NBL1 Central grand finals full preview and players to watch
Droughts will be broken and champions crowned when the NBL1 Central basketball grand finals are played out on Saturday. See our full preview and players to watch ahead of the action.
Basketball
Don't miss out on the headlines from Basketball. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The smoke has cleared on the 2022 NBL1 Central basketball season and this year’s grand finalists are set in stone for Saturday.
In two mouth-watering matchups, top men’s side Woodville will take on South Adelaide and MVP Jeremy Smith, while star-studded West Adelaide will clash with Sturt in the women’s big dance.
It has been eight years since Woodville won any championship, 14 years since Sturt won a women’s championship, 15 years since West Adelaide won a women’s championship, and a whopping 25 years since South Adelaide won a men’s championship.
“It would mean everything to the club,” South Adelaide star Alex Starling said of potentially winning a title.
“South Adelaide has been one of the biggest clubs throughout the history of the game in South Australia so it would just mean so much to all of us to break that drought.”
The Panthers are coming off a dominant 85-70 preliminary final win over Forestville, MVP guard Jeremy Smith tearing apart the Eagles defence on the way to the win.
The side lost to top team Woodville by 20 points in the semi finals but Starling remained confident ahead of Saturday.
“Our confidence has been boosted tremendously after beating Forestville who are a really talented team and we were only three points down to Woodville in the fourth quarter last time so if we can put together a more sustained effort I think we’re a good chance.”
Woodville has fired on all cylinders for most of the season, playing a consistent brand of ‘small ball’ and only losing one game so far.
Captain Alex Maiorana said his team was excited for grand final day after a week off.
“We’ve trained pretty hard still and we had an internal scrimmage so we’re ready to go,” Maiorana said.
“It’s a whole new game against the Panthers this time and we’re focused and looking forward to it – we really need to move the ball well on Saturday and make sure we put their shooters in uncomfortable positions.”
West Adelaide has been the top side all year in the women’s competition, with star scorer Jasmin Fejo and defensive juggernaut Jasmine Simmons producing standout seasons.
The Bearcats topped Sturt by 12 points to book a spot in the grand final.
“We’re all very excited. There are of course some nerves but we’re all ready for a competitive game and hopefully we can win the club’s first women’s title in 15 years,” captain Skye Langenbrink said.
“We beat them last time but any game can go either way.
“They’re a really good team so we’re not hanging our hat on our previous performances – we need to go out there with a focused mindset and really execute how we know we can.”
Despite a dramatic comeback four-point win over South Adelaide in last week’s preliminary final, Sturt Sabres captain Lauren Gibbons said the team was remaining grounded ahead of a huge test against the Bearcats.
“We’re obviously feeling really good – as hard a slog as last week’s win was it built a lot of confidence – but it’s important we come out ready to start well and produce a consistent performance,” she said.
“We need to stick with what works for us and defence is going to be huge – they have a lot of weapons so we need to try and make them as uncomfortable as possible.”
Both games will be played at the Lights Community and Sports Centre on Saturday, the women clashing at 4.30pm and the men at 8.30pm.
Players to watch in NBL1 Central grand finals
JOE JACKSON
(Woodville)
Jackson has taken a slight back seat this season for the betterment of the Warriors – who love to play small ball – often rotating through the lineup through different phases of a game.
Despite this, Jackson’s presence on both ends of the floor has remained fundamental to Woodville’s success.
The big man averages 13 points and eight rebounds a game on 57 per cent shooting and has been a defensive star, tallying multiple blocks a game inside.
JAWAN STEPNEY
(Woodville)
Stepney is a versatile guard for Woodville who scores and rebounds consistently.
A smooth mover with the ball who has great scoring instincts, Stepney averages 18 points a game on 54 per cent shooting this season.
Scored 29 points and grabbed eight boards in his last outing – against South Adelaide.
ALEX STARLING
(South Adelaide)
Starling has been a star big man of the competition for years and that has not changed in season 2022.
An inspirational leader for the Panthers on and off the floor, Starling’s averages of 19 points, 12 rebounds and three assists a game highlight how dominant he can be.
He is also a major defensive threat, winning defensive player of the year for the men’s competition and often recording multiple blocks and steals each time he hits the court.
JEREMY SMITH
(South Adelaide)
This season’s male MVP, Smith has been a superstar for the Panthers.
A supremely talented guard who can do it all on the offensive end, Smith posted averages of 27 points, five rebounds and three assists on 55 per cent shooting from the field this year.
His ability to score from inside our outside the three-point line makes him almost impossible to stop for defences and he also gets to the free throw line consistently.
Has scored a combined 68 points in his last two games.
JASMINE SIMMONS
(West Adelaide)
Simmons has been West Adelaide’s best defender this season and was the recipient of the women’s competition’s best defensive player award.
Averaging nearly 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists a game, Simmons’ best work is done contesting shots, playing the passing lanes and intercepting delivery or picking up players full court and pressuring for steals.
Has tallied nine steals in her last five appearances.
JASMIN FEJO
(West Adelaide)
The all star point guard of the women’s competition, Fejo’s season has been nothing short of spectacular.
Fejo can do it all, averaging 19 points, five assists and five rebounds a game this year.
The general of the Bearcats’ offence, Fejo posted a line of 32 points, two steals, four assists and four rebounds in her last game against Sturt and should produce again under the bright lights.
MIKAYLA WILLIAMS
(Sturt)
Williams has been a standout at the five for Sturt this season, making up part of the All Star Five of the women’s competition.
A brilliant offensive and defensive rebounder, the Sabres star can also score in bunches, dropping a statline of 31 points, 19 rebounds and three steals in her side’s dramatic preliminary final win over South Adelaide.
MEG PROSSER
(Sturt)
A talented forward who provides strong support for Williams, Prosser has been a versatile and consistent scorer for the Sabres.
Averages 11 points and four rebounds a game and scored 17 against South Adelaide last week.
More Coverage
Originally published as NBL1 Central grand finals full preview and players to watch
NBL Late Mail: Delly out after baby news
SuperCoaches are reaching for the “reverse trade” button with Melbourne United star Matthew Dellavedova ruled out against the Perth Wildcats.
Read more
Experts reveal their SuperCoach NBL team changes
How can you keep your SuperCoach NBL team firing? See who the experts are trading for round 3 – and why an Adelaide 36ers big man is hot property this week.
Read more