Johny be good! Narkle leads Buccs to championship

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NBL Development Player Johny Narkle set the tone early and played all but three minutes to lead the Geraldton Buccaneers to the 2025 NBL1 West Men's championship 81-78 against the Warwick Senators in Perth on Saturday, August 23, 2025.

Narkle, who signed with the NBL champions in July, was elite stealing the ball and finishing with a dunk after just 23 seconds. Narkle finished with 21 points, nine rebounds, three assists, four steals and three blocks. He was 6-of-8 from the free throw line.

Warwick Senators scoring machine Elijah Pepper led all scorers with 33 points but took 35 shots to get there.

Pepper, the NBL1 national leading scorer, was forced out the game with 2:39 left because of the blood rule with the score 73-68. He again had to leave with just 1:07 left for the same rule with the score 74-73.

Even though Warwick outscored Geraldton 8–6 in the last 1:07, the Buccaneers hung on because Cooper Creek missed two potential game-tying threes in the final seconds, and Akeem Springs iced it at the line.

It was a tough night for the club, with the women's team losing to the Cockburn Cougars 91-71 a few hours earlier.

Key Details

• Result: Geraldton Buccaneers 81 def. Warwick Senators 78 (Watch the replay)
• When: 23rd of August, 2025
• Where: RAC Arena, Perth

By the Numbers

• Johny Narkle (Geraldton) starred with 21 points, nine rebounds, three assists, four steals, and three blocks in 37 minutes.
• Elijah Pepper (Warwick) scored 33 points, and had eight rebounds, three assists, four steals, and one block in 37 minutes.

What Happened

The Geraldton Buccaneers claimed the 2025 NBL1 West Men's championship with a hard-fought 81-78 victory against the Warwick Senators at RAC Arena. The Buccaneers started strong, building a 26-18 lead in the first quarter behind efficient shooting and stellar defense.

Warwick gradually found their rhythm in the second and third quarters, with Elijah Pepper's outstanding individual performance keeping the Senators within striking distance. The game tightened in the third period as Warwick outscored Geraldton 22-18, cutting the deficit to just three points heading into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter provided championship-level intensity with both teams trading baskets. Verle Williams proved crucial off the bench for Geraldton, contributing 15 points including two critical three-pointers that helped maintain their narrow advantage. Meanwhile, Warwick's Cooper Creek dominated the glass with 10 rebounds but couldn't convert enough scoring opportunities.

Geraldton's defensive prowess made the difference, with Johny Narkle and Akeem Springs combining for seven blocks and five steals. Their interior defense limited Warwick to just 41.7 percent shooting on two-pointers and forced the Senators into a dismal 19.1 percent performance from beyond the arc.

Despite Pepper's game-high 33 points for Warwick, Geraldton's balanced attack proved superior. Springs and Narkle each contributed 21 points, while Liam Hunt added 14 points on an efficient 6-from-8 shooting. The Buccaneers shot a solid 44.4 percent from the field compared to Warwick's 28.9 percent, overcoming their 18 turnovers to secure the championship victory.

How the West was won

🏀 Q1 Summary – Geraldton 26, Warwick 18

• Fast Geraldton start: Johny Narkle opened with an assist, a steal, dunk, and then free throws, sparking a quick 6–0 run. Liam Hunt also chipped in with an inside bucket.
• Warwick response: Elijah Pepper’s perimeter shooting (two 3-pointers) and Cooper Creek’s early putbacks kept them in touch, closing the gap to 13–12 midway through the quarter.
• Back-and-forth stretch: Both teams traded fouls and free throws. Mitch Clarke added points from the line for Warwick, while Geraldton relied on Narkle and Hunt inside.
• Geraldton’s late surge: Verle Williams came off the bench and made an impact — a layup and two free throws — then capped the quarter by assisting and hitting a 3-pointer. Akeem Springs also scored a layup in this run.
• Quarter-closing run: Geraldton finished on a 7–0 burst in the final two minutes, blowing the margin out to 26–18 at the break.

🏀 Q2 Summary – Geraldton 43, Warwick 36 (Halftime)

• Geraldton fast start: Aaron Ralph nailed a 3 off an Akeem Springs assist, followed by Springs’ own driving layup. They opened with an 8–2 run and pushed the lead to double digits (29–18).
• Warwick fightback: Elijah Pepper answered with a mid-range jumper and George Pearl drew fouls to chip away. Todd Withers finished an alley-oop, and Pepper continued creating off the dribble. Clarke added free throws. Score tightened to 35–26.
• Geraldton balance: Joshua Keyes earned trips to the line, Liam Hunt scored inside, and Johny Narkle hit a 3 to keep Geraldton ahead. They maintained a 7–9 point cushion.
• Scrappy middle stretch: Both sides traded turnovers, missed threes, and offensive rebounds. Warwick had multiple empty possessions despite Clarke, Withers, and Pepper trying to spark a run. Geraldton survived thanks to hustle boards (DeSantis, Narkle).
• Late push by Warwick: Pepper and Withers combined for consecutive layups to close the gap. Todd Withers scored twice in the final two minutes, with Pepper assisting both.
• Quarter close: Geraldton cooled off, while Warwick pieced together a small run to trim the margin.

🏀 Q3 Summary – Geraldton 58, Warwick 55

• Warwick strong start: Mitch Clarke scored inside, then added more from the free-throw line. Cooper Creek was active on the glass, with multiple tip-ins. Elijah Pepper nailed a 3-pointer, cutting Geraldton’s lead to just a single possession.
• Geraldton answers: Akeem Springs set up Liam Hunt for a big 3 and added a layup himself. Johny Narkle also scored at the rim, giving Geraldton much-needed buckets to steady momentum.
• Elijah Pepper takes over: Pepper was everywhere—scoring on layups, free throws, and a big 3-pointer. He drew fouls, created offense, and kept Warwick within striking distance. Mitch Clarke added a layup late in the quarter.
• Bench sparks: Verle Williams gave Geraldton a lift with a made three and a pull-up jumper. Wundenberg chipped in with hustle but also picked up fouls.
• Scrappy stretch: Both teams exchanged turnovers and missed shots. Warwick had multiple second-chance opportunities (Creek, Pearl, Clarke offensive boards), while Geraldton leaned on Keyes and Narkle to hold the line.
• Quarter close: Geraldton held a narrow margin late, but Warwick, powered by Pepper and Clarke, stayed right behind. Geraldton managed to protect its slim edge heading into the final period.

🏀 Q4 Summary – Geraldton 81, Warwick 78 (Final)

• Tight, back-and-forth start: Geraldton opened with Akeem Springs and Johny Narkle both attacking the basket and earning free throws. Ralph also hit a 3-pointer to keep their edge. Warwick countered with Mitch Clarke inside and Elijah Pepper from deep. The score stayed close, rarely more than a two-possession game.
• Pepper and Clarke lead Warwick’s surge: Pepper drained multiple threes and set up teammates, while Clarke consistently drew fouls and converted at the line. Their combined playmaking gave Warwick momentum and even a brief lead midway through the quarter.
• Geraldton response: Narkle was relentless, scoring at the rim, knocking down free throws, and creating steals. Springs chipped in with another 3-pointer and late layup, while Verle Williams provided a clutch basket. Geraldton leaned on hustle plays to hold their advantage.
• Final minutes: Clarke and Pepper kept Warwick alive with huge plays — Pepper hitting from range and Clarke aggressive in the paint — but Geraldton steadied with Springs at the line and Narkle’s penetration.
• Closing sequence: With seconds left, Warwick had chances: Clarke grabbed an offensive board and fed Cooper Creek for two late 3-point attempts, but both missed. Geraldton secured the rebound, and Springs iced free throws to lock in the result.

🏀 Key Performers

• Geraldton Buccaneers:
  • Johny Narkle – high energy, steals, free throws, and crucial late baskets.
  • Akeem Springs – perimeter scoring and steady from the line.
  • Verle Williams – bench spark, hit key shots in Q1 and Q4.
  • Liam Hunt & Joshua Keyes – interior presence and defensive boards.
• Warwick Senators:
  • Elijah Pepper – the game’s standout scorer/playmaker, hit multiple threes and created offense all night.
  • Mitch Clarke – aggressive in the paint, relentless drawing fouls and finishing inside.
  • Todd Withers – chipped in with timely buckets and boards.
  • Cooper Creek – active on the glass, gave Warwick extra possessions