Nicholson fills stat sheet as Sharks edge Bears

Starting with the Sydney Flames contingent of the Hoops Capital wrap and Lauren Nicholson once again starred for her Sutherland Sharks.
The Australian Opals guard’s 35 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, four steals and one block guided the Sharks to an impressive 93-86 heavyweight clash against Norths.
In the loss, Emma Donnelly has two points for the Bears.
In round 14, the Sharks play Illawarra and Norths take on Canberra.
Elsewhere in NBL1 East, without Vanessa Panousis in the line-up, the Comets lost 76-75 to Maitland – despite Jada Crawshaw adding 11 points, five rebounds and one block for Sydney.
The Comets next play the Centre of Excellence on Saturday.
Moving south and Kiera Rowe powered Knox to a commanding 89-58 win over Keilor, tallying 14 points, six rebounds, four assists and one steal.
The 9-7 Raiders will look to build on that strong win against Launceston next round.
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Shifting to Queensland and the Flames’ newest recruit Shaneice Swain helped Cairns split go 1-2 against Red City (winning 81-69), Logan (losing 103-78) and Ipswich (98-97) over the weekend.
Across the three fixtures, Swain totalled 56 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, three steals and one block.
Her Dolphins host Townsville next weekend.
Our girl @SwainShaneice from the carpark 🎯#FlameOn https://t.co/yVkksvr9VR
— Sydney Flames (@TheSydneyFlames) June 17, 2023
In that first clash, Lilly Rotunno added 11 points, nine rebounds, eight dimes and one steal for the Roar – who play the Phoenix on Saturday.
While Indiah Bowyer dropped 16 points, three rebounds, two blocks, one dime and one steal as Townsville overcame Mackay 81-75.
The Flames next face Cairns.
Finally, out west, Emma Clarke had 19 points, nine rebounds, four assists and one block in Perry Lakes’ 96-54 win against the South-West Slammers.
The Hawks will look to add another win to the tally against Cockburn on Saturday.
To the Kings now and Kouat Noi continued his incredible NBL1 North season on Saturday by dropping his second 40-piece of the campaign for USC Rip City.
The Kings forward had 40 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block as USC downed Sunshine Coast 100-84 at Maroochydore Stadium.
That impressive game moves the Newcastle product’s points per game season average to 29.67 – which is second only to Mackay’s Isaac White (33.21).
USC, who are 6-7 this season, next face North Gold Coast and Brisbane in round 13.
READ MORE: FLAMES SIGN AUSSIE HOOPS PRODIGY SWAIN
Elsewhere in Queensland, Shaun Bruce and his Logan Thunder continued their winning ways by smashing Cairns 108-68, with the Kings’ two-time NBL champion dropping 17 points, one rebound and three assists in the victory.
The Thunder, who sit in top spot with a 13-1 record, will look to extend their 12-game winning streak against Ipswich on Saturday.
That Ipswich side, headlined by Jaylin Galloway, will head into that round 13 clash on the back of a 111-98 loss to Cairns, in which the Kings’ young gun added 11 points, three dimes, three steals and two rebounds.
Moving to NBL1 South and Angus Glover’s Eltham Wildcats lost their blockbuster fixture with Frankston 90-78, despite the Hoops Capital star contributing 18 points, six boards and three dimes.
The Wildcats backed this up with an overtime defeat to Bendigo (91-84) despite 15 points, seven boards and three dimes by Glover.
The Wildcats, who at now 10-5, will look to return to the winner’s circle against Knox and Geelong in round 11.
In NBL1 East action, Archie Woodhill and his Sydney Comets lost 85-67 to Maitland, with the Kings’ big man tallying five points and two rebounds in the defeat.
The Comets host Central Coast next round.
Finally out west and Zac Gattorna’s 23 points, six rebounds and one assist steered Geraldton to a 98-91 triumph over the Eastern Suns.
The Buccs backed that up with a 95-94 loss to Warwick, in which Gattorna had 21 points, eight rebounds and two assists.
Gerladton plays East Perth next weekend.
Stay up to date with all the club’s off-season news here.