Each round we'll bring you the Immer Kitchens or Rise Above Adversity NBL1 Player of the Round award as judged by our editors and anyone else we know who's attending the games or watching on replay from Alice Springs.  One player equalled his career high of 2 turnovers an 100% shooting on 2 point field goals and we're all about career highs here at leaguelineup.com.  With no further adieu, we present the NBL1 Round 7 Player of the Round award to South Adelaide's Jonty Smith.  Congratulations and all the best for the season ahead.

Round 1 (L):  Jonty Smith 26:29min 12pts 5reb
Round 2 (L):  Jonty Smith 18:38min 5pts 2reb 1stl
Round 3 (W):  Jonty Smith 26:14min 11pts 5reb
Round 4 (W):  Jonty Smith 26:53min 9pts 4reb 1ast 1blk
Round 5 (W):  Jonty Smith 21:30min 0pts 5reb 2blk
Round 6 (W):  Jonty Smith 15:56min 1pt 2reb 3ast 1blk
Round 7 (W):  Jonty Smith 20:41min 4pts 1blk

Each round we'll bring you the Immer Kitchens or Rise Above Adversity NBL1 Player of the Round award as judged by our editors and anyone else we know who's attending the games or watching on replay from Alice Springs.  One player had a career high 3 assists and we're all about career highs here at leaguelineup.com.  With no further adieu, we present the NBL1 Round 6 Player of the Round award to South Adelaide's Jonty Smith.  Congratulations and all the best for the season ahead.

Round 1 (L):  Jonty Smith 26:29min 12pts 5reb
Round 2 (L):  Jonty Smith 18:38min 5pts 2reb 1stl
Round 3 (W):  Jonty Smith 26:14min 11pts 5reb
Round 4 (W):  Jonty Smith 26:53min 9pts 4reb 1ast 1blk
Round 5 (W):  Jonty Smith 21:30min 0pts 5reb 2blk
Round 6 (W):  Jonty Smith 15:56min 1pt 2reb 3ast 1blk

With the WCB NBA Fantasy competition on hiatus and the Hoxley Tigers with another championship locked away, we turn our Wednesdays to WCB ladder time, noting this week is a day out because of the Thunder bye last night.  Last bye for the season too so here on in, it's Thunder games each week and some exciting player news that we'll share soon.  For now, enjoy the ladder as much as we did.  Exciting times, exciting times.

A GRADE MEN
1. Gateway Thunder 7-2, 23pts, +85
2. North Western Mustangs 7-1-3, 25pts, -4
3. Futures Pioneers 6-5, 23pts, +56
4. CFC Stars 6-5, 23pts, +3
5. Air Journey 2-1-8, 16pts, -70

For the third time in four weeks, the Thunder have a bye again tonight.  An anomaly in the draw means it's byes everywhere but after this week, it's six games straight to end the season as the run up to the finals begin.  So enjoy the night off folks, and see you next week.  Good times, good times.

South Adelaide came into the weekend with a 3-2 record and wondering what if.  What if they lose both and fall to 3-4 ahead of a huge 3v4 match v Woodville next Saturday night?  What if they split the weekend?  And what if they won both to move to 5-2 after starting the season 0-2?  The first match v Central wasn't easy but they fought hard all night, overcoming a talented Centrals roster to win at the Starplex, followed by a similar story at home against last-placed but by no means overwhelmed North Adelaide.  The wins were powered by dual Anzac medallist Jeremy Smith, who was brilliant and backed up by our favourite European Yevgen Sakhniuk who is building some impressive stat lines and will lead the league in blocks at least until Thunder forward Daniel Smith returns.  2 games, 2 wins, 5 straight ahead of next week's 50/50 matchup against the green train.  Exciting times at South Adelaide, exciting times.

They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old.  Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.  At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.  Lest we forget.

READY: “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit- which is the word of God.” – Ephesians 6:17

SET: Imagine it’s the beginning of a new season. The coach is standing before you, telling you what the competition is going to look like. You’re in a new bracket of teams, a level of competition above what you played last year. Things are looking new, scary and a good bit overwhelming. And then the coach has you stand in front of your equipment you’ve been using for the last four years. An unfamiliar season confronted with a familiar weapon is less overwhelming. You’ve spent years learning how to use your weapon, if it’s a glove, you’ve worked it to fit your specific hand through daily use. If it’s a pair of cleats or shin guards, they feel like they’re a part of your body at this point as you’ve put them on every day to practice and play your sport. The time you spend with the equipment has a direct influence on how comfortable you feel in using it. The same goes for our relationship and familiarity with God’s Word. God tells us in His Word that the Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. This means that the Bible acts as the Holy Spirit’s sword to defend you against the lies and schemes of Satan. What happens when a Christian doesn’t pick up the Word and walks into daily battle? The enemy is going to knock them down. There’s absolutely no way a soccer player could handle the battle of a game without cleats and shin guards. They’d have broken ankles and beat up shins. Life without God’s Word brings about the same amount of pain. The more familiar we are with God’s Word, the more comfortable we will be with the sword that has the very power to defend us against the toughest blows of the enemy. A scary and unfamiliar season up against powerful opposing teams can shake up even the most confident athlete if he or she isn’t spending time daily in practice. Likewise, the daily reading of God’s Word gives us what we need as we face the certain and the uncertain. It gives life and sustains our lives. It frees us from the enemy and gives us hope and joy. It protects us from destroying our lives. It sanctifies us, and it saves us daily. This sounds like a weapon I could definitely use in my daily life. What about yours?

GO: Do you know how to truly study God’s Word? If practice helps you become more confident and skilled in your sport, what might you need to do with God’s Word in your life? Find a trusted Christian that you know has a daily discipline of being in the Word. Ask him or her to help you practice reading Scripture.

WORKOUT:

OVERTIME:

Each round we'll bring you the Immer Kitchens or Rise Above Adversity NBL1 Player of the Round award as judged by our editors and anyone else we know who's attending the games or watching on replay from Alice Springs.  One player had a career high 2 turnovers, along with an equal career high 2 blocks and 5 defensive rebounds and we're all about career highs here at leaguelineup.com.  With no further adieu, we present the NBL1 Round 5 Player of the Round award to South Adelaide's Jonty Smith.  Congratulations and all the best for the season ahead.

Round 1 (L):  Jonty Smith 26:29min 12pts 5reb
Round 2 (L):  Jonty Smith 18:38min 5pts 2reb 1stl
Round 3 (W):  Jonty Smith 26:14min 11pts 5reb
Round 4 (W):  Jonty Smith 26:53min 9pts 4reb 1ast 1blk
Round 5 (W):  Jonty Smith 21:30min 0pts 5reb 2blk

Shattering news as our favourite football player - excluding Port players obviously - has been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.  The ACL injury will see him sidelined for the rest of the year at least.  From everyone at leaguelineup.com and the Thunder, we wish Sam Darcy all the best for his recovery and rehab and look forward to his return in 2027.

When you've lost two straight, you'll take a win any way you can get it and that describes the situation facing the Thunder tonight.  The game began as so many do, with a jumpball between the two team's most athletic and/or tallest players, followed by 20 minutes of action and a narrow Thunder lead.  The CFC Stars fought back though and the game was tied up with minutes remaining.  Enter young guard Lucas Brook, who scored the last umpteen points for the good guys, finishing the game off and giving the navy blues their first win for three games and hpefully breathing life into their season.  Final score Gateway 51 (Josip Vucetic 16, Lucas Brook 12, Kerwin Penn 11, Cal McKinnon 10, Terry Sleep 2) d CFC Stars 46.  Good times, good times.

One game in four weeks and staring down three straight loss, the Thunder come into today's game desperate for a win.  Win and everything turns around.  Lose and it all falls apart. Two teams enter, one team leave.  With no further adieu, we present to you Gateway v CFC Stars.

LAST FIVE GAMES HEAD TO HEAD
9/3/2026:  Gateway 72 (Josip Vucetic 27, Kerwin Penn 14, Jonty Smith 13) d CFC Stars 49
2/2/2026:  Gateway 55 (Cal McKinnon 22, Kerwin Penn 11, Josip Vucetic 9) d CFC Stars 53
8/12/2025 (grand final):  Gateway 75 (Jonty Smith 24, Kerwin Penn 20, Terry Sleep 9) d CFC Stars 57
22/9/2025:  Gateway 67 (Jonty Smith 32, Kerwin Penn 12, Terry Sleep 8) d CFC Stars 49
11/8/2025:  Gateway 71 (Jonty Smith 25, Daniel Smith 18, Josh Smith 8) d CFC Stars 49

OUR PREDICTION
Gone.  We want to believe but two straight losses have us worried.  Our bothan spies tell us up to six players will miss tonight's game and that's enough for us.  CFC Stars need the win and whilst the Thunder do too, they need cattle to do it.  And they don't.  CFC Stars by 8 points.  Let's hope not.  Nervous times, nervous times.

Exciting times last night as South led big early, followed by a huge run by Southern before South steadied the ship for a comfortable win out of the half.  South were at their best despite foul trouble to some big names, with the pending return (we believe) of forward Daniel Smith a game changer for when he does finally appear.  Sadly, we don't know when that is but for now, enjoy the win.  Good times, good times.

?

Yes, we know it's not All-American but we couldn't find a Region IX logo.? Exciting times in the NJCAA with Thunder forward Daniel Smith named to the Region IX All Region second team.? We don't have the details of the other conference in the region but for Central Wyoming and their conference opponents, these were the players named to the All Region teams.? From everyone at leaguelineup.com and the Thunder, congrats Daniel on a fair old rookie season on the back of a horrible wrist injury to start the season.? Can't wait to see what next season might bring but for now, let's enjoy today.? Awesome times, awesome times.

2025-26 REGION IX FIRST TEAM
TJ Coulter (Laramie)
Rasaad McCormick (Gillette)
Mateo Trujillo (Northwest)

2025-26 REGION IX SECOND TEAM
Aaron Sievert (Casper)
Daniel Smith (Central Wyoming)
Paulius Narvilas (Western)

2025-26 REGION IX THIRD TEAM
Sayid Sayid (Gillette)
Drezdon Yanssen (Eastern)
Nasir Washington (Casper)

Ready: “And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.” – Mark 1:11

Set: In high school, I had the privilege of being part of an incredible girls’ basketball program. I pushed myself at every practice, stayed late to get in extra shots and never wanted to let my teammates or coach down.  We had made it to the state championship game, and as seconds ticked down, I took a shot that swished through the net. We were state champions! Instead of the lasting joy I thought I’d feel, though, there was a persistent emptiness I couldn’t shake. Sure, the recognition was fun — fans and coaches celebrated us — but it didn’t last. The satisfaction faded, and before I knew it, the pressure to please everyone again — for next season — was already weighing in.  Looking back, I realized I wasn’t chasing a trophy; I was chasing approval from other people. I craved that “Well done” from coaches, teammates, parents — anyone who could tell me I was valuable. I desperately wanted to feel worthy and like I measured up. To me, winning felt like the only way to fill that hole. We think we can earn love by constantly chasing approval, working harder and measuring our worth by the numbers on a scoreboard. But what if that’s not the full story?  When we understand that God sees us through the lens of Jesus' death and resurrection, everything changes. Jesus has already shown us that God’s love is enough. It’s not something we have to earn or prove — it’s secured through His sacrifice on the cross. We no longer need to strive for approval. Instead, we can live from a place of security and freedom found in a relationship with Jesus. The pressure to please others fades because our worth isn’t found in their approval, it’s in Jesus' finished work on our behalf.  Whether you’re in the middle of your coaching career, your athletic career or life’s challenges, glorifying God is what truly matters most. You don’t have to earn His love, approval or affirmation. It’s already yours. You are His beloved child, and He is well-pleased with you — not because of what you’ve done, but because of who you are in Christ. When we start to live out of this truth, it changes everything.

Go: How have you been trying to gain approval from others? What does God say about your value? Take a few minutes to sit with God and let Him speak His love over you. Allow yourself to remember your identity as His beloved child.

Workout:

Overtime:

Each round we'll bring you the Immer Kitchens or Rise Above Adversity NBL1 Player of the Round award as judged by our editors and anyone else we know who's attending the games or watching on replay from Alice Springs.  One player had his first career start with career highs in minutes played, field goal attempts and field goals made and we're all about career highs here at leaguelineup.com.  With no further adieu, we present the NBL1 Round 4 Player of the Round award to South Adelaide's Jonty Smith.  Congratulations and all the best for the season ahead.

Round 1 (L):  Jonty Smith 26:29min 12pts 5reb
Round 2 (L):  Jonty Smith 18:38min 5pts 2reb 1stl
Round 3 (W):  Jonty Smith 26:14min 11pts 5reb
Round 4 (W):  Jonty Smith 26:53min 9pts 4reb 1ast 1blk

We published this story last week but with formatting limited to raw text, it didn't display right.  So here we are again but this time, with formatting.

With the 2025-26 season over, it's an opportune time to update the history of the WCB NBA Fantasy competition for each of the competition's 10 years.  As for us, we're still celebrating yet another Hoxley Tigers win.  10 seasons, 5 championships and more to come in 2026-27.  Good times, good times.

PREMIERSHIPS
1. Hoxley Tigers 5
2. North Tower 2
3. Big Girls Don't Kawhi / Power Bulls / Wacko Jacko Elite 1

TOP FOUR FINISHES
1. Hoxley Tigers 9
2. North Tower / Captain Collo 4
3. South Tower 3
4. Big Girls Don't Kawhi / Hoxley Cubs / Marion Megaladons / Mr 66 2

2025-26
1. Hoxley Tigers
2. Mr 66
3. Captain Collo
4. Blaming Injuries

2024-25
1. Wacko Jacko Elite
2. Hoxley Tigers
3. Captain Collo
4. Mr 66

2023-24
1. Big Girls Don't Kawhi
2. Captain Collo
3. Hoxley Tigers
4. Tanking for Wembanyama

2022-23
1. Hoxley Tigers
2. Tanking for Wembanyama
3. Captain Collo
4. Sam Bowies Left Leg

2021-22
1. Hoxley Tigers
2. Bye Week
3. South Tower
4. Highbury PIP

2020-21
1. North Tower
2. Hoxley Tigers
3. Hoxley Cubs
4. South Tower

2019-20* (ladder position when season ended due to COVID-19)
1. North Tower
2. Kookies n Kareem
3. Thad Young and the Restless
4. Hoxley Tigers

2018-19
1. Hoxley Tigers
2. Hoxley Cubs
3. North Tower
4. Marion Megaladons

2017-18
1. Power Bulls
2. Zazas
3. Twin Towers
4. Greg Oden

2016-17
1. Hoxley Tigers
2. Team Sparke
3. Ya Mum
4. Marion Megaladons

Shocking news with leaguelineup.com announcing the end of the leaguelineup platform.  The date was initially the end of May, is now August and we await further news.  No doubt the good folk at leaguelineup.com will help with a transition to another platform or not but for now, it's business as usual as we consider our options.  We first posted 21 years ago so expect something else in its place.  Until then, carry on as usual.  Strange times, strange times.