The series continues for the CoE teams

The CoE teams returned to their home court at the AIS in the NBL1 East for their first fixtures since 29 May. The homecoming produced overwhelmingly positive results.

The CoE (W) got the day off to the perfect start  in a 86 – 53 win over Albury-Wodonga, aided by a break out performance from Eliza Shanahan. Shanahan finished with 17 points at an impressive 53.85% to go with seven rebounds.

The CoE (M) finished off a successful homecoming with a clinical 113 - 72 win over the Bandits. Jai Fa'ale continue to flash his potential to finish with 23 points, eight assists, seven rebounds. Will Hamilton led scoring for the game with 23 points. 

COE 113 - 72 ALB (M)

The boys certainly were back in town.

CoE’s men returned to the AIS for the first time since 29 March and enjoyed the familiarity of the home court in a 113 – 72 rout of Albury-Wodonga.

Jai Fa’ale continues to flash his potential and took over the game at stages. Fa’ale finished with 22 points, seven rebounds, eight assists.

Beware the Will Hamilton long ball. There’s an abundance of guys can hit from long range for CoE and the Bandits may have given Hamilton a degree of separation too many.

The Traralgon youngster finished with 23 points, five three pointers made at 50%. Hamilton and Antonio Browne combined for 4 / 6 in three pointers in the first half to blow the lead out.

The CoE men utilised their advantage in length and wreaked havoc on the boards. 7’6” phenom JK Mach totalled seven rebounds alongside Fa’ale. Yayha Basaran and Ajak Nyuon swiped six apiece with CoE dominating the tally 58 – 30.

The CoE (M) move to 5 – 1 on the NBL1 East standings.

COE 86 - 53 ALB (W)

The CoE women looked right at home against Albury-Wodonga in a 86 – 53 win at the Australian Institute of Sport.

Olivia Olechnowicz set the pace for the CoE carrying the ball downhill on offense and created an abundance of opportunities for her team mates. Olechnowicz led the game in assists with seven to go with 13 points.

Victorian Eliza Shanahan produced her best performance for the CoE to date, scoring 17 points at an impressive 53.85% to go with seven rebounds.

Zara Russell had 15 points, 3 steals and young gun Andie Smith is starting to find her groove and was given increased minutes vs the Bandits.

The CoE (W) climbed the standings to 5 – 1 after Round Five. 

There is a legitimate rivalry developing in Centre of Excellence vs Illawarra Hawks in the NBL1 East.

The latest episode, as expected. Was very competitive.

The CoE women were clinical with a defensive edge and attacked the Hawks basket from multiple angles in a 77 – 96 win on the road at The Snakepit.

In the men’s division, the Hawks senior talent once again kept the CoE men at bay. Illawarra had all the answers at home and coasted away from the CoE men 107 – 95.

ILL 77 – 96 COE (W)

In the women’s division in 2025, Illawarra looked a step ahead of the CoE women early in the season. However, fortunes would eventually turn for with both clubs taking different directions as the year unfolded.

Illawarra found themselves on the wrong side in a long list of close encounters. They eventually fell to the underside and missed finals.

The CoE women, led by a cast of talent including Sitaya Fagan, Emilija Dakic, timed momentum perfectly and went on a run to the Grand Final.

In 2026, CoE’s women stacked the first chip on the table. Mel Downer’s unit continue to build on their game style and solid execution resulted in a 77 – 96 win away at the Hawks.

The Round 5 win at The Snakepit created an environment for a variety looks with the CoE dominating the boards (Jemyma Manyok continues to star as a defensive weapon).

A 44 – 32 edge in total rebounds is reflected on the variety of scorers for CoE on the box score.

Isabel Smith led all players on the court with 24 points, Zara Russell 20, Aspen Crase & Olivia Olchenowicz with 16.

ILL 107 – 95 COE (M)

A continuation of the ILL v COE rivalry narrative.

The CoE men’s season came to an end in 2025 at the hands of Illawarra 98 – 89 in the Semi Final. Unfortunately, the outcome against the Hawks in Round 5 was eerily similar.

The Hawks are loaded with talent, including Todd Blanchfield, Kobe McDowell-White, Mason Peatling and they managed to stay a gear above the CoE for four quarters yesterday.

The encouraging part. The CoE didn’t throw in the towel at any stage and the unit fought to the final buzzer with a sense of belief that they could win it.

Alex Dickeson looks primed for college basketball and starred again for the ‘Tute. Dickeson had 21 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and has been loving a transition, pull-up three.

Ajak Nyuon had a bag of tricks on the offensive side of the ball. Nyuon is a unique and dynamic big and the full range of his ability was on display against the Hawks recording 20 points, five rebounds.

There’s a young core quietly stacking minutes and experience here. Coach Robbie McKinlay is getting solid court time into Jai Fa’ale, Luke Paul, Isaac Riddle, Antonio Browne and Will Hamilton.

With the mid-season graduation approaching and the impending departure of a handful of CoE seniors. It will soon be up to this group of young guns to take the wheel.