You may have missed it with the the focus on the Tasmania JackJumpers final round of the NBL regulars season. But NBL1 South kicked off over the weekend with the Tasmanian teams facing off with one another in the north of the state as part of Round 1. We also have another JackJumper headed to the Thunder and the Hobart Chargers have announcements to come in the near future
NBL1 South Men
NW Tasmania Thunder vs Hobart Chargers
With the NBL’s delayed start to the 2021/22 season there is a later than usual arrival of NBL talent to NBL1 teams. This was certainly the case for the Tasmanian mens local rivalry between the Thunder and the Chargers. The Thunder were missing all four of its JackJumpers players Fabian Krslovic, Serj Deans, Scott MacDonald recent pick up Matt Kenyon. For the Chargers, they missed Illawarra big man Harry Froling and import Wayne Stewart.
In front of a vocal 900+ crowd in Ulverstone the Thunder were in control of the game after quarter time, and overcame a late run by the Chargers to win 73-67. The Thunder held a comfortable 69-54 lead with 4 minutes remaining, but 13 straight points by the visitors, had them within a basket with 90 seconds remaining. But cool heads by the Thunder kept the Chargers from scoring for the remainder of the match, while icing the game at the free throw line.
The Thunder were led by new import KaVaugn Scott’s 21 points, while guard Joel Beveridge had a solid all around game with 8 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals.
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For the Chargers, they had 15 points and 15 rebounds from new recruit Ole Angerstein and 14 points from new import AJ Harris, who had only touched down in the country a couple of days earlier. Finally the game also saw the debut of Brooklyn Bruton, son of Cal Bruton. Brooklyn had 2 points and 2 rebounds in 10 minutes of action.
NW Tasmania 73 defeated Hobart Chargers 68
Boxscore
NBL1 South Women
Launceston Tornadoes v Hobart Chargers
For the women, the Chargers headed to the Elphin Sports Centre in Launceston to take on the Tornadoes. The Tornadoes firepower and depth were far too much for the Chargers, winning 81-43.
The Tornadoes were led by their returning WNBL duo Keely Froling (36 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals) and Kelsey Griffin (18 points 13 rebounds). The two Canberra Capitals teams mates, once again will form one of the strongest front courts in the NBL1 South. That interior was evident around the basket, with the Torns outscoring Hobart 54-21 in the paint.
Hobart on paper were up against it from the start, and played like a team that will improve once they get more time on court together. They looked strong at times getting through their sets, but the Launceston defense was relentless, forcing 28 turnovers which resulted in 21 points.
New import Sharna Thompson looked good (13 points, 9 rebounds), but was well scouted by the home team and gave her limited opportunities on offence. They will welcome American point guard Brooke Johnson shortly which should steady the team on offence.
Launceston Tornadoes 81 defeated Hobart Chargers 43
Boxscore
Kenyon commits to the Thunder
As reported last week by the Thunder, JackJumpers guard Matt Kenyon has agreed to sign with the NW Thunder for this NBL season. He will be joining his NBL team mates Fabian Krslovic, Serj Deans and Scott MacDonald for what appears a very strong Thunder team.
Kenyon last season played in NBL1 with Ballarat Miners but has decided to stay in Tasmania following his decision to re-sign for one year with the JackJumpers.
Forthcoming announcements from Chargers
Late last week Hobart Chargers mens coach Anthony Stewart discussed some forthcoming announcements in the coming weeks for the team.
Speaking ahead of their first game against the Thunder, Stewart didn’t give away too much but said “there’ll be another import announcement next week and a couple of exciting partnerships and players to come early next week.”
“We’ll put a team on the floor that continues to set the example for the rest of the league,” Stewart said.
