Hoops Capital off-season wrap (March 31)
Numerous Hoops Capital stars got their off-season campaigns underway over the weekend, as most of the 2025 NBL1 competitions tipped off.
In the NBL1 East competition, King #253 Jason Spurgin and his Sutherland Sharks – coached by Shaun Roger – opened their campaign with a gritty 81-78 win over Penrith.
In the round one win, Spurgin double-doubled (10 points and 11 rebounds) with two steals and one triple.
The Sharks next play the Hills Hornets on Saturday.
Another King in action on Saturday with Klairus Amir, who helped his Central Coast Crusaders defeat Hornsby 86-71 at the Brickpit.
In the triumph, King #245 Amir produced 26 points (including four triples), seven rebounds and one assist.
The Crusaders host Newcastle in round two.
Elsewhere, despite Jaylin Galloway not suiting up, as he continues to rehab his shoulder, the Bankstown Bruins split their opening round matches – defeating Norths 86-70 before losing 102-65 to the Centre of Excellence.
A trip to the Brickpit to face the Spiders awaits the Bruins next weekend.
Staying in the East and the Norths Bears women, headlined by Flames’ Carla Pitman and Caitlyn Martin and coached by Renae Garlepp, downed the Bruins 79-62 at the Bankstown Basketball Stadium.
In the win, Pitman finished with 25 points (including three triples), 11 rebounds, six steals and two assists, while Martin tallied eight points, five boards, three dimes and two steals.
Norths travel to Manly this Saturday.
Elsewhere in the East, Piper Anderson’s Sydney Comets lost to the Newcastle Falcons 83-51 despite 16 points, three boards, one dime and one block from the Flames development player.
Next up for the Comets are the Illawarra Hawks.
The round one fixture between Sherrie Calleia’s Hills and Tahlia Tupaea’s Inner West was postponed due to the weather.
Next weekend, the Hornets play Sutherland and the Bulls lock horns with Canberra.
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Moving to NBL1 South and Tyler Robertson guided Casey to an 87-80 victory over Dandenong.
During the fixture, King #252 Robertson scored an equal game-high 21 points, to go along with eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks.
The Cavaliers will look to remain undefeated when they travel to Mount Gambier on April 4.
Elsewhere, despite playing without the rehabbing Keli Leaupepe (hamstring), Knox defeated Kilsyth 88-84.
The Raiders next face Diamond Valley.
In the women, Bonnie Deas’ Frankston Blues were edged out by Sandringham 73-62, with the Flames’ young gun adding seven points, five boards, three dimes and one steal.
The Blues will go in search of their first win of 2025 next round when they travel to Ringwood.
Unfortunately, Isabella Brancatisano’s Mount Gambier suffered the same fate, losing 112-72 to Geelong, despite 14 points, three rebounds, three steals and two dimes for the Flames guard.
Following this result, the Pioneers played Keilor on Sunday and lost 100-70, with Brancatisano not featuring in the fixture.
The Pioneers host Casey in round two.
Moving abroad, Kouat Noi tallied 20 points, three rebounds and five assists for his Ningbo Rockets in Chinese Basketball Association fixtures against Tianjun and Zhejiang Guangsha.
Noi’s Rickets next play Zhejiang Chouzhou on Monday night.
In New Zealand, Shaun Bruce’s Wellington Saints defeated Southland (122-83) before falling to Canterbury (99-81), with King #209 combining for 28 points, 16 assists and five rebounds.
The Saints next play Franklin on April 3.
Stay up to date with all of Hoops Capital’s off-season news here.