Welcome...
FOR BRISBANE, and many
other clubs, the post-season
started last week with our SBL
Men and Lady Caps teams play-
ing in their respective Quarter-
final campaigns. The Brisbane
Capitals and Logan Thunder
were the only two Associations
that had a team represent in
each of the four post-season
Quarter-Finals (SBL and QBL).
As of this week, your Capitals
are the only Association to have
three teams in the post-sea-
son. Unfortunately our SBL Men
bowed out last weekend in their
Quarterfinal game against a
very strong USC Rip City side.
Like our SBL Lady Caps, the
SBL Men’s team support the es-
sential player and coach path-
way for our aspiring Brisbane
Capitals representatives. Coach
Sean Connelly has led the SBL
Men’s team to three consecutive
post-season berths, and his align-
ment with the QBL Men’s program
is an important part of Brisbane
athletes’ pipeline to the QBL. This
has never been more evident than
this season with seven (7) players
transitioning from last season’s
SBL team into this season’s QBL
squad. Although the SBL Men’s
team was eliminated last week-
end, their journey is just begin-
ning and Brisbane is thankful to
our volunteer coaches in both our
SBL teams for their commitment
and stewardship of the Associ-
ations philosophy in formalising
the player performance pathway
from Juniors, to U21’s, SBL, and
through to the QBL.
Speaking of the QBL… it’s time!
Quarter-finals are here and your
Hudor Men’s Brisbane Capitals
(1st, 14-3; 8-1 at home) secured
the 2017 minor premiership last
weekend with strong performanc-
es against then 4th placed USC
Rip City (97-91) without team cap-
tain Zac Carter (14.0ppg, 5.3rpg)
and then backed up against 3rd
placed Townsville Heat (109-102).
Tonight, the Caps take on Central
Queensland powerhouse, Rock-
hampton Rockets (8th, 8-9; 3-6
on the road).
Series Record: Caps lead 3 – 4
(2 – 1 at home) since 2012.
Last Meeting: The Caps fell
short 82 – 93 in Round 13 on the
road at Hegvold Stadium.
In The Playoffs: This game
marks just the second time Bris-
bane has met Rockhampton in
the Playoffs since 2012. Their first
meeting was the 2013 Grand Fi-
nal in Rockhampton. This was the
last of the single game Grand Fi-
nal formats and Brisbane fell short
in a close 95-102 contest. Since
then, the series has been tied with
2 wins apiece with the winner of
this Saturday’s game advancing
to the Semi-Finals.
The Wesley Lady Capitals (7th,
8-9; 6-2 on the road) secured their
second consecutive post season
berth under the guidance of head
coach Bec Dudic,. This is the first
time the same head coach has led
the Lady Caps to back to back
post season appearances since
the 2001 & 2002 season, when
the team went on to win back to
back State Championships. This
Sunday afternoon, the Lady Caps
travel down the highway to take
on the Logan Thunder (2nd, 14-
3; 8-1 at home) in the women’s
Quarterfinal. Although at times
striving to maintain the team’s
rhythm throughout the season,
the Lady Caps have performed
exceptionally well on the road
with one of the best records of
the season (6-2). The Lady Caps
will take this confidence into the
game on Sunday.
QBL Women’s Quarter-Final
Tip Off: 3.00pm at Cornubia Park
Sports Centre; Bryants Road,
Shailer Park. Be sure to come out
and support your Lady Caps.
Series Record: Caps trail 1-4
(1-2 at home) since 2012.
Last Meeting: The Lady Caps
fell, 52 – 73 in Round 8 at NAB
Stadium.
Notables: The Thunder’s field
goal efficiency of 37.1% (3pt -
33%, and 2pt – 38%) to the Lady
Caps 27.5% (3pt – 11%, and 2pt
– 30%) was the difference in the
teams Round 8 clash with all oth-
er statistical categories hard to
split. During their Round 8 con-
test, the Lady Caps were without
the leadership and overall contri-
bution of team captain Amy Lewis
(16.6ppg, 5.8rpg, 2.8apg, 2.5spg)
and will be looking to unite togeth-
er in a strong performance against
one of the leagues top teams.
And finally, but by no means
least, our SBL Lady Capitals (4th,
9-3; 5-1 on the road) take on close
neighbour Northside Wizards
(2nd, 10-2; 4-2 at home) in the
Women’s SBL Semi-Final. Bris-
bane fell short against the Wizards
in their Round 10 road trip game
earlier this season, although the
Lady Caps had their chances and
were able to arrest a 20pt deficit
cutting it back to 8pts early in the
fourth quarter. Five (5) Lady Caps
scored between 9 and 12 points.
This game co-captains Georgia
McCarron and Georgia Champion
will keep the Lady Caps focused
and effort high for what could be
the closest finish of the weekend.
SBL Women’s Semi-Final Tip
Off: 5.00pm at South Pine Sports
Complex, Brendale.
Go Caps!!!!
#ourteamourtownourtime
#capsnation
#QBL17
Trevor Lidstone
General Manager
Brisbane Basketball Inc.