NBL1: Keely Froling leads Launceston Tornadoes over Hobart Chargers in round one

The Tornadoes hosted the Tasmania derby to open up their NBL1 South campaign in style with a commanding opening term in front of a packed Elphin Sports Centre.

Sarah Veale's side put on 23 points to nine in the first period with guard Mariah Payne (15 points, seven rebounds) standing out with some impressive shot-making. It was noticeable how the Tornadoes hunted rebounds as they doubled the Chargers in the offensive rebound count despite only edging the visitors in defensive rebounds.

It was part of the Tornadoes' ferocious pressure across the court with the home side recording 18 steals and forcing the Chargers to commit 28 turn-overs due as their front-court press turned the screws.

Those factors allowed the home side to generate some second chance points as they ripped the ball off the glass and either earned the points or recycled it to a better shooting position.

Tornadoes' star scorer Keely Froling backed-up her Most Valuable Player campaign from last season with a dominant scoring performance.

Froling's 36 points was at one stage out-scoring the entire Hobart Chargers side before some late points ensured they would be spared from that fate.

The Australian representative nailed her shots from the free-throw line (8-11, 72 per cent) and was solid from mid-range (16-26, 61 per cent) as she presented a persistent problem for the visiting Southern side.

Froling (nine rebounds) was far from a one person scoring machine with plenty of helpers adding cameos across the second and third terms to bolster the Tornadoes' buffer.

Micah Simpson (10 points, three rebounds, six steals), Payne and WNBL second-teamer Kelsey Griffin (18 points, 13 rebounds) all starred in the first-up display.

Simpson and Payne's ability to connect from beyond the three point arc was an important weapon when the Chargers were looking to crowd the paint to counteract the threats of Froling and Griffin.

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Griffin's ability to crash the boards comes as no surprise with her stature being a difficult match-up for most sides, including the Chargers, but her willingness to distribute outside and inside to teammates in better scoring positions was a highlight on the night.

The Chargers did rally in the final term with their best period of the game to almost match the home side at 17-13 scoring but the damage had already been inflicted.

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The result moves the Tornadoes to an unbeaten record alongside Ringwood Hawks, Casey Cavaliers, Sandringham Sabres, Nunawading Spectres, Geelong Supercats and Bendigo Braves.

The Tornadoes remain at home next week as they welcome Victorian side Keilor Thunder to Elphin Sports Centre for round two.

The Thunder face a tight turnaround for the April 30 fixture given they are scheduled to play the Chargers at Kingborough Sports Centre on April 29 for Hobart's home opener.

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