South Adelaide Panthers (1-7, 8th) v Eastern Mavericks (0-8, 10th)

Eastern will continue its search for its first win on Saturday when it travels to Marion to tackle the Panthers.

The Mavericks suffered their eighth consecutive setback last week, going down 87-59 at home to Woodville.

The game was tight at quarter-time, before the Warriors ran away with the match.

Chloe Henderson and Madison Bycroft had 30 points and 15 rebounds between them.

The pair shot a combined 19/22 from the foul-line.

Meanwhile, South was within 10 at half-time against undefeated Norwood, before a 11-22 third quarter confined it to its seventh loss in eight outings.

The loss came in spite of a sensational game from Simone Nelson, who had 14 points, 20 rebounds, 6 steals and 2 blocks.

Claire Johnson had a game-high 19 points, but Elizabeth Keane could only manage 7 points, which was well down on her season average of 14.4 ppg.

Although the Panthers have won just once this season, they have played some really good basketball in stretches, and their performances against the top sides in the last three weeks have been by no means embarrassing.

I think they will make the most of this easier fixture and pick up their second win of the season.

Woodville Warriors (1-7, 8th) v Central District Lions (4-4, 6th)

The Lions will be hoping to return to winning ways when they visit the Warriors on Saturday.

After three straight wins, Centrals was brought back down to earth in a 57-72 home loss to Forestville.

The second quarter proved critical, where they were outscored 10-19.

Jess Mahony struggled in stretches against her former club, but still finished with 15 points, 11 assists, 7 boards and 6 steals.

Kimberley Olsen top-scored for her team with 17.

Meanwhile, Woodville did something for the first time this season last week, which was pick up a victory.

The Warriors defeated Eastern by 28 points, behind 30 points and 7 rebounds from Ursula Richards.

The home side will be feeling much better and a lot more confident as a result of its win, albeit it was against the bottom side.

The Lions have continued to play good basketball since their unlikely first round victory, and I believe they will make it win number five on Saturday.

Forestville Eagles (4-4, 5th) v North Adelaide Rockets (3-5, 7th)

Forestville and North Adelaide face off at Wayville on Saturday in an important match for both sides.

A win for the Eagles will cement their place in the top five, while the Rockets could end the round in the five with a road victory.

Last round, Forestville moved above Centrals with a win at Starplex.

Tara Robinson was fantastic with 13 rebounds, 11 points, 5 steals and 6 blocks, while Georgia Minear top-scored with 18 on 54% shooting.

North has won just one of its last six games, including a 57-64 home loss to the Tigers in Round 8.

The Rockets trailed by 10 at quarter-time and could never fully recover, despite the best efforts of Jo Hill.

After failing out in 13 minutes the previous week, Hill bounced back with a 24 point, 23 rebound effort.

Kirsty Williams was the only other Rocket to score in double-figures.

The Eagles’ key to victory will obviously stopping Hill.

Forestville played a lot of zone last week to make sure it had interior coverage on Centrals Centre Alisha Heglund, who shot just 6/22 from the field.

Do not be surprised if it employs a zone to counteract Hill.

Overall, the Eagles should be too strong and get over the line comfortably.

West Adelaide Bearcats (7-1, 3rd) v Norwood Flames (8-0, 1st)

At the special time of 8.15pm, the Bearcats host the Flames in this week’s Match of the Round.

The Bearcats suffered their first setback of the season last Saturday night, going down 73-93 to Sturt.

West trailed by just five points at half-time, but a 15-29 third quarter fadeout saw it drop to third spot.

Nikita-Lee Martin had 20 points, but only 2 rebounds, while Kerrin Weber had 17 points, 12 boards and 4 blocks.

In contrast, Norwood continued on with its winning ways with a 70-49 victory over South, despite only 9 points from Jess Foley.

Foley is averaging 17.1 ppg on the season.

However, Nadeen Payne (16 points, 6 boards) and Kelsey Ireland (13 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) and a strong supporting cast were more than enough on the night.

There is a good chance Martin and Foley will match up on one another, and if they do, this battle could go a long way to deciding the game.

The Flames will surely lose one at some stage, and being on the road against a quality opposition, this could be the week.

I reckon West will bounce back and get the victory.

Southern Tigers (5-3, 4th) v Sturt Sabres (7-1, 2nd)

The Sturt Sabres will be hoping to continue their red hot form when they travel further south to battle the Tigers at Morphett Vale on Sunday.

Sturt has won its last seven matches, only one of which has been by single figures (against Forestville in Round 4).

The streak was completed with a 20 point home win over previously unbeaten West Adelaide last week.

Tess Madgen (22 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals, 2 blocks) and Monique Bowley (18 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists) were the best for the Sabres, who had five players in double digits.

Meanwhile, Southern has not been as convincing as it was in the last 11 rounds of last season, but has been getting the job done, sitting fourth on the ladder.

The Tigers started well at Hillcrest in Round 8, before holding off North for a 64-57 victory.

Alexandra Ciabattoni had a team-high 18 points, while Madeline Cunningham scored 16, and Ashleigh Spencer had 13 points and 12 boards.

The Sabres appear to have too many options at their disposal, so this will likely be a long afternoon for Southern.

I think Sturt will win comfortably.

By James Woite