The race towards the NBL1 East grand final is heating up with both the men's and women's Centre of Excellence (CoE) teams eyeing off a spot in the grand final.
CoE | WOMEN
Centre of Excellence vs North Bears
5:30pm AEST | Saturday, August 9th
North Sydney Indoor Sports Centre, NSW
The CoE women keep finding ways to win in the finals, claiming a two-point semi-final victory over Albury Wodonga (73-75). A preliminary final matchup against the second placed Norths Bears now awaits the CoE women as they continue their hunt for a spot in the grand final.
Zara Russell led the team with 22 points and seven rebounds, proving pivotal in the clutch scoring the CoE’s final five points of the game to seal the win. There was a plethora of handy contributions from the CoE including Olivia Olechnowicz’s 18 points, five rebounds and two steals, Emilja Dakic’s 12 points, six rebounds and three steals, as well as Sitaya Fagan’s 10 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
Last time they met:
Rd 7 | North Bears 88 def CoE 74
BROADCAST: Stream via NBL+
CoE | MEN
Centre of Excellence vs Illawarra Hawks
7:00pm AEST | Saturday, August 9th
The Snakepit Stadium, NSW
Bouncing back from the qualifying final defeat, the CoE commanded the Norths Bears to claim a 97- 88 victory in the semi-final. The CoE now have their sights firmly set on a preliminary final duel against the top of the table Illawarra Hawks, with both teams boasting a record of 15 wins and five losses as the top two teams on the ladder through the regular season.
Nash Walker starred in the semi-final matchup against the Norths Bears, shooting 45% from the field with a 33-point performance leading the CoE to the win. Walker was accompanied by Che Brogan's 21 points and the in-form Alexander Dickeson stepping up on both ends of the court with a nine point, 12 rebound, 10 assist performance.
Last time they met:
Rd 10 | Illawarra Hawks 102 def CoE 72
BROADCAST: Stream via NBL+
Click here for more information on the CoE teams on NBL1, including team stats, rosters and more.
