2021 NBL1 season

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.

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

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
Main article: 2021 NBL1 West season

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]

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. "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. "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. "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. "Tigers claw on to claim second Championship in Era". NBL1.com.au. 11 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  26. "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. "Tigers overpower Wolves in Grand Final to savour". NBL1.com.au. 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  30. "Hawks hold out brave Flames for inaugural NBL1 West crown". NBL1.com.au. 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
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