Eagles keep flying high after win over Mavericks

• Forestville edges Mavericks 78-74 behind Samantha Simons' outstanding 26-point performance
• Amanda Paschal powers Norwood to 82-64 win against Southern Tigers with 27 points and 5 steals
• Brooke Basham records double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds in North Adelaide's victory

Forestville @ Mavericks

Former Adelaide Lightning WNBL player Samantha Simons put in the performance of the round to lead the Forestville Eagles to a 78-74 win over Morgan Yaeger's Eastern Mavericks at the St Francis de Sales Community Sports Centre in the NBL1 Central women's competition.

Simons delivered a vintage performance with 26 points, six rebounds, and three assists, while her sister Jess added 12 points and seven rebounds. The Mavericks were led by Yaeger's 18 points and nine assists.

The contest featured 11 lead changes with neither team leading by more than 13 points. Forestville's defensive pressure proved decisive, forcing 26 turnovers and converting them into 27 points.

Despite the Mavericks' efficient three-point shooting (56%), including five triples from Yaeger, Forestville's balanced attack and superior ball control (only five turnovers) secured the victory in this close season opener.

Norwood @ Southern Tigers

Norwood dominated Southern Tigers 82-64 at The ARC Campbelltown with a stellar defensive effort.

American import Amanda Paschal led the way with 27 points, seven rebounds, five steals, and four assists, shooting an efficient 9-from-17 from the field and a perfect 7-from-7 from the free-throw line.

Emily Saunders controlled the glass with 17 rebounds for Norwood, while McKenzie Johnston recorded a double-double (12 points, 14 rebounds) for Southern Tigers.

Tara Dodman contributed 17 points including five three-pointers for the Tigers, but Norwood's dominance in the paint (38-18 advantage) and superior shooting (41.7% to 35.4%) helped them maintain control throughout, leading for over 37 minutes.

South Adelaide @ West Adelaide

West Adelaide crushed South Adelaide 98-56 at Mitchell Park Sports and Community Centre behind a dominant inside-outside attack.

Olivia Levicki recorded a dominant double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds on 8-from-14 shooting, while Ashlee Strawbridge added 16 points, six rebounds, and three assists.

West Adelaide's team effort featured four players scoring in double figures, with Krystal Thompson adding 15 points including a perfect 3-from-3 from beyond the arc.

The victors dominated the glass (60-36 rebounding advantage) and shot an efficient 45% from the field. South Adelaide struggled from deep, shooting just 22.6% on three-pointers, with Ashleigh Spencer's 14 points not enough to keep pace in a game where West Adelaide led by as many as 44 points.

Central Districts @ Sturt

Sturt overwhelmed Central Districts 93-51 at Springbank Secondary College with a complete team performance with Meg Prosser leading all scorers with 23 points including five three-pointers, while adding three blocks and shooting an outstanding 69.2% from the field.

Sturt's Walker-Roberts sisters made their presence felt throughout the contest, with Mia recording 15 points, two rebounds, and four steals, while Zoe contributed nine points, seven rebounds, and an impressive eight steals.

Their defensive pressure helped force 26 Central Districts turnovers, which Sturt converted into 19 points. Sydneysimone Wright scored 17 points for Central in a losing effort, but Sturt's superior efficiency (46.8% to 29.0% shooting) and balanced attack featuring six players with eight or more points proved too much.

North Adelaide @ Woodville

North Adelaide secured a convincing 74-48 win against Woodville at St Clair Recreation Centre.

Brooke Basham dominated with 25 points and 10 rebounds while adding four steals. Mollie McKendrick recorded her own double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds, alongside five assists.

Woodville struggled mightily on offense, shooting a dismal 18.8% from the field, including just 6-from-42 on two-point attempts. Jasmin Fejo led Woodville with 16 points but required 17 shots, while former WNBA champion Erin Phillips added 10 points, eight rebounds, and five steals.

North Adelaide's interior dominance (30-6 advantage in points in the paint) and control of the glass (53-51 rebounding edge) helped them pull away for a comfortable victory after leading by as many as 26 points.