2021 NBL1 season | |
---|---|
League | NBL1 |
Sport | Basketball |
Duration | Season 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.
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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 |
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 |