WNBL STARS SET SIGHTS ON NBL1 FINALS
The 2022 NBL1 finals are underway with several WNBL stars setting their sights on an NBL1 Championship.
The NBL1 South Women’s finals got underway on Saturday, with Southside’s Bec Cole putting on a strong performance for Waverly Falcons in the win with 25 points and six assists, while Carly Ernst put up 22 points and 10 rebounds. Alicia Froling had 20 points and nine rebounds for the Knox Raiders, who’s season was put to an end by the Falcons.
In the other elimination final between Launceston Tornadoes and Geelong Supercats, Keely Froling and Sara Blicavs faced off. Froling contributed a double-double, putting up 20 points and 12 rebounds in the win for the Tornadoes. Blicavs produced 25 points and 12 rebounds as the season came to an end for the Supercats.
Tess Madgen and Marena Whittle’s respective teams got the win in the qualifying finals. Madgen with a massive 29 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and two steals for the Bendigo Braves, while Whittle produced 27 points and 10 rebounds in the win for the Ringwood Hawks. Booking both teams a ticket to the Preliminary Final.
The Tornadoes will now face off against the Nunawading Spectres, while Waverly faces Mt Gambier in the semi-finals this weekend.
Several players in the Perth Lynx roster continue to dominate in NBL1 West. Jessie Edwards and Emma Clarke, who have just been elevated to the Lynx’s main roster this WNBL offseason, both got double-doubles for their teams. Edwards delivering 23 points and 24 rebounds for the Cockburn Cougars as they got victory over Clarke’s Perry Lake Hawks. Last year’s MVP, Alex Sharp put up 26 points, five rebounds and four assists for the Willetton Tigers, but went down to the Warwick Senators.
The Joondalup Wolves are straight into the Preliminary Finals along with the Senators. The Wolves, which features NBL1 West’s Golden Hands award winner and new Perth Lynx signee, Robbi Ryan defeated Mandurah Magic.
In NBL1 North, the stage is set for the Women’s Grand Final between Logan Thunder and Townsville Flames. Mikaela Ruef, newly signed to Townsville Fire for the upcoming WNBL season, was a dominant force for Logan with 26 points, 21 rebounds, eight assists and four steals against the Brisbane Capitals.
Ruef will face off against fellow Townsville Fire stars, Steph Reid and Courtney Woods. Reid produced another standout display for the Townsville Flames with 31 points and 11 assists, while Woods added 24 points and six assists in their semi-final against the Southern Districts Spartans. Sydney Flames duo, Maddy Allen and Kalani Purcell, along with Nadeen Payne suited up for the Spartans. Fresh off the back of signing to the Flames, Allen top-scored for Southern Districts with 18 points and four assists.
Adelaide Lightning’s Brooke Basham and Bendigo Spirit’s Ally Wilson went down in their semi final with Norwood Flames in NBL1 Central by just three points against South Adelaide. Basham contributing 18 points and six assists and Wilson, 14 points and seven assists.
Who will make it to the NBL1 National Finals in September?
More Information about the NBL1 Finals series can be found here.