Eastern Mavericks (5-5, 6th) v Central District Lions (6-4, 5th)
Saturday June 23, 6.30pm at Adelaide Hills

In a possibly season-defining clash, the Eastern Mavericks and the visiting Central District Lions will both need to bring their A-game on Saturday.

The Mavericks, 5-5 and sitting sixth, are just one game behind the fifth-placed Lions. The Mavericks have been in the better recent form, winning four of five, while the Lions have dropped three consecutive games.

With Tess Madgen (31.9 ppg, 15.6 rpg, 4.4 apg) in China with the Australian Opals team, the Mavericks were always going to have a difficult task on their hands against Forestville. And a tough game it proved to be, with a 42-85 loss the outcome. Tenille Searl (12 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists) finished just three assists shy of a triple-double, while Jemma Thacker added 12 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks.

The Lions again gave the scorers an easy night, only managing 51 points in a 15 point loss to Norwood, after scoring one point less in a loss of the same magnitude against Southern one round earlier. Jess Mahony had team-highs of 16 points and 7 assists, while Taya Crockford had a 13 point, 10 rebound double-double.

The last time they met, the Lions won 79-64, albeit D’Lesha Lloyde, who is now playing for Bulleen in Victoria, was their top-scorer that night with 21 points. Madgen had 30 for the Mavs.

One would expect the Lions should have the advantage in this one.

Norwood Flames (9-1, 1st) v North Adelaide Rockets (7-2, 2nd)
Saturday June 23, 6.30pm at Mars

The North Adelaide Rockets can really heat up the race for the Minor Premiership if they can beat the Norwood Flames in the Match of the Season thus far at Mars on Saturday.

The Rockets have had an outstanding couple of months, putting together seven straight wins. They really made a statement in Round 10, blowing away the Southern Tigers 92-67, who have likewise been one of the best teams in the competition this season. Jo Hill had 26 points and 6 assists, while Lauren Mansfield had 14 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds. Jamie-Lee Peris and Shannon Mckay each had 12.

The Flames have, put-simply, have had an outstanding couple of years. Their 66-51 win over Centrals has them back to winning ways, following a loss to Forestville in Round 9. Jess Foley starred with 27 points and 14 rebounds against the Lions. Amy Lewis added 15 points.

Back in Round 2, the Flames defeated the Rockets 82-59, although Hill and Mansfield were not in the Rockets’ line-up. The Flames won in over-time against the Rockets at Mars last season. The Rockets’ last win over the Flames was on July 3, 2010.

Even money battle here!

Southern Tigers (7-3, 4th) v South Adelaide Panthers (1-9, 10th)
Saturday June 23, 6.30pm at Morphett Vale

The Southern Tigers will be hoping to recover their best form when they tackle the South Adelaide Panthers.

The Tigers were thrashed by North last weekend, having won five straight previously. They have consequently dropped to fourth on the ladder, but are only behind Forestville on percentage. Teresa Kinross (16 points, 5 rebounds) and Simone Nelson (11 points, 8 rebounds) were the Tigers’ best against the Rockets, with stars Alexandra Ciabattoni Ashleigh Spencer and Genna Anderson held to a combined 21 points.

At quarter-time, the Panthers were in the box seat for their second win of the season, leading the Woodville Warriors by eight points. However, that lead did not last long, falling behind by five by half-time, and ultimately losing by 13. Jess Hansberry (17 points, 8 rebounds) was their best.

In Round 2, the Tigers had a comfortable 76-54 victory (Anderson 36 points, 18 rebounds), and expect a difference of at least this amount this Saturday.

Sturt Sabres (2-8, 8th) v Forestville Eagles (7-3, 3rd)
Saturday June 23, 6.30pm at Pasadena

The Forestville Eagles can jump into second position if they can beat the Sturt Sabres at Pasadena on Saturday.

The Eagles have fond memories of their last trip to Pasadena, where they dumped their rivals out of the finals race, en route to a premiership. They also won their Round 2 matchup 74-59, with Olivia Thompson (27 points, 13 rebounds), Tara Robinson (16 points, 13 rebounds) and Jess Fergus (19 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists) all prominent.

Fergus produced those same statistics in her club’s win over the Mavs last weekend. Georgia Minear top-scored with 30, while Thompson missed the match. Robinson added 17 points, 14 rebounds, 7 blocks and 4 assists.

The Sabres suffered a 66-71 loss at the hands of West Adelaide on Saturday. Caroline Burgess had 13 points and 11 rebounds in her second game of the season, while Amy Shaw had 16 points prior to fouling out.

Burgess’ return will no doubt benefit the Sabres, but not enough to prevent a loss to the Eagles.

Woodville Warriors (3-6, 7th) v West Adelaide Bearcats (2-8, 9th)
Saturday June 23, 6.30pm at St Clair

The Woodville Warriors will be hoping to prove their win over West Adelaide in Round 2 was no fluke when the two sides face off in a rematch on Saturday.

The Warriors are the higher-ranked team with three wins from nine matches, and are only 2.5 games behind the fifth-placed Lions. That being said, they are only 1.5 games ahead of the Bearcats, who are two positions below them in ninth.

Last week, both teams won in the same round for the first time in 2012. A 23-12 third quarter was key as the Bearcats overcame Sturt. Ashlea Vordermaier had 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Narelle Van Leuven chipped in with a double-double, while Amy Porter had 17 points and 9 rebounds, and Kate Shierlaw scored 12.

Meanwhile, a defining 24-11 second quarter got the Warriors home against South. Tara Buttress had 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Katherine Perkas and Emily Sims combined for 25 points. Ashleigh White added 16 rebounds, 7 points, 4 steals and 3 assists.

The Warriors have been the better side over the course of the season so on that note should start favourites, but the Bearcats’ win last week was promising.

By James Woite