Rockingham Flames secure grand final spot after Saturday night win over Warwick Senators

Rockingham Flames have secured a place in the Men’s NBL1 West grand final for 2022 after defeating the Warwick Senators at Mike Barnett Sports Complex on Saturday night.

The preliminary final round saw Flames welcome back Marshall Nelson from his stint with the Dutch national team and after overcoming a calf injury.

The Flames were able to open up a handy edge late in the first quarter by going on a 10-0 run to lead by as much as 12 points and to still be up 21-14 by quarter-time.

Rockingham pushed back out to a 12-point lead during the second quarter but Warwick fired back into the contest with some hot shooting from young gun George Pearl to close the halftime deficit to just nine points.

The Senators were able to build some momentum throughout the third quarter to go on a 9-0 scoring run to briefly grab the lead before three quarter-time.

Scorers were tied at 63-each heading into the fourth quarter but Rockingham proved too strong, with Greg Hire knocking down two late triples as they outscored Warwick 22 points to 11 to end up winning 85-74.

Rockingham finish the regular season in second spot with an 18-4 record, while the Senators end their season in fifth position at 14-8.

MVP Devondrick Walker delivered 26 points, six rebounds and three assists for Rockingham while he knocked down 5/12 from three-point land.

Tom Jervis put up 20 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks, Justin Beard 12 points and seven rebounds, Greg Hire eight points and five boards, Travis Durnin seven points and five rebounds, and Ryan Godfrey seven points and five assists.

George Pearl nailed 3/5 from downtown on his way to 20 points and seven rebounds for the Senators, with Bryan Michaels contributing 18 points and six boards and Majok Majok 10 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three blocks.

Kyle Zunic added nine points and four assists, Caleb Davis eight points, five rebounds and three assists, and Ash Litterick six points and four boards.

The Flames will face Geraldton Buccaneers for the last game of the season on September 3 at Bendat Basketball Centre.