Hoops Capital off-season wrap (July 29)
Both the 2024-25 NBL and WNBL seasons are now well and truly on the horizon, meaning the club’s stars are wrapping up their off-season commitments.
In particular, numerous stars hit the court during the weekend’s NBL1 finals across the country.
The two Sydney Kings to hit the hardwood were Darwin’s Kouat Noi and Makuach Maluach.
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Unfortunately, their Salties were eliminated from the 2024 NBL1 North championship race, losing 103-76 to Brisbane in their semi-final.
In the defeat, Noi had 16 points, five boards, two dimes and one steal, while Maluach posted 18 points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block.
Lauren Nicholson was HUGE for Sutherland 🦈
32 Points, 5 Rebounds and 3 Assists in a Semi-Final win 🥇
Watch the NBL1 East Finals live via https://t.co/NEk1I7kIKG or the NBL1 App 💻 & 📲 pic.twitter.com/2pxEre0zVc
— NBL1 (@NBL1) July 27, 2024
Shifting to the Flames and Lauren Nicholson continues to dominate for the Sutherland Sharks.
Flame #133 tallied 32 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals in her side’s 83-74 semi-final win against minor premiers Albury-Wodonga.
The Sharks, which also feature Flame #144 Vanessa Panousis, will now take on the Norths Bears, coached by Flames assistant Renae Garlepp, for a spot in the NBL1 East grand final.
That match, at the North Sydney Indoor Sports Centre, tips off at 4pm on Saturday.
RICHARDS RE-SIGNS WITH FLAMES FOR SECOND SEASON
In Queensland, despite 18 points, 25 rebounds, four dimes, three steals and two blocks by Mikaela Ruef, North Gold Coast lost their NBL1 North semi-final 86-65 to Northside.
The other Flame still alive in the NBL1 competition is Sherrie Calleia.
Her Mt Gambier Pioneers take on Waverley this Saturday, from 3pm at the Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre, in NBL1 South preliminary final.
Stay up to date with all the harbour city club’s off-season news here.