Johnson leads Eagles past Flames

Adelaide 36ers seven-time club MVP Daniel Johnson had a double-double to lead Forestville Eagles into the NBL1 Central Preliminary Final on Saturday night.

Johnson scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Eagles eliminated Norwood Flames 85-75 in the First Semi-Final at Wayville Stadium.

Forestville now face South Adelaide Panthers at Mitchell Park Stadium on Saturday night, with the winner to play Woodville Warriors in the Grand Final.

Nick Marshall had a huge double-double of his own as Mount Gambier booked their place in the NBL1 South Preliminary Final last Friday night at the Icehouse.

Marshall scored 18 points and pulled down 16 rebounds as the Pioneers fought off a late fightback from Kilsyth Cobras to win 94-84.

The Pioneers will now play the winner of Friday night’s Sandringham-Frankston semi-final on Sunday in Mount Gambier and the winner will make the Grand Final.

Deng Acuoth’s NBL1 South campaign came to an end after Knox Raiders went down in an overtime thriller against Bendigo Braves.

Acuoth scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the Raiders stormed back from a nine-point deficit at three-quarter time to force the game into an extra period.

But the Braves were too strong in overtime, eliminating Knox 109-102 to advance to Friday’s semi-final against Kilsyth.

The absence of Boomer Mitch McCarron played a huge part in Northside Wizards’ 108-85 loss to Gold Coast Rollers in their NBL1 North semi-final last Saturday night at Carrara Stadium.

Anthony Drmic couldn’t replicate his 42-point heroics from seven days earlier in Mackay, only contributing 11 points, five rebounds and six assists as the Wizards’ season came to a close.

The Rollers will now play USC Rip City in a best-of-three Grand Final series on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (if required) on the Gold Coast.

Photos courtesy of Thomas Miles - SE Voice, Ian Knight Photography,  Kelly Barnes/AllStar Photos