NBL Women’s Preview: Hobart at Northern Force

MELBOURNE, Australia (Interstat) — The Northern Force host the Hobart women’s basketball team on Saturday, May 30, in a critical NBL matchup at a pivotal point in the season.

Northern Force (6-7) hold a slim edge in the standings over Hobart (5-8), and both clubs are looking to build momentum heading into June. The Force have won four of their past five games, while Hobart has split its last four outings.

The head-to-head history favors Hobart, which won the most recent meeting 75-69 on April 18 in Hobart. But the Force will have home-court advantage this time, and they enter the game with one of the league’s most dominant players.

Forward Keely Froling has been a force in recent weeks, recording double-doubles in six consecutive games. She averaged 29.8 points and 11.8 rebounds over her last five outings, including a 39-point, 11-rebound performance at Kilsyth on May 10. Froling posted 29 points and 10 rebounds in a 72-68 win over Frankston on May 24.

Hobart counters with Sharna Thompson, who has been the team’s most consistent scorer. Thompson has reached at least 19 points in six of her last seven games, including 32 points and 10 rebounds in a 98-94 win at Ballarat on May 24. She also scored 24 points in a 77-102 loss at Eltham on May 23.

Hobart’s last outing was that victory over Ballarat, where Tishara Morehouse added 23 points and Chloe Broomhall contributed 16 points and six rebounds. Northern Force’s most recent win over Frankston also saw strong contributions from Parker Hill (12 points, 10 rebounds) and Rebekka Kalaydjiev (11 points, six assists).

Both teams face demanding schedules ahead. Hobart travels to Frankston and Ringwood next month before returning home for a stretch of games. Northern Force also hits the road, visiting Mount Gambier and Ballarat in June.

Saturday’s game tips off at a time to be announced and could provide an early indication of which team will separate itself in the crowded middle of the NBL standings.