Spectres Seize GEBC Cup in Thriller

NUNAWADING – It was a night of contrasting emotions at The Graveyard as the Nunawading Spectres split results with the visiting Ringwood Hawks in the second and decisive leg of the GEBC Cup, but ultimately held their nerve when it mattered most to retain the Cup for a second straight year.

The women’s side endured a forgettable shooting performance in an 89–58 loss, before the men delivered one of the games of the season — a pulsating 95–94 victory that was settled at the buzzer by Brian Mack II’s heroic offensive board and putback.

In doing so, the Spectres secured the GEBC Cup series 3–1 across the 2025 campaign, having taken out both matches in the opening leg at Ringwood earlier this year.

For the Spectres’ women, Saturday night was a sobering reality check. On the back of two strong performances and a growing sense of momentum, they stumbled hard against a Ringwood team that found its rhythm early and never looked back.

Despite a promising start that saw Nunawading jump to a 7-point lead midway through the first, the Hawks took control from the end of the opening term and never relinquished it. By halftime, the visitors were up by 10 — and in full control.

What followed was a third-quarter clinic by Ringwood, spearheaded by the sublime Sarah Elsworthy, who recorded a triple-double (14 points, 12 assists, 11 rebounds) in one of the most complete individual performances of the season. She had ample support from Camille Hobby (21 points on 10/15 shooting) and Annabel Deerbon (19 points, 7 boards), as the Hawks stretched the lead beyond 30 in the final quarter.

Nunawading, meanwhile, couldn’t buy a bucket. They shot just 6-of-17 in the third and struggled to generate any offensive reward despite improved fluency and ball movement. Rachel Brewster (18 points) and Faith Dut (13 points, 7 rebounds) were bright spots on an otherwise forgettable shooting night.

Now 5-5 and sitting just outside the playoff picture in 11th, the Spectres women face a crucial clash against Sandringham this Saturday night if they hope to reassert themselves in the finals race.

If the women’s clash was a struggle, the men’s game was high drama from start to finish — a game that embodied the spirit of the GEBC Cup: gritty, passionate, and fiercely contested.

The Hawks looked like they were going to spoil the party for large stretches, with guard Angus Glover (23 points) catching fire in the final term and Ringwood opening up a 7-point lead with under six minutes to play. But when the moment demanded poise, the Spectres responded.

Cameron Cranston nailed a pair of key threes to swing momentum. Christian D’Angelo and Joe Mutimer — whose late triple tied the game with 1:45 on the clock — added ice-cold perimeter shooting under pressure. Then, down by one in the dying seconds, D’Angelo missed a tough look, only for BJ Mack II to crash the glass and sink the game-winning putback as the buzzer sounded.

Cue chaos.

Mack II was monumental all night. The American forward finished with 21 points, 18 rebounds, four assists and two blocks — his physicality and hustle a defining difference in the closing stages. Mutimer (18 points), Cranston (17), and D’Angelo (15) all played their roles to perfection in one of Nunawading’s most memorable finishes in recent years.

The win lifts the Spectres men to 6-4 and 7th place on the NBL1 South ladder, right in the thick of the playoff chase.

Established in 2024, the GEBC Cup is more than just silverware. It represents a shared commitment between Nunawading and Ringwood to deliver elite basketball experiences and development opportunities for junior athletes across Melbourne’s east.

In just its second year, the Cup has quickly become a feature rivalry — and a reflection of the region’s deep basketball roots.

By securing the 2025 title 3–1, the Spectres reinforce their standing not just as a competitive NBL1 South program, but as a leader in fostering community, development, and pride across their network.

Up Next

Both Nunawading teams are back at The Graveyard this Saturday night to host the Sandringham Sabres in a pair of pivotal matchups. The women (5-5) must respond to stay in finals contention, while the men (6-4) aim to keep their momentum rolling in a stacked mid-table battle.

Tip-off: Women 5:30pm | Men 7:30pm.

The GEBC Cup may be in the trophy cabinet, but the real race is only just beginning.