Narkle's MVP performance leads Buccaneers to NBL1 West championship glory

Rhiannon Clarke Published August 17, 2023 at 10.00am (AWST)

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Johnny Narkle was named NBL1 West Finals MVP after the Geraldton Buccaneers took out the 2023 NBL1 West title on Saturday. (Image: Sports Imagery)

Geraldton local, hometown hero and fan favourite, Johny Narkle, has lead the Geraldton Buccaneers to the NBL1 West title, whilst also being being awarded one of the highest honours of the NBL1 competition.

Narkle was awarded the NBL1 West Finals MVP after he lead the Buccaneers to a six point victory over the Joondalup Wolves in the competition's finale on Saturday.

The showdown was played out in front of a sold out crowd at Perth's Bendat Basketball Centre, where Geraldton overcame Joondalup 86-80 in a see-sawing encounter.

The win avoided a second straight NBL1 West Grand Final loss for the Buccaneers.

Narkle, aka King J, was the hero of the game, the 6' 6" guard putting together a strong double-double performance for the Buccaneers in 31 minutes of action.

Narkle ended 21 points whilst 11 rebounds in the decider, whilst also effecting four steals and dishing out three assists.

Geraldton local and hometown hero Johnny Narkle celebrates with his trophy.

Throughout the season, Narkle showed massive growth in himself and his skills, becoming the first Indigenous person to be awarded the NBL1 West Finals MVP.

A fan favourite, Narkle's popularity was solidified as the the crowd chanted 'Sparkle Narkle' during his MVP announcement.

"It's unbelievable, I'm speechless, we fought out the season . . . we just came out and we were fighting," Narkle said.

"Especially after last season we lost in the grand final, so it's like a revenge season and good to get over the line."

The Buccaneers entered Saturday's encounter against the Wolves looking looking to avoid losing back-to-back championship defeats, after going down 79-91 in the 2022 decider to eventual national champions, the Rockingham Flames.

Joondalup meanwhile, reached five consecutive Grand Finals between 2015-19, losing the last four of them including their most recent finals berth against the Buccaneers in 2019.

The Wolves looked destined for victory after scoring 16 straight points to lead by as much as 12 in the third period.

However through the guidance of Narkle and 2019 Grand Final MVP, Geraldton captain Liam Hunt, the Buccaneers took charge, storming back from eight points down with just over seven minutes to go.

Despite a game-high 31 points from Wolves import Quintin Dove, the Buccaneers held on for a historic victory after outscoring Joondalup 24 points to 10 in the final quarter.

The title is the Buccaneers' third, adding to triumphs in 2000 and 2019.

The win sees Geraldton advance to the 2023 NBL1 National Finals, where they will compete against fellow NBL1 conference champions Knox Raiders, West Adelaide Bearcats, Cockburn Cougars, Bendigo Braves, Rockingham Flames, Ipswich Force and Sutherland Sharks in a points-based national playoff.

The NBL1 National Finals will be held at Joondalup's HBF arena from August 18-20.