NewsLocal rates the 10 best performances of the NBL1 East elimination finals
The NBL1 East finals are in the bag, with a number of upsets and standout performances. NewsLocal rates the 10 best men and women from the weekend as the competition starts to heat up.
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BASKETBALL: The first weekend of NBL1 East finals are in the bag, with four teams remaining in the men’s and women’s competitions and striving for grand final glory.
With a pair of bumper elimination finals in the books, NewsLocal rates the top five performers in each division from the weekend.
MEN
5. MATUR MALUACH (Newcastle)
Stats: 16 points (6-9 FG, 2-2 3P), 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 3 blocks
Tried his hardest to make things happen out there for the Falcons, particularly on the defensive end with some crafty hands and clean blocks.
Shot the ball efficiently and was able to hit a few threes as well.
4. IGNATIUS MITCHELL (Norths)
Stats: 21 points (9-18 FG), 8 rebounds, 2 assists
The Sydney Kings talent has been strong all season, and he finished off the year with another good showing.
Piled on 21 points and never stopped trying all night.
3. ADRIAN CABRERA (Sutherland)
Stats: 24 points (8-11 FG, 3-3 3P), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals
Cabrera was balling out with teammate Hutchison, with the two combining for 50 points.
Shot the ball at over 70 per cent for the night, hitting all his threes to compliment a well-rounded effort.
2. LOCHLAN HUTCHISON (Sutherland)
Stats: 26 points (8-13 FG, 6-10 3P), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals
Another former King, Hutchison showed why he’s a leading talent in this competition, knocking down six triples for a big road win in Newcastle
Came up with four seals in a great defensive performance.
1. TIM COENRAAD (Illawarra)
Stats: 27 points (8-14 FG, 5-10 3P), 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal
A Hawks legend at the NBL level came up clutch when needed in the NBL1 East.
Coenraad dropped 27 points, including five threes against Norths. His 14 points in the final term willed Illawarra to a 12-point victory.
WOMEN
5. SARAH SCHICHER (Norths)
Stats: 8 points (3-7 FG), 14 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks
Chipped in with eight points, but her efforts on the glass and in defence are what helped her make this list.
Seven offensive rebounds and a game-high 14 boards helped Norths completely dominate that area of the game.
4. ZOEY MILLER (Manly)
Stats: 11 points (4-7 FG), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Came up huge over the final minute of a tight contest with Newcastle, hitting a three to tie the game, then the go-ahead bucket by driving to the hoop and laying it in over a defender.
A seriously clutch showing from the 18-year old.
3. EMILY SIMONS (Norths)
Stats: 25 points (11-18 FG), 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Everything went right for Norths, and a lot of it came on the back of Emily Simons’ output.
Got inside and made life very difficult for Illawarra, hitting 10 shots from close range to cap off a big night.
2. ALEX DELANEY (Manly)
Stats: 27 points (10-19 FG), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal
Led the scoring charge for Manly with a composed, balanced effort.
Set the tempo early and was able to get to the line in the first quarter along with Megan Johnson to put early foul pressure on the Falcons.
1. NICOLE MUNGER (Newcastle)
Stats: 32 points (10-14 FG), 16 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
Did everything in her power to try and will Newcastle over the line, completely stuffing the stat sheet with a 32 point-16 rebound double-double.
Had 13 points in the last term as they fought back from six down to take the lead.
24 UNDERRATED TALENTS OF THE ELIMINATION FINALS
BASKETBALL: The finals of the NBL1 East for the men and women are here, with six teams left in the race for a spot in the national finals.
Four elimination finals will take place this weekend as teams three through to six walk the tightrope.
NewsLocal looks at the 24 underrated talents set to keep their team alive in the hunt for NBL1 East glory.
WOMEN
KATE KINGHAM (Newcastle)
“Our starting guard who has a lot of firepower,” coach Chloe Mullaney said.
“She’s a phenomenal shooter, especially from the perimeter.
“A great lockdown defender and you can feel that her intensity when she plays is fantastic.”
MEGAN JOHSON (Newcastle)
“The captain of our team and one of those players that flies under the radar,” Mullaney said.
“An absolute workhorse. She gets the job done and whatever we need done, she gets on with it.
“Strong defensively, a powerhouse and a great leader.”
EMILY FOY (Newcastle)
“A junior that is 18 and continuing to get better in every game that she’s playing,” Mullaney said.
“A forward who is extremely versatile. At 6’1” she can go inside or out. Her outside game is great and she always gives tremendous effort.”
ELLA DENT (Illawarra)
“It’s hard to call what she does underrated, but sometimes she doesn’t get the recognition she deserves,” coach Tom Cranney said.
“Our point guard. Even when the stats don’t show it, her impact goes so far beyond what people can see on the court.
“She stabilises everything on both ends, holds us together and you can tell when she isn’t there.”
ASHA PHILLIPS (Illawarra)
“A pretty exceptional junior coming through, Asha stepped into our team and was forced to come off the bench,” Cranney said.
“We have quite a bit of talent in that position (guard). It’s not a role for every player, but we wouldn’t be where we are if it wasn’t for her.
“Whatever role she needs to do, whether that’s playing big minutes or out of position, she’s been able to plug those holes.”
MELANIE KIRBY (Illawarra)
“She’s another that from the outside you can’t see the same impact,” Cranney said.
“Like Asha she was a star in the juniors, and hasn’t played the minutes she’s used to playing.
“Her intelligence and experience has been crucial in the back end of the season. Coming off the bench in big moments, she’s provided toughness and strength.
“We’ve relied on that down the stretch and during some tough times in the season. The team has been able to fight back and get some wins, and we can point to her as a big reason.”
KATE SEEBOHM (Norths)
“The box score doesn’t show up everything that she does,” coach Renae Garlepp said.
“She’s an incredible leader that sets the tone on both offence and defence.
“Can tend to fly under the radar, and I would have her on any team that I coach.”
EMILY SIMONS (Norths)
“Another similar to Kate. She’s not super flashy but you don’t realise everything she does until you look at the box score,” Garlepp said.
“Has been out for 7-8 weeks and defensively that left a big gap. She came back last week and hopefully is ready this week.”
RILEY EVANS (Norths)
“She hadn’t played basketball for about two or three years out of college,” Garlepp said.
“Had a good college career and we were lucky enough to pick her up in the pre-season.
“She can shoot the three ball incredibly well and has now picked it up defensively. What she brings is quite underrated.”
ANTONIA (ANNIE) HENDERSON (Manly)
“Annie has a very strong work ethic to her game and at training sessions,” assistant coach Gail Henderson said.
“That makes her so valuable to the team. She’s not necessarily the one scoring a lot of points, but is probably our best defender. An undersized four but often ends up marking a guard. Tough and aggressive, team oriented and adds a level of competitiveness that inspires the rest of the team.”
MAJA JURLINA (Manly)
“One that is always at training, never complains and always does whatever is expected of her,” Henderson said.
“She might not get court time in some games but is there to do her best for the team, is great on the bench and full of enthusiasm.
“She’s smart, willing to play a role in whatever that might be, and is a great shooter.”
ZOEY MILLER (Manly)
“Quite a surprise packet in coming up to the senior ranks. I’m expecting that she will be high up in the voting for rookie of the year,” Henderson said.
“Contributing to the senior team in leaps and bounds. Was playing a role and now is almost starting and has started. A very quick player, big scorer and great defender.”
MEN
PATRICK LANCASTER (Illawarra)
“He’s a really great defender and a great offensive player,” coach Nashat Al-Saadi said.
“He has been making good decisions during games, and when he’s in the game he’s done many good things.
“We’re happy with that.”
HARRY MORRIS (Illawarra)
“Harry has been doing a great job during the season,” Al-Saadi said.
“Every single day he’ll go to the gym to improve his dribbling.
“We’ve seen that in his decision making both offensively and defensively, and he has improved a lot.”
SEAN MULLAN (Illawarra)
“He used to play the four-five a few years ago, and now he can play the three and four,” Al-Saadi said.
“He has improved his threes, and also his defence. We’re very happy and proud of those efforts.”
PATRICK SANDERS (Norths)
“Pat’s from America and living in Manly with his wife and two daughters,” coach Matthew Johnston said.
“He’s just an outright scorer really. He brings a bigger body and is tough to guard.”
IGNATIUS (IGGY) MITCHELL (Norths)
“A young star,” Johnston said.
“A 19-year-old who was a development player for the Kings. He’s had some huge games in the last few months.
“With a few injuries to key players, he’s really taken the lead and shone.”
BRENNAN RYMER (Norths)
“Has been injured the last month and a half,” Johnston said.
“We’re hopeful of him taking the court this weekend and next if we get there.
“He’s a good shooter and scorer who can be pretty potent when he gets going.”
LOCHLAN HUTCHISON (Sutherland)
“He’s definitely been one of our main contributors for the entire year,” coach Adrian Dark said.
“Added great leadership and on-floor presence, is also a tremendous facilitator and probably one for he best defensive players in the league.”
GEOFF GERLACH (Sutherland)
“Our most consistent guy this year,” Dark said.
“Has had a breakout year and been outstanding for us. Has been massive in the paint and one of the best centres in the league. Super consistent.”
CALLUM NORRIS (Sutherland)
“Just come back from injury,” Dark said.
“Has had and up and down year. Played the first three games and then dislocated his ankle.
“One of the best shooters in the league and a secret weapon for us. Consistently had one of the best three-point percentages in the league.”
JAIDYN GOODWIN (Newcastle)
“Our captain and our court leader,” coach Peter Astley said.
“Flies under the radar in the sense there are a few big boys everyone focuses on, but he’s the glue that holds us all together. An extremely important point guard.”
TOM DAWSON (Newcastle)
“The old veteran,” Astley said.
“Tom is the second of our twin towers. Him and Myles (Cherry) give us a lot of size.
“He mightn’t put up big numbers but he changes a lot of shots and is great defensively for us. Very well respected within our group.”
JAKOB DORRICOTT (Newcastle)
“Gives us that spark off the bench,” Astley said.
“Has the ability to change the pace of the game. Can speed it up and is a very effective shooters. On his day can shoot the three very efficiently.
“The smallest member of the team but has been around the group for a fair while.”
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