South Adelaide Panthers v Norwood Flames

It is a possible make or definite break for the Panthers (7-9, 6th) when they host Norwood (14-1, 1st)on Saturday.

South must win both of its remaining games to have a legitimate shot of finishing in the top five.

The Panthers played Sturt last week; a fixture which came at exactly the right time for them, as the Sabres were without Tess Madgen, Monique Bowley and Caroline Burgess.

However, after the game had been close all night, South failed to hit shots down the stretch and were outdone on the boards for one of the few times this year.

The Panthers shot just 4/18 from the field in the fourth quarter and were outrebounded 6-16 (31-45 overall), going down 60-70.

Elizabeth Keane (19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks) and Sarah Peddle (16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals) both played well.

However, Claire Johnson (9 points on 4/19 shooting) and Simone Nelson (3 points, 2 rebounds) were both well held, and will need to perform better this week if South is to snare an upset.

The Flames bounced back from their only loss this season by thrashing the Warriors 81-40.

The win was made even more impressive with Jess Foley, Kelsey Ireland and Nadeen Payne, the team’s three highest scorers, sidelined.

In their absence, Jordan Walker-Roberts moved into the starting five and scored a season-high 20 points, while Rachel Herrick had 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Norwood shot over 47% from the field and held a 48-30 lead in rebounding.

Last time they met, the Flames won 70-49.

Could the Panthers get another lucky break with the schedule and be fortunate to play Norwood without Foley, Ireland and Payne in the line-up?

If this is the case, then South might get the win it needs.

However, if the Flames have their offensive weapons back, they should be too strong.

Woodville Warriors v Eastern Mavericks

The Warriors (1-15, 9th) and Mavericks (0-16, 10th)will be looking to break their ducks when the two sides meet at St Clair on Saturday.

Woodville has lost its last eight and has not won at home this season, while Eastern is still yet to pick up a W.

The Warriors’ only win this season was in its last encounter with the Mavericks, where it won 87-59.

Since then, however, Woodville has only a slightly better point differential than Eastern.

Last week, the Warriors were hammered by Norwood, with only Claire Christie (10 points) and Ashleigh White (13 rebounds) producing a single-double.

The Mavs were also flogged, going down to Forestville 50-96, despite the best efforts of Chloe Henderson (11 points, 10 rebounds) and Candice Hartman (13 points).

They say every dog has its day, but does every Maverick? Surely this will be the one that Eastern wins.

Forestville Eagles v Central District Lions

Centrals (8-7, 5th) visits Forestville (10-6, 4th) this week in a possible preview of next month’s Elimination Final.

The Eagles are sitting in fourth position, but will finish third if they win both games and West loses both.

However, if Forestville loses its final two and the Lions win all three, it will miss out on a home final.

More important for Centrals is securing its place in the top five.

Mathematically, the Lions need to win two of their last three to guarantee itself a place in the five, but one win will probably see them through.

The Eagles’ win over the Mavs in Round 16 was their eighth in 10 games.

Even with Monica Bello absent, Forestville finished with a season-high 96 points, also picking up its biggest win of the year.

The Eagles also had a mammoth 60-37 edge in rebounding.

Georgia Minear had an outstanding game with 18 points on 8/11 shooting, 9 rebounds and 4 assists, while Alex Duncan was imposing with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.

Carla Borrego fouled out on 21 points and 12 rebounds, and Jess Fergus added 12 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists.

Centrals had its most impressive win of the season last Saturday, defeating fellow top-five challenger North Adelaide 78-52.

Desinta Cummins scored a season-high 23 points to go with 8 rebounds and 5 assists, while Jess Mahony had 20 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals.

Kimberly Olsen’s 18 points was also a season-high.

The last time they met, Forestville finished 72-57 winners, minus Borrego.

The Eagles should succeed again and keep the pressure on the Bearcats for third spot.

West Adelaide Bearcats v Sturt Sabres

In the Match of the Round, the ’Cats (11-5, 3rd) will be hoping for back-to-back wins for the first time since rounds 6-7 when they take on Sturt (14-2, 2nd) at Port Adelaide, at the later time of 8.15 pm.

West has been inconsistent over the past three months, while the Sabres have been anything but, with 14 wins from 15 games, including six straight.

Last week, the Bearcats came away with a solid 70-59 victory.

Nikita-Lee Martin had a game-high 21 points, while Kerrin Webber continued her good form with 16 rebounds, 14 points and 3 steals.

Ashlea Vordermaier came agonisingly close to a triple-double with 10 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists.

Meanwhile, Sturt is coming off a hard-fought 70-60 victory over South.

Despite missing Tess Madgen (23.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.6 apg), Monique Bowley (12.9 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 2.1 apg) and Caroline Burgess (8.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.3 apg), the Sabres were still good enough to get over the line.

The three factors behind the Sabres’ victory were its defence, rebounding and Nicole Seekamp.

Although their lesser lights may not be as talented offensively, all Sturt players proved they were more than adequate at the defensive end, as well as on the boards, winning that count 45-31.

The player of the game was Nicole Seekamp, who starred with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists.

Seekamp was particularly prominent late in the game with several clutch baskets, a tenacious attack on both backboards and excellent defence, leading her team to victory.

In addition, Amy Shaw made the most of her extended minutes with career-highs in points (18) and rebounds (11), while Isabelle Daniel did likewise with career-highs of 13 points and 4 steals.

The last time they met, the Sabres blew West away for a 93-73 victory.

I expect the score to be a little closer this time around, but I think Sturt will register win number 15 here.

Norwood Flames v Central District Lions

The Flames (14-1, 1st) can improve their home record to 8-0 with a win over the Lions (8-7, 5th)on Sunday.

Norwood has lost just once in total, which was at Wayville against Forestville.

The Flames will be backing up after travelling to Marion to face South the night before.

If they win that game and this one, then they will have the Minor Premiership wrapped up with one week remaining.

However, two losses could see them fall to second by the end of the round.

If Jess Foley, Kelsey Ireland and Nadeen Payne are back in the line-up, then Norwood will have plenty of depth for this week’s double-header, and fatigue should not be a problem for this game.

Without those three, the Flames are still a great defensive team, but would be short on rotations and offensive options.

If Centrals can defeat Forestville on Saturday, then a win here would sew up a spot in the finals.

However, two losses would keep the Lions’ spot in the five up for grabs.

Jess Mahony (12.9 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 9.4 apg, 4 spg) has been sensational all season and will need to have another big one if Centrals is to get up.

Desinta Cummins, Alisha Heglund and Kimberley Olsen have also been prominent this season.

The last time they met, Norwood won 71-44.

Centrals should be a bit more competitive this time around, but I believe the Flames will get the points again.

Southern Tigers v North Adelaide Rockets

For one or both of the Tigers (7-9, 8th) and Rockets(7-9, 7th), the season will be shot by the end of Sunday’s fixture at Morphett Vale.

Both teams need to win their last two games, as well as relying on Centrals losing all three of its remaining matches, and South Adelaide to win a minimum of one out of two.

Each team has had its chances in recent weeks, but failed when it mattered most.

Southern has won just three of its last eleven, after going down to the Bearcats last week.

The 11 point loss was an improvement on its previous two performances, but still not good enough to end its losing run.

Five players scored in double figures for the Tigers, led by Rosalie Cutri with 14 and Alexandra Ciabattoni with 11.

After appearing to hit form at the right time of the year, North produced a stinker against Centrals, losing 52-78.

Jo Hill had 14 points and 14 rebounds, but did not have nearly enough support, with Shannon McKay the only other Rocket in double figures.

North shot under 27% from the field as a team.

The last time they met, Southern won 64-57.

I expect this to be another tight one. I believe the Tigers will just sneak home again, possibly keeping their slim finals hopes alive.

By James Woite