Featured images: Adam Galle Photography
Kahlaijah Dean starred as Ipswich Force opened their NBL1 North account in a dramatic overtime encounter with Lil Dart, Taylor Mole, AJ Johnson and Courtney Woods having huge nights as did Xavier Ford for Rockhampton in Darwin.
The NBL1 North women's results saw the Brisbane Capitals beat the Sunshine Coast Phoenix 81-61 while the Mackay Meteorettes beat the Gold Coast Rollers 95-65 and the Ipswich Force defeated the South West Metro Pirates 105-102.
The Northside Wizards also downed the Southern Districts Spartans 104-95, the Darwin Salties beat the Rockhampton Cyclones 101-73, and Logan Thunder won 100-74 against the Cairns Dolphins.
Then in the men's matches, the Capitals beat the Phoenix 101-92, the Meteors defeated the Rollers 103-98, the Pirates downed the Force 104-96, the Spartans beat the Wizards 105-87, the Rockets defeated the Salties 113-111, and Logan downed Cairns 106-82.
RECAP NBL1 NORTH | ROUND 7 FRIDAY
WOMEN
Brisbane Capitals (81) defeated Sunshine Coast Phoenix (61)
Lil Dart produced 31 points to lead the Brisbane Capitals to a fourth straight victory to beat the Sunshine Coast Phoenix 81-61 at home.
The Capitals were back home at Auchenflower Stadium on a three-game winning streak hosting a Phoenix team who came into the contest with one win from seven games so far in 2024.
The Caps were already leading 17-12 by the end of the first quarter before the home team took full control with 22 points to 10 in the second period to go into the half-time break leading 39-22.
It was more of the same in the third quarter with Brisbane producing another 26 points to 16 to see the lead grow to as much as 30 points early in the fourth frame.
Sunshine Coast did win the last quarter but the Capitals still scored the 20-point win to improve to 5-4 on the season.
Lil Dart was the major difference between the two teams producing 31 points, five rebounds and two assists in the win for Brisbane.
Hannah Hank was a strong force inside for 12 points, 20 rebounds, four assists and three steals with Megan Mullings contributing nine points, seven boards and two blocks, and Hilary Fuller eight points and three rebounds.
The Phoenix are now 1-7 with the defeat with Carlie Smith working tirelessly once more for 19 points, 14 rebounds and three assists with Haylee Andrews adding 21 points, six boards and four assists.
The Capitals will be back at home on Friday night to the Cairns Dolphins while the Phoenix hoist the Townsville Flames on Saturday.
BRISBANE CAPITALS 81 (Dart 31, Hank 12, Mullings 9)
SUNSHINE COAST PHOENIX 61 (Andrews 21, Smith 19, Cotter 6)
Gold Coast Rollers (75) lost to Mackay Meteorettes (95)
The Mackay Meteorettes recorded their second win of the NBL1 North season with Taylor Mole starring in the 95-75 road win over the Gold Coast Rollers.
It was the second half of a double-header on the road for Mackay after a 14-point loss on Friday to the North Gold Coast Seahawks ahead of taking on the Rollers at Carrara Stadium.
Gold Coast came into the contest also with just one win on the board for the season and by quarter-time, the scores were locked at 22-22.
It was the Meteorettes who took charge in the second stanza with the visitors opening up a 13-point advantage before going into the half-time break leading 48-35.
Mackay went on with the job from there to lead by as much as 18 points in the third quarter, and 20 in the fourth before securing the 20-point win to improve to 2-5 on the season.
Taylor Mole delivered 27 points, eight rebounds and two assists for the Meteorettes while Nikita Van Wyk added 19 points and 13 boards, Sam Halby 17 points, four rebounds and three assists, and Chelsea Brook 11 points and 14 boards.
Gold Coast is now 1-6 with six straight defeats with Kate Deeble doing all she could with 28 points, three rebounds and two assists.
Taylor Lee added 16 points, seven assists, six rebounds and two steals, and Lisa Koop 13 points and 12 boards with Myah Selland pulling down 17 rebounds to go with nine points.
Gold Coast will be at home to Ipswich next Saturday night while Mackay is back home to host the Darwin Salties on Friday.
GOLD COAST ROLLERS 75 (Deeble 28, Lee 16, Koop 13)
MACKAY METEORETTES 95 (Mole 27, Van Wyk 19, Halby 17)
Ipswich Force (105) defeated South West Metro Pirates (102)
It was quite the dramatic finish to force the game into overtime but eventually the Ipswich Force secured the 105-102 home victory after 45 minutes at home to the South West Metro Pirates.
Ipswich were back home at JBS Stadium still hunting a first win of the season up against a South West Metro team trying to snap a four-game losing streak as well.
So the losing runs both teams were on only added to the stakes as the evening unfolded and it was the Pirates making the stunning start with 32 points to 16 in the opening period.
Their lead blew out to as much as 20 points in the second quarter as well and they were still leading 59-39 by the half-time break.
That drought breaking win was within touching distance for South West Metro, but Ipswich weren’t giving up hope of their first win of 2024 and fired back with 24 points to 18 in the third quarter, and then had a huge fourth term.
The Pirates were still leading by 14 points to start the fourth quarter, but six minutes later and scores were level with Claire Fraser knocking down a three ball for Ipswich.
Kahlaijah Dean then put the home team up front and she soon made the lead four, and then then six with two minutes on the clock.
The Pirates weren’t done, though, and Taya Hanson cut that deficit in half with 30 seconds to play before Leah Scott made it a two-point ball game.
That's where the drama started. Hanson did make a three-pointer that would have put the Pirates up by one, but a split second before that and the defensive foul was called on Kate Head on the screen.
Bronte Corke made one at the foul line before Claire Fraser also made one up the other end, and then Hanson scored down low just before the buzzer to level scores up and send the game to overtime.
Then in the extra period, Ipswich did pull away and end up securing the three-point victory to open their account for 2024 with Kahlaijah Dean brilliant with 37 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Amanda Cahill added 19 points and nine rebounds, Claire Fraser 15 points and 12 boards, Kate Head 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and Makayla Daysh 10 points and 11 boards in just 12:37 of court time.
It's a fifth straight defeat now for South West Metro despite a monster game from Leah Scott who had 40 points, 12 rebounds and two assists on 12/23 shooting from the floor and 15/22 at the foul line before fouling out.
Taya Hanson also delivered 31 points, eight rebounds and three assists with Bronte Corke contributing 18 points, five boards and three assists.
Ipswich will now take on the Logan Thunder on the road on Friday night with the Pirates to host the North Gold Coast Seahawks on Saturday.
IPSWICH FORCE 105 (Dean 37, Cahill 19, Fraser 15)
SOUTH WEST METRO PIRATES 102 (Scott 40, Hanson 31, Corke 18)
Northside Wizards (104) defeated Southern Districts Spartans (95)
The stars came out to play but it was the defending champion Northside Wizards who stayed undefeated with the 104-95 victory in an entertaining affair with the Southern Districts Spartans.
The Wizards put their undefeated record on the line when hosting the Spartans at Northside Indoor Sports Centre with Southern Districts arriving off a win against the South West Metro Pirates.
There were big guns on either side and they all produced strong performances across the evening with Northside starting the game on fire racing to an early 18-point lead.
They were still leading 28-16 by quarter-time but then the Spartans worked back into the contest with 29 points to 22 in the second term to cut the Wizards lead to 50-45 at half-time.
Southern Districts even managed to grab the lead briefly in the third quarter, but the Wizards continued to have the answers and pushed back out to a double-figure lead and ended up winning by nine in the finish.
The win improves Northside to a perfect 10-0 record on the season with AJ Johnson delivering 27 points, eight rebounds and two assists on 10/17 shooting from the floor.
Erin Bollmann also produced 20 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and two steals, Jess McDowell-White 17 points and three assists, Nadeen Payne 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Kelsey McDermott 11 points and seven assists.
The Spartans are now 4-4 on the season despite the encouraging performance with Alice Dart delivering 21 points, six rebounds and three assists in just 24 minutes off the bench.
Ariana Moorer also had 21 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals, Maddy Allen 20 points and four boards, Steph Bairstow 16 points and two assists, and Kalani Purcell 10 points, four rebounds, four steals and two assists.
The Wizards will play host to the Townsville Flames now on Friday night with the Spartans to play host to the Cairns Dolphins next Saturday.
NORTHSIDE WIZARDS 104 (Johnson 27, Bollmann 20, McDowell-White 17)
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS SPARTANS 95 (Dart 21, Moorer 21, Allen 20)
Darwin Salties (101) defeated Rockhampton Cyclones (73)
The two teams came into their match up on identical 5-1 records but it was the Darwin Salties who enjoyed the comforts of home with the 101-73 win over the Rockhampton Cyclones.
The Cyclones arrived at Darwin Basketball Stadium attempting to bounce back from losing last week's Grand Final rematch to the Northside Wizards in heartbreaking fashion, but the Salties had a chance to make a statement too.
It was a tight opening with the scores level at 22-22 by quarter-time but Darwin took complete control in the second quarter with 33 points to 16 to go into half-time leading 55-38.
The Salties then pulled even further away in the final stanza with another 23 points to 11 to end up winning by 28 in the finish to improve to 6-1 on the season.
Courtney Woods was outstanding once more for Darwin with 30 points, nine rebounds and six assists while shooting 10/16 from the floor, 3/3 from three-point range and 7/7 at the charity stripe.
Ruby Porter added 21 points on 3/5 three-point shooting while Cat MacGregor contributed 20 points, five assists and four steals, Abigail Curtin eight points, six rebounds and four assists, and Ashley Harris seven points, five boards and two steals.
Rockhampton has now lost two straight after winning the first five games of 2024 despite Lara McSpadden standing tall to deliver 31 points, 13 rebounds and two blocked shots on 13/22 shooting.
Morgan Yaeger also had 19 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals, and Lauren Heard nine points and five boards.
Darwin is on the road next weekend to Mackay on Friday and Rockhampton on Saturday.
DARWIN SALTIES 101 (Woods 30, Porter 21, MacGregor 20)
ROCKHAMPTON CYCLONES 73 (McSpadden 31, Yaeger 19, Heard 9)
Cairns Dolphins (74) lost to Logan Thunder (100)
Logan Thunder bounced back from a Friday night loss in Far North Queensland to beat the Cairns Dolphins 100-74 around 24 hours later.
Logan began its double-header on the road with a 15-point loss to the Townsville Flames on Friday ahead of taking on the winless Dolphins at Trinity Ford Stadium on Saturday night.
Cairns was still hunting a first win of the season but it was Logan who opened up a nine-point lead in the first quarter before still clinging to the 19-16 advantage by quarter-time.
The Thunder then outscored the Dolphins 25 points to 17 in the second quarter to go into the half-time break leading 44-33.
It was then a dominant third quarter from the Thunder to put the result beyond doubt as they outscored the home team 33 points to 10.
That saw Logan's lead grow to as much as 37 points in the second half and they ended up winning by 26 to improve to a 3-5 record on the season.
Mikhaela Cann top-scored in the win for the Thunder with 24 points and seven assists with Jade Kirisome contributing 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals, and Chevannah Paalvast 13 points, six boards and six assists.
Ashley Taia also had 13 points and two rebounds, and Sharni Reisinger 13 points on 5/6 shooting.
Cairns is now 0-8 after the first eight games of 2024 with Mia Loyd finishing with 23 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Leichan Williams added 16 points and seven rebounds, Andrianna Francis 13 points, three boards and two steals, and Taryn Bond 12 points.
Cairns will be on the road on Friday night to the Brisbane Capitals with Logan to play host to the Ipswich Force the same evening.
CAIRNS DOLPHINS 74 (Loyd 23, Williams 16, Francis 13)
LOGAN THUNDER 100 (Cann 24, Kirisome 19, Taia 13, Reisinger 13, Paalvast 13)
MEN
Brisbane Capitals (101) defeated Sunshine Coast Phoenix (92)
Isaih Tueta knocked down seven three-pointers and scored 35 points as the Brisbane Capitals scored the 101-92 home victory over the Sunshine Coast Phoenix.
Brisbane had won its past three matches ahead of the contest at Auchenflower Stadium against a Phoenix team attempting to hit back from a loss to the same Brisbane side on their home floor last Sunday afternoon.
The rematch was always going to be fascinating after that 18-point win for the Capitals with a tight affair in the first quarter with Brisbane just managing to lead 23-22 by the end of one.
Sunshine Coast were then able to open up a 10-point lead in the second term to be on track for the bounce back win when leading 45-41 at half-time.
However, Brisbane turned on the after burners in the third quarter piling on 34 points to just 16 from the Phoenix to end up leading by as much as 19 points in the fourth quarter.
The Capitals would go on to score the nine-point victory to make it four straight wins and improve to a 5-4 record on the season with Isaih Tueta the star of the show.
He finished with 35 points and four assists while knocking down 7/8 from beyond the three-point line.
Brisbane Bullets swingman Sam McDaniel also produced another 26 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and two steals with Matthew Johns contributing 17 points, three boards and two assists, and Tim Soong eight points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Sunshine Coast are now 4-4 following the defeat despite all five starters putting in strong showings.
Nelson Kahler finished with 18 points, five rebounds and two assists with Jeryn Lucas adding 18 points, four boards and three assists, and Kobe McDowell-White 17 points, four assists and three steals.
Jamaal Robateau also had 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals with Duom Dawam contributing 13 points and 10 boards.
The Capitals will be back at home on Friday night to the Cairns Marlins while the Phoenix hoist the Townsville Heat on Saturday.
BRISBANE CAPITALS 101 (Tueta 35, McDaniel 26, Jones 17)
SUNSHINE COAST PHOENIX 92 (Lucas 18, Kahler 18, McDowell-White 17, Robateau 17)
Gold Coast Rollers (98) lost to Mackay Meteors (103)
The Mackay Meteors kept their unbeaten run to start the NBL1 North season going with Todd Blanchfield helping them to the 103-98 win over his team from last year, the Gold Coast Rollers.
Blanchfield was instrumental in helping Gold Coast within one win of the championship last year, but he has returned home to Mackay this season with the Meteors putting their unbeaten record on the line on Saturday night at Carrara Stadium.
Gold Coast came into the contest looking to bounce back from a loss as well to Logan Thunder while Mackay was fresh off beating the North Gold Coast Seahawks on Friday to start their road double weekend.
The Meteors kept that momentum rolling with a hot start to lead by 32-20 at quarter-time before Gold Coast turned the tide in the second stanza with 35 points to 23.
That saw the Rollers having tied scores up at 55-55 by half-time but again Mackay took charge in the third quarter with 31 points to 16 to open up a lead by as much as 19 points.
While Gold Coast did throw everything at a fightback, it wasn’t quite to be with the Meteors hanging on for the five-point win to improve to 7-0 on the season.
Isaac White had a strong showing in the win for Mackay with 23 points, six assists, four rebounds and four steals despite going 0/7 from downtown. Todd Blanchfield also only managed 2/10 from deep but still delivered 22 points, 14 rebounds, five blocked shots and two assists.
Amarco Doyle added 17 points and four rebounds on 3/6 three-point shooting with Emmett Narr putting up 15 points, 13 assists and five boards.
Gold Coast is now 3-4 having played in the previous two NBL1 North Grand Finals with Jason Cadee narrowly missing a triple-double with 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.
Boston Mazlin added 20 points, seven assists and five rebounds, Will Magnay 20 points, four boards and two blocked shots, and Preston Le Gassick 21 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Gold Coast will be at home to Ipswich next Saturday night while Mackay is back home to host the Darwin Salties on Friday.
GOLD COAST ROLLERS 98 (Cadee 26, Le Gassick 21, Mazlin 20, Magnay 20)
MACKAY METEORS 103 (White 23, Blanchfield 22, Doyle 17)
Ipswich Force (96) lost to South West Metro Pirates (104)
Roman Siulepa dominated with 37 points and 11 rebounds as the South West Metro Pirates scored the 104-96 win on the road to the defending champion Ipswich Force.
Ipswich were back home at JBS Stadium looking to hit back from last week's loss in Darwin to the Salties as they hosted a Pirates team trying to snap a four-match losing streak.
South West Metro had worked on top by quarter-time with the 23-15 advantage but Ipswich turned it on with 34 points to 24 in the second period to go into half-time leading 49-47.
That set up the second half nicely and after the Force were back up five early in the third quarter, the Pirates took control to open up a lead by as much as nine points.
South West Metro would end up scoring the eight-point win away from home to improve to a 3-5 record on the season with Roman Siulepa the star putting up 37 points, 11 rebounds and two assists on shooting 13/24 from the floor and 9/16 at the free-throw line.
Brendan Teys also contributed 21 points, four rebounds and three assists for the Pirates, Kai Woodfall 19 points, four assists and three rebounds, Ben Volkman 12 points and five boards, and Tobias Rotegaard 11 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Ipswich is now 3-5 in its championship defence for the season with DJ Mitchell delivering another 28 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Nathan Sobey added 19 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals, Jason Ralph 13 points, seven assists and five rebounds, and Henry Pwono 10 points, 15 boards and three assists.
Ipswich will now take on the Logan Thunder on the road on Friday night with the Pirates to host the North Gold Coast Seahawks on Saturday.
IPSWICH FORCE 96 (Mitchell 28, Sobey 19, Ralph 13)
SOUTH WEST METRO PIRATES 104 (Siulepa 37, Teys 21, Woodfall 19)
Northside Wizards (87) lost to Southern Districts Spartans (105)
The NBL trio of Mitch Norton, Tyrell Harrison and Jarred Bairstow combined for 68 points as the Southern Districts Spartans beat the Northside Wizards 105-87.
The Wizards were back home at Northside Indoor Sports Centre looking to snap a seven-game losing streak after starting the season with two straight wins.
They were up against a Spartans team building some momentum with two straight wins and then making a strong start away from home on Saturday night.
Southern Districts were already in control of the contest leading 30-13 by quarter-time before both teams caught fire in the second term combining for 71 points.
The Spartans would extend their lead with another 38 points to 33 from the Wizards to go into the half-time break in control at 68-46.
From there, the Wizards could never quite get on a roll enough to threaten the Spartans with the visitors going on to score the 18-point victory to make it three on the trot to improve to a 4-4 record.
Brisbane Bullets pair Mitch Norton and Tyrell Harrison were outstanding in the win for Southern Districts with Norton delivering 24 points, eight assists and six rebounds, and Harrison 23 points, eight boards and two steals.
Tasmania JackJumpers championship winning forward Jarred Bairstow also had 21 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and three steals with Max Kerle contributing 14 points and two boards, and Corey Shervill 13 points, four rebounds and three assists.
The Wizards have now lost eight straight matches to be 2-8 on the season despite getting 32 points and eight rebounds from Lual Diing.
Jackson Makoi added 11 points and eight assists, Jamie Ahale 11 points and two boards, and Nikau McCullough seven points and three rebounds.
The Wizards will play host to the Townsville Heat now on Friday night with the Spartans to play host to the Cairns Marlins next Saturday.
NORTHSIDE WIZARDS 87 (Diing 32, Makoi 11, Ahale 11)
SOUTHERN DISTRICTS SPARTANS 105 (Norton 24, Harrison 23, Bairstow 21)
Darwin Salties (111) lost to Rockhampton Rockets (113)
With Xavier Ford continuing his scintillating form and Ben Tweedy hitting the game winner, the Rockhampton Rockets kept their momentum going with the 113-111 win away to the Darwin Salties.
The Salties were back home at Darwin Basketball Stadium on a five-match winning streak as they hosted a Rockhampton team arriving in the Top End on their own three-game winning run.
The stage was set for a mouthwatering contest and it delivered in spades and it was the Salties taking charge early on the back of a monstrous 39-point opening quarter.
On the back of that, Darwin would end up leading by as much as 19 points in the second quarter and the Salties offence was running remarkably hot on the way to leading 76-60 by half-time.
The 76-point first half was a level of scoring the Salties couldn’t maintain, but it was also up to the Rockets to find a way to cool them down and they were able to do that in the second half.
Darwin would score just 13 points in the third quarter with Rockhampton putting up 28 themselves and it was all pointing to a thrilling finish between the two in-form and high-scoring teams.
A three-pointer from Kouat Noi did push the Salties lead back out to six with seven minutes on the clock but Rockhampton were able to respond and even reclaim a one-point lead with four minutes on the clock after a three-point play from Xavier Ford.
Nighael Ceaser then extended that Rockets lead to three and he was able to make it five with 2:30 to play.
This time it was up to Darwin to hit back and Sean Macdonald knocked down a three-pointer only for Ford to respond soon after for Rockhampton.
In the end scores were all tied up with Rockhampton in possession for a last play. It was Ben Tweedy who knocked down the shot to put the Rockets up 113-111 which is where the score would stay as they handed Darwin a second loss of the season.
Rockhampton improves to 4-3 with the win on the back of another huge game from Xavier Ford consisting of 37 points and eight rebounds on 13/23 shooting from the field, 6/14 from three-point range and 5/6 at the foul line.
Nighael Ceaser added 27 points and 11 rebounds, Ben Tweedy 20 points, 11 assists, six boards and two steals, and Matur Maker 14 points and eight rebounds.
The Salties are now 5-2 despite Makuach Maluach delivering 26 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals while Kouat Noi contributed 25 points, 11 boards and four assists.
Chier Maker also had 19 points, three rebounds and two assists, Sean Macdonald 19 points, eight assists and six rebounds, and Deba George 11 points on 3/6 shooting from downtown.
Darwin is on the road next weekend to Mackay on Friday and Rockhampton on Saturday.
DARWIN SALTIES 111 (Maluach 26, Noi 25, Macdonald 19)
ROCKHAMPTON ROCKETS 113 (Ford 37, Ceaser 27, Tweedy 20)
Cairns Marlins (82) lost to Logan Thunder (106)
Logan Thunder made it a perfect weekend in Far North Queensland with the 106-82 victory against the Cairns Marlins.
Logan began its road trip weekend with a dramatic win over the Townsville Heat the previous night before arriving at Trinity Ford Stadium to take on a strong Marlins outfit.
Despite having played the previous night, Logan started on fire with 32 points in the first quarter to be leading by 12 already after one.
The Thunder would remain in control of the contest the rest of the evening and continue building on that lead with it getting out to 23 points in the second period.
Logan would go into half-time with the 64-41 advantage and then the lead would remain around that mark for a lot of the second half before the Thunder secured the 24-point victory.
The win improves Logan to a 6-2 record on the season with Callum Dalton delivering 25 points and six rebounds.
Shaun Bruce produced another 21 points, 13 assists and six rebounds with Zac Triplett contributing 18 points, five boards and three assists, Elijah Puna 11 points, and Isaiah Lee 11 points and two assists.
Cairns is now 4-4 with the defeat with Kody Stattmann producing 18 points and two rebounds, and Ky Stattmann 17 points and three boards.
Josh Kunen also had 14 points and four rebounds, Alex Mudronja 11 points, six boards, five assists and two steals, and Jaylen Pitman nine points on 3/4 three-point shooting.
Cairns will be on the road on Friday night to the Brisbane Capitals with Logan to play host to the Ipswich Force the same evening.
CAIRNS MARLINS 82 (Kody Stattmann 18, Ky Stattmann 17, Kuen 14)
LOGAN THUNDER 106 (Dalton 25, Bruce 21, Triplett 18)
