2021 NBL1 season
LeagueNBL1
SportBasketball
DurationSeason that was scheduled:
10 April – 5 September (Conference seasons)
10–12 September (NBL1 National Finals)

The 2021 NBL1 season was the second season of the NBL1 after the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With North and Central conferences introduced in 2020 alongside the South Conference, the NBL1 expanded further in 2021 with the inclusion of a West Conference.

The 2021 season was the first to consist of multiple conferences and National participation, however the continued impact of the pandemic led to a disrupted and incomplete end to the season.

Background

The NBL1 had expanded in 2020 with North and Central conferences introduced alongside the South Conference.[1][2][3] Following a cancelled season due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[4] the NBL1 returned in 2021 and expanded to four conferences after partnering with Basketball Western Australia to make the State Basketball League (SBL) the new West Conference.[5][6][7]

Season

The season began on 10 April for the Central Conference, 16 April for the West Conference, 17 April for the South Conference and 14 May for the North Conference.[8] The NBL1 National Finals were originally scheduled for Friday 10 September to Sunday 12 September in Melbourne.[9]

All four conferences had disrupted seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic and government restrictions. On 29 July, the NBL1 National Finals were pushed back one week to 17–19 September to allow extra time for the conferences to complete their seasons.[10] However, on 13 August, the finals weekend was cancelled due to the uncertainty surrounding border control restrictions across Australia.[11]

South

On 1 September, the NBL1 South season was cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic and restrictions in Victoria. With a combined 154 men's and women's games that could not be completed, it was decided to abandon the season with no champions and no individual awards.[12] At the time of abandonment, the Knox Raiders were on top of the women's ladder and the North-West Tasmania Thunder were on top of the men's ladder.[13][14]

North

On 17 August, with many regular season games still unplayed, the NBL1 North announced they would immediately conclude the regular season and advance to the finals.[15]

The women's minor premiers were the Southern Districts Spartans with a 12–0 record while the men's minor premiers were the Logan Thunder with a 12–1 record.[16] Cayla George of the Mackay Meteorettes was named women's MVP while Jeremy Kendle of the Logan Thunder was named men's MVP.[17]

The women's grand final series saw the Logan Thunder defeat the Southern Districts Spartans 2–0, with 75–71 in game one and 63–61 in game two,[18][19] while the men's grand final series saw the Mackay Meteors defeat the Cairns Marlins 2–0, with 81–78 in game one and 86–83 in game two.[20][21] Mikhaela Cann of the Logan Thunder was named women's grand final MVP while Jerron Jamerson of the Mackay Meteors was named men's grand final MVP.[19][21]

Central

The NBL1 Central completed their full 18-round schedule,[22][23] with all 10 teams in both the men's and women's competitions playing 18 games.[16]

The women's minor premiers were the Southern Tigers with a 16–2 record while the men's minor premiers were the Stuart Sabres with a 14–4 record.[16] Teige Morrell of the Southern Tigers was named women's MVP while C. J. Turnage of the Norwood Flames was named men's MVP.[24]

The women's grand final saw the Southern Tigers defeat the North Adelaide Rockets 87–77[25] while the men's grand final saw the North Adelaide Rockets defeat the Norwood Flames 87–72.[26] Teige Morrell of the Southern Tigers was named women's grand final MVP while Sunday Dech of the North Adelaide Rockets was named men's grand final MVP.[25][26]

West

The NBL1 West saw the women's competition complete their season with each team playing 18 games, but due to multiple games being cancelled and not rescheduled,[27] the men's competition had some teams fail to play all 22 games.[16]

The women's minor premiers were the Willetton Tigers with a 15–3 record while the men's minor premiers were the Perry Lakes Hawks with an 18–4 record.[16] Alexandra Sharp of the Willetton Tigers was named women's MVP while Nic Pozoglou of the Cockburn Cougars was named men's MVP.[28]

The women's grand final saw the Willetton Tigers defeat the Joondalup Wolves 65–54[29] while the men's grand final saw the Perry Lakes Hawks defeat the Rockingham Flames 92–82.[30] Alexandra Sharp of the Willetton Tigers was named women's grand final MVP while Andrew Ferguson of the Perry Lakes Hawks was named men's grand final MVP.[29][30]

Champions summary

Women

Conference Champion Result Runner-up
South Season abandoned
North Logan Thunder 2 – 0
(75–71, 63–61)		 Southern Districts Spartans
Central Southern Tigers 87 – 77 North Adelaide Rockets
West Willetton Tigers 65 – 54 Joondalup Wolves

Men

Conference Champion Result Runner-up
South Season abandoned
North Mackay Meteors 2 – 0
(81–78, 86–83)		 Cairns Marlins
Central North Adelaide Rockets 87 – 72 Norwood Flames
West Perry Lakes Hawks 92 – 82 Rockingham Flames

References

  1. ↑ "NBL1 To Come To Queensland In 2020". NBL1.com.au. 30 October 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  2. ↑ "NBL1 Expands To North And South Conferences". NBL1.com.au. 15 January 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  3. ↑ "NBL1 Central To Tip Off In 2020". NBL1.com.au. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  4. ↑ "NBL1 Season Cancelled". NBL.com.au. 24 March 2020. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  5. ↑ "NBL1 West to tip off in 2021". NBL1.com.au. 30 October 2020. Archived from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  6. ↑ Garlepp, Josh (30 October 2020). "State Basketball League to become NBL 1 West as WA clubs agree to unite under national second-tier banner". TheWest.com.au. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  7. ↑ Garlepp, Josh (15 April 2021). "NBL1 West and 33 divisions of WABL start this weekend as basketball exceeds pre-COVID strength". TheWest.com.au. Archived from the original on 8 September 2023.
  8. ↑ "NBL1 to return in 2021 with blockbuster schedule". NBL1.com.au. 12 February 2021. Archived from the original on 17 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  9. ↑ "NBL1 Finals format revealed". NBL1.com.au. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  10. ↑ "Coles Express NBL1 season update". NBL1.com.au. 29 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  11. ↑ "Coles Express NBL1 National Finals cancelled". NBL1.com.au. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  12. ↑ "NBL1 South season cancelled". NBL1.com.au. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  13. ↑ Catalano, Alex (13 September 2021). "NBL1 2021: Meet your six new champions". TheInnerSanctum.com.au. Archived from the original on 14 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  14. ↑ Hopkins, Ben (22 September 2021). "NBL1 South 2021: The season that wasn't". PickAndRoll.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  15. ↑ "NBL1 North season update". NBL1.com.au. 17 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 "2021 NBL1 Season" (PDF). BasketballWA.asn.au. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 September 2023.
  17. ↑ "George and Kendle win NBL1 North MVPs". NBL1.com.au. 9 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  18. ↑ "NBL1 North Women's Championship Series Game 1 Recap". NBL1.com.au. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  19. 1 2 "NBL1 North Women's Championship Series Game 2 Recap". NBL1.com.au. 11 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  20. ↑ "NBL1 North Men's Championship Series Game 1 Recap". NBL1.com.au. 11 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  21. 1 2 "NBL1 North Men's Championship Series Game 2 Recap". NBL1.com.au. 11 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  22. ↑ "NBL1 Central Womens Recap Round 18". NBL1.com.au. 15 August 2021. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023.
  23. ↑ "NBL1 Central Mens Recap Round 18". NBL1.com.au. 15 August 2021. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023.
  24. ↑ "Turnage and Morrell Crowned NBL1 Central MVPs". BasketballSA.com.au. 24 August 2021. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023.
  25. 1 2 "Tigers claw on to claim second Championship in Era". NBL1.com.au. 11 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  26. 1 2 "Rocket-Men fly to first since 2007". NBL1.com.au. 11 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  27. ↑ "Geraldton Buccaneers vs Eastern Suns". NBL1.com.au. 8 August 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  28. ↑ "Pozoglou and Sharp named NBL1 West MVPs". NBL1.com.au. 14 August 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  29. 1 2 "Tigers overpower Wolves in Grand Final to savour". NBL1.com.au. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  30. 1 2 "Hawks hold out brave Flames for inaugural NBL1 West crown". NBL1.com.au. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
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