NBL1 Women
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Eltham Wildcats 82 def Ballarat Rush 63
Top Performers: A. Maley 17 points/17 rebounds/6 assists/6 steals, Rebecca Pizzey 17 points/9 rebounds/4 blocks
The Wildcats came into this game looking to continue their run towards the NBL1 finals. Offence didn’t come easy in the first but that quickly changed in the second as the wildcats piled on 26 points led by Anneli Maley with 9 second quarter points.
Heading into the main break up 5 points, the Wildcats still had work to do in the second half. They came out with great defensive intensity keeping the Miners to 25 total second half points. On offence, a ball movement clinic was put on by the Wildcats with 23 assists on 29 made field goals led by Chloe Hildebrand who had 7 assists.
Coach Grant Spencer was delighted with the win.
“A great win with contributions from the whole group which was pleasing.”
The Wildcats now in 4th spot heading into a big double header weekend on the road against the 1st placed Frankston Blues and the 7th placed Kilsyth Cobras. This will be a big test and will play a big factor in their eventual ladder position. You’ll be able to catch all the action on the NBL1 app or at NBL1.com.au.
NBL1 Men
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Eltham Wildcats 76 def by Ballarat Miners 86
Top Performers: Adam Doyle 19 points/8 rebounds/4 assists, Ovie Magbegor 12 points/6 rebounds/6 steals
After 2 weeks off NBL1 basketball was back with Eltham heading up to Ballarat to face the 8th placed Miners and from the opening tip you could see why they hold a finals position as they jumped out to a quick 16-0 lead. Retuning for Eltham this week was 2019 Wildcat Geremy McKay to the line-up after his stint with the Otago Nuggets in the New Zealand NBL and he played a major part in clawing back the margin with 12 first half points.
Coming out of half-time the Wildcats had a clear focus on defensive execution and intensity as they kept the Miners to 4 points in the last 5 minutes of the 3rd while piling on 11 points of their own. This defensive mindset continued in the 4th with the Wildcats cutting what once was a 21-point lead down to 4 points with 5 minutes remaining. Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite enough down the stretch with Ballarat showing their class and experience closing out the Wildcats with a 10-point win.
Eltham hit the road this week against Frankston on Saturday night and Kilsyth on Sunday. Games will be available to be streamed on the NBL app or at NBL1.com.au.
