Latest news with #Willetton
West Australian
17 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Giants women run Willetton close but ultimately fall short
Goldfields Giants women's coach Jaymi Worthington has challenged her players to become a more well-rounded group capable of better sharing the load, following Saturday's 80-69 NBL1 West loss against Willetton. The Giants pushed the fifth-placed visitors for most of the game but with the scores level at three-quarter-time, the Tigers took charge in the run home, 21-10. It was the local squad's seventh consecutive defeat after Nici Gilday (24 points; four rebounds; five assists; one blocked shot) and Erin Antosh (21 points; 13 rebounds; three assists) carried the vast majority of the workload. Alongside the team's 80 points, Willetton's starters also racked-up a combined 29 rebounds and 19 assists. With a 2-10 win-loss record, the Giants are tied with the South West Slammers, but hold 11th spot on percentage. Goldfields led by a point at quarter-time and by six points during the second period. 'Our bench players contributed quite well, but we need at least one other person to step-up and score in double-figures,' Worthington said. 'They (Willetton) had four players (score) in double-figures and we needed that (because) their defence obviously started to double-team Nici and Erin. 'It means we need other players to go to in those circumstances. 'In those last five minutes, from a coaching perspective as well, we needed to adjust quicker by making sure we had other options. 'The bottom line is that we need other players to step-up and spread the scoring more.' Goldfields remain three games outside the top-eight. 'Willetton have a very strong team and it's a skill, learning how to win,' Worthington said. 'That's all it is — having that belief that we can (beat top sides). 'But the reality was that Willetton were able to convert and close-out the game. 'I feel we're on the cusp of that, but we just need to keep pushing and getting better.' Ladder Cougars (11-0); Senators (9-2); Redbacks (9-3); Eagles (7-3); Tigers (7-4); Magic (7-6); Flames (5-5); Lightning (5-6); Hawks (4-6); Wolves (3-8); Giants (2-10); Slammers (2-10); Suns (1-9).
West Australian
5 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Geraldton Buccaneers look to bounce back at home when they face Joondalup on Saturday
The Geraldton Buccaneers head into round 10 of the NBL1 West this weekend coming off a split road trip, with hopes of bouncing back at home when they face the Joondalup Wolves on Saturday. The Buccs return home after a two-game road trip, which saw them pick up a win on Saturday against Lakeside Lightning before overtime heartbreak on Sunday against the Willetton Tigers. The 20-point win over Lakeside on Saturday night was headlined by Aaron Ralph breaking the all-time three-point record, with the star forward and Buccs' captain securing his record in the first half of the contest. The Buccs fell short on Sunday against Willetton in overtime by four points after injuries prevented the full strength team from being on the court. Buccs' big man Liam Hunt had an impressive weekend with back-to-back double-doubles along with Josh Keyes, who secured a double-double against Willetton, and Johny Narkle, who also drew up big numbers against Lakeside. Despite going down to Willetton in overtime, Hunt said the team was in good spirits after Ralph's record-breaking achievement. 'The spirit is pretty high after Ralphie broke that record and obviously the big win against Lakeside,' he said. 'To go down like that against Willetton is tough but they are a top four team. 'You know, it's heartbreaking, but we have just got to keep learning from our failures. 'We can't play perfect, its not possible, but we want to be perfect in everything we can control.' Hunt said having someone like Ralph at the helm as captain was invaluable to everyone in the group. 'He (Ralph) is just a class player and someone we really value in the group,' Hunt said. 'He knows when players need a rev up and a lift and he always provides it. 'Ralphie is just someone you can rely on to deliver in big moments. 'I don't see his record ever being touched.' Turning their attention to this weened, the Buccs host rivals Joondalup in what promises to be a high octane game with both sides sitting next to each other on the league ladder. The Wolves are coming off a win against the Eastern Suns in round nine in what was a low-scoring affair. The Wolves now face a hungry Buccs outfit as the home side looks to bounce back with a big win at home. Hunt said the squad was raring to get over the top of the Wolves in what always promises to be a thriller. 'Joondalup games are always big games,' he said. 'They always are fun games to play in and always seem to come right down to the wire. 'We have had a rivalry with Joondalup for the last six years, so we are looking forward to playing them at home.' The Buccs sit just under the Wolves on the NBL1 West league ladder in fifth, with the visitors holding down the fourth position, making Saturday's contest one to watch. Tip-off is at 7pm on Saturday, June 7, at Activewest Stadium.
West Australian
29-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Geraldton Buccaneers gear up for double-header on the road against Lakeside and Willetton
Coming off a massive win against league leaders Warwick at home last Saturday, the Geraldton Buccaneers are now gearing up for a double-header road trip against Lakeside and Willetton. After handing the Warwick Senators their first loss of the season, the vibes are up in the Buccs' camp, with the squad now preparing for their next challenge as they travel to Perth this weekend in round nine of the NBL1 West season. Local star Johny Narkle has been the Buccs' best player so far this season, shining bright in the Buccs' last game against the Senators. The star guard put on a show with 30 points, 11 rebounds and two steals and was named player of the round in the NBL1 West. Arguably in career best form, Narkle said preparation had been the key for his performances. 'Preparation for me is a big part of it,' he said. 'Both the physical and mental side of the preparation are equally important.' After the win against Warwick, Narkle said coach Dayle Joseph got the best out of his side, with new inclusions this season in Verle Williams and Akeem Springs slotting perfectly into the side. 'For me I felt good going into the game obviously they're (Warwick) the top team but as Dayle said we're rarely the underdogs going into a home game so obviously winning felt great because it shows us what we're capable of,' he said. 'With the addition of Verle and Akeem I feel like we're starting to gel real good after that loss to East Perth. It was like a wakeup call but since then we're starting to understand how each other play.' The Buccs now face a road trip to Perth where they will first play Lakeside Lightning on Saturday night. Lakeside sit 12th on the league ladder and are coming off three straight losses. The Buccs will be looking to walk away with a win on Saturday before their other game on Sunday against sixth-placed Willetton Tigers. The Buccs are yet to play the Tigers this season. The last time the two met Willetton knocked the Buccs out of the finals in 2024. Currently sitting fourth on the ladder, the Buccs will be looking to get one back on Willetton as they aim to go two-from-two on the road. Narkle said the squad was rearing to go with confidence high after last round's win. 'We're feeling good, it's a great opportunity to come away with two wins especially knowing what we can do as a team and how we performed the last week,' he said. The Buccs play Lakeside on Saturday from 7pm at Lakeside Rec before their clash against Willetton on Sunday from 12pm at Willetton Basketball Stadium.
West Australian
19-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Giants drop two as key players forced to sit out matches
A two-game road series for the Goldfields Giants' women's squad in Perth without US import Nici Gilday proved a bridge too far in twin losses at the weekend. The star guard has averaged 22.8 points, 7.8 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game, but was suspended after the group's clash a week earlier against Mandurah. Gilday was charged with making contact with the Magic's Ariana Wheki and while the contact was ruled unintentional, she copped a two-game suspension. The local squad was then dealt two more blows when Josephine Odude was ruled out with a back strain and Filipino signing Hazelle Yam arrived in the Goldfields, but was not cleared in time for the series by the governing body. It robbed the Giants of key playmakers — culminating in a 76-47 loss on Saturday against Willetton and the next day against Cockburn, 103-60. It made for a frustrating weekend for Giants coach Jaymi Worthington. 'We knew it would be tough,' she said. 'But we also didn't want to leave the imports back in Kalgoorlie by themselves, so they made the trip and with some hope that Hazell, potentially, might get a clearance to play while we were in Perth but it still didn't come through. 'We wanted better results but had a terrible start against Willetton that carried over to Sunday — I think, just getting used to an entirely new structure without some very good player.' Erin Antosh led Saturday's effort with 19 points and seven rebounds, from Kate Sidebottom (14 points; seven rebounds; four steals), and Kiriana Hawaikirangi (10 rebounds; five assists; two steals). Antosh and Sidebottom shouldered most of the workload on Sunday against the Cougars, racking up a combined 34 points and 17 rebounds. Those results left the Giants in overall 10th place, with a 2-6 win-loss record. They are two games outside the eight, with Lakeside holding eighth place with a 4-5 record. Also with two wins, ninth-placed Rockingham have a game in hand over the Giants. Ladder: Cougars (8-0); Eagles (5-1); Senators (7-2); Tigers (6-2); Redbacks (5-3); Magic (5-4); Hawks (3-3); Lightning (4-5); Flames (2-5); Giants (2-6); Wolves (2-6); Slammers (2-7); Suns (0-7).
