Australian Opals and Mackay Meteorettes star Cayla George and Logan Thunder leader Jeremy Kendle have been named the 2021 NBL1 North MVPs.
George had a dominant season in Mackay as she averaged 22.4 points, 16.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. The 32-year-old split her NBL1 commitments with the Tokyo Olympics, where she amassed 13 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for the Opals.
Kendle was the driving force behind a Logan side that finished on top of the ladder in the regular season with a 12-1 record. He stuffed the stat sheet during the year by averaging 21.5 points, 9.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game.
George headlined the NBL1 North Women’s All-Star Five which also included Mikaela Ruef (Logan), Nadeen Payne (Southern Districts Spartans), Maddison Rocci (Southern Districts) and Steph Reid (Townsville Flames).
Kendle made the NBL1 North Men’s All-Star Five alongside four current NBL players including Jason Cadee (Gold Coast Rollers), Tanner Krebs (USC Rip City), Emmanuel Malou (Mackay Meteors) and Harry Froling (Mackay).
After winning the Coach of the Year award in the WNBL, Townsville coach Shannon Seebohm also secured the NBL1 North Women’s Coach of the Year as he led the Flames to a top-three finish.
Logan coach Luke Cann was named the NBL1 North Men’s Coach of the Year after the Thunder lost just one game in the regular season.
Rockhampton Cyclones rising star Lara McSpadden won the NBL1 North Women’s Youth Player of the Year while Brisbane Capitals youngster Nick Stoddart won the award in the men’s division.
Full list of award winners:
NBL1 North Men’s MVP – Jeremy Kendle (Logan Thunder)
NBL1 North Women’s MVP – Cayla George (Mackay Meteorettes)
NBL1 North Men’s All-Star Five – Jeremy Kendle (Logan Thunder), Jason Cadee (Gold Coast Rollers), Tanner Krebs (USC Rip City), Emmanuel Malou (Mackay Meteors), Harry Froling (Mackay)
NBL1 North Women’s All-Star Five – Cayla George (Mackay Meteorettes), Mikaela Ruef (Logan), Nadeen Payne (Southern Districts Spartans), Maddison Rocci (Southern Districts), Steph Reid (Townsville Flames)
NBL1 North Men’s Coach of the Year – Luke Cann (Logan Thunder)
NBL1 North Women’s Coach of the Year – Shannon Seebohm (Townsville Flames)
NBL1 North Men’s Youth Player of the Year – Nick Stoddart (Brisbane Capitals)
NBL1 North Women’s Youth Player of the Year – Lara McSpadden (Rockhampton Cyclones)
NBL1 North Men’s Points Leader – Majok Deng (Cairns Marlins)
NBL1 North Women’s Points Leader – Amanda Johnson (South West Metro Pirates)
NBL1 North Men’s Rebounds Leader – Matthew Hodgson (Ipswich Force)
NBL1 North Women’s Rebounds Leader – Mikaela Ruef (Logan Thunder)
NBL1 North Men’s Assists Leader – Jason Cadee (Gold Coast Rollers)
NBL1 North Women’s Assists Leader – Mikhaela Cann (Logan Thunder)
NBL1 North Men’s Blocks Leader – Sam Froling (Townsville Heat)
NBL1 North Women’s Blocks Leader – Chelsea Brook (Mackay Meteorettes)
