North Adelaide Rockets v Norwood Flames
Saturday April 14, 6:30pm at Hillcrest

The North Adelaide Rockets will be hoping to bounce back from their disappointing start to the season when they host the Norwood Flames on Saturday.

With star player Jo Hill (16.8 ppg in 100 career matches) not in uniform, the Rockets went down 53-57 to Southern. The Rockets held their opponents to seven fourth quarter points, but only scored eight themselves.

Jamie-Lee Peris had team-highs of 11 points and 10 rebounds, but shot just 4/16 from the field. As a team, the Rockets shot under 29 per cent from the field, with only Stana Zecevic (10 points on 5/6 shooting) and Lauren Badenoch (6 points on 3/6 shooting) finding the range with any regularity.

Meanwhile, the Flames were given a stern test by Centrals, but won the fourth quarter 15-8, en route to a 72-63 victory.

The Flames limited the Lions to under 33 per cent field goal shooting, while making a solid 44 per cent of their own shots. Amy Lewis (22 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals) and Jess Foley (17 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists) were the Flames’ best, while Kelsey Ireland did not suit up.

The Rockets found the going tough against the Flames last season, losing 46-71 at Hillcrest and 78-86 in over-time at Mars.

The Rockets have struggled on their home floor in recent times, and it is hard to see things being any different this Saturday.

South Adelaide Panthers v Southern Tigers
Saturday April 14, 6:30pm at Marion Stadium

The Southern Tigers will be aiming for a two-for-two start when they visit the South Adelaide Panthers in Round 2.

Led by 22 points from Alexandra Ciabattoni and 16 rebounds and 3 blocks from former Panther Simone Nelson, the Tigers returned to winning ways for the first time since Round 13 last season, defeating North Adelaide at Morphett Vale.

The Panthers failed to recover from a 9-21 ¼ time deficit against Woodville, going down 62-69. Jess Hansberry was their top-scorer on the night with 15 points, also producing 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. Hajnal Nagy had a double-double while Nicole Brown also scored in double-figures.

The Panthers were unlucky to go down at Morphett Vale last season, but thrashed the Tigers in the corresponding game at Marion.

The Round 1 results suggest, however, the Tigers will pick up the W this time.

West Adelaide Bearcats v Woodville Warriors
Saturday April 14, 6:30pm at Port Adelaide Recreation Centre

West Adelaide and Woodville are in foreign territory ahead of their clash at Port Adelaide on Saturday.

The Bearcats were never out of the top five at any stage last season, yet are currently seventh. The Warriors are sitting third, their highest rank for years. However, the season is only one game in, so where these teams are after Saturday could be completely different.

Still, the Warriors beat no one in 2011 other than the winless Eastern Mavericks, so will be pleased to have knocked off a different foe. The Warriors shot over 57 per cent in the first quarter against the Panthers, and then did just enough thereafter to earn a seven point victory.

Former Eagle Tara Buttress starred with 19 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Ashleigh White registered 12 points and 5 rebounds, while Claire Christie had an efficient 11 point, 6 rebound outing.

The Bearcats were within touching distance of Sturt all night, but struggled to put the ball in the hoop. Despite 13 extra field goal attempts, 12 more rebounds and 3 less turnovers, the Bearcats went down 61-66.

Trudy Holland was the standout with 15 points and 7 rebounds, while Ashlea Vordermaier (10 points, 7 rebounds) and Kate Shierlaw (10 points, 6 rebounds) were solid performers. Narelle van Leuven was held to just 2 points in 36:27 game time.

The Bearcats beat the Warriors both times last season by a combined total of 47 points, and should have another comfortable victory against them on Saturday.

Central Districts Lions v Eastern Mavericks
Saturday April 14, 6:30pm at Starplex

The Eastern Mavericks will continue to hunt for their first win since 2010 when they visit the Central District Lions in Round 2.

The Mavericks copped a number of hidings last season, but were more than respectable against reigning champions Forestville in Round 1, going down 68-82, after leading 26-14 at quarter-time.

Having Tess Madgen back in the line-up is already proving vital, with the 2010 Halls Medallist producing 25 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists in her comeback game. Lauren Wright was very efficient, making 4/5 field goals and 6/7 free throws, equating to 14 points.

The Lions came very close to becoming only the second side on the last two seasons to defeat Norwood, but ultimately fell nine points short.

The Lions failed to get to the foul-line in the second half, after making 15/19 in the first. Elizabeth Keane had 21 points and 6 rebounds in her first game for the club, while D’Lesha Lloyde (13 points, 8 rebounds), Jess Mahony (11 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) and Desinta Cummins (14 points) were the other major contributors.

The Lions beat the Mavericks 89-48 at Starplex last season, while also winning 66-54 on the road.

The Lions should win comfortably, but expect the Mavericks to be competitive.

Forestville Eagles v Sturt Sabres
Saturday April 14, 6:30pm at Wayville

In the Match of the Round, the Forestville Eagles will be playing for their 14th win in 15 matches when they host the Sturt Sabres at Wayville on Saturday.

The Eagles’ mammoth run includes a win against the Sabres at Pasadena in the 2011 First Semi Final, however, the Sabres are also the only team to defeat the Eagles since Round 9 last season.

The Eagles appeared to be suffering a premiership hangover during the opening six games of last season, and there were early signs of a reoccurrence during Round 1 against the Mavericks. However, the Eagles overcame a 14-26 ¼ time deficit and won 82-68.

In her return game from the AIS, Olivia Thompson was the Eagles’ best with 24 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists, while Jess Fergus had 20 points, including 4/4 from downtown. Tara Robinson (11 points, 9 rebounds) and April Brown (13 points) also scored in double figures.

For the Sabres, it just goes to show that no matter how many players they lose, they will still be around the mark. Despite losing the core of the team that ended the 2011 regular season in second position, the Sabres turned the tables on bogey team West Adelaide with a 66-61 victory.

The Sabres’ ball movement was crucial, with their 18 assists to nine reflecting on their superior field goal percentage.

Amy Shaw, who has averaged 8.8 points in 16 career matches, looks set for a breakout season, after posting 17 points and 8 rebounds against the Bearcats. Katrina Fitzpatrick scored 12 points on just six field goal attempts, while Jess Mcphail added 10 points and 6 rebounds.

The Sabres were impressive in Round 1, and it may just be that they remain undefeated at the end of this round.