The NBL1 North women’s Logan Thunder are the only undefeated side left in the NBL1 competition. The NBL1 West women's Joondalup Wolves went 15-0 before having their first loss, but the Thunder sit 17-0 plus a Wildcard win with only two games left in Round 15.
The 2021 NBL1 North champions are currently living up to expectations but the coach of the Thunder, Brayden Heslehurst, wants to prove not only could they have won the National Title last season, but they can win both the North and the NBL1 National Title this season.
“We really not only want to repeat as conference champions but want to add another banner that we don't have in the national title at the Bendigo Bank Sports Centre,” he said.
“I thought whoever won out of us and [the Southern District] Spartans was going onto win the nationals last year, it was unlucky we didn't get that chance.”
Heslehurst said the most underrated factor of a team’s success, especially his undefeated side’s success, is the unsung heroes of the group. The players who step up in individual games and can give a much-needed spark off the bench.
“Some of our young girls are often the unsung heroes during our success the past couple of years,” he said.
“Carla Brennan, Danny (Danielle) Bayes, Mackenzie Auton and Indy (Indiah) Bowyer. And Indy has gone to another level this season.”
The 19-year-old just signed with the WNBL's Sydney Flames, she is averaging over nine points per game this season. This season she has had multiple big games this season with 39 points against the Sunshine Coast and 20 points against the Gold Coast Rollers.
Excited for a big member of our #ThunderFamily to get her chance in the WNBL! https://t.co/c82xI1VxZy
But when you talk about Logan’s success, it is hard to go past Mikaela Ruef.
She is averaging 24.7 points, 20.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game this season and had a 50 point, 25 rebound and six assist performance against the North Gold Coast Seahawks in Round 12. She spoke about Logan’s success this season on the Coles Express NBL1 show here.
Coach Heslehurst says Ruef’s play this season has gone to another level.
“She’s pretty insane, the stats obviously stand out to everyone,” he said.
“I think what people don’t see of her is the amount of hard work that goes into it. She’s obviously a WNBL-level player and we are really excited for her opportunity to play with Townsville [Fire] and under coach Shannon Seebohm.
“Ruef has worked on all aspects of her game, if you look at her shooting performances beyond the arc this season, they have been really good (38 percent from the three-point line). She becomes your stereotypical modern big, as far as she can handle, rebound and shoot the ball.
“But I think she’s gone to another level this season. She’s just really hard to stop when she can do all those sorts of things. And on top of it, is one of the hardest workers around.”
Mikaela Ruef just put on a clinic in a 96-61 W by the Logan Thunder?
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2??5?? Rebounds
6?? Assists
4?? steals
Watch #NBL1North live and free on https://t.co/NEk1I7kIKG and the #NBL1 App ??? pic.twitter.com/TEjdFvVfiI
Heslehurst credits Ruef, as well as the other veterans on the team for their consistent work ethic in games and at practice as one of the main factors to their continued success this season.
The Logan Thunder may be the reigning conference champions but they are as hungry as any other team to get through to the Coles Express NBL1 National Final.
Get your tickets to possibly see Logan play in September here.
Feature image via: Stephen Schulz Photography
