South Australia’s Knox Raiders steal NBL1 champion status from Rockingham Flames in game’s final minutes

Rockingham’s time as Australia’s top NBL1 men’s team has officially ended, ceding the title on Sunday to South Australia’s Knox Raiders.

A week after the Geraldton Buccaneers were crowned best in the West, the Buccs were joined by the Flames — as last year’s NBL1 West and national champions — to represent WA against the country’s top second tier teams.

The Flames won through to Sunday’s decider but the Raiders — who incredibly brought just a seven-player roster to the tournament — held strong in the dying stages of the final, winning 90-85.

Rockingham came into the weekend with a point to prove after bowing out of the NBL1 West season in the preliminary final, despite finishing on top of the table in defence of last year’s championship.

Unlike the Raiders, they were able to bring their full star-studded roster to Joondalup, including two-time league MVP Devondrick Walker, former Perth Wildcats centre Tom Jervis, import Jeremy Combs and sharpshooter Marshall Nelson.

Having comfortably accounted for the Ipswich Force and the West Adelaide Bearcats across the first two days, Rockingham started the championship game on fire, racing to a 14-2 lead early.

Wayne Stewart Jr brought Knox back with a huge first half but it was their excitement machine captain and eventual game MVP Ke’Jhan Feagin who made the big play after big play to pull his “no excuses” team to victory.

Walker did all he could to match Feagin, making four triples in the final quarter alone on his way to a game-high 37 points. His tally included nine three-pointers at a superb 75 per cent.

But it was Feagin who held sway in the final minute, wanting the ball for his side and making two big finishes on drives to the basket.

Feagin claimed the MVP on the back of 27 points, nine assists, three steals and two rebounds and after the game declared his short-handed side – which was minus bona fide stars Mason Peatling and Deng Acouth – had headed West intent on giving their all with no excuses.

For the Flames, Combs ended with 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three blocks, Nelson nine points, seven assists, four boards and two steals, captain Ryan Godfrey seven points and three rebounds, and Tom Jervis six points, 12 boards, two assists and two blocks.