Hoops Capital off-season wrap (April 29)
The weekend saw numerous Hoops Capital stars hit the hardwood during NBL1’s annual Anzac Round.
Flames’ Ahlise Hurst shone during Ringwood’s 90-85 win over Waverley, contributing 27 points, five rebounds, two assists and one steal to claim the prestigious Anzac Round medal.
The Hawks backed up the very next day but went down 109-74 to Bendigo, with Hurst adding 12 points, three dimes and two boards in the defeat.
Ringwood will lock horns with Eltham in round five.
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Staying in NBL1 South and Shaneice Swain put up 14 points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in Geelong’s 83-70 loss to Dandenong.
United will look to rebound next round against Mount Gambier and Kilsyth.
While Paige Bradley produced 13 points, nine assists, six boards and one steal in Knox’s commanding 90-71 triumph over Diamond Valley.
The Raiders face both Waverley and Eltham next weekend.
Shifting to NBL1 East and Norths went 2/2 during round four, downing both Sydney (66-53) and Sutherland (81-53).
The Bears are coached by Flames assistant Renae Garlepp and feature both Carla Pitman (out injured) and Caitlyn Martin (five points, three rebounds, three assists and one block against the Sharks).
Next up for Norths is Inner West and Centre of Excellence.
Featuring in that latter fixture against the Bears was Sutherland Vanessa Panousis – who had five points, five steals, four rebounds and three dimes.
Prior to that loss, the Sharks edged Illawarra 67-58, with Panousis producing eight points, 12 assists and six rebounds.
The Sharks play Hornsby and Manly in round five.
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To NBL1 North and Lara McSpadden contributed across the board – to the tune of 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block – during Rockhampton’s 93-73 road win against Mackay.
Her 3-0 Cyclones face Ipswich and South West Metro in round four.
Another undefeated team up north is Abi Curtin’s Darwin Salties, who outlasted Gold Coast 88-75, thanks to 19 points, eight rebounds, two dimes and two steals from the Flame.
The Salties will look to extend their winning streak against Cairns and Townsville in round four.
Wrapping up this recap overseas and Cayla George’s Cathay Life Tigers started their Taiwanese post-season campaign last week.
After finishing the season in second, with a 23-7 record, the Tigers took on Taipower for a spot in the grand final series against minor premiers Taiyuan.
George’s Tigers won game one 62-48 before winning the second 72-65, to punch their spot in the decider.
Across the pair of games, the Australian Opal totalled 37 points, 21 rebounds, eight dimes and three steals.
The grand final series will be played against Taiyuan from Saturday.
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In New Zealand, Guy Molloy’s Southland Sharks lost 87-65 to Canterbury.
Their next match is against Nelson on May 3.
Finally, in Spain, Lauren Nicholson’s Spar Girona won their Liga Femenina de Baloncesto quarter-final 70-47 against Jairis Global Hozone.
In the triumph, the Flame had 11 points, two block and one rebound.
Girona now faces Avendia Perfumeries in the semi-final on May 5 – with the victor to play the winner of the Casademont Zaragova and Valencia match-up.
Shifting to the Sydney Kings and forward Kouat Noi claimed the Anzac medal for his performance for Darwin against Gold Coast.
In the Salties’ 115-97 round three victory, Noi tallied 29 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals.
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Not to be outdone was Sydney teammate Makuach Maluach, who added 15 points, 13 boards, four dimes, four steals and one block for Darwin – who improved to 2-1 on the season.
Next up for the Salties are road clashes with Cairns on Friday and Townsville on Saturday.
Elsewhere in NBL1 North, Shaun Bruce’s Logan downed North Gold Coast 84-75, thanks to 14 points, nine assists, two rebounds, two steals and one block from the two-time NBL champion.
Bruce’s Thunder host Northside on Saturday.
The other purple and gold athlete in NBL1 action over the weekend was Klairus Amir.
He helped Sutherland smash Illawarra 107-69 before losing 78-62 to Norths.
Across those two round four fixtures, Amir totalled 12 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and one block.
Next up for the Sharks are Hornsby on Saturday and Manly on Sunday.
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Elsewhere around the globe, both Izayah Le’afa and Sam Timmins shone in the New Zealand NBL.
Le’afa had 23 points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals during the Saints’ 111-104 victory on April 25.
They next play Manuwatu on May 5.
While Timmins totalled 30 points, 21 rebounds, four blocks, two steals and one assist across Franklin’s 92-74 loss to Auckland and 85-74 win against Tauranga.
The Bulls next face Taranaki on May 4.
Stay up to date with all the harbour city club’s off-season news here.
– Cover photo: Cam Brown.