Men’s NBL1 2024 Game 2
The men are looking to start their season off strong winning their first 2 games, this one coming against the Lions who lost their first round matchup against the Eastern Mavericks in a close two point loss.
The offence came quick in this one, both teams shooting well out of the gates, getting the score to 9-9 quickly. After these offensive explosions both teams started focusing more on their defences, slowing the pace of the game and forcing long possessions with multiple actions to even get a look at the rim. Then the Flames got hot, hitting big shots, slicing the Lions defence apart, breaking open a 14-24 lead. The Lions responded, Branden Jenkins leading the charge and bringing the game back to 1 point. Both teams’ defences stepped up after a timeout and the quarter closed after trading some buckets, the score being 27-29.
The Lions opened the quarter on fire again, forcing Norwood to try to answer, with some of the bench unit on court they unfortunately didn’t have the rhythm to score at the level which Centrals were. The early second quarter deficit was overcome by some amazing play from Jack Hemphill who brought the Flames back into the driver’s seat with 5:10 to go in the quarter. The Lions defence again went up a notch and they forced a lot of long possessions and late shot clock heaves which they then capitalised on regaining the lead and forcing a timeout for the Flames. Out of the timeout a well executed play got the ball rolling on offence again and going into half the Flames were only trailing 59-55.
Riley Harrap came out of halftime firing, nailing his first two shots of the half, this coupled with the amazing shooting of Jack Stanwix creating a gravity which the Lions defence had to respect which led to open driving lanes for Norwood. This unrelenting attack of the paint led to another lead change as Norwood got the best out of the Centrals defence, Jack Hemphill took advantage of the increased spacing and dominated the quarter. The Lions had no answer for the three and key scoring Norwood unlocked in this quarter ending the third up 86-89.
The Lions figured out their defensive weakness and opened the fourth much better on that end. This slowed down the scoring for the Flames but their solid defence kept them in the game this quarter. A gritty quarter ensued, one which both teams struggled to find good momentum but an increase in fouls kept the scoreboard ticking. Centrals went on a 8-2 run, finding themselves back in the lead. Back and forth scoring mostly coming from free throws, tip-ins or kick out threes ended the quarter. Both teams fighting and scrapping to either hold or regain the lead. In the end the Lions came out on top 118-113.
Article by Samuel Sterry
