Wildcats, Academy youngsters in action as NBL1 West season kicks off

Sharpshooting guard Elijah Pepper, who was recently locked in for his second season at the Wildcats, will make his NBL1 West debut for Warwick Senators on the road against Lakeside Lightning on Saturday night.

Pepper will be joined by Todd Withers, a replacement import for the Wildcats last season who’s returned from a successful three-game stint with New Zealand Basketball League outfit Otago Nuggets.

On Friday night. Development Player Tom Gerovich’s Willetton Tigers take on reigning champs Mandurah Magic in Mandurah in a replay of last season’s grand final.

Gerovich produced an impressive 2024 NBL1 West campaign for the Tigers to earn his first professional contract.

Like Pepper, the young forward is also locked in for NBL26 at the Wildcats.

There’s also plenty of Rio Tinto Wildcats Academy youngsters for the Tigers - with Tim Ibukunoluwa, Channing Olowayo and Luke Paul ones to watch.

Ibukunoluwa is coming off a big game for the Academy on Sunday, amassing 21 points, 13 rebounds and three assists in their win over Perry Lakes.

Three other Academy talents have been named in NBL1 West squad with Marley Sam and Jhye Stoker teaming up at Eastern Suns, Billy McRae at Perry Lakes Hawks and Harry Fitzgerald at Cockburn Cougars.

A familiar name to the Red Army will play his first game for Rockingham Flames against East Perth at Morley Rec Centre on Friday night.

Terrico White, a dual Wildcats champion and 2019 Grand Final MVP, is a star addition to the Flames roster and West competition.

Elsewhere in the NBL1, Michael Harris had an impressive debut for Frankston Blues in the NBL1 South with an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double.

Harris also contributed five assists and four steals in the win over Sandringham.