The Nunawading Spectres continue to take shape.
Across Round 2 of the NBL1 South season, both the women’s and men’s programs added to their early season records, not through highlight stretches, but through control, depth, and execution when it mattered.
Women: Execution late, control when it counted
The Spectres women were tested on the road against the Ringwood Hawks and responded when the game was on the line.
Trailing late in the fourth quarter, Nunawading closed on a 14–5 run to secure an 86–82 win. The defining moment came through Eliza Hollingsworth, whose offensive rebound in the final seconds created the separation required to close the game.
Kylee Blacksten led the scoring with 21 points, asserting herself in the third quarter to steady the game. Rachel Antoniadou added 15 points and five assists, while Riley Lupfer contributed 14 points, four rebounds and four assists. Hollingsworth (14 points, 14 rebounds) and Kate Tanner (11 points, 12 rebounds) controlled the glass.
Back at home against the Waverley Falcons, the Spectres again showed composure. After being pulled back into a tied game late, they controlled overtime, outscoring the Falcons 17–7 to secure an 83–73 win and move to 4–0.
Lupfer (20 points, five assists) and Blacksten (20 points, eight rebounds) combined effectively, while Antoniadou (17 points, five assists) continued to manage tempo and decision making in key moments.
The common thread across both performances was clear, control late, and contributions across the roster.
Men: Depth and consistency take control
The Spectres men produced a pair of wins built on depth and sustained pressure.
Against Ringwood, Nunawading turned a four point halftime lead into a 98–77 result with a decisive third quarter. A 32 point period broke the game open, supported by 22 offensive rebounds and a significant free throw advantage.
Owen Lobsinger provided immediate impact with 19 points in limited minutes, while Christian D’Angelo (18 points, eight rebounds) and Dyson King-Hawea (15 points) led a group where eight players scored at least seven points.
The win over Waverley required a different approach.
After momentum swings across all four quarters, Nunawading held composure late to secure a 97–94 result. D’Angelo led with 24 points and 10 rebounds, Dylan Penn controlled the game with 18 points and 11 assists, and the introduction of Ben Griscti (14 points, 13 rebounds) added presence around the basket.
At 3–1, the men’s group is showing an ability to win through both control and response when games tighten.
Early indicators
Through two rounds, the Spectres are showing consistency in key areas.
The women are executing late in games with multiple contributors influencing outcomes. The men are establishing depth and physical presence as a base.
The sample size is small, but the indicators are there, structure, balance, and the ability to close games.
