Both the Central Coast Crusaders men’s and women’s squads are off to a running start in the 2024 NBL1 East season with the women still undefeated to cap off round 3.
The Crusaders travelled to Sydney to take on the Comets on Saturday, April 13, with the men’s game kicking things off.
The Crusaders started off strong, taking the first quarter 18-9 off the back of a strong performance from young centre Seth Chapman.
The Comets ran away with it in the second quarter however, building a solid lead going into halftime.
Despite a monster 38-point double-double from new signing Robbie Heath, the Crusaders were unable to get it done away from home, going down 89-82.
In just their second game with WNBA champion Leilani Mitchell on the squad, the Crusaders women’s squad continued to prove that they’re contenders for the championship this season.
The big three of Mitchell, Forcadilla and Dombkins combined for a whopping 57 points on incredibly efficient shooting numbers to take down the Comets at their home-court in Sydney 78-73.
Back home to the Central Coast on Sunday, April 14, the Crusaders hosted the Penrith Panthers in an amazing exhibition from both the men’s and women’s squads.
Starting things off once again, the men put on a dominant performance filled with flashy dunks and acrobatic blocks as the Crusaders won the game in front of the home crowd 112-95.
Robbie Heath continues his spree as the points per game leader of the league on 34 PPG with another monster outing dropping 36 on an efficient 52 per cent from the field against the Panthers.
It was Thomas Akamarmoi who provided the spark off the bench, dropping 18 points in just 20 minutes of play and putting a stop to the Panthers’ comeback that was being mounted in the third quarter.
The home fans were treated to another excellent performance from the Crusaders as the women hosted the Panthers next.
The big three were in full effect right out of the gates, but it was Dombkins taking the lead this time, scoring at will from everywhere on the court.
Dombkins ended the game with a 24-point 16 rebound double-double but it was Mikaela Miller who came off the bench and caused a disruption, notching three blocks and forcing a few turnovers, giving the Crusaders the mental edge to cruise to a comfortable 86-57 win over the Panthers in front of the home crowd.
This is the best start the Crusaders have had to a season in recent years and the excitement continues when they host the Hills Hornets this Saturday, April 20, at Breakers Indoor Sports Stadium with the women kicking things off at 5pm followed by the men at 7pm.
Stefan Kataric