Playoffs on the horizon for 36ers stars

Adelaide 36ers NBL25 signings Jacob Rigoni and Ben Griscti have powered Sturt Sabres into a chance to take top spot in NBL1 Central going into the final round of matches.

Sturt sit in equal first place in the standings with a 14-3 record after Saturday night’s 98-89 win against Southern Tigers at Springbank.

Rigoni scored 17 points to go with seven rebounds and six assists, while Griscti battled foul trouble to add five points and six rebounds.

The Sabres face Eastern Mavericks (8^th, 6-11) on Saturday night at St Francis de Sales College and must win to have an opportunity to finish in top spot.

Alex Starling was a force for South Adelaide in their double header success over the weekend, the Panthers defeating Eastern Mavericks 99-91 in overtime on the road on Saturday night, before stopping Norwood Flames 83-77 at home on Sunday afternoon.

Starling played every single minute of both games across the weekend, scoring 27 points and hauling in a game-high 17 rebounds against the Mavericks.

The 199cm power forward then backed up on Sunday afternoon for another 19 points and game-high 13 rebounds in the six-point success against the Flames.

South Adelaide, also with a 14-3 record, will now battle Central District Lions (5^th, 9-8) this Saturday night at Starplex, with a win guaranteeing the Panthers top spot on the ladder.

Sturt are battling South Adelaide and Forestville Eagles for the top mantle, the Eagles hosting reigning champion West Adelaide Bearcats at home.

The Sabres must defeat Eastern and need the Panthers to lose the Lions to take top spot away from South Adelaide as the Panthers hold the split against the Sabres, but both South Adelaide and Sturt have the head-to-head split against the Eagles.

Nick Marshall is set to return for Mount Gambier Pioneers this weekend after the swingman has missed the past four matches, but the Pioneers have powered on to sit in top spot on the ladder.

Mount Gambier split last weekend’s double header at home, defeating Knox Raiders 93-85 on Friday night before succumbing to Melbourne Tigers 91-86 on Saturday night.

The Pioneers are back on home court this Saturday night when Mount Gambier host Ringwood Hawks (17^th, 6-15).

READ MORE

• Sixers In Business partners unite off the court
• DJ stakes Paris claim in big Boomers win
• Flowers signs with LA Clippers
• NBL25 Schedule: Weekend delight for loyal fans
• Wells signs on for NBL25 as lead assistant coach

A win for the Pioneers will see them qualify in first place on the NBL1 South standings and receive home court advantage throughout the playoffs.

Point guard Jason Cadee did everything he could for Gold Coast Rollers last Saturday night, but it wasn’t enough as his side now face a tough task to make the NBL1 North playoffs.

Cadee scored a game-high 28 points to go with seven rebounds and five assists, but the Rollers fell 105-98 to Brisbane Capitals at Auchenflower Stadium on Saturday night.

Gold Coast now sits in seventh place with a 7-9 record heading into the final game of the regular season at home this Saturday night against North Gold Coast Seahawks (16^th, 5-11).

The Rollers must defeat the Seahawks and need the Cairns Marlins and Rockhampton Rockets to lose their final round matches to qualify for the top six.