We had a huge round of games for Tassie’s NBL1 sides as they headed interstate for their first away games of the 2022 season. There were eight games all up with mixed results across the board, we’ll provide a run down of each teams weekend efforts.
Hobart Chargers Women
Lost 62-69 @Diamond Valley Eagles
Lost 51-69 @Melbourne Tigers
The winless Chargers were unable to grab that elusive first win of the season, as the finished the weekend with a pair of losses to Diamond Valley and Melbourne. They showed significant improvements from recent weeks but will rue dropping both winnable games against opponents who were also winless this season. From here the games don’t get any easier as their next three games are at home against teams in the NBL1 top 6.
They started the weekend against the Eagles who had the better start were out by double figures in the first quarter. Despite not hitting a three in the first half they Chargers managed to reduce the lead to five at halftime. The Chargers were able to hit the lead in the third quarter thanks to a 10-0 run. However turnovers throughout the game proved costly for Hobart, allowing 17 additional shot attempts for the Eagles. In the end Diamond Valley took their first win of the season by seven points.
A highlight for the visitors was triple double by Kylie McCauley was the highlight with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Sharna Thompson had 27 points and four assists, while Angela Thompson had 20 points and 15 rebounds.
On Sunday the Chargers took an early lead in a low scoring 14-13 first quarter against the Tigers. But the momentum swung in the second as Melbourne won the quarter 22-8 as Hobart struggled to hit their shots, and hadjust 22 points for the half and down 13. Despite a more competitive second half the deficit increased further as Hobart shot 29% from the field to go down 69-51.
Angela Tomkins had another double-double with 21 points and 15 rebounds while Kylie McAuley had 15 points and 7 assists.
Launceston Tornadoes
Won 92-65 @ Dandenong Rangers
Lost 85-92 @ Waverly Falcons
The Torns headed on their first away trip looking to keep their undefeated record in tact as they took on Dandenong Rangers and the Waverly Falcons. They once again would look to their star duo of Keely Froling and Kelsey Griffin who have been unstoppable offensively this season.
The Torns took control early against the Rangers game with a 21-8 opening quarter. If the Rangers had hoped to find a way to stop Griffin and Froling, it hadn’t started well, with the duo scoring all but two of the opening quarter points. The trend continued as piled on the points and held a 70-42 lead heading into the final quarter.
Despite this big lead, the Torns elected to leave Froling and Griffin on court, both yet to spend anytime on the sidelines. Froling ended up fouling out with four minutes to play while Griffin played the entire 40 minutes. It was an interesting decision with the next game just over 14 hours away, and a opportunity to give the reserve players some extended court time. In the end Launceston cruised home to a 92-65 victory, with 35 points and 14 rebounds from Froling and 32 points, 14 rebounds and seven steals from Griffin.
The quick turnaround was always going to test the Tornadoes and they fell behind early to the Falcons 28-18 in the first quarter. Waverley came into the game looking to disrupt Griffin and Froling with a physical game, which left both players earning a lot of their points from the foul line. At the other end Launceston had trouble slowing down the Falcons offence as they cracked 50 points in the first half to increase the score to 54-40 at the half.
The Tornadoes upped the defensive pressure in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to make up the difference in a scrappy game that include 48 foul shot attempts. For Launceston, despite fouling out for the second straight game Froling led the team with 28 points and 10 rebounds, while Griffin had 24points and 15 rebounds in the loss.
Hobart Chargers Men
Won 86-71 @Diamond Valley Eagles
Won 97-84 @Melbourne Tigers
After winning one of their three opening home games, Chargers coach Anthony Stewart was hopeful of getting at least one win on the teams two game road-trip. The team beat that challenge by winning both the Diamond Valley Eagles and Melbourne tigers on the road. Most impressive was their offence that averaged 91.5 points over the weekend
In the first match Hobart led started strong with taking a 10 point lead at the end of the first. Despite the eagles making a run in the second quarter the Chargers never surrendered the lead shooting an impressive 52% from the field. AJ Harris starred once again with 23 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals. While emerging big man Ole Angerstein was huge down in the post with 21 points and 8 rebounds.
On Sunday they backed up against a talented by young Melbourne Tigers team coached by Andrew Gaze. From the outset the Tigers struggled to contain Chargers big men Angerstein and Harry Froling, who combined for 46 points and 29 rebounds. While the Chargers dominated the rebounds 50-32
NW Tasmania Thunder
Won 70-69 @ Dandenong Rangers
Lost 69-95 @ Waverly Falcons
The Thunder split their road trip, but the focus for the team with be the health of star import KaVaughn Scott. He went down with a knee injury during their opening game against the over Dandenong Rangers. Despite missing Scott the Thunder played strong team basketball with 22 assists across the team and holding the Rangers to 38% shooting from the field.
They were unable to bring this form across the weekend as they were outclassed by the Waverly Falcons, who won every quarter to take a comprehensive 26 point victory. The Thunder struggled against a much bigger opponent who outmuscled 48-31 on the boards, and looked to take the ball to the rim at every opportunity. But with only four free throw attempts for the game, Nick Haywood and the Thunders will be looking to take it inside more in their upcoming run of home games. Best for the Thunder was Angok Anyang off the bench, who had an impressive 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Speaking of home games, the Thunder will be welcoming the return of several JackJumpers players to their squad. Following to their impressive Grand Final run JackJumpers, Serj Deans, Matt Kenyon, Fabian Krslovic and Sean McDonald will be reporting to the Thunder in the coming weeks.
