NBL1 Men Round 3 vs South Adelaide Panthers
The South Ave Norwood Flames Men (1 – 1) are going up against the South Adelaide Panthers (0 – 2) in round 3 of the NBL1 Central season. South Adelaide has gone up against 2 very solid teams in the Forestville Eagles and Sturt Sabres, only just falling short on both nights. Led by Rio Bruton’s 20.5 ppg the South Adelaide Panthers have three 15+ ppg scorers so lots of firepower who can get going at any time. For the Flames, Thomas Kurowski has started the season at the top, securing Footlocker player of the week last time out. The Flames are still gelling, as a mostly new group they are figuring each other out and looking to continue progressing towards their potential.
A steal and score from Thomas Kurowski opened scoring after a hectic opening possession for the Flames. The Flames had a lot of energy from the tip, getting a couple of steals and o-boards early, determining the tempo of the start of the game. And and-1 from South stopped Norwood’s opening run at just 4. The Flames were getting good looks to start, but they struggled to finish plays letting South tie the game back up before a triple from Scott Campbell hit a couple triples and gave the Norwood offence some life. Norwood’s defence continued to be effective but without consistent offence they weren’t able to gain any separation from the Panthers who were clinging around. A pair of free-throws for Lloyd McVeigh after drawing a foul in transition brought the Panthers back to within 1.
A tough shot from Smith gave the Panthers a short-lived lead as Inady Legiste answered with a triple. The Flames were getting hot from 3 now with Scott hitting another one, after some free throws Scott has already tallied 11 points in the quarter. Cooper Osborne made an instant impact on the game getting 4 quick assists including 1 to Thomas Kurowksi for an easy 2 on a back cut. Despite this South Adelaide was able to hang around, hitting some tough shots and able to capitalise on any small mistakes from Norwood’s defence. South split a pair of free-throws to bring the game back to 3 with less then a minute in the quarter. The quarter closes, 19 – 22.
Cooper Osborne took it himself to start the 2nd getting to the charity stripe for 2. Cooper Osbrone made an incredible through the legs pass to the hot shooter in Scott who extended the lead to 10 for the Flames, forcing a timeout from South Adelaide. A South basket halted the 7-point run for the Flames but Whittaker responded with a beautiful post spin for 2. The Flames defence has been a key contributor to the Flames great start in the period, tons of energy flying around, creating deflections and forcing turnovers for South; 9 turnovers for South Adelaide with over 6:45 left in the half. The Flames were attacking star Jeremy Smith from South as he commit his third foul with over 6-minutes in the period. An and-1 from the Panthers gave South some momentum, followed by a monster dunk to bring the game back to 7 and forcing a timeout from Miles Pearce.
A 3-point party started after the timeout, with Oscar Sabine draining one off a nice dish from Cooper Osborne, the Panthers answered then who else but Campbell Scott draining another triple for the Flames. Scott was really feeling it, hitting a wild reverse layup with some serious English high off the glass. The Flames were rolling but even when they missed they were being aggressive on the glass, with 13 offensive rebounds already, scoring inside off putbacks or kicking the ball out for easy looks. Despite the impressive play from the Flames the Panthers were able to keep in the game, but as the Flames were getting more energised South was getting outpaced offensively. Scott continued his barrage hitting another triple in transition, marking his sixth of the first half and putting the Flames up by 16. A three for South Adelaide put a stop to the bleeding before the end of the half, 37 – 51.
Norwood opened the second half how they ended it with a triple from Mason Whittaker coming off an o-board. Some great defensive possessions from Norwood followed, they are containing penetration from South and forcing them into contested 2’s over a hand. South responded by upping their defensive intensity, forcing some difficult possessions for the Flames and slowing down what was a fiery offence. The game came to a bit of standstill for while, the occasional tough bucket for both teams but most certainly great defence on display from both teams. The Flames were able to hold their lead above double digits with just over 4 and half remaining in the quarter.
Some foul trouble for the Panthers led to them going deeper into their bench than planned with a couple members being on 3 or 4 fouls. Campbell Scott took advantage hitting a tough step back 3, continuing his hot shooting. The Panthers were much more consistent offensively in the third, taking care of the ball better, finding seams in the Flames defence and being more composed with the ball. They brought the deficit down to 11 with a couple free throws for Jeremy Smith. A prayer heave at the end of the shot clock from Smith brought the game back to 8 as the Flames offence slowed to a halt as the Panthers improved defence was affecting the Flames. A triple from the Panthers exaggerated the defensive issues from Norwood as the lead shrunk to just 6 with a minute to go in the period. An empty possession for the Flames led to another trip to the line for South as it is now a 4-point affair, 59 – 63.
Lloyd McVeigh started the quarter off with free-throws for the Panthers bringing the game to just 2. Mason Whittaker commits 2 fouls early in the quarter to give him 4 with 8:55 to go in the game, taking out a big body on both ends for the Flames. A step back triple from Rio Bruton gives them a 1-point advantage. The Flames are struggling on offensive, slow movement off-ball bringing the ball-movement down and giving South a chance to stay out of scramble situations. Legiste picked up his 4th personal and the Flames 4th team foul with 7:30 to go in the quarter, meaning any fouls on Norwood will send South to the line from now on. The Flames are desperate for a score as they have only scored 12 since halftime. A tough fadeaway from Cooper Osbrone gave Norwood the lead back by 1, the lead was short-lived as South answered immediately. It was a tale of two teams in the fourth with South making tough shot after tough shot whilst Norwood was missing open looks and struggling to find any consistency offensively, an extended 11-2 run throughout the final period.
A leak away finish for Cooper Osborne off a missed free throw brought the game back to 3 for the Flames but South answered immediately hitting another tough step back. An and-1 from Lloyd McVeigh drew the 5th foul on Mason Whittaker forcing him to take a seat with 3:40 in the quarter. Cooper Osborne has been taking the game into his hands, an aggressive drive creating a cutting line for Thomas Kurowski who he found for an and-1 finish, converting the free-throw to make it a 3-point game. South extended their lead with another tough basket but Coop drew a foul, nailing his free-throws, a critical teams stop and a big 3 for Campbell Scott tied up the game. A big triple for South Adelaide takes them back out in front. A few good offensive possessions from the Panthers gave them a 7-point advantage with a minute to go. A bad turnover lets South get out in transition and extend their lead. Scott hit a couple more big threes down the stretch but it wasn’t enough, 87 – 83 the final.
