two free throws in a minute.
Has shown some promise throughout the year and as a 20-year-old will continue to develop his game.
LACHLAN SMITH (CANBERRA)
The 19-year-old made headlines against Hills with an extraordinary shooting performance from the bench to score 21 on the Hornets.
His ability to get hot and stay hot from beyond the arc makes him a dangerous player to watch in these finals.
DHAL FIEG (CANBERRA)
A hyper athletic scorer who at just 22 is about to enter his prime after a stint with South Georgia Technical College.
A consistent point guard who has led the team well, feeding his bigs when needed and shown he can drop 20+ on any night.
BILLY PARSONS (MAITLAND)
A 22-year-old big who has given the Mustangs vital minutes off the bench throughout the course of the season.
Chipped in an efficient 10 point-five rebound effort to upset the Bulls, the type of impact Maitland needs if they’re to stay alive.
WILL MORTIMORE (MAITLAND)
One of the stars for Knox at the BA Schools Championship to finish last year, posting some monster double-doubles.
An 18-year-old talent who can go off in a short amount of time, evidenced by a 19 point-seven rebound showing in just 15 minutes against Manly.
WOMEN
BONNIE DEAS (BA CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE)
Made the journey from Frankson to Canberra at the start of the year and the 17-year-old has performed strongly.
Has taken part in the NBA Academy Games and brought that form back to the NBL1, starring in the first week of the finals.
MONIQUE BOBONGIE (BA CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE)
Still just 16 years old but stacked with potential, as evidenced by dropping 18 to help the BA Centre of Excellence knock out the Sutherland Sharks.
An Australian U16s and U17s representative, the shooting guard backs herself to get hot and quite often the Queenslander does.
CARLA PITMAN (NORTHS)
Came back from a few games off in style with an efficient 20 point-two steal outing over Maitland.
A NSW U20s representative, the 19-year-old is averaging 13 points per game in one of the league’s best sides.
CAITLYN MARTIN (NORTHS)
Just 17 years old and looks set to progress further after showing plenty of positive signs throughout the season.
Played 10 minutes in the first semi final, and the point guard gets the chance to learn from some quality guards on the fly.
JADA CRAWSHAW (SYDNEY COMETS)
Doesn’t generate the same headlines as teammates Heal and Panousis, but has been a great third option for the Comets.
Still only 18 but averaging 17 points and nine rebounds for the season, including coming up big against Newcastle in an elimination game.
PIPER ANDERSON (SYDNEY COMETS)
A 19-year-old who has been in lethal form of late, averaging over 14 points and a block in her last five games.
The combo guard has represented New South Wales previously and has been a crucial part of the Comets’ success.
SARI MOWBRAY (MANLY WARRINGAH)
Continues to take steps forward in her career, and as a team player the 19-year-old is well liked at the club.
Gives consistent performance with every outing, can bring down boards and an active defender as well.
ANTONIA HENDERSON (MANLY WARRINGAH)
Not underrated by her teammates, but the general basketball community can sometimes underestimate just how strong she is.
An elite defender who can guard everyone and can score the basketball as well, scoring 19 points on 64 per cent to knock Albury out.
FINALS WEEK ONE WRAP + TOP 10
The NBL1 East finals got underway in exciting fashion at the weekend as eight became four across the men’s and women’s divisions.
NBL1 EAST MEN
The BA Centre of Excellence was dominant in a crushing 103-71 defeat of Newcastle.
They led by as much as 44 after a combine run of 65-27 in the second and third terms to set up a big win.
Coach Robbie McKinlay would be most impressed with their perimeter shooting, hitting over 51 per cent of their threes, including five from John Furphy.
A team effort from Sutherland saw them cause a 85-66 road upset over Norths.
They had four scorers with 15 or more points for the contest,
The biggest upset of the weekend came in the form of the Maitland Mustangs, who came away from ELS Hall Park with a 92-81 defeat of the Inner West Bulls.
With scores tied at halftime, the duo of Matthew Gray and William Cranston-Lown combined for 48 to knock out the second-placed side.
Lachlan Smith turned in his finest performance of the season to help Canberra come from behind to down Hills 90-69.
The Gunners trailed by nine at the half before a 34-17 final term ensured they would advance to the second week of the finals.
NBL1 EAST WOMEN
A huge effort from the BA Centre of Excellence bench has lifted the side to a 93-88 win over Sutherland.
Trailing by eight coming into the final quarter, their bench combined for 44 points to come back from a 19-point deficit during the third to prevail.
Norths showed why it is a genuine title contender with a controlled team effort guiding them to a comfortable 81-57 defeat of Maitland.
Carla Pitman had 20 off the bench while Emily Simons was strong as always in an impressive display.
The Sydney Comets caused an upset of sorts, overcoming Newcastle on the road 85-76.
Shyla Heal dropped 43 for the visitors to get the better of the Nicole Munger-Mykea Grey combination, who chipped in 50 of Newcastle’s total output.
Manly-Warringah used a strong second quarter to get the better of Albury-Wodonga 80-72.
The Sea Eagles outscored the Bandits 24-13 in that term to come out on top.
TOP 10 WEEKEND PERFORMANCES
10. Nicole Munger (Newcastle)
Despite going down to the Comets, Munger was immense for the Falcons.
She did everything she could for her side with 26 points, 17 rebounds and six assists.
9. Lachlan Smith (Canberra)
The perfect knock off the bench and gave the Gunners the spark they needed to overcome a deficit.
Scored 21 points with three rebounds and a steal, but it was his 4/5 from three that got the job done.
8. Adrian Cabrera (Sutherland)
An all-round outstanding game from Carera saw the Sharks topple the Bears in style.
Dropped 21 points at an efficient rate (8/14 FG), to go with six boards, two assists and four steals in a strong defensive outing.
7. Bree Delaney (Manly-Warringah)
In one of the most complete teams in the league, Delaney turned out another brilliant outing.
21 points on 8/14 shooting with six boards, four assists and two steals helped her side overcome a stubborn Albury-Wodonga.
6. Ben Henshall (BA Centre of Excellence)
Perth Wildcats fans will be licking their lips with Henshall set to join them very soon.
He was outstanding in a 23-point (9/14 FG), six assist and two steal performance.
5. Mikayla Pivec (Albury-Wodonga)
An elite level player who did everything in her power to lift the Bandits in defeat.
Pivec was immense with 23 points (10/17 FG), 15 rebounds, four assists and two steals for her Bandits.
4. Glenn Morison (Canberra)
The big boy came up trumps when it counted with yet another double-double for his tally.
The star Gunner dropped 26 points (10/12 FT), 14 rebounds, three assists and a block against Hills.
3. Lauren Nicholson (Sutherland)
The WNBL star didn’t die wondering as Sutherland pushed the BA Centre of Excellence to their limits.
Nicholson flirted with a triple-double, scoring 32 points to go with 10 rebounds, eight assists and two steals in a stellar display.
2. Matthew Gray (Maitland)
Gray is definitely a hero in Maitland now after his heroics lifted the seventh-placed Mustangs to a huge upset over the Bulls.
Gray had 30 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two blocks, as well as hitting 5/8 from long range.
1. Shyla Heal (Sydney)
It’s impossible to overlook Shyla Heal’s incredible display to keep the Sydney Comets’ season alive.
In 40 minutes of game time the star guard had 43 points (16/26 FG), four rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block to absolutely stuff the stat sheet.
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