Recap NBL1 North | Anzac Round Saturday

Feature images via: Jack Riddiford | @jackriddiford.creative

The South West Metro Pirates, Northside Wizards, Darwin Salties and Rockhampton Cyclones all continued their winning ways to open the women's NBL1 North season with Lamar Patterson then hitting the clutch triple against the reigning champs.

Saturday night's women's results saw the Northside Wizards beat the Sunshine Coast Phoenix 120-47, the South West Metro Pirates defeat the Ipswich Force 77-70, the Townsville Flames down the Cairns Dolphins 93-44, the Darwin Salties win 88-75 against the Gold Coast Rollers, and the Rockhampton Cyclones down the Mackay Meteorettes 93-73.

Then in the men's matches, Sunshine Coast beat Northside 82-76, South West Metro defeated Ipswich 93-92, Townsville downed Cairns 89-66, Darwin defeated Gold Coast 115-97, and Mackay won 111-102 against Rockhampton.

RECAP NBL1 NORTH | ANZAC ROUND FRIDAY

WOMEN

Northside Wizards (120) defeated Sunshine Coast Phoenix (47)

The defending champion Northside Wizards delivered a remarkably dominant performance to beat the Sunshine Coast Phoenix 120-47 at home on Saturday.

Coming off winning last year's NBL1 North championship, the Wizards had won their first three matches as well to open the 2024 season heading into Saturday's clash at Northside Indoor Sports Centre.

The job was ahead of a Phoenix team who had lost their opening two matches of the season to the Spartans and Wizards by an average of 36 points, and things only got worse for them.

Northside had already beaten Sunshine Coast by 48 points last Saturday and then already by quarter-time this week on their home floor they were out to the 31-11 advantage.

The lead for the Wizards then blew out to 39 points in the second quarter and they weren’t done with there after leading 64-25 at the half-time break.

Sunshine Coast managed just four points the entire third quarter with Northside adding another 24 points to lead by as much as 59, and then another 32 to 18 in the final frame and the Wizards ended up winning by 73.

The win improves Northside to a 4-0 record in their championship defence on the back of shooting a remarkable 68 per cent from the field for the game with 22/29 at the foul line and forcing the Phoenix into 25 turnovers.

Seven Wizards players ended up scoring in double-figures with Erin Bollmann leading the way with 22 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds to narrowly miss the triple-double.

AJ Johnson added 22 points, 10 rebounds and six assists with Nadeen Payne putting up 19 points, five assists and four boards, Alice O'Driscoll 12 points and six rebounds, and Kelsey McDermott 11 points and two steals.

Jess McDowell-White also had 10 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals with Saskia Guinness adding 10 points, three steals and two rebounds.

It was a tough outing for Sunshine Coast with Carlie Smith finishing with 14 points, six rebounds and four steals, and Grace Rodgers 10 points and seven boards.

The Phoenix back up to play on the road to the Southern Districts Spartans on Sunday at 2pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. The Wizards are away to Logan next Saturday.

NORTHSIDE WIZARDS 120 (Bollmann 22, Johnson 22, Payne 19)

SUNSHINE COAST PHOENIX 47 (Smith 14, Rodgers 10, Frampton 7)

South West Metro Pirates (77) defeated Ipswich Force (70)

Leah Scott delivered another standout performance to lift the South West Metro Pirates to the 77-70 victory against the Ipswich Force.

The Pirates were back home at Hibiscus Sports Stadium on a two-game winning run playing host to an Ipswich team still hunting a first win of 2024 including losing to the Brisbane Capitals on Friday night as part of Anzac Round.

It was an exciting opening quarter from both teams and scores were level at 27-27 by the end of the first term.

Things changed in the second period with South West Metro taking charge and the home team would outscore Ipswich 21 points to seven to open up a 17-point lead thanks to scoring 12 consecutive points.

That saw the Pirates leading 48-34 at half-time and the lead got back out to as much as 18 points in the second half before South West Metro held off the fast finishing Ipswich to claim the seven-point win.

The victory improves the Pirates to 3-0 on the season while the Force remain winless after four games in 2024.

Leah Scott has opened the season on fire for South West Metro and she delivered another 30 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Bronte Corke added 20 points, three boards and three assists, Taya Hanson 14 points, three rebounds and two assists, and Jasmin Howe six points, five assists, four boards and two steals.

Kahlaijah Dean finished with 28 points and five rebounds for Ipswich with Kate Head contributing 12 points, six boards, four assists and three steals, and Kailee Field eight points and three rebounds.

The Pirates are back at home next Sunday to Rockhampton while Ipswich will be hosting the Cyclones as well on Saturday.

SOUTH WEST METRO PIRATES 77 (Scott 30, Corke 20, Hanson 14)

IPSWICH FORCE 70 (Dean 28, Head 12, Field 8)

 

Townsville Flames (93) defeated Cairns Dolphins (44)

The Townsville Flames maintained their unbeaten record at home to open 2024 with the emphatic 93-44 victory against the Cairns Dolphins.

The Flames had won their opening two home games of the season at StarFM Stadium ahead of hosting a Dolphins team who had lost their opening two matches of 2024 by an average of 40 points.

So the danger signs were there coming into Saturday night's contest between the Tropical Far North rivals and the Flames would end up romping to the commanding victory.

Townsville had opened up a 15-point lead already by quarter-time with that advantage growing to 21 during the second term, and the Flames led 41-21 by the half-time break.

It was an even more dominant second half from Townsville with 29 points to 13 in the third quarter and 23 to 10 in the fourth to end up leading by as much as 51 in the fourth term, and winning by 49.

The victory improves Townsville to a 4-1 record to start the season while the struggles continue for Cairns at 0-3.

Ella Tofaeono ended up top-scoring for the Flames with 23 points, 11 rebounds and three steals on 10/17 shooting from the field.

Alex Fowler also ended up with 19 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals with Indiah Bowyer contributing 17 points and three assists, and Kate Gaze 14 points, three assists and two rebounds.

It was a tough night for the Dolphins with Leichan Williams top-scoring with 13 points to go with eight rebounds. Taryn Bond also had eight points, three steals and two rebounds.

Cairns will be back home on Friday night to the Darwin Salties while Townsville will play host to the Salties as well on Saturday.

TOWNSVILLE FLAMES 93 (Tofaeono 23, Fowler 19, Bowyer 17)

CAIRNS DOLPHINS 44 (Williams 13, Bond 8, Lewis 7)

Darwin Salties (88) defeated Gold Coast Rollers (75)

The Darwin Salties remain undefeated three games into the NBL1 North season following the 88-75 home victory against the Gold Coast Rollers.

Darwin continued its home stand at Darwin Basketball Stadium on Saturday up against a Gold Coast team attempting to arrest a two-game losing slide.

The Salties came out on fire, though, led by superstar Courtney Woods and they opened up a 17-point lead in the opening quarter, and were still on top 31-17 by the end of one.

However, Gold Coast were able to work back into the contest and outscore Darwin 29 points to 21 in the second term to cut the lead of the home team to 52-46 at the main break.

Darwin turned the tide once more with 20 points to 11 in the third frame to open up a 17-point lead. The advantage for the Salties then grew to 21 in the fourth term and the home team held on for the 13-point victory.

The win improves Darwin to a 3-0 record after three home games to start the season with the Rollers now 1-3 with three consecutive defeats.

Courtney Woods was outstanding once more as she continues to thrive on her move to the Top End this season. She finished with 28 points, 15 rebounds, five steals and four assists on 11/18 shooting from the field and 4/7 from behind the three-point line.

Abigail Curtin contributed 19 points and eight rebounds with Ruby Porter adding 15 points, five boards and three assists, and Cat MacGregor 10 points, six rebounds and two assists.

Waiaria Henderson top-scored for Gold Coast with 18 points and five rebounds with Cassidy Gould contributing 16 points and five boards, and Lisa Koop 12 points and 18 rebounds.

The Salties hit the road to play Cairns next Friday and Townsville on Saturday while Gold Coast has the bye before hosting the Northside Wizards on Saturday May 11.

DARWIN SALTIES 88 (Woods 28, Curtin 19, Porter 15)

GOLD COAST ROLLERS 75 (Henderson 18, Gould 16, Koop 12)

Mackay Meteorettes (73) lost to Rockhampton Cyclones (93)

The Rockhampton Cyclones started on fire with the opening 25 points on Saturday and completed the job to stay unbeaten in 2024 to beat the Mackay Meteorettes 93-73.

Rockhampton has started the 2024 season impressively on the back of losing last year's Grand Final to the Northside Wizards and headed to Mackay Basketball Stadium on Saturday looking to stay undefeated.

However, the Meteorettes were also on a two-game winning streak setting the stage for the match, but the Cyclones weren’t messing around and delivered a blistering first quarter.

It was the most remarkable of starts to the game with Rockhampton scoring the first 25 points in the opening five minutes. Mackay didn’t score until a Samantha Haiby layup with 4:15 left in the first quarter.

On the back of that stunning start, the Cyclones remained in control of the contest the rest of the way still leading 35-14 by quarter-time.

The lead for Rockhampton grew to 31 in the second quarter and 36 in the second half before they ended up winning by 20 and improving to 3-0 on the season.

Sam Bowman continued her hot early season form in the win for the Cyclones with 31 points and 18 rebounds on 12/18 shooting from the floor, 3/4 from downtown and 4/6 at the foul line.

Lauren Heard added 20 points, nine assists, six rebounds and five steals, Lara McSpadden 16 points, seven boards and five assists, and Morgan Yaeger 16 points and six assists.

Mackay is 2-2 following the loss with Nikita Van Wyk top-scoring with 14 points and six rebounds with Samantha Haiby contributing 11 points and two assists, and Chelsea Brook 11 points, five boards and two steals.

Taylor Mole also had eight points, four rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks.

Mackay next plays on the road to Townsville on Saturday May 11 while Rockhampton has a road double next week to Ipswich on Saturday and the South West Metro Pirates on Sunday.

MACKAY METEORETTES 73 (Van Wyk 14, Haiby 11, Brook 11)

ROCKHAMPTON CYCLONES 93 (Bowman 31, Heard 20, Yaeger 16, McSpadden 16)

MEN

Northside Wizards (76) lost to Sunshine Coast Phoenix (82)

The Sunshine Coast Phoenix came back from conceding the game's first 12 points to score the 82-76 road victory against the Northside Wizards.

The Wizards hosted the Phoenix at Northside Indoor Sports Centre with the home team making a blistering start scoring the game's opening 12 points topped off with a three-pointer to Jamie Ahale after four minutes.

Sunshine Coast wouldn’t score until almost five minutes had elapsed when Jeryn Lucas scored going to the basket and by quarter-time, Northside were only just clinging to the 17-16 lead.

After conceding those first 12 points, the Phoenix scored 18 points in-a-row of their own to take an 11-point lead during the second term and to go into half-time leading 42-39.

It continued to be a game of dramatic momentum swings and the Wizards managed to be back up by five points early in the last quarter.

It was the turn of Sunshine Coast to take back charge, though, and in the end the Phoenix secured the six-point win to improve to 2-1 on the season with the Wizards now 2-2.

Kobe McDowell-White delivered 23 points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals in the win for Sunshine Coast with Jamaal Robateau adding 22 points, 10 boards and five assists, and Nelson Kahler 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Having now been confirmed to be joining the Cairns Taipans for NBL25, Jackson Makoi finished with 26 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals for Northside on the back of shooting 12/21 from the field.

Jamie Ahale added 17 points, seven rebounds and three steals, and Lual Diing 13 points, 11 boards, five assists and two blocks.

The Phoenix back up to play on the road to the Southern Districts Spartans on Sunday at 4pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. The Wizards are away to Logan next Saturday.

NORTHSIDE WIZARDS 76 (Makoi 26, Ahale 17, Diing 13)

SUNSHINE COAST PHOENIX 82 (McDowell-White 23, Robateau 22, Kahler 18)

South West Metro Pirates (93) defeated Ipswich Force (92)

Lamar Patterson sent a reminder of what he's capable of hitting a stunning game winning three-pointer for the South West Metro Pirates against the defending champion Ipswich Force.

Ipswich were fresh off winning its last couple of games as part of its championship defence with Nathan Sobey back into the line-up, but it was without Sobey that the Force put themselves in a winning position in the second half.

The Pirates hosted the Force at Hibiscus Sports Stadium with the home team leading by two points at quarter-time and then being up 51-39 at the half-time break.

South West Metro's lead was 62-45 shortly after Sobey subbed out of the game halfway through the third quarter and he didn’t return after four points on 2/14 shooting in almost 23 minutes.

However, Ipswich were able to make a charge and the reigning champions put up 33 points in the fourth quarter to go from being down 12 earlier in the term to leading by five after a DJ Mitchell three ball with a minute to play.

Jason Ralph then split his free-throws for Ipswich to be leading 92-90, but that gave South West Metro one last possession with the game on the line.

They put the ball in the hands of Lamar Patterson and he ran down the clock, pulled up for a three-pointer and it was nothing but net.

There was still 0.3 seconds left after the review but the lob from Ipswich was no good when it was swatted away by Roman Siulepa and the Pirates held on for the stunning one-point win.

Not only did Patterson hit the game winner, but he finished with 30 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and four steals on 13/18 shooting from the floor.

Roman Siulepa added 18 points and three rebounds for the Pirates, Brendan Teys 13 points, two assists and two steals, Kai Woodfall 11 points, six rebounds and six assists, and Lachlan Anderson nine points, 16 boards and three assists.

Henry Pwono top-scored for Ipswich with 28 points and six rebounds with Jason Ralph adding 19 points, 10 assists and five boards, DJ Mitchell 16 points and nine rebounds, and Michael Fleming 11 points.

The Pirates are back at home next Sunday to Rockhampton while Ipswich will be hosting the Rockets as well on Saturday.

SOUTH WEST METRO PIRATES 93 (Patterson 30, Siulepa 18, Teys 13)

IPSWICH FORCE 92 (Pwono 28, Ralph 19, Mitchell 16)

Townsville Heat (89) defeated Cairns Marlins (66)

Kyrin Galloway was into the line-up and starred with 30 points as the Townsville Heat beat the Cairns Marlins at home on Saturday night.

The Heat were back home at StarFM Stadium looking to bounce back from last week's loss to the North Gold Coast Seahawks while Cairns came into the match up undefeated over the first two rounds.

Townsville were leading by four points at quarter-time before the Heat's lead grew to 10 points in the second term and they were still on top 43-35 at the main break.

The lead for Townsville continued to grow during the second half getting out to 18 points in the third period and 28 in the fourth before the Heat scored the 23-point win.

The victory improves Townsville to a 2-2 record on the season with Cairns now 2-1 having suffered its first loss of 2024.

With Kyrin Galloway looking like he will be joining the Cairns Taipans for NBL25 after some impressive moments this past season at the Adelaide 36ers, he has joined Townsville and starred in Saturday night's win.

Galloway finished with 30 points and eight rebounds with Harry Morris contributing 15 points and nine boards.

Ethan Betts also had 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals for Townsville with Michael Cedar hitting a couple of triples on his way to eight points.

Travis Drinnan ended up top-scoring for Cairns with 16 points and four rebounds with Ky Stattmann adding 15 points and five boards, Alex Mudronja 12 points, six rebounds and four assists, and Kian Dennis collecting 13 boards.

Cairns will be back home on Friday night to the Darwin Salties while Townsville will play host to the Salties as well on Saturday.

TOWNSVILLE HEAT 89 (Galloway 30, Morris 15, Betts 14)

CAIRNS MARLINS 66 (Drinnan 16, Stattmann 15, Mudronja 12)

Darwin Salties (115) defeated Gold Coast Rollers (97)

The Darwin Salties produced an exciting showcase of what they are capable of this season with the 115-97 home victory against the Gold Coast Rollers.

With four NBL players leading the charge with Kouat Noi and Makuach Maluach both from the Sydney Kings, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk from the Illawarra Hawks and Tasmania JackJumpers' championship guard Sean Macdonald, the Salties made a statement hosting Gold Coast.

The Rollers arrived in the Top End attempting to bounce back from last Saturday's loss to the South West Metro Pirates, but it was the Salties who raced out to an early 11-point lead on their home floor.

Gold Coast did hit back late in the first term to close the deficit to two by quarter-time and it remained a tight contest until Darwin were able to blow it apart in the final term.

The Salties completed a 17-0 scoring run in the fourth quarter to open up a game high 24-point advantage and then to go on to score the 18-point win in front of their home fans to improve to a 2-1 record on the season.

There was a lot to like in the win for Darwin with Kouat Noi putting up 29 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Wani Swaka Lo Buluk added 21 points, three boards and two assists with Sean Macdonald knocking down 5/9 from three-point territory for 18 points, 10 assists and six rebounds.

Makuach Maluach also had 15 points, 13 boards, four assists and four steals while Chier Maker contributed 13 points and five rebounds.

Gold Coast has now lost back-to-back games despite another 33 points, eight assists and five rebounds from reigning MVP Jason Cadee.

Daniel Titus added 16 points and four rebounds, Boston Mazlin 16 points, four boards and three assists, and Elijah Kamu 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The Salties hit the road to play Cairns next Friday and Townsville on Saturday while Gold Coast has the bye before hosting the Northside Wizards on Saturday May 11.

DARWIN SALTIES 115 (Noi 29, Swaka Lo Buluk 21, Macdonald 18)

GOLD COAST ROLLERS 97 (Cadee 33, Mazlin 16, Titus 16)

Mackay Meteors (111) defeated Rockhampton Rockets (102)

Todd Blanchfield and Isaac White combined for 59 points with 14 three-pointers as the Mackay Meteors stayed unbeaten in 2024 to beat the Rockhampton Rockets 111-102.

The unbeaten Meteors played host to the winless Rockets at Mackay Basketball Stadium on Saturday night, but it turned out to be quite the entertaining affair.

Mackay finished the opening quarter strongly with an 11-0 scoring streak to be leading by 12 at quarter-time with the lead for the Meteors growing to 22 points in the second term.

The Meteors were still leading 60-45 at half-time with the lead back out to 22 in the third quarter, but the Rockets did put everything into a fightback in the final term.

It wasn’t until the dying stages where Rockhampton were able to get the margin back to single-figures with Mackay going on to win by nine points and to improve to 3-0 on the season.

Illawarra Hawks NBL veteran Todd Blanchfield put up 31 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and two blocks for Mackay while knocking down 8/16 from three-point territory.

Brisbane Bullets guard Isaac White added 28 points and six assists on 6/9 shooting from downtown.

Emmett Naar added 14 points and 12 assists for the Meteors, Luca Yates 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Jerron Jamerson 15 points, four boards and two assists.

Nighael Ceaser top-scored for Rockhampton with 31 points and 12 rebounds with Matur Maker contributing 21 points and 11 boards, Xavier Ford 19 points and four steals, Ben Tweedy 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists, and Hayden Richardson 11 points.

Mackay next plays on the road to Townsville on Saturday May 11 while Rockhampton has a road double next week to Ipswich on Saturday and the South West Metro Pirates on Sunday.

MACKAY METEORS 111 (Blanchfield 31, White 28, Jamerson 15)

ROCKHAMPTON ROCKETS 102 (Ceaser 31, Maker 21, Ford 19)