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d NSW 89-60
SA came into the match knowing their best was good enough but that they'd need to bring their best if they were to overcome NSW, bolstered by the return of their 6-10 big man in the middle who must have countless posters at home of dunks over South Australian players this week but we digress.  The match began with a Peel triple, Jon.Smith triple and a Penn triple and as the red fast break kicked into gear - led by late arrival Penn - you knew the good guys wanted this one.  Bigs Sleep and D.Smith did their job on the boards and around the basket and when SA switched to their small lineup, this looked scary with shooters all over the court.  NSW battled it back to 6 points at the half but in the words of retired NBL player Eddie Kardas, this was a dam wall ready to break ..... and it did.  The margin exploded out of the half as the extra legs - combined with a slight tweak in game plan - saw SA open the lead to 30 with 10 minutes remaining as veterans Galway, Rae and J.Smith entered the fray.  The final score wasn't reflective of the match - a good show punctuated by some dazzling plays from some tired legs - but ultimately, the extra bench and Friday rest proved to be too much for NSW and after a decade's break, the shield has come home.

d WA 41-34
The game began with the unexpected arrival of Thunder point guard Penn, another first ever as a South Australian player arrived at the halfway point of the week, South Australia's teams brought to you by First Ever but we digress and the game began with a different tone to Tuesday afternoon's contest.  SA looked a little more up in the near-freezing conditions and when Penn joined the fray, there were glimpses of something different as both teams limped to a 19-19 half-time score.  The second half saw SA jump out of the blocks but the arm wrestle continued all the way to the final siren, SA on top when the referee raised both palms to the sky to indicate proceedings were finalised.  The win moves SA to 5-2 and one leg in the door of a grand final berth.

d SA2 90-58
With South Australia switching to the blue alternate uniforms for the first time this week, it was a different look as the Penn-led blues took on the SA2 reds in a hometown derby that would just about lock away a grand final berth for SA or breathe life into SA2's campaign.  With still no Matisse Thybulle sighting in SA red, SA came out all guns blazing and when the margin reached 20 late in the first half followed by a series of phi slama jamas, the game was all but done.  The second half was a complete fizzer as both teams cleared their benches - OK, maybe just one team - the result already determined and setting SA on their way to a GF berth.

d NSW 57-46
And so it happened.  On the third day of action, there was a third win as SA returned to their traditional reds and gave the blues a series of different looks that kept the margin ticking but to their credit, the cockroaches just kept coming.  The final score was reflective of teams tired after a long day and just wanting to go home, SA's extra depth a deciding factor.

SA go into the final day with a 7-2 record and an all-but guaranteed finals berth awaiting them on Saturday.  NSW remain the most likely with 5 wins, whilst SA and WA sit in 3rd and 4th with 3 and 2 wins and still a mathematical chance.

It was a quiet rest day with the team going in separate directions - from the 12 Apostles to Torquay to Melbourne to everywhere in between, it was a relaxing day and opportunity to reset as the second half of the week draws nigh.  But then controversy struck as one player deserted the team to spend time with his other half for an anniversary dinner.  Not since 1996 have we seen such blatant selfishness and splintering of the group but then the big bombshell.  The picture above tells a thousand words and we'll leave it at that but wow.  Just wow.  A board meeting is scheduled for tomorrow to discuss what to do with the cards in the saucepan controversy of 2024.  Fascinating times, fascinating times.

And on it goes, the second of five days of the Survivor Jultopia Carnival.  Let the best team South Australia win.

d SA2 68-53
Same day, same story as SA2 took it at SA1 early, leading by 4 at the break.  But there was no panic in the camp, as Foodland the mighty South Aussies adjusted at the half and began to wear down their opponents as the fast break game sprung into gear and Sleep and D.Smith got on top in the paint.  Then with 10 minutes to go, we were shown yet again that Crowded House were wrong and history does repeat as another SA2 player was ejected, this time courtesy of a regular foul followed by a shove to the ground called a disqualifying foul by the officials.  That left SA2 again with just 4 players and too much to overcome.

d NSW 79-48
After yesterday's 20-5 opening, you knew SA would come out firing and they did as Sleep, D.Smith and Jon.Smith cut their way to the basket with a series of drives and sweet dishes.  With adjustments made all over the court, SA looked sharper and despite a couple of thunderous dunks from NSW, SA retained a 5-10 point lead as the half wound down.  Then the second half began and as Jon.Smith began to heat up from outside, followed by Peel and Vucetic, this one was in the books as a late J.Smith and Rae pair of triples put the punctuation mark on the sentence, the match ending with a 35-foot banked rainbow from Peel to add a second exclamation mark to the already exclaimed statement.

lost to WA 57-48
Bang bang bang.  And then bang bang bang and on it went, the Sandgroper guards lighting it up early with 7 triples in the first half and running out to a 29-23 half-time lead that had SA on the back foot and looking for something different.  SA meanwhile had 1 triple for the half and ultimately the game, a similar story to Monday's third game and when the reds narrowed the margin to 2 points, the West went again with 6 triples in the second half.  Read it folks - 13 triples to 1 and that was pretty much the tale of the tape, with SA shooting 13/18 free throws to WA's 0/0.  Clash of styles, 9 point margin and we reach halfway point with no major injuries and poised for an intense rest day of serious Uno action.

The ladder sits at NSW and SA 4-2, and WA and SA2 at 2-4 ahead of a major announcement Thursday morning.  What?  Yes folks, another first ever and with SA brought to you by First Ever, the plot thickens.  Interesting times, interesting times.

And so it begins, the first of five days of the Survivor Jultopia Carnival.  Let the best team South Australia win.

d WA 48-44
SA began with a new backcourt of Peel, Vucetic and Jon.Smith, a new frontcourt of Sleep and Smith, and a new bench of Galway, Rae and J.Smith.  Yes folks, an all-new lineup and whilst they took a while to gel, the brilliance of Peel and Jon.Smith in the backcourt saw SA jump out to an early lead that fight as they might, WA couldn't overcome.  D.Smith continued his comeback journey and showed enough to suggest he just might be back, following on from his buzzer-beater to win the WCB premiership.  Don't sleep on WA though - big, deep and talented and are too good and too seasoned not to be their at the week's end.

d SA2 62-50
The battle of 5 on 8 saw a tight contest early before SA jumped out of half time, their extra legs and long athletes too much for SA2 and when the umpire gave one of SA2's players an early shower courtesy of two technical fouls, it was all over, the final score not reflective of the game itself as Coach J.Smith elected to rest his young bucks down the stretch.

lost to NSW 68-64
Now this was a contest, NSW blowing SA out of the park early as their unfamiliar lineup surprised the boys in red, NSW leading early 20-5.  SA adjusted and found their groove but the combination of a lights out shooter - 6 triples in the first half - and a 6-10 centre, ably assited by wings and shooters galore, meant SA were fighting uphill all game and fell just short.  It's a long week and both teams look a tough prospect, the week still with a long way to go.  One day down, four to go.

With the 2024 Jultopia Geelong Supercats Pivotonian Bells Beach Corio Bay Sleepy Hollow Reg Hickey Charles Brownlow Ablett Family 119-Point ACH Domination Army Recruitment Podsiadly Memorial Free Breakfast Central Wyoming Where's Junior Habadashery and Homewares Carnival set to begin tonight with an opening service at South Barwon Salvation Army, you'd think there'd be plenty to talk about already but allt hat changed with one Instagram post.  Yes folks, after not being selected to play with the Boomers in the Paris Olympics, sources say Matisse Thybulle will play for South Australia in the 2024 Salvation Army Basketball Carnival.  And when we say sources, we mean none other than our very own bothan spies who are now considered a reliable news source.  Look folks, there's a lot to unpack there but we're excited because that's another first ever.  The first ever active NBA player to suit up at Jultopia and we for one, can't wait.  Good times, good times.

Exciting times with the schedule released for the upcoming 2024 Jultopia Geelong Supercats Pivotonian Bells Beach Corio Bay Sleepy Hollow Reg Hickey Charles Brownlow Ablett Family 119-Point ACH Domination Army Recruitment Podsiadly Memorial Free Breakfast Central Wyoming Where's Junior Habadashery and Homewares Carnival.  A Grade Men have 4 teams - SA1, SA2, NSW/ACT and WA - so it's a return to old school basketball in playing each other every day and no semi-finals at the end of the week.  Just 1v2 through to the grand final and 3 and 4 can please themselves.  Our mind turns back to the 2008 Runaway Bay Jultopia Carnival Classic Bullnose Verandah Shark Deathmatch Tournament when South Australia finished Tuesday with a 4-3 record and seemingly a genuine possiblity of missing the grand final and what happened?  They didn't lose for the rest of the week, going 6-0 to claim their 6th straight premiership.  Will something similar happen this week or will someone break away and claim a 13-0 title?  Time will tell but it all starts tomorrow and we can't wait.  Safe travels, folks and see you soon in Geelong.  Good times, good times.

Ready:  “I went up according to a revelation and presented to them the gospel I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those recognized as leaders. I wanted to make sure I was not running and had not been running in vain.” – Galatians 2:2

Set:  When I joined my university basketball team, I joined a group of key leaders on the court. Everything was new for me though: the players, relationships with coaches and staff and the teamwork. One player on our team was special. In the locker room, before every game, he encouraged the team and gave us challenges to work toward. He was the heartbeat of the team.  Each challenge he threw out he also worked to meet until the last game of the season. But when we were facing a very tough team for the championship, our leader and motivator could not encourage us. For some reason, he picked me and told me our team could win and I believed him. On game day, I was filled with confidence and I played the motivator that night and we walked away champions. This is a great example of one leader empowering another.  When Paul wrote Galatians, he was not new to the team of disciples, but he was returning after being away for 14 years. He was confident in the message and mission he had received from the Lord, but he had to share it with an audience that held a mixture of beliefs.  Paul brought Titus, empowering him to be a strong follower and sharer of Jesus, much like the leader of our basketball team trusted me. The best thing an athlete and believer can do is to step up with no fear and follow Jesus so that your team and those around you can see the power of Jesus through how you live and speak.

Go:  Who have you wanted to follow and be like? Why?  What are some ways God has gifted you?  What God-given gift can you use to empower others?

Workout:  Galatians 2:1-3 ; Matthew 28:18-20

Overtime:  “Lord, help me to be committed to You with my whole heart and mind. I want to use what You have given to me in my life to empower others to be the best followers that they can be to glorify Your holy name. Amen.”

Ironically on Independence Day, our bothan spies shared this one with us - there will be no independent single South Australian A Grade team this year but rather, two teams.  For the first ever time, South Australia will field two A Grade sides and that keeps the dream alive of a South Australia v South Australia grand final like we've seen with Australia v Australia A in the cricket several times.  Before you ask though, no we don't know who's playing outside of the 9-person South Park picture shared two days ago so much like you, we're keen to see how this plays out.  We're told there's a predominantly Thunder team so whilst we're South Australia, we're also a Gateway website so we'll go for whichever team that is.  Go Thunder.  Go South Australia.  Good times, good times.

We promised some first evers and here they come.  Our bothan spies won't name the player but in a fantastic and unexpected development - yet at the same time, we knew it was coming - a South Australian Jultopia player will play the carnival, head home and then pack his bags for the US of A.  Yes folks, from Jultopia to college basketball like Seton Hall's Andrew Gaze s many years ago (1989 in fact).  We can't wait to hang out with the player next week, and then saying goodbye as he chases his dreams.  From everyone at leaguelineup.com and the Thunder, congratulations young fella.  So good, so good.

With thanks to our bothan spies for the annual South Park-inspired team photo, we introduce to you the 2024 Jultopia Geelong Supercats Pivotonian Bells Beach Corio Bay Sleepy Hollow Reg Hickey Charles Brownlow Ablett Family 119-Point ACH Domination Army Recruitment Podsiadly Memorial Free Breakfast Central Wyoming Where's Junior Habadashery and Homewares Carnival team to represent South Australia in A Grade Men.  Before you ask, we don't know who they are but the front row looks familiar.  The back row though is anyone's guess.  We await formal team announcements and look forward to next week.  Meanwhile, no exercising, no running or jumping or anything at all in case you get hurt.  Best to spend the week on the couch like we will be.  Now that's good times, good times.

Like Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, Thunder forward Daniel Smith completed his buzzer-beating fairytale night by winning his third straight Westside Church Basketball Best & Fairest, an impressive feat made all the more impressive by playing the season without shoes.  OK maybe some of that isn't true but it's impressive nonetheless.  From everyone at leaguelineup.com and the Thunder, congratulations Daniel and it's good to have you back.  Really good.  Great times, great times.

PS.  Daniel finished with 25 votes, with Revolution Bullets guard Elijah Mackenroth second with 23 votes.  Congrats Eli too on a super season.

This will be one of those grand finals they talk about forever.  OK maybe not forever but for at least the next 100 years, the Thunder coming into the game minus Sleep and Jos.Smith and struggling to find momentum as the game wore on.  Futures began strong and the Thunder, buoyed by the return of D.Smith after a 6-week absence, were good but not quite up to it as the margin jumped out to 4 points .... and seemingly stayed there.  No matter how hard the Thunder tried, they couldn't narrow the gap despite an impressive dunk by J.Smith - you can guess which one - and late into the second half, the margin was 8 points and Gateway looked gone with just 2 minutes remaining and D.Smith seemingly injured and done for the night.  A quick timeout and the team reset themselves, followed by a Jon.Smith 2, Penn 3 and when Penn was fouled on a triple, it was game on.  With 40 seconds remaining, Penn hit the first, missed the second and missed the third in what appeared to be the game lost, only to see Jon.Smith sky high above the rim for a put back to tie the game.  Wow.  A frenetic stop on defence followed by a jumpball which became Gateway ball on the sideline - we still hate that rule even if it worked in the Thunder's favour - and the ball was advanced with 2.7 seconds remaining.  A sideline play was executed perfectly only for a Futures finger to deflect the ball out of bounds with 2.2 seconds remaining.  The call was made to run the same play but a meeting of minds between Coach J.Smith and wings D.Smith and Jon.Smith saw a switch, the result for everyone to see - click here to see the video for yourself.  As a perfect J.Smith pass hit D.Smith's hands on the low block in single coverage, he turned over the right shoulder towards the baseline, faded and the ball left his hands with 1.6 seconds to go and ..... as everyone watched the ball sail through the air and ..... swish.  Game.  Set.  Match.  What a finish and like a Hollywood movie, the final shot went to the player who had missed the previous six games but returned to deliver the W to the good guys.  Wow and again we say wow.  Final score Gateway 58 (Jon.Smith 19, D.Smith 11, Vucetic 10, Penn 9, J.Smith 5, McKinnon 2, B.Smith 2) d Futures Pioneers 56.  It'd be remiss of us not to say Futures played one heckuva game and came oh so close to the win but on this night, it was D.Smith time, as in D for Delivered.  Premiership delivered.  Win delivered.  Buzzer-beating basket delivered.  And we'll be talking about it for at least the next 100 years.  Wow, just wow.  Best times, best times.

It's been that kind of season for the Heatwave with a revolving door of revolving player roster revolves that has revolved in its revolvement.  It's been almost impossible for us to follow with different players every week and similarly, the team hasn't fully gelled but they had a crack, ultimately falling short to talented Seaton lineup.  Seaton broke out to a lead and Gateway fought and fought and fought but couldn't quite level the game, let alone get in front despite one heckuva showing from their all-Taylor backcourt ... or is it Tayla or Taylah or Tayloh?  Final score Seaton Slammers 61 d Gateway 53 (Brook 25, Anderson 14, Nairn 6, Brotherton 3, Pascoe 3, Tooley 2).

Ready:  Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think—according to the power that works in you.–Ephesians 3:20

Set:  “You have no wall.” The cardboard sign tacked to the telephone pole couldn’t have appeared at a better time. As I pushed my legs up the hill of mile 10 in the local half marathon, I knew this would be the toughest part of the race. During training, mile 10 had always been the hardest both mentally and physically—and now it was uphill.  “You have no wall.” It was like God’s voice resonating in my mind as I pushed my legs a little harder, trying to crest the incline as fast as I could. And just then it hit me—I had no wall. I had trained hard enough to make it through mile 10 and finish the race well.  While some physical walls in athletics are imaginary, spiritual walls are always figments of our imagination—lies we are fed by our enemy. We have no spiritual walls because we serve a limitless God. No matter what we think we can’t do, if God has brought the task, He will provide a way to accomplish it. With the Spirit of God inside of us—the Spirit of an all-powerful God—we are fully capable of doing the things He asks.  The next time we think God has asked us to do something impossible, we need to remember whom it is we serve. We have no wall.

Go:  1. What impossible situation are you facing?  2. Are you fully convinced that God will help you to complete it, or do you doubt Him?  3. What do you need to do to get to know God better?

Workout:  Extra Reading: Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-24; Luke 18:27; James 1:2-8

Overtime:  Lord, thank You for providing Your Holy Spirit to help me overcome any obstacle. Help me focus on You first when I feel overwhelmed. Remind me that with You, I have no wall. Amen.

The Downpour came into the grand final on a roll but struggled early, the Space Monkeys running out to a lead and putting the task before the Downpour.  Led by a balance of valiant youngsters and seasoned veterans, the Downpour remain a force but and came back at Seaton hard, courtesy of a Lucas Brook and Craig Bridges-led revival.  But when Seaton scored the final basket, they had held on for a 2-point win that saw the Seaton faithful in raptures while the Downpour wondered what might've been, and that's sport.  Final score Seaton Space Monkeys 35 d Gateway 33 (L.Brook 13, Bridges 7, Brook 3 - note other players have elected to remain anonymous).

Like a man with a stick standing in a paddock facing a tsunami, Air Journey found themselves up against it v Gateway.  Both sides got a little chippy with a tech here, flop warning there and some words exchanged but you expect that in B Grade Men.  The game itself was high quality, both teams showing plenty and taking it at each other but this was the Tsunami's night, the wave refusing to stop until the man in the paddock ran far far away.  Final score Gateway 74 (S.Hallsworth 19, M.Boundy 14, C.Hallsworth 13, Winter 11, Ellison 9, S.Boundy 8) d Air Journey 45.

We said Blizzard by 3 points and for much of the game, it looked likely but in the dying minutes, Futures flexed their muscles and scored heavily while holding the Blizzard scoreless possession after possession.  The Blizzard kept fighting but it wasn't to be, the Pioneers taking home the gold.  Final score Futures Pioneers 53 d Gateway Blizzard 44.  We haven't listed individual scorers as we're not allowed to - that's state law.