McSpadden’s Cyclones fly into NBL1 North quarter-finals
The weekly Hoops Capital NBL1 wrap has shifted up a gear, with the competition moving into the post-season in both the North and South divisions.
In the North, the Flames experienced mixed fortunes – starting with Lara McSpadden and her Rockhampton Cyclones who outlasted Darwin 72-63, with the Flames centre putting up 18 points, 13 rebounds, five dimes, two blocks and one steal.
This win sets up a semi-final clash with Logan on Saturday night.
Indiah Bowyer and her Townsville Flames weren’t as fortunate, falling 65-60 to Northside in their quarter-final – with the Sydney young gun adding six points, six boards, four assists and one block in the defeat.
While Southern Districts, who were still without the injured Maddy Allen, lost 69-58 South West Metro.
In NSW, Sydney, led by Vanessa Panousis and Jada Crawshaw, split their final round games against Albury-Wodonga (won 101-95 in overtime) and Norths (lost 101-80).
Across the two games, Pansousis totalled 52 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and two steals, while Crawshaw added 26 points, 24 boards, seven dimes, five steals and two blocks.
These results pit the Comets against Newcastle in next weekend’s quarter-finals.
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While Australian Opal Lauren Nicholson dominated once again for Sutherland, tallying 32 points, eight rebounds, eight dimes and two steals, in their 92-78 road win against Canberra.
The victory, which sees the Sharks finish the year in fifth, sets up a final-eight clash with the Centre of Excellence.
The other Sydney side in the final eight is Emma Donnelly’s Norths, who downed Inner West (100-33) and Comets – with the Flames youngster contributing 16 points, nine rebounds and one assist.
The Bears next face Maitland in Saturday’s quarter-final.
While the season of Rachel Maenpaa and her Crusaders finished with a win on Saturday, ousting Penrith 68-53, with the Flames forward chipping in 17 points, eight boards and three assists.
Finally, Emma Clarke and her Perry Lakes Hawks wrapped up their regular season with an 85-43 loss to Joondalup, with the Flame adding 12 points, nine boards, three dimes and one steal.
The Hawks, who finished the season in seventh, now take on Mandurah in Saturday’s elimination final.
To the Kings and the NBL1 North championship dream is still alive for guard Shaun Bruce and his Logan Thunder, after winning their quarter-final on Saturday.
In the fixture at Bendigo Bank Cornubia Park Sports Centre, 13 points, seven assists, five rebounds, two blocks and one steal from Bruce powered the Thunder to an 81-66 victory against Darwin.
In the season-ending defeat, Kings forward Makuach Maluach had 13 points and six boards for the Salties.
This victory by Logan sets up a blockbuster semi-final with the Ipswich Force – headlined by Sydney’s Jaylin Galloway.
The Force secured their spot in the final four by downing Cairns 99-92 on Saturday, with Galloway – fresh off an NBA Summer League stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves – adding 18 points, four rebounds, four dimes, one steal and one block.
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Elsewhere in Queensland, the 2023 NBL1 season also came to an end for Kouat Noi and his USC Rip City, going down 99-96 to reigning champions Gold Coast.
In the tight contest, Noi, who was recently named to the NBL1 North First Team, put up a massive 35 points, 16 rebounds, two assists and one block.
Moving to Victoria and Angus Glover is still in contention for the NBL1 South crown after his Eltham smashed Waverley 97-68 in their elimination final.
In the victory, Glover double-doubled (14 points and 10 boards) with two assists.
His Wildcats will now face Knox in the semi-final on Saturday.
To NBL1 East and in the competition’s final round, Archie Woodhill’s Comets split their matches against the Centre of Excellence (won 95-80) and Norths (lost 85-71).
Across the two season-ending fixtures, Woodhill totalled 33 points, 18 rebounds, one assist and one steal.
While out west, Zac Gattorna and his Geraldton Buccaneers defeated both East Perth (115-96) and Willetton (89-81) – with the Kings forward adding 47 points, 10 boards, seven dimes, five steals and two blocks across the two fixtures.
These results cemented the Buccs’ second spot on the ladder, with a 17-5 record and set up a qualifying final showdown with Willetton on Saturday.
Stay up to date with all the club’s off-season news here.