NBL1 North Recap | Friday Men's Round 1

DeAndre Daniels and the Townsville Heat were too much for Majok Deng and the Ipswich Force on the opening night of the NBL1 North season for the 2022 with a Friday night win also for the Sunshine Coast Phoenix.

There were two matches on the opening night of the 2022 NBL1 North competition on Friday beginning with a big win for the Sunshine Coast Phoenix 93-64 against the Rockhampton Rockets at Bravus Arena.

Jonathan Janssen put up 22 points in the win for the Phoenix while Kai Woodfall top-scored for the Rockets with 19 points.

Then at Townsville StarFM Stadium, the Townsville Heat opened the new season on their home floor victorious, beating the Ipswich Force 75-66.

Ethan Betts delivered 21 points in the win for the Heat with former Perth Wildcats import DeAndre Daniels delivering 10 points and eight rebounds. Cairns Taipans star Majok Deng put up 14 points and 10 rebounds for Ipswich.

The opening round of the NBL1 North Men's season continues on Saturday night with the Northside Wizards hosting the Brisbane Capitals, the Cairns Marlins taking on the Ipswich Force and the Mackay Meteors battling the Sunshine Coast Phoenix.

The Southern Districts Spartans also play USC Rip City with the North Gold Coast Seahawks also at home to the South West Metro Pirates and the Darwin Salties make their debut at home to the Red City Roar.

NBL1 NORTH – 2022 MEN'S SEASON
ROUND 1 – FRIDAY NIGHT

ROCKHAMPTON ROCKETS 64 lost to SUNSHINE COAST PHOENIX 93

The Sunshine Coast Phoenix hit the road to open the NBL1 North season on Friday night and produced a supremely impressive performance against the Rockhampton Rockets.

The two teams opened the 2022 NBL1 North season on Friday night at Bravus Arena and on the back of pulling down 58 rebounds, dishing out 31 assists and knocking down 14 three-pointers, the Phoenix came away from Rockingham with the 29-point victory.

Sunshine Coast started the game impressively with 21 points to 12 in the opening quarter before Rockhampton was able stay in the right in the contest in the term with the Phoenix only leading 35-28 at the half-time break.

The visitors blew the game wide open, though, to start the second half with 32 points to 12 in the third quarter, and then with both teams combining for 50 points in the fourth term, Sunshine Coast romped to the 93-64 victory to open the season.

It was a dominant performance on a number of fronts from the Phoenix including pulling down 58 rebounds opposed to 29 from Rockhampton, including 27 of them to six at the offensive end.

Sunshine Coast also finished with 31 assists on 38 made field goals while only getting to the free-throw line a total of seven times. They shot 14/38 from three-point range too while forcing the Rockets into 21 turnovers.

Jonathan Janssen top-scored in the win for the Phoenix with 22 points to go with seven rebounds and four assists while Jamaal Robateau added 13 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocked shots.

Nelson Kahler also finished with 13 points, 21 rebounds and four assists, Mason Bragg 10 points and nine assists, Zane Meehl nine points, Jackson Tunbridge eight points, and Justin Aver eight points and five assists.

Kai Woodfall top-scored for Rockhampton with 19 points and eight assists with Kon Anguik adding 12 points and five rebounds, Atem Deng 12 points and six boards, and Mitchell Kuhl 10 points and seven rebounds.

TOWNSVILLE HEAT 75 defeated IPSWICH FORCE 66

There were stars on either side and the Townsville Heat and Ipswich Force fought out a tremendous battle to open the NBL1 North season as a result on Friday night.

Highlighted by former Perth Wildcats import DeAndre Daniels lining up for the Heat and Cairns Taipans gun Majok Deng for the Force, there was plenty to look forward to in the season opener on Friday night at Townsville StarFM Stadium.

Little separated the two teams throughout the first half with Ipswich narrowly leading 21-20 at quarter-time and that turned into a 39-35 half-time advantage for the visitors.

Townsville worked their way on top during the third quarter with 22 points to 14, and then another 18 points to 13 in the fourth period saw the Heat finish with 40 points to 27 in the second half on their way to the eventual 75-66 win.

The Force won the rebound battle 44 to 36 but they had 18 turnovers to 14 from the Heat while Townsville shot 46.7 per cent from the floor opposed to 35.9 per cent for Ipswich from the field.

Ethan Betts ended up top-scoring for the Heat with 21 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals with Taine Wattie adding 17 points, four boards, three steals and two assists.

Richard Peachey also had 16 points and nine rebounds for Townsville, and DeAndre Daniels 10 points, eight boards and three blocked shots.

Less than a week after his NBL season finished with the Cairns Taipans, Majok Deng lined up for the Force and finished the night with 14 points, 10 rebounds and two assists.

Henry Pwono added 14 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals as well for Ipswich with Jason Ralph contributing 12 points and five assists, and Cameron Goldfinch 12 points.