Samuels sizzles in QBL

JCU Townsville Fire recruit Casey Samuels has guided North Gold Coast into the QBL finals to start this week’s Winter Update.

Making their QBL debut this season, the Seahawks were on the play-off bubble entering the penultimate round of the season.

A blistering performance from Samuels, however, engineered a 94-72 win over SC Rip at the weekend and guaranteed a berth in the finals.

Samuels finished with a season-high 36 points to go with 13 rebounds and four assists to put as the frontrunner as the competition’s Player of the Week.

The former Australian junior has been impressive for the Seahawks all season after averaging 18.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

The Townsville Flames survived a scare from Brisbane in overtime to remain in top spot.

Missing Alex Fowler and Stella Beck on national duties, the Flames appeared headed for just their third loss of the season before holding their nerve down the stretch.

Opals forward Darcee Garbin finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds, while Micaela Cocks posted a double-double of her own with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

The Flames won 100-96 and can sew up the minor premiership this week if they take care of the Sunshine Coast Phoenix at home.

The Logan Thunder continued their end-of-season form with a 107-66 victory over Toowoomba.

Zitina Aokuso posted a career-high 38 points to go along with 10 rebounds in an MVP performance.

Mikhaela Donnelly produced a triple-double of her own after finishing with 12 points, 12 rebounds and a staggering 18 assists.

The Thunder have won their past three straight games, but won’t feature in finals despite improving their record to 6-11.