Home court awaits as CoE chase momentum in NBL1 East

A Sunday session at the AIS closed out the round for the Centre of Excellence teams and Manly Warringah came to play. 

The Sea Eagles swung momentum into their favour in a 73 – 60 battle with the CoE men, but the green and gold held firm to go 7 - 1 in the NBL1 East. 

In the women's, Manly Warringhah found a way to disrupt the CoE Women in a 67 - 80 road win. Mel Downer, Head Coach believes the experience will ultimately provide value to her young group.

“For us, it’s also a great opportunity to grow our versatility. The best teams can win in different ways," said Downer.

COE  67 – 80 MW (W)

Sea Eagles disrupt flow to hand an invaluable experience to young CoE Women's team.

Manly Warringhah came to play on Sunday and the CoE women struggled to mount a response in a 67 – 80 loss to the Sea Eagles at the AIS.

The visitors rolled out an experienced guard duo featuring Zoey Miller (26 points) and Alex Delaney (18 points, 10 rebounds) and the pair did a large volume of the damage in a formative learning opportunity for the CoE.

Mel Downer, Head Coach - CoE Women acknowledged Manly Warringah’s neutralising game plan as an opportunity to diversify.

“Obviously, we love to get out and run. Our athleticism, length, fitness, speed and youth are real strengths for this group, and when we’re able to play with pace and flow, that’s when we look and feel at our most dangerous,” said Downer.

“The next step in our development is continuing to execute when teams deliberately try to take us out of that style, slow the game down, disrupt rhythm, and force us into more half-court situations. We actually see that (Manly Warringahs disruptive approach) as a compliment, because it shows teams respect what we do well,” she added.

“For us, it’s also a great opportunity to grow our versatility. The best teams can win in different ways, so developing composure, execution and adaptability in those moments is an important part of where this group is heading.”

Olivia Olechnowicz top scored for the CoE with 17 points with eight rebounds. Jemyma Manyok currently leads the NBL1 East in blocks averaging 2.13 a game.

The CoE Women end Round Six at 6 – 2 and 4^th on the NBL1 East ladder.

COE 73 – 60 MW (M)


CoE men flying high at 7 -1 after icing 3rd ranked Sea Eagles. 

The CoE met the challenge head on vs third placed Manly Warringah and powered to 7 – 1 with a 73 – 60 win at the AIS.

Jai Fa’ale led scoring for CoE with 16 points, Alex Dickeson was influential in the crunch and finished with 15, 2 rebounds. JK Mach had a nice game for 7 points, 8 rebounds.

A sharp shooting CoE unit burst out the blocks with JK Mach exposing the Sea Eagles with his height and Jai Fa’ale driving to the gaps. The visitors simultaneously went ice cold in conversion which established an early 16-point lead for the CoE at quarter time.

The Sea Eagles would recover and put a run together to draw within four-point distance 49 – 45 with 1:38 to play in the third quarter.

With the game in the balance entering the fourth, a massive three from Fa’ale and great game awareness by Alex Dickeson steered the game well into control for the CoE men.

As always, there’s room to improve. But it’s hard to find much complaint with a 7 – 1 record almost halfway through the regular season.

COE  96 – 74 CCC (M)

The CoE showed fortitude against a spirited Central Coast team to power away for a 96 – 74 win.

It was fundamental, driving basketball that helped the CoE rip past the Crusaders. Jai Fa’ale continues to be a primary option for buckets with 20 points. Ajak Nyuon scored 13, Luke Paul and Alex Dickeson with 11 points.  

Central Coast burst out of the blocks to lead 33 – 27 after quarter one. The visitors struck easy points on the break with CoE caught careless with a few turnovers leading directly to points.

A shift away from the three ball and driving basketball put the game back in favour. Ajak Nyuon was solid in the first half and a key part of the turning tide. Nyuon scored 13 points with six rebounds.

As the game progressed the CoE found their stride. A dominant 23 – 8 final quarter was an exclamation mark in a confident response from the young ‘Tuters.

The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles come to town tomorrow for the second stanza of NBL1 East Round Six.

COE 94 - 53 CCC (W)

Crusaders crushed by CoE Women in home stand opener 

Zara Russell captained the CoE Women in a convincing 94 - 53 win over Central Coast at the AIS on Saturday to take the team to 6 – 1.

Russell has been impeccable so far in NBL1 East season 2026 and the Crusaders had few answers as the Cal commit dropped 18 points with nine assists and four rebounds.

The CoE women continue to establish a share of contribution however. Which is important with the impending departure of graduating players, including Russell in the coming weeks.

Olivia Olechnowicz continues to impress as a driving guard and has found a solid blend of scoring, facilitating and pressing the opposition. Olechnowicz had 17 points, four assists and five steals.

We got another look at the scoring potential of Jay Sebasio who finished with 18 points, Reece Anticevic had 15 points and Issy Smith 11.

The CoE women will welcome Manly Warringah tomorrow in a Round Six home stand at the AIS.

NBL1 EAST - ROUND SIX

Both the women's and men's NBL1 East campaigns are heating up, with both programs sitting inside the top five on the NBL1 East ladder heading into round six. 

The AIS hosts big weekend of basketball as the CoE face the Central Coast Crusaders on Saturday before taking on the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles on Sunday. 

The CoE women enter the weekend on a three-game winning streak, with a top-four clash against Manly Warringah looming on Sunday afternoon. 

Similarly, in the men's competition, the CoE will challenge third-placed Manly Warringah, with the duel set to shape the top four positioning.  

View the NBL1 East ladder here. 

View the remaining fixtures of the NBL1 East season here. 

Catch all the action LIVE on NBL+