# 2023 NBL1 season

The 2023 NBL1 season was the fourth season of the NBL1. The season consisted of five conferences: South, North, Central, West and East.
The second annual National Finals were held in Perth, with both NBL1 National champions coming from the South Conference in the Bendigo Braves women and the Knox Raiders men.

## Background

The NBL1 had expanded in 2022 with the East Conference introduced alongside the South, North, Central and West. No further expansion occurred in 2023.

## Conference seasons

The season began on 11 March for the East Conference, 24 March for the North Conference, 25 March for the Central Conference, 31 March for the West Conference and 1 April for the North Conference. All conference finals were concluded by 12 August.

### South

The women's minor premiers were the Bendigo Braves with a 22–0 record while the men's minor premiers were the Knox Raiders with an 18–4 record. Megan McKay of the Bendigo Braves was named women's MVP while Jack Purchase of the Melbourne Tigers and Daniel Trist of the Frankston Blues were named men's co-MVP.
The women's grand final saw the Bendigo Braves defeat the Waverley Falcons 83–78 while the men's grand final saw the Knox Raiders defeat the Sandringham Sabres 90–86. Amy Atwell of the Bendigo Braves was named women's grand final MVP while Bailey Nunn of the Knox Raiders was named men's grand final MVP.

### North

The women's minor premiers were the Northside Wizards with a 16–3 record while the men's minor premiers were the Gold Coast Rollers with a 17–2 record. Courtney Woods of the Northside Wizards was named women's MVP while Jason Cadee of the Gold Coast Rollers was named men's MVP.
The women's grand final series saw the Northside Wizards defeat the Rockhampton Cyclones 2–0, with 87–52 in game one and 70–59 in game two, while the men's grand final series saw the Ipswich Force defeat the Gold Coast Rollers 2–1, with the Rollers winning 100–86 in game one and the Force winning 119–98 in game two and 109–85 in game three. Courtney Woods of the Northside Wizards was named women's grand final MVP while Nathan Sobey of the Ipswich Force was named men's grand final MVP.

### Central

The women's minor premiers were the Sturt Sabres with an 18–0 record while the men's minor premiers were the West Adelaide Bearcats with a 15–3 record. Brooke Basham of the Forestville Eagles was named women's MVP while Jordan Forbes of the Sturt Sabres was named men's MVP.
The women's grand final saw the Norwood Flames defeat the Sturt Sabres 80–65 while the men's grand final saw the West Adelaide Bearcats defeat the Forestville Eagles 106–95. Ally Wilson of the Norwood Flames was named women's grand final MVP while Lachlan Olbrich of the West Adelaide Bearcats was named men's grand final MVP.

### West

The women's minor premiers were the Cockburn Cougars with an 18–2 record while the men's minor premiers were the Rockingham Flames with a 19–3 record. Alexandra Sharp of the Willetton Tigers was named women's MVP while Devondrick Walker of the Rockingham Flames was named men's MVP.
The women's grand final saw the Cockburn Cougars defeat the Willetton Tigers 68–61 while the men's grand final saw the Geraldton Buccaneers defeat the Joondalup Wolves 86–80. Stephanie Gorman of the Cockburn Cougars was named women's grand final MVP while Johny Narkle of the Geraldton Buccaneers was named men's grand final MVP.

### East

The women's minor premiers were the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles with a 20–2 record while the men's minor premiers were the BA Centre of Excellence with a 20–2 record. Nicole Munger of the Newcastle Falcons was named women's MVP while William Cranston-Lown of the Maitland Mustangs was named men's MVP.
The women's grand final saw the Norths Bears defeat the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 71–56 while the men's grand final saw the Sutherland Sharks defeat the Maitland Mustangs 83–80. Jolene Anderson of the Norths Bears was named women's grand final MVP while Lochlan Hutchison of the Sutherland Sharks was named men's grand final MVP.

### Champions summary
#### Women

| Conference | Champion | Result | Runner-up |
| South | Bendigo Braves | 83 – 78 | Waverley Falcons |
| North | Northside Wizards | 2 – 0 (87–52, 70–59) | Rockhampton Cyclones |
| Central | Norwood Flames | 80 – 65 | Sturt Sabres |
| West | Cockburn Cougars | 68 – 61 | Willetton Tigers |
| East | Norths Bears | 71 – 56 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles |

#### Men

| Conference | Champion | Result | Runner-up |
| South | Knox Raiders | 90 – 86 | Sandringham Sabres |
| North | Ipswich Force | 2 – 1 (86–100, 119–98, 109–85) | Gold Coast Rollers |
| Central | West Adelaide Bearcats | 106 – 95 | Forestville Eagles |
| West | Geraldton Buccaneers | 86 – 80 | Joondalup Wolves |
| East | Sutherland Sharks | 83 – 80 | Maitland Mustangs |

## National Finals

The 2023 NBL1 National Finals took place at HBF Arena in Perth between Friday 18 August and Sunday 20 August. It served as the second annual National Finals after the inaugural event took place in 2022.
The 2022 defending champions, the Warwick Senators women and the Rockingham Flames men, earned automatic qualification into the 2023 NBL1 National Finals. Had either team made their respective 2023 conference grand final, their opponents would have been guaranteed a spot in the National Finals. The Senators women finished the 2023 West season in fifth place and lost in the semi finals while the Flames men finished the 2023 West season in first place and lost in the preliminary finals. Joining them in the tournament were the champions from each of the five conferences.
The six women's and men's teams faced off on Friday and Saturday for a spot in the Championship Games on Sunday. Each team played two preliminary games in which they generated ranking points, with the top two ranked women's and men's teams then playing in the Championship Game.
Ranking points over the first two days included three points for a win, one point for each quarter won, and half a point for tied quarters. Zero points were awarded for winning overtime periods. The schedule for Friday was determined by a random draw. On Saturday, the highest point scorer from Friday played fifth place, the second highest played fourth place, and the third highest played sixth place. On Sunday, the top two point scores over Friday and Saturday played in the Championship Game.
Both South Conference teams were victorious in the Championship Games, with the Bendigo Braves women and the Knox Raiders men being crowned NBL1 National champions.

### Day One – Friday
#### Women

* East vs North
* 18 August 2023 4:30 pm
* Box score Report
Norths Bears 104, Northside Wizards 81 :
| Scoring by quarter: 30–20, 31–18, 19–24, 24–19 |||
| Pts: Emily Simons 20 Rebs: Jolene Anderson 9 Asts: Kate Seebohm 7 | Pts: Amanda Johnson 24 Rebs: Amanda Johnson 14 Asts: Nadeen Payne 5 |
| After Day 1: Norths 2nd (6 pts), Northside 5th (1 pt) |||
* Showcourt 2, HBF Arena, Perth
* West vs South
* 18 August 2023 6:00 pm
* Box score Report
Cockburn Cougars 57, Bendigo Braves 101 :
| Scoring by quarter: 18–29, 9–19, 12–29, 18–24 |||
| Pts: Stephanie Gorman 14 Rebs: Sarah Mortensen 6 Asts: Patricia Brossmann 3 | Pts: Megan McKay 25 Rebs: McKay, Wilson 9 each Asts: Kelly Wilson 16 |
| After Day 1: Cockburn 6th (0 pts), Bendigo 1st (7 pts) |||
* Showcourt 1, HBF Arena, Perth
* Defending champion vs Central
* 18 August 2023 6:30 pm
* Box score Report
Warwick Senators 100, Norwood Flames 87 :
| Scoring by quarter: 27–25, 31–17, 17–25, 25–20 |||
| Pts: Karly Murphy 26 Rebs: Barr, Clinch Hoycard, Murphy 14 each Asts: Natalie Burton 11 | Pts: Ally Wilson 45 Rebs: Ally Wilson 18 Asts: Jada Rice 4 |
| After Day 1: Warwick 3rd (6 pts), Norwood 4th (1 pt) |||
* Showcourt 2, HBF Arena, Perth

#### Men

* South vs Central
* 18 August 2023 4:00 pm
* Box score Report
Knox Raiders 114, West Adelaide Bearcats 61 :
| Scoring by quarter: 28–18, 26–11, 25–14, 35–18 |||
| Pts: Wayne Stewart Jr. 29 Rebs: Wayne Stewart Jr. 10 Asts: Ke'Jhan Feagin 10 | Pts: Lachlan Hunter 18 Rebs: Nikolas DeSantis 6 Asts: Roxburgh, Staude 4 each |
| After Day 1: Knox 1st (7 pts), West Adelaide 6th (0 pts) |||
* Showcourt 1, HBF Arena, Perth
* Defending champion vs North
* 18 August 2023 8:00 pm
* Box score Report
Rockingham Flames 106, Ipswich Force 88 :
| Scoring by quarter: 30–26, 23–24, 31–20, 22–18 |||
| Pts: Marshall Nelson 28 Rebs: Jeremy Combs 14 Asts: Devondrick Walker 7 | Pts: Deng Deng 27 Rebs: Deng Deng 12 Asts: Jason Ralph 10 |
| After Day 1: Rockingham 3rd (6 pts), Ipswich 4th (1 pt) |||
* Showcourt 1, HBF Arena, Perth
* West vs East
* 18 August 2023 8:30 pm
* Box score Report
Geraldton Buccaneers 98, Sutherland Sharks 76 :
| Scoring by quarter: 25–17, 27–18, 22–30, 24–11 |||
| Pts: Johny Narkle 27 Rebs: Zac Gattorna 13 Asts: Shaun Stewart 8 | Pts: Lochlan Hutchison 17 Rebs: Geoffrey Gerlach 8 Asts: Lochlan Hutchison 5 |
| After Day 1: Geraldton 2nd (6 pts), Sutherland 5th (1 pt) |||
* Showcourt 2, HBF Arena, Perth

### Day Two – Saturday
#### Women

* 1st vs 5th
* 19 August 2023 2:00 pm
* Box score Report
Bendigo Braves 112, Northside Wizards 73 :
| Scoring by quarter: 28–15, 26–29, 29–15, 29–14 |||
| Pts: Amy Atwell 44 Rebs: Megan McKay 12 Asts: Kelly Wilson 13 | Pts: Lil Dart 20 Rebs: Johnson, Haynes 6 each Asts: Amanda Johnson 5 |
| After Day 2: Bendigo 1st (13 pts), Northside 6th (2 pts) |||
* Showcourt 2, HBF Arena, Perth
* 3rd vs 6th
* 19 August 2023 2:30 pm
* Box score Report
Warwick Senators 59, Cockburn Cougars 62 :
| Scoring by quarter: 12–11, 18–16, 15–21, 14–14 |||
| Pts: Karly Murphy 22 Rebs: Natalie Burton 13 Asts: Natalie Burton 7 | Pts: Jessie Edwards 22 Rebs: Edwards, Mortensen 11 each Asts: Stephanie Gorman 7 |
| After Day 2: Warwick 3rd (8.5 pts), Cockburn 4th (4.5 pts) |||
* Showcourt 1, HBF Arena, Perth
* 2nd vs 4th
* 19 August 2023 4:00 pm
* Box score Report
Norths Bears 110, Norwood Flames 79 :
| Scoring by quarter: 25–25, 33–20, 23–24, 29–10 |||
| Pts: Madeleine O'Hehir 32 Rebs: Anderson, Simons 9 each Asts: Carla Pitman 5 | Pts: Ally Wilson 47 Rebs: Wilson, Rice 8 Asts: Ally Wilson 5 |
| After Day 2: Norths 2nd (11.5 pts), Norwood 5th (2.5 pts) |||
* Showcourt 2, HBF Arena, Perth

#### Men

* 2nd vs 4th
* 19 August 2023 4:30 pm
* Box score Report
Geraldton Buccaneers 120, Ipswich Force 91 :
| Scoring by quarter: 27–15, 24–27, 43–25, 26–24 |||
| Pts: Johny Narkle 30 Rebs: Liam Hunt 14 Asts: Shaun Stewart 9 | Pts: Cameron Goldfinch 28 Rebs: Deng Deng 9 Asts: Jason Ralph 5 |
| After Day 2: Geraldton 3rd (12 pts), Ipswich 5th (2 pts) |||
* Showcourt 1, HBF Arena, Perth
* 1st vs 5th
* 19 August 2023 6:00 pm
* Box score Report
Knox Raiders 124, Sutherland Sharks 113 (OT) :
| Scoring by quarter: 27–32, 28–24, 28–20, 25–32, Overtime: 16–5 |||
| Pts: Wayne Stewart Jr. 28 Rebs: Wayne Stewart Jr. 15 Asts: Ke'Jhan Feagin 10 | Pts: Jordan Mitchell 32 Rebs: Beasley, Mitchell 6 each Asts: Hutchison, Mitchell 8 each |
| After Day 2: Knox 2nd (12 pts), Sutherland 4th (3 pts) |||
* Showcourt 2, HBF Arena, Perth
* 3rd vs 6th
* 19 August 2023 6:30 pm
* Box score Report
Rockingham Flames 129, West Adelaide Bearcats 96 :
| Scoring by quarter: 32–21, 32–23, 34–30, 31–22 |||
| Pts: Jeremy Combs 26 Rebs: Tom Jervis 12 Asts: Marshall Nelson 7 | Pts: Nikolas DeSantis 27 Rebs: Nikolas DeSantis 6 Asts: Nikolas DeSantis 5 |
| After Day 2: Rockingham 1st (13 pts), West Adelaide 6th (0 pts) |||
* Showcourt 1, HBF Arena, Perth

### Day Three – Sunday
#### Championship Games
##### Women
###### Rosters

Bendigo Braves – 1st :
| # | Player |
| Starters ||
| 5 | Kasey Burton |
| 6 | Cassidy McLean |
| 12 | Amy Atwell |
| 22 | Kelly Wilson (C) |
| 25 | Megan McKay |
| Reserves ||
| 1 | Caitlin Richardson |
| 3 | Poppy Blanch |
| 4 | Meg McCarthy |
| 8 | Millicent Wicks |
| 10 | Jessie Rennie |
| 14 | Madeline Sexton |
| 17 | Jessica Mangan |
| Pos | Coach |
| HC | Mark Alabakov |
| AC | Michael Gibbins |
Norths Bears – 2nd :
| # | Player |
| Starters ||
| 3 | Jolene Anderson |
| 5 | Emily Simons |
| 6 | Kate Seebohm (C) |
| 9 | Madeleine O'Hehir |
| 15 | Sarah Schicher |
| Reserves ||
| 4 | Carla Pitman |
| 7 | Holly Wills |
| 8 | Jessica Bygatee |
| 10 | Lauryn Walker |
| 12 | Caitlyn Martin |
| 13 | Peggy Schell |
| 22 | Emma Donnelly |
| Pos | Coach |
| HC | Renae Garlepp |
| AC | Geena Valos |

###### Game summary

* Kayo Sports
* 20 August 2023 11:00 am
* Box score Report Highlights
Bendigo Braves 114, Norths Bears 87 :
| Scoring by quarter: 22–21, 29–22, 34–16, 29–28 |||
| Pts: Megan McKay 46 Rebs: Megan McKay 15 Asts: Kelly Wilson 18 | Pts: Madeleine O'Hehir 23 Rebs: Jolene Anderson 9 Asts: Kate Seebohm 10 |
| Bendigo wins NBL1 National Championship |||
* Showcourt 1, HBF Arena, Perth MVP: Megan McKay (Braves)

##### Men
###### Rosters

Rockingham Flames – 1st :
| # | Player |
| Starters ||
| 1 | Devondrick Walker |
| 3 | Ryan Godfrey (C) |
| 6 | Jeremy Combs |
| 13 | Tom Jervis |
| 20 | Marshall Nelson |
| Reserves ||
| 5 | Jake Amos |
| 7 | Cody Hill |
| 10 | Justin Beard |
| 12 | Travis Durnin |
| 14 | Callum Beard |
| 22 | Rivar Evans |
| 32 | Apanyjwok Abuy |
| Pos | Coach |
| HC | Ryan Petrik |
| AC | Bradley New |
Knox Raiders – 2nd :
| # | Player |
| Starters ||
| 2 | Bailey Nunn |
| 5 | Madut Akec |
| 10 | Ke'Jhan Feagin (C) |
| 15 | Wayne Stewart Jr. |
| 23 | Austin Rapp |
| Reserves ||
| 8 | Jacob Foy |
| 21 | Dylan Hare |
| Pos | Coach |
| HC | Matthew Nunn |
| AC | Brenton O'Brien |

###### Game summary

* Kayo Sports
* 20 August 2023 1:30 pm
* Box score Report Highlights
Rockingham Flames 85, Knox Raiders 90 :
| Scoring by quarter: 26–16, 19–33, 19–20, 21–21 |||
| Pts: Devondrick Walker 37 Rebs: Tom Jervis 12 Asts: Marshall Nelson 7 | Pts: Ke'Jhan Feagin 27 Rebs: Austin Rapp 12 Asts: Ke'Jhan Feagin 9 |
| Knox wins NBL1 National Championship |||
* Showcourt 1, HBF Arena, Perth MVP: Ke'Jhan Feagin (Raiders)

### All-Star Five
#### Women

* Jolene Anderson (Norths Bears)
* Amy Atwell (Bendigo Braves)
* Megan McKay (Bendigo Braves)
* Karly Murphy (Warwick Senators)
* Ally Wilson (Norwood Flames)

#### Men

* Jeremy Combs (Rockingham Flames)
* Ke'Jhan Feagin (Knox Raiders)
* Johny Narkle (Geraldton Buccaneers)
* Marshall Nelson (Rockingham Flames)
* Wayne Stewart Jr. (Knox Raiders)