WARWICK SENATORS BECOME FIRST-EVER NBL1 WOMEN’S NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

The Warwick Senators have become the inaugural NBL1 Women’s National Champions after defeating Ringwood Hawks 83-75 at the State Basketball Centre on Sunday.

Both teams had great momentum going into the deciding match with the Senators winning their last 21 games straight, including wins over the West Adelaide Bearcats and Southern Districts Spartans to book their place in Sunday’s championship decider.

While Ringwood had wins against the Albury-Wodonga Bandits and West Adelaide to claim the other spot in the championship game.

Despite the Hawks fighting back to within two goals after being down by as much as 18 points just before half-time, the Senators stormed home to clinch the victory.

Two-time league MVP, Stacey Barr added 17 points and nine rebounds while hitting 5/9 from deep. While Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard finished with 11 points, five rebounds and three steals.

Ringwood didn’t go down without a fight however, led once again by Marena Whittle who dominated for the Hawks with 26 points, nine rebounds, five steals and four assists.

Both Barr and Whittle were named in the All-Star Five for the National Finals.

In the consolation games, Townsville Flames took on West Adelaide Bearcats, while the Bandits faced off against the Spartans.

The Flames overcame the Bearcats 97-70. Steph Reid and Courtney Woods continued their dominant form. Reid finished on a double-double (22 points, 10 assists) as well as five rebounds and five steals. While Woods hit 25 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals, with a field goal percentage of 61.54.

The Spartans had a comfortable win against the Bandits 109-69. Kalani Purcell flirted with a triple-double, scoring 12 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and four steals with a field goal percentage of 66.67. Maddy Allen was a top scorer for the Spartans with 21 points and a 66.67 field goal percentage. Followed closely by Nadeen Payne, who finished with 20 points, five rebounds and three assists.