NBL1 North Recap | Friday Round 16

The Northside Wizards secured women's top spot in the NBL1 North as did the Gold Coast Rollers thanks to Jason Cadee's heroics with Mikaela Ruef leading the Logan Thunder to 10 straight and Brandon Wood putting up 30 in an important USC Rip City win.

The five Friday night's women's matches in the last round of the NBL1 North season saw the Townsville Flames defeat USC Rip City 72-52 while the Northside Wizards beat the Brisbane Capitals 101-72, the Logan Thunder downed the Gold Coast Rollers 75-66, the Rockhampton Cyclones won 94-79 against the Red City Roar, and the Sunshine Coast Phoenix beat the North Gold Coast Seahawks 84-72.

The men's matches then had Rip City defeat Townsville 112-87, Northside beat Brisbane 86-70, Gold Coast down Logan 90-88, Rockhampton win 103-86 over Red City, and Sunshine Coast defeat North Gold Coast 105-81.

WOMEN

Flames move closer to securing playoff spot

The Townsville Flames took care of their task in the final round of the NBL1 North season by beating USC Rip City 72-52 at home on Friday night to go one step closer to reaching the playoffs in their championship defence.

All Townsville could do was win on Friday night and let the rest of the weekend unfold to close the regular season in the NBL1 North and the Flames took care of business in the end against Rip City.

Megan Mullings sent that thing back down the coast ?

Watch #NBL1North via https://t.co/NEk1I7kaV8 or the NBL1 App ? & ? pic.twitter.com/SHOicP2Ima

— NBL1 (@NBL1) July 14, 2023

Rip City were playing their second last game of the season before taking on Cairns on Saturday and started well to lead by as much as much six points in the opening quarter and still by three at quarter-time.

Townsville was able to complete a 10-0 run in the second quarter to grab the lead, though, and then went on to dominate the contest from there. The Flames ended up leading by 10 points in the third quarter and 21 in the fourth to end up winning by 20.

The victory means Townsville finish the regular season with a 10-9 record and currently sitting in eight position while Rip City are 5-13 with a game in Cairns on Saturday to wrap things up.

Alex Fowler delivered 26 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks for the Flames on the back of 8/14 shooting from the field and 9/11 from the foul line.

Indiah Bowyer also contributed 14 points, seven boards, six steals and two assists, Majella Carey 11 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, and Shaylee Browning eight points and three boards.

Carlie Smith did all she could to try and keep Rip City in the contest finishing with 23 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals on 10/17 shooting from the field.

Megan Mullings added 13 points, 10 rebounds and three steals, and N'dea Flye seven points, nine boards and two assists.

Just ??? and stop Alex Fowler under the rim ?

?????.

Watch #NBL1North via https://t.co/NEk1I7kaV8 or the NBL1 App ? & ? pic.twitter.com/d0X7VzNN9r

— NBL1 (@NBL1) July 14, 2023

Wizards lock away regular season crown

The Northside Wizards confirmed the regular season championship in the NBL1 North by beating the Brisbane Capitals 101-72 at home on Friday night.

The Wizards took on the Capitals in what was the last game of the regular season for both teams to start the last round on Friday night with Northside producing a blistering start.

They scored 20 straight points to end up leading by 26 and still 35-13 by quarter-time. That lead for the Wizards blew out to 41 points in the second half before settling at 29 by the final buzzer.

The victory means the Wizards finish the season in top spot with a 16-3 record and what would be a tantalising potential quarter-final match up with the defending champion Townsville Flames. The Caps finish at 8-11 having lost the last six.

Courtney Woods ended up with 31 points, five assists and three steals for Northside on the back of shooting 13/15 from the floor and 5/5 from behind the three-point line.

Nadeen Payne added 16 points, three rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks, AJ Johnson 16 points, 17 boards, four assists, three steals and two blocks, Lil Dart 14 points, four rebounds and two assists, and Georgia Dale 10 points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals.

It was a tough finish to the season for Brisbane with Anna Cameron delivering 17 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. Tyla Stolberg added 11 points, two boards and two assists, and Bronte Corke 10 points.

Ruef lifts Thunder to 10th straight win

The Logan Thunder made it 10 straight wins to stay in second spot on the NBL1 North table beating the Gold Coast Rollers 75-66 on the road on Friday night.

Gold Coast was hosting Logan with both teams on significant winning streaks in the opening night of the last round of the regular season and after a fast start from Logan, the Rollers ended up leading by a point at quarter-time and by five at the half.

Logan took control in the third quarter, though, with 27 points to 14 and that saw the Thunder lead by as much as 10 points, and then by 13 in the fourth on the way to the eventual nine-point victory.

The result means that Logan remains in second spot at 14-4 with one last game to go on Saturday at home to the fourth placed Southern Districts Spartans while the Rollers finish the season at 11-8 and currently in sixth spot.

Mikaela Ruef was once more a dominant force for Logan in the win ending up with 31 points, 22 rebounds, eight assists, three steals and three blocked shots.

Chevannah Paalvast added 17 points, seven boards and four assists for the Thunder, and Ula Motuga 13 points, eight rebounds and three assists. 

Ariana Moorer did all she could to lift Gold Coast to what would have been a fifth straight win by finishing with 33 points, 14 rebounds and six assists.

Cate Reese also had 11 points and four rebounds for the Rollers.

Captain Mikaela Ruef had a ????????? game to give Logan a red-hot crack at the second seed ?

2??8?? points
2??2?? rebounds
8?? assists
3?? steals
3?? blocks

Watch #NBL1North via https://t.co/NEk1I7kaV8 or the NBL1 App ? & ? pic.twitter.com/34flloxELs

— NBL1 (@NBL1) July 14, 2023

Bowman dominates as Rockhampton beats Red City

The Rockhampton Cyclones wrapped up their regular season in the NBL1 North by beating the Red City Roar 94-79 at home on Friday night.

Rockhampton was still a chance of sneaking into second spot had they won their last game of the regular season against the bottom placed Roar and they started well with 24 points to 14 in the opening period.

That lead for Rockhampton continued to grow throughout the rest of the evening growing to 15 points in the second quarter, 17 in the third and 28 in the fourth to finish up winning by 15 only after a late 13-0 run from Red City.

The victory means the Cyclones will finish the regular season with a 14-5 record and they are currently in third place while Red City are 1-18 with one more game to go at Mackay on Saturday.

Sam Bowman delivered a huge performance in the win for Rockhampton for 36 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, five steals and two blocks while shooting 15/25 from the field, 3/4 from downtown and 3/3 from the foul line.

Lara McSpadden also put up 23 points, nine boards, four assists, three steals and two blocks for Rockhampton, Lauren Heard 14 points, nine assists, four rebounds and three steals, and Tia Hay 15 points and five assists.

Lilly Rotunno produced 19 points and three steals for Red City with Donica Cosby adding 17 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals, and Jaylen Cooper 16 points.

Wittinger helps Phoenix deliver big blow to Seahawks

The Sunshine Coast Phoenix dealt what could be the killer blow of the playoff hopes of the North Gold Coast Seahawks on Friday night by beating them 84-72 at home.

It was the first game of a double-header weekend for both teams in the last round of the season with the out of contention Phoenix playing host to the ninth placed Seahawks at Maroochydore Stadium.

Even though the Phoenix opened up an eight-point lead in the first quarter, North Gold Coast hit back to tie scores up by quarter-time. It was a similar case in the second term with Sunshine Coast leading by as much as 12 but by half-time the advantage was back to just three.

The Phoenix kept on opening up leads, though, and eventually the Seahawks just couldn’t keep on fighting back with the home team ending up leading by 17 in the fourth quarter on the way to the 12-point victory.

The win means Sunshine Coast improves to a 5-13 record with a game away to Ipswich to finish while North Gold Coast remain outside the top eight at 9-9 with a game to finish against the South West Metro Pirates.

Alex Wittinger continued her superb finish to the season for the Phoenix delivering another 28 points and nine rebounds on shooting 10/14 from the field and 8/8 from the free-throw line.

Kathleen MacLeod also added 18 points and 11 assists, Amy Browne 11 points and four rebounds, and Nicola Handreck nine points, seven boards, three assists and two steals.

Lexi Held ended up with 22 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Seahawks with Bride Kennedy-Hopoate adding 22 points, three boards and three steals, and Erin Riley 15 points, 14 rebounds and two steals.

MEN

Woods leads Rip City closer to securing playoff spot

Brandon Wood was on fire to take USC Rip City a giant step closer to securing a playoff position with the 112-87 Friday night road victory against the Townsville Heat.

The Heat were looking to end their season with a third straight win when hosting a Rip City team who can lock in their playoff position for sure with two wins this weekend on the back of making last year's grand final.

Townsville started well to lead 27-26 by the end of the first quarter but Rip City took control in the second period with 29 points to 18 to go into the half-time break leading 55-45.

Rip City took further control the longer the game went to lead by as much 22 points in the third quarter and 31 in the fourth before winning by 25 to take a significant step towards securing a finals spot.

USC improves to 10-8 on the season with the win before playing Cairns on Saturday night who also sit on an identical 10-8 record. Townsville finishes its season with a 5-14 record.

Brandon Wood had a standout performance for Rip City finishing with 30 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals while shooting 13/19 from the floor and 3/5 from three-point territory.

Corey Shervill added 15 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and two steals, Eric McAlister 15 points, five boards and two assists, Verle Williams 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals, and Kouat Noi 12 points, four boards and two assists.

Matthew Rees finished the season by delivering 22 points, four rebounds, four assists and two blocks for Townsville on the back of shooting 9/15 from the field and 2/3 from behind the three-point line.

Richard Peachey added 19 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks, and Luca Yates 13 points, six boards and two assists.

Wizards finish season with win over Caps

Andrew White III produced a strong performance to lead the Northside Wizards to a season-ending 86-70 home victory against the Brisbane Capitals.

Both teams were playing their last games of the NBL1 North season on Friday night at Northside Indoor Sports Centre with Brisbane starting well opening up an eight-point leading in the opening period.

The Capitals were still clinging to a one-point lead at quarter-time before again they pulled out to a nine-point edge in the second term and were clinging to a 41-37 advantage at the half-time break.

It was in the third stanza when Northside took charge with 24 points to 15 before pushing that lead out to 18 points in the final term and ending up winning by 16.

The victory sees the Wizards finish the season on a 9-10 record while the Capitals end up on 7-12 having lost their last three matches.

Andrew White III led the charge in the win for Northside with 29 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals while Lual Diing contributed 21 points, 14 boards and three blocked shots.

Cameron Healy also had 18 points, five assists and four rebounds, and Jed Richardson 10 points and four boards.

James Moors produced 18 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots on 8/12 shooting from the floor with Nick Stoddart adding 11 points and two boards on 3/6 three-point shooting, and Lachie Dent eight points, 10 assists and two steals.

Matt Johns has taken off the runway ?

Watch #NBL1North via https://t.co/NEk1I7kaV8 or the NBL1 App ? & ? pic.twitter.com/pBHQJiCWjk

— NBL1 (@NBL1) July 14, 2023

Cadee secures top spot for Rollers

If the Logan Thunder were able to end the winning run of the Gold Coast Rollers on Friday night then suddenly they had a chance to snatch the regular season championship, and they went ever so close to doing so.

Gold Coast came into its last game of the regular season at Carrara Stadium on the back of a 15-game winning streak and just needed to win to guarantee top spot but Logan had the chance to snatch it with two wins this weekend.

It turned out to be quite the contest between the NBL1 North's top two teams as well with both teams having their turn of the lead in the first quarter before Logan led 21-19 by quarter-time.

The Thunder would open up a 10-point advantage throughout the second stanza and would go into the half-time break on top 44-38.

Logan maintained that lead throughout the third quarter but then Gold Coast eventually grabbed the lead back with a three-point bomb from Todd Blanchfield with just over three minutes to play.

Blanchfield then threatened to put the game to bed by adding another seven quick points to give the Rollers the six-point lead, but Logan wasn’t done with yet and responded with a triple to Shaun Bruce.

Bruce then nailed another three tie to scores up but he then with Logan preparing make a play at the game winner with time running down turned the ball over. Jason Cadee grabbed it and went up the other end, jacked up the floater that fell and Gold Coast won by two.

It was the most dramatic of finishes to see the Rollers secure top spot and even more dramatic when replays called into question whether Cadee got the winning basket off or not, but the result stood and the Rollers will defend their title from top spot.

Todd Blanchfield finished with 26 points, 14 rebounds and three assists for Gold Coast with Cameron Thew producing 23 points, nine boards and two assists, and Preston Le Gassick 17 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals.

On top of hitting the game winner, Jason Cadee had a triple-double for Gold Coast with 10 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds.

Shaun Bruce had a strong game too for Logan after being named an MVP nominee with 18 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds with Rasmus Bach adding 16 points and two steals, Boston Mazlin 16 points and four assists, Mitch Young 13 points and five rebounds, and Majok Deng 12 points, nine boards and three assists.

Jason Cadee ???? ?? and locks in top spot for the Rollers???

WHAT AN ENDING ?

Watch #NBL1North via https://t.co/NEk1I7kaV8 or the NBL1 App ? & ? pic.twitter.com/YON96qicDX

— NBL1 (@NBL1) July 14, 2023

Rockhampton finish season on winning note

It might have been the battle of the bottom two teams but it wasn’t lacking for entertainment with Malcolm Bernard starring in the 103-86 win for the Rockhampton Rockets against the Red City Roar.

Red City had the chance to still avoid the wooden spoon this season coming into the last round and they started well on the road to the Rockets with 27 points to 21 in the opening period.

Rockhampton was able to take charge in the second period, though, with 34 points to 18 and then control the rest of the contest from there. The Rockets would lead by 19 points in the third stanza and 26 in the fourth before settling on the 17-point victory.

The win means that Red City is guaranteed of finishing in the bottom position currently at 2-16 with a game to finish away to the Mackay Meteors while Rockhampton finishes the season with two straight wins for a 4-15 record.

Malcolm Bernard delivered 24 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and four steals in the win for Rockhampton while knocking down 6/12 of his three-point attempts.

Chier Maker also added 23 points and five rebounds on 4/8 shooting for the Rockets with Sean Biernacki contributing 18 points, seven assists, four steals and three rebounds, and Angus McWilliam nine points, 11 boards and four assists.

Jaylen Key produced 24 points and eight rebounds for Red City with Nelson Larkins providing 21 points and seven assists, Jarrod Molnar 13 points, Javaan Mumtaz 11 points and five rebounds, and Kane Bishop eight points, 10 boards, three assists, two steals and two blocks.

Rockhampton's Malcolm Bernard did a ??? ?? ?????????? in his side's win over Red City, dropping:

2??4?? points
1??0?? assists
7?? rebounds
6?? 3PM
4?? steals

Watch #NBL1North via https://t.co/NEk1I7kaV8 or the NBL1 App ? & ? pic.twitter.com/i4aaBxCVi2

— NBL1 (@NBL1) July 14, 2023

Phoenix stay alive with win over Seahawks

To be a chance of making the finals still this season the Sunshine Coast Phoenix had to win both their matches and they took care of the first task on Friday night beating the North Gold Coast Seahawks 105-81.

The Phoenix have the double-header in the final round firstly at home to the Seahawks and then also away to the Ipswich Force on Saturday, but all they had to worry about to start with was taking care of business against the out of contention Seahawks.

It was a good start in the must-win game from Sunshine Coast to lead North Gold Coast by six points at quarter-time and they retained control the rest of the way.

The Phoenix would go on to lead by as much as 13 points in the second term, 20 in the third and 26 in the fourth on the way to the eventual 24-point triumph.

The win improves Sunshine Coast to an 9-9 record on the season and still needing to beat the Force on Saturday to be any chance of playing the finals. North Gold Coast is now 7-11 having lost six straight before also playing the South West Metro Pirates on Saturday. 

Jamaal Robateau delivered 23 points, five rebounds and five assists for Sunshine Coast with Jonathan Janssen contributing 23 points, seven boards and three assists.

Nelson Kahler also added 15 points and 10 rebounds on a perfect 5/5 shooting from the field with 5/7 from the foul line. Kiran Shastri also had 14 points, three boards and tow assists, and Mason Bragg seven points, seven rebounds and 10 assists.

Kody Stattmann produced a significant performance for North Gold Coast ending up with 27 points, nine rebounds and three assists with Wesley Harris adding 18 points, three boards and two blocks, and Josh Duach 12 points, six rebounds and two assists.