Round one of NWBL tipped off on Friday night with enormous success.
After the cancellation of the 2021 season, the 2022 season was highly anticipated with players excited to get back to playing in the national league.
The Wollongong Roller Hawks started their 2022 campaign with a bang, getting three from three wins and cementing their place on top of the ladder after the first round.
Starting off with a convincing win against the Perth Wheelcats (91-50). Veteran Aussie Rollers, Tristan Knowles and Brett Stibners, both scored double-doubles. Knowles with 22 points and 13 assists, and Stibners with 21 points and 12 rebounds. While Shawn Russell top scored with a massive 27 points.
It was a similar story in game two, with the Roller Hawks defeating the Queensland Spinning Bullets 75-61. Knowles finished the match with a triple-double; 18 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists.
Shawn Russell top scored for the Roller Hawks in game three with 18 points in their 20-point win over brand new NWBL team, Darwin Salties (56-76).
There was good news for the Darwin Salties however, as they recorded their first ever win in the NWBL, defeating the Spinning Bullets 65-37. Clarence Mccarthy-Groggin scored an impressive triple-double (18 PTS, 11REB, 11AST) and Jontee Brown finished with a double-double (19PTS, 19REB).
The overall top performer for round one went to Perth Wheelcats’ Thomas Mchugh. Mchugh averaged 26 points per game and scored a massive 31 points and 24 rebounds in the Wheelcats’ win over the Spinning Bullets. The Wheelcats won two of their three games and has them in second place overall.
Round two kicks off at 6pm Friday 17th June at Shellharbour City Stadium with the Spinning Bullets taking on the Wheelcats.