North Adelaide Rockets v Norwood Flames
Saturday July 26, 2008, 8:15pm at Hillcrest

	North Adelaide Rockets	Norwood Flames
Minor Round Record	2nd – 15 wins and 3 losses	3rd – 15 wins and 3 losses
Head Coach	Justin Schueller	Rupert Sapwell
Likely Starters	Erik Burdon Michael Zorich Luke Mapunda Jason Reardon Nick Hambour	Todd Matthews Andrew Webber Sam Grantham Keith Krause David Cooper
Top Scorer	Erik Burdon – 22.8 ppg	Keith Krause – 19.2 ppg
Top Rebounder	Nick Hambour – 11.0 rpg	David Cooper – 10.4 rpg
Top Assists	Michael Zorich – 6.5 apg	Todd Matthews – 6.6 apg
Head to head	29/3/2008      Norwood 97 d North Adelaide 95 14/6/2008      North Adelaide 94 d Norwood 86

 

If the Central ABL was to adopt the concept of a rivalry round, the showcase game would involve these two teams.

With the exception of the 2007 Grand Final in which North exploded in the first quarter, the last 5 games between these two teams have been epic:

• In Round 9 of 2007, Norwood won by 5 after North came from 15 down at ¾ time.
• In Round 18 of 2007, Norwood won by 1 in overtime, with Dusty Rychart intentionally missed free throw in regulation to beat a spread.
• In the 2007 2nd Semi Final, Norwood won by 11 in front of over 600 people at Mars.
• In the first game in 2008, North missed a potential game-winning 3 in the final seconds, allowing Norwood to win by 2.
• In Round 12 of 2008, Norwood made an immense 4th quarter run, to fall short by 8.

Why would this game be any different?

2007 premiers North covered the loss of Dusty Rychart with swing-men Jason Reardon and Luke Mapunda. Reardon is ideally a 3, but has been more than useful as a 4, usually defending taller players. This will certainly be the requirement against Norwood, the league’s tallest team, and he could see time on either Dan Thompson or the more perimeter oriented in-form Keith Krause. North’s ability to defend Thompson and 36er David Cooper will have a big impact on the result.

The backcourt battle will be even more exceptional. Erik Burdon and Todd Matthews shared the backcourt positions in the 2007 All Star 5, and both are strong Woollacott contenders this year. Burdon increased his scoring output this year from 19.7 to 22.8 points per game, and has answered critics by becoming recognised for his defence too. Todd Matthews continues to do whatever it takes to make his team better, and at 5’9” somehow manages to lead all other point guards in rebounding.

With North’s spectators and Norwood’s bench clamouring for stentorian supremacy, Hillcrest should be full well before tip off.