Galloway, Force crowned NBL1 North champions

Kyrin Galloway and his Ipswich Force have come back from a 1-0 deficit to defeat the Jason Cadee and the Gold Coast Rollers in a tough three-game NBL1 North grand final series at Carrara Stadium on the weekend.

The talent of the Ipswich side shone through as the series continued, the Force winning the deciding game 109-85 on Sunday afternoon to claim the club’s first NBL1 North championship.

Galloway was a huge defensive presence at the rim for the Force, pulling down eight rebounds to go with six points and two blocks, while changing numerous shots as Ipswich ran away with the title.

Cadee tried gallantly to lead his team back into the contest numerous times, finishing with 16 points, 12 assists and five rebounds.

Ipswich sent the series into a third and deciding game with a tough 119-98 victory over the Rollers on Saturday night.

Gold Coast looked like they were going to win back-to-back NBL1 North championships during the third quarter, but the talent of the Force kicked into gear, led by former Adelaide 36ers guard Nathan Sobey.

The Force stormed home in the final 10 minutes, outscoring Gold Coast 31-12 as Sobey took over, scoring 39 points, while Galloway added 21 points and seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks.

Cadee added 16 points, 13 assists and six rebounds for the Rollers, but Gold Coast had no answer for the red hot Sobey, who connected on five three-pointers.

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Gold Coast looked to be in prime position to claim a second title in as many seasons as the Rollers took charge to win the opening game of the series 100-86 on Friday night.

The Rollers had winners across the court, led by Cadee who nearly had a triple double, scoring 23 points, dishing 16 assists and grabbing nine rebounds, while Galloway added eight points for the Force.

Nick Marshall and the Mount Gambier Pioneers who eliminated from the NBL1 South championship race on Friday night, going down 68-63 to Knox Raiders at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre.

The Pioneers kept a slender lead throughout the first three quarters of the low scoring affair, but the Raiders hit some big shots down the stretch to score the five-point victory.

Marshall scored 15 points for the home side, to go with seven rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to get his side to a second consecutive grand final appearance.

Mitch McCarron and his West Adelaide side are going to the big dance after the Bearcats were too good for Sturt Sabres 96-73 at Port Adelaide Recreation Centre on Saturday night.

The Bearcats, coming off an 83-81 semi-final loss to Forestville Eagles, came out firing against the Sabres, connecting on seven of their first 10 three-pointers to open up a 17-point advantage at the main interval.

Sturt looked to fight back, but the Bearcats lead was too much for the Sabres as West Adelaide qualified for the grand final for the first time since 2017.

McCarron was everywhere for the Bearcats, scoring 21 points, dishing nine assists and grabbing six rebounds to go with two steals and a block.

West Adelaide will now play Forestville Eagles in the NBL1 Central men’s grand final on Saturday night at the Adelaide 36ers Arena.