By James Woite

 

North Adelaide Rockets (16-6) v South Adelaide Panthers (12-10)

Qualifying Final

The Panthers will be attempting to continue their outstanding form into the postseason when they travel to Hillcrest to face the Rockets in the Qualifying Final.

After starting the season 0-5, the Panthers won 12 of their last 17 games including their last six. This will be their second meeting in a final with the Rockets in the past two seasons. Last year, the Rockets ended the Panthers’ season with an 80-63 win in the First Semi Final.

These teams met three times during the regular season, and it was the Rockets who won the series 2-1.

On March 28 at Hillcrest, the Rockets accounted for the Panthers 82-53, behind 23 points, 18 rebounds and 4 assists from Jo Hill. Madeline Cunningham had 19 points and 4 rebounds for the Panthers.

On May 20 at Adelaide Arena, the Panthers managed to overcome the Rockets 65-60. Jessica Mahony picked up 15 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists for the Panthers. Hill contributed 17 points and 17 rebounds for the Rockets.

In the most recent meeting on June 20 at Marion, Mollie McKendrick had 19 points and 15 rebounds for the Panthers, but it was not enough to prevent a 69-58 Rocket win. Opal Mader registered a season best 19 points to go with 10 rebounds for the Rockets.

Panther Ashleigh Spencer only played in the third fixture between these teams, which Rocket Hill also missed. Rocket Genna Anderson missed the final two meetings between these teams.

The Rockets outrebounded the Panthers in all three matches, by an average of 8.3 rpg. The closest match between these teams saw 38 per cent shooting apiece. The Rockets outshot the Panthers by 17 per cent in the first meeting, while the Rockets shot 14 per cent better in the second.

The Rockets have won seven of their last 10, including four of their last five.

 

Woodville Warriors (12-10) v West Adelaide Bearcats (12-10)

Elimination Final

The Bearcats will be hoping to avoid a repeat of their last trip to St Clair, when they battle the Warriors in the Elimination Final.

On April 11, the Warriors beat the Bearcats at home 89-58. Katherine Perkas, who has not played since May 2 due to injury, had 23 points and 7 rebounds for the winners. Sky Langenbrinck picked up 19 points and 7 rebounds for the Bearcats, who were without Anna Carbo.

In spite of the Warriors’ dominance that night, the Bearcats won the regular season series 2-1, which should give them plenty of confidence. On the opening weekend of this campaign, Kate Shierlaw produced 15 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals, as the Bearcats won 71-58 at Adelaide Arena. Ursula Richards registered 11 points and 4 rebounds for the Warriors. The Bearcats did not have Carbo for that match either, while the Warriors were without Callan Taylor.

On June 27 at Port Adelaide, Shierlaw contributed 22 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals, as the Bearcats romped to an 88-58 victory. Taylor collected 22 points and 15 rebounds for the Warriors.

The team with the better shooting percentage and greater assist tally has come out on top in each clash. Over the course of the three games, the Bearcats have produced 50 assists to 55 turnovers, whereas the Warriors have 42 assists and 68 turnovers. The Warriors have scored an additional 24 points from three point shots.

The Warriors won just four of their last 10 games to end the regular season, including two of their last five. The Bearcats won eight of their last 10, and three of their last five. After eight games, the Warriors had five wins compared to just two from the Bearcats, yet these teams finished the season with the same number of triumphs.