Starling sizzles as Panthers go 2-0

Adelaide 36ers power forward Alex Starling has continued his impressive start to the NBL1 Central season, leading South Adelaide Panthers to victory against West Adelaide Bearcats on Good Friday at Port Adelaide Recreation Centre.

Starling scored a team-high 35 points to go with 12 rebounds and three assists as the Panthers held on late to halt the fast-finishing Bearcats.

The 199cm power forward found his range from beyond the arc, swishing six three-pointers as South Adelaide took control of the contest with a 30-18 second quarter.

Training players Tom Kubank (18 points, four rebounds, two assists) and Curtis Scott (13 points, three assists) made solid contributions for the Panthers, who start the season 2-0.

Sturt Sabres remain the other undefeated team after two rounds as Jacob Rigoni led his side to a big 104-62 win against North Adelaide Rockets at The Lights Community & Sports Centre on Easter Saturday night.

Rigoni scored a team-high 17 points to go with eight rebounds and five assists as the Sabres led from the opening tip.

Training players Durrell McDonald (19 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals) and Koop McCalop (15 points, 17 rebounds) toiled hard for the Rockets.

Jack Stanwix scored 12 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished four assists but that wasn’t enough as Norwood Flames fell 118-113 to Central District Lions at Starplex on Easter Thursday.

Uche Dibiamaka (16 points, eight rebounds, six assists) sparked Forestville Eagles to their first win of the season, a 96-84 success against Eastern Mavericks at Wayville Stadium.

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In NBL1 West, Sunday Dech scored a team-high 30 points to go with seven rebounds, three assists and two steals but it wasn’t enough to lead East Perth Eagles to victory against Warwick Senators.

The Senators used an opening quarter 27-14 explosion as the catalyst to the opening round success last Thursday night at Warwick Stadium.