West champion Cougars make 47pt statement

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Logan Thunder 85 def. Waverley Falcons 81

Logan's Leah Scott's 27-point, 12-rebound performance propelled the Thunder to an 85-81 come-from-behind, overtime victory in the 2025 NBL1 National Finals opener against Waverley Falcons in a thrilling overtime contest at Southern Cross Stadium.

Key Details

• Result: Logan Thunder 85 def. Waverley Falcons 81
• When: August 29, 2025
• Where: Southern Cross Stadium Crt 2

By the Numbers

• Leah Scott (Logan) starred with 27 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 44 minutes.
• Kendell Heremaia (Logan) scored 23 points, had three rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block in 31 minutes.
• Katelyn Shumate (Waverley) scored 22 points, had six rebounds, and two assists in 44 minutes.
• Renae Mokrzycki (Waverley) had 21 points, five rebounds, one assist, and two blocks in 36 minutes.

What Happened

Waverley started strong, jumping to a 25-19 first-quarter lead behind Shumate's aggressive scoring and Mokrzycki's efficient interior play. The Falcons extended their advantage in the second period, outscoring Logan 21-12 to take a commanding 46-31 halftime lead.

The momentum shifted dramatically after the break. Logan captain Mikaela Cann orchestrated a third-quarter comeback as the Thunder outscored Waverley 20-16. Heremaia caught fire from beyond the arc, connecting on five of her seven three-point attempts for the game, helping Logan cut the deficit to 62-51 heading into the final frame.

The fourth quarter saw Logan's defensive intensity reach new heights, limiting Waverley to just 11 points.

In the extra period, Logan dominated 12-8, with Scott scoring six crucial points. Her clutch free-throw shooting (10-from-20 overall) proved decisive in the closing minutes. The Thunder's superior three-point shooting was a key factor, as they connected on nine triples compared to Waverley's five, despite attempting seven fewer shots from beyond the arc.

Waverley struggled with their outside shooting, hitting just five of their 29 three-point attempts (17 percent).

Knox Raiders 70 def. Manly Warringah 42

Key Details

• Result: Knox 70 def. Manly Warringah 42
• When: August 29, 2025
• Where: Southern Cross Stadium Crt 1

By the Numbers

• Agnes Emma-Nnopu (Knox) starred with eight points, 11 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and one block in 24 minutes.
• Katelyn Young (Knox) impressed with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks in 25 minutes.
• Kristy Wallace (Knox) scored 15 points, had one rebound, and three assists in 18 minutes.
• Taylor Wurtz (Manly Warringah) scored 12 points, had three rebounds, two assists, and one block in 33 minutes.

What Happened

Knox established their dominance early, racing to a 20-7 lead in the first quarter. Their defense was stifling, holding Manly Warringah to single digits in both the opening periods. By halftime, Knox had built a comfortable 39-14 advantage, showcasing their superior defensive intensity.

The third quarter followed a similar pattern with Knox extending their lead to 60-24 by outscoring their opponents 21-10. Kristy Wallace was exceptional during this stretch, connecting on three shots from beyond the arc as part of her team-high 15 points on efficient 6-from-12 shooting.

Manly Warringah showed signs of life in the final quarter, winning the period 18-10, but the deficit was far too large to overcome. Taylor Wurtz led the resistance with 12 points, but shot just 4-from-15 from the field, indicative of Knox's smothering defense throughout the contest.

Knox's victory was built on dominant rebounding, with a commanding 54-32 advantage on the boards. Agnes Emma-Nnopu and Katelyn Young both pulled down 11 rebounds apiece, with Emma-Nnopu collecting six offensive rebounds to create crucial second-chance opportunities.

The shooting disparity told the story of the game, with Knox converting at 41.4% (29-from-70) compared to Manly's dismal 24.6% (14-from-57). Knox also connected on eight three-pointers to Manly's four, further highlighting their offensive superiority. The defense was equally impressive, with Knox recording seven blocks to Manly's single rejection, controlling the paint throughout the contest.

Cockburn Cougars 132 def. Woodville Warriors 85

Cockburn absolutely demolished Woodville 132-85 the third game of the 2025 NBL1 Women's National Finals at Southern Cross Stadium.

Ruby Porter's explosive 34-point performance helped strengthen Cockburn's championship hopes.

Key Details

• When: August 20, 2025
• Where: Southern Cross Stadium Crt 2

By the Numbers

• Ruby Porter (Cockburn) starred with 34 points, three rebounds, three assists, and nine steals in 24 minutes.
• Naomi Allotey (Woodville) scored 26 points, and had 19 rebounds and six assists in 38 minutes.

What Happened

Cockburn Cougars established complete dominance from the opening tip, building a commanding 34-19 lead in the first quarter. Their offensive firepower continued unabated through the second period as they extended their advantage to 69-40 at halftime. The 29-point halftime cushion effectively put the game out of reach early.

The third quarter saw no respite for Woodville as Cockburn maintained their relentless pace, outscoring their opponents 34-25. By the final buzzer, Cockburn had piled on 132 points while holding Woodville to just 85, securing a dominant 47-point victory in their NBL1 Women's Finals opener.

Ruby Porter delivered an exceptional performance for Cockburn, shooting an impressive 13-from-23 from the field, including 6-from-10 from beyond the arc. Her 34 points, combined with nine steals, showcased her impact on both ends of the court. Porter's defensive prowess disrupted Woodville's offensive flow throughout the contest.

Cockburn's balanced attack featured five players scoring in double figures. Jessie Edwards recorded a double-double with 23 points and 14 rebounds, while Sarah Mortensen contributed 27 points and 12 boards. Captain Jewel Williams added 17 points, six rebounds, and five assists, demonstrating the team's depth and versatility.

Cockburn's dominance extended to nearly every statistical category. They outshot Woodville 47% to 37% from the field and 35% to 21% from three-point range. They also controlled the glass with a 64-53 rebounding advantage, including 26 offensive boards that led to numerous second-chance opportunities. The defensive intensity was equally impressive, as Cockburn forced 26 turnovers while recording 18 steals and five blocks.

Woodville struggled to find consistent offense against Cockburn's stifling defense. Despite Naomi Allotey's valiant efforts with 26 points and 19 rebounds, and Ambah Kowcun's 18 points, Woodville couldn't match Cockburn's firepower or defensive intensity. Their 26 turnovers and 37% shooting from the field highlighted their difficulties.

With this commanding victory, Cockburn has made a definitive statement to open their NBL1 Women's Finals campaign, showcasing why they're considered serious championship contenders with their balanced scoring attack and suffocating defense.