NBL1 North Round 5 Friday night women’s recap

Catch up on the Round 5 action from the NBL1 North women’s competition on Friday night.

Mackay Meteorettes 82 def Gold Coast Rollers 58

Mackay star centre Cayla George led the Meteorettes to their fourth straight win with an 82-58 victory over Gold Coast at Mackay Basketball Stadium on Friday night.

The Australian Opal, headed to Tokyo Olympics next month, had a game-high and her season best 26 points and 23 rebounds. George almost averages a 20-20 double-double with 21 points and 18.4 rebounds per game.

Meteorettes guard Heidi Freeburn (12 points, five assists), forward Chelsea Brook (11 points), and Paris Santacaterina (10 points) provided Mackay with additional offensive firepower.

Gold Coast forward Casey Samuels top scored for the visitors with 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Rollers guard Lilly Rotunno (12 points, seven assists) and forward Skye Mason (10 points) also reached double figures.

The Rollers (2-2) travel to Rockhampton to play the Cyclones (0-5) on Saturday night, while the Meteorettes (4-1) take on South West Metro Pirates at home in Round 6.

Cairns Dolphins 60 def by Southern Districts Spartans 114

The undefeated Southern Districts Spartans picked up a 114-60 road win over Cairns Dolphins at Early Settler Stadium on Friday night.

Spartans guard Madelyn Wiley had the hot hand with a game-high 28 points from 11 of 14 field goals made, including 6 of 9 from deep.

Southern Districts had a host of players in double figures with efficient scoring from Nadeen Payne (18 points), Emily Preston (14 points), Kalani Purcell (12 points), Maddison Rocci (11 points), and Holly Smith (10 points) as the Spartans shot at 48.91% accuracy from the field.

Cairns centre Leichan Williams top scored for the home side with 20 points and 14 rebounds, while forward Sarah Heard added 16 points.

The Spartans (5-0) travel to Townsville to take on the Flames (5-1) on Saturday night, while the Dolphins (1-5) await USC Rip City at home in Round 6.