Mackay and Rockhampton Begin NBL1 2021 Preparations

Preparations for the 2021 NBL1 North season have begun for Mackay and Rockhampton, as the two teams faced each other in the ConocoPhillips CQ Cup season opener this past weekend.

Played over eight weeks, the CQ Cup will see Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone and Bundaberg do battle for Central Queensland basketball supremacy.

The Meteorettes took care of the Cyclones in the women’s match, securing a 94-52 victory. Denesha Bobongie was the standout performer, scoring 29 points and pulling down 15 rebounds for Mackay, while Heidi Freeburn added 19 points and 10 rebounds. Jaye Willis also had a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds.

“They took care of business really well. I thought they played outstanding from the get-go,” Mackay Basketball NBL1 North general manager Joel Khalu said, via the Daily Mercury.

“(Coach Scott Mackenzie) had them prepped and ready to go and they came out firing. Watching that first half, it didn’t look like it was our girls’ first game.”

Last week, Khalu said the CQ Cup could help some players get on the NBL1 radar.   

“This is a great opportunity for a lot of the fringe NBL1 players to stand up and showcase their skills, to be thought about when it comes to recruiting for next year,” he said, via the Daily Mercury.

Rockhampton was led by Tai Wakelin-Gray and Akaysha Muggeridge who both scored 12 points.

It was a much closer affair in the men’s contest, as the Meteors defeated the Rockets 86-82 in overtime. A balanced effort from the victors saw five Mackay players finish in double-digit scoring including Lukass Blicavs, Mitchell Gamblin, Kye Medhurst, Hayden Wicks and Lachlan Inkson.

“Job done is probably the best way to put it. It really wasn’t a pretty game to watch,” Khalu said, via the Daily Mercury.

“But full credit to Rocky, I think we had them on the ropes five or six times and they just kept coming back and coming back.

“I think in the end it came down to a bit of big game experience. Gambo, Wicksy, Rassy, Blicavs; they just know how to win in those situations and that’s important.

“They probably should have won. But we just found a way to get it done in the end.”

Leon Christensen (26 points), Jared Blanchard (25) and Hayden Richardson (15) were Rockhampton’s best players.

“I’m obviously disappointed with the result but pretty happy with how the guys played,” Rockets coach Neal Tweedy said, via The Morning Bulletin.

“It’s a big step up for a lot of our players. As far as competing and desire and playing hard, I think we showed that.”

Both Mackay and Rockhampton are using the CQ Cup as an opportunity to identify young talent for their NBL1 North rosters.