1
Nov
4 min read
NBL1 East Women: MVP Munger leads Falcons to title
The Newcastle Falcons celebrate their 2024 NBL East Championship
League MVP Nicole Munger named Grand Final MVP
- Newcastle Falcons secure NBL1 East title with late 11-point run
- Nicole Munger earns Grand Final MVP honours with dominant performance
- Sutherland Sharks fall short despite Lauren Nicholson's 33-point effort
The Newcastle Falcons claimed the 2024 NBL1 East Women's Championship, beating Sutherland Sharks 85-78 in a thrilling Grand Final at Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre on Saturday.
Nicole Munger cemented her status as the NBL1 East's premier player, following up her second NBL1 East MVP award with a Grand Final MVP performance. The American guard was instrumental in the Falcons' victory, racking up 22 points, 17 rebounds, and 4 assists while playing nearly the entire game.
Falcons Soar in Clutch Moments
The championship decider lived up to expectations, with both teams trading leads throughout. Sutherland held a narrow 23-18 advantage after the first quarter, but Newcastle responded with a 30-point second period to take a 48-45 lead into halftime.
The intensity ramped up in the second half, with the Falcons threatening to pull away before Sutherland mounted a comeback. Led by Lauren Nicholson's 33 points, the Sharks surged ahead by four late in the fourth.
But Newcastle showcased their championship mettle down the stretch. Munger's clutch free throws and go-ahead bucket sparked an 11-0 run to close out the game, securing the title for the Falcons.
Team Effort Propels Newcastle to Victory
While Munger earned MVP honours, the Falcons' championship was a true team effort. Isla Juffermans had a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Aarion Nichols added 14 points and 7 boards. Elissa Brett (10 points) and captain Kate Kingham (7 points) also made key contributions.
"This win means everything to us," Munger said post-game. "We faced adversity throughout the season, but our team's resilience and belief in each other got us through. I'm so proud of what we've accomplished."
The victory marks Newcastle's first NBL1 East championship since the league's inception, erasing the memories of sharing the 2021 title with Sutherland due to COVID-19 cancellations.
For the Sharks, it was a heartbreaking finish to an impressive playoff run. Despite Nicholson's heroic effort, supported by Vanessa Panousis (15 points) and Olivia White (12 points, 14 rebounds), Sutherland fell short of capturing their first outright NBL1 East title.
Looking Ahead to 2025
With the 2024 season now in the books, both teams will regroup and set their sights on the 2025 campaign. The Falcons will aim to defend their crown, while the Sharks will be motivated to go one step further after consecutive Grand Final appearances.
As the NBL1 East continues to grow in popularity and talent, fans can expect another thrilling season of high-quality basketball when teams return to the court next year.
