Goorjian watches Hickey will Comets past CoE

• Illawarra Hawks Kobe McDowell-White exploded for 30 points on incredible 70% shooting
• Todd Blanchfield recorded a double-double with 27 points and 11 rebounds
• Christian Maran added 20 points on 77% shooting from the field

Sydney vs BA CoE — Watch the Replay

Sydney Kings head coach Brian Goorjian was in the stands at Comets Stadium to witness NBL25 champion and Illawarra Hawks guard William "Davo" Hickey dominate NBL1 East Men's Conference leaders CoE in Sydney Comets tough 84-75 win on Saturday, May 24, 2025.

Goorjian arrived just before tip-off at the Comets home court in Alexandria, Sydney and found a spot in the CoE's spectators side.

Hickey finished with 25 points and nine rebounds, while the lightning quick Biwali Bayles recorded a double-double with 21 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds.

In a back-and-forth contest featuring 25 lead changes and 11 ties, Sydney's superior interior presence proved decisive. The Comets out-rebounded the CoE 44-37 and scored 36 points in the paint to the CoE's 32.

Australian Emus star Jacob Furphy led BA CoE with 22 points on efficient 57% shooting, including 4-from-7 from three-point range. Sydney's Goc Malual provided a spark off the bench with 11 points and eight rebounds in just 20 minutes of action.

It was a statement win for Comets against the ladder leading CoE squad back with the next generation of Australian men's stars.

Manly Warringah vs Central Coast — Watch the Replay

Manly Warringah secured an 86-78 victory against Central Coast Crusaders at Breakers Indoor Sports Stadium. Mason Bragg led the Sea Eagles with 19 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds, while Isaiah Lee contributed 18 points, including 4-from-10 from beyond the arc.

The win came despite a strong effort from Central Coast's inside presence, with Lino Manhom recording a dominant double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds. The Crusaders controlled the glass with a 45-38 rebounding advantage, but Manly's efficient three-point shooting (13-from-29 for 45%) proved to be the difference as they secured their fifth win of the season.

Maitland vs Penrith — Watch the Replay

Maitland Mustangs demolished Penrith Panthers 101-50 at Maitland Federation Centre. Mandrell Worthy powered the Mustangs with 22 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds, while Christian Little notched a double-double with 14 points and 10 assists.

The Mustangs' defense was exceptional, forcing 28 Panther turnovers while committing just 13 of their own. Zeke Evans recorded a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds for Penrith, but the Panthers struggled mightily from three-point range, hitting just 21% of their attempts. Maitland dominated in fast break points (12-6) and points in the paint (46-24) as they cruised to their fifth victory of the season.

Sutherland vs Hornsby KuRingGai — Watch the Replay

Sutherland Sharks overpowered Hornsby KuRingGai Spiders 87-65 at Sutherland Basketball Stadium. Jason Spurgin and Kouat Noi shared top scoring honors with 20 points each, while Luke Jamieson added 11 points and 8 rebounds for the Sharks.

Sutherland's balanced attack featured 27 assists on 31 field goals, with Lochlan Hutchison dishing out 6 assists and recording 4 steals. The Sharks were dominant in transition, outscoring Hornsby 28-8 in fast break points. Akil Douglas led the Spiders with 18 points on efficient 73% shooting, but Hornsby couldn't overcome Sutherland's 43% three-point shooting (12-from-28) and their defensive pressure that forced 22 turnovers.

Newcastle vs Bankstown — Watch the Replay

Newcastle Hunters held off Bankstown Bruins 94-87 at Newcastle Basketball Stadium. Myles Cherry dominated with 24 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals, while Ryan Beisty contributed a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

The game featured seven lead changes, with Bankstown holding the lead for nearly 23 minutes behind Dominique Keyes' outstanding 23 points and 12 rebounds on 91% shooting. However, Newcastle's superior ball movement (21 assists to 22) and efficient shooting (51% from the field) helped them secure the victory. The Hunters maintained their impressive start to the season while the Bruins dropped to .500.

Canberra vs Albury Wodonga — Watch the Replay

Canberra Gunners rolled past Albury Wodonga Bandits 107-82 at Belconnen Basketball Stadium. Derek Emelifeonwu led the Gunners' offensive onslaught with 21 points on 69% shooting, while William Mayfield recorded a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Canberra's exceptional ball movement resulted in 32 assists on 40 made field goals, with Mayfield, James Toohey, Glenn Morison, and Angus Byatt all recording at least 4 assists each. Immanuel Allen and Ahren Freeman each scored 20 points for the Bandits, but Albury Wodonga couldn't overcome Canberra's balanced attack and defensive pressure that forced 16 turnovers while committing just 5 of their own.

Inner West vs Norths Bears — Watch the Replay

Inner West Bulls defeated Norths Bears 81-68 at Sydney Uni Sports & Aquatics Centre. Nicko Timonera delivered an outstanding performance with 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists on 64% shooting, while Ramon Cao added 14 points and 9 rebounds.

The Bulls took control with a balanced attack that featured five players scoring in double figures. Austin Patterson led Norths with 26 points but required 21 shot attempts to reach that mark. Inner West dominated the glass with a 43-34 rebounding edge and held Norths to just 39% shooting from the field. Maxwell Clark was a defensive catalyst for the Bulls with 4 steals to go along with his 12 points and 7 assists.

Illawarra vs Hills — Watch the Replay

Illawarra Hawks dominated Hills Hornets 94-69 at Hills Basketball Stadium. Kobe McDowell-White delivered an outstanding performance with 30 points on stellar 71% shooting (12-from-17), including 4-from-7 from three-point range, along with 6 steals.

Todd Blanchfield recorded a double-double with 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Christian Maran added 20 points on efficient 77% shooting (10-from-13). The Hawks controlled the game from the start, building a lead as large as 25 points while forcing 18 Hornets turnovers. Despite a balanced scoring effort from Hills, led by Pafe Momoisea's 12 points and 7 rebounds, the Hornets couldn't match Illawarra's firepower and defensive intensity.