QUATER FINAL previews
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Brisbane Capitals (1) v Logan Thunder
(8)
Last time they met: Round 10 – Brisbane
111 (Cadee 50) def Logan 86 (Ammar and
Machando 16)
After their sole loss of the season in Round
12 to Townsville the Capitals closed out the
season strong with four straight wins by
an average of 19.75 points. Their final game
of the regular season was a 14-point home
victory over the Phoenix which all but ended
Sunshine Coast’s chance of a final berth. Aaron
Anderson stared in the absence of Jason
Cadee finishing with 30 points and 4 steals,
while Will Magnay continued his impressive
run of form since returning from the world
University Games with 20 points and 13
boards. Brisbane gave Logan a lifeline on their
season by defeating the Phoenix.
Logan were able to lock in the eighth and final
finals position after a dominant 105-82 road
victory over South West Metro. A 27-14 third
quarter broke open the game for the Thunder,
allowing them to empty their bench and rest
the starters for the final term. Ryan Jeffries put
up a season-high 29 points on 70% shooting,
Young and Ammar both had double-doubles,
whilst Simmons had 8 dimes ion only 15
minutes of playing time. Logan’s defense has
clicked into gear over the final two weeks of
the season, keeping their opponents to 77
and 82 points respectively after allowing 97.8
points against per game entering the final two
rounds.
The number one seed will likely welcome back
their star point guard in Cadee who missed
their regular season finale due to attending the
Australian National Camp in Melbourne over
the past week. Cadee closed out the regular
season averaging 24.75 points and 7.62 assists
to finish third in the league in both statistical
categories. Logan’s toughest task may be to
limit the impact of Will Magnay who averaged
24.25 points, 16.00 rebounds and 5.25 blocks
over his past 4 games. It’s difficult to see the
8-8 Thunder getting the job done over the 17-1
Capitals after somewhat limping into the finals
winning only 2 of their final 6 matches.
Prediction: Brisbane by 12
Gold Coast Rollers (2) v USC Rip City (7)
Last time they met: Round 11 – USC 88 (Tueta
24) def Gold Coast 84 (Parker 29)
Gold Coast were able to steal the second
seed off the Townsville Heat following
their final round win over Gladstone and
Rockhampton’s upset win over Townsville.
The Rollers didn’t get it all their own way in
Gladstone entering the final term with scores
tied before eventually running out 10 points
the better. Jaryd Eustace had a season-high
32 points off the bench, while three starters
all scored 18 points or more led by Parker’s 25
points, 10 rebounds and 3 steals.
USC were able to cement the seventh seed
with a 53-35 second half against the Seahawks
which saw them finish 16-point victors at
Runaway Bay Indoor Stadium. Josh Tueta had
a monster game finishing with 31 points and 13
rebounds. Rip recorded 22 assists on 35 made
field goal attempts with Isaih Tueta leading
the way with 7 of his own. Both Jamerson and
Bradley completed the game with 15 points
and 6 dimes.
Gold Coast closed the season with five straight
victories and have recorded at least 100 points
in each of their past four matches. They will be
wary of a repeat of their round 11 performance
where they allowed USC to come in hand
them their only home loss of the season. Rip
have also closed out the regular season as
one of the league’s hottest teams winning four
straight. USC look to be peaking at the right
time of year and are a real threat to cause a
major upset on the Gold Coast this weekend.
In what we predict to be the closest Quarter
Final of the weekend, we expect the home
side to hold on in a thriller.
Prediction: Gold Coast by 3
Townsville Heat (3) v Mackay Meteors (6)
Last time they met: Round 11 – Townsville 105
(Wilcher 28) def Mackay 70 (Cedar 18)
Townsville surrendered the overall second
seed after a 27-point home loss to the
Rockhampton Rockets in round 15. The Heat
entered the main break trailing by only 6
points, but the visitors quickly put any chance
of a comeback to bed with a 28-14 third
period blowing the lead out to 20 points by
the final change. Matt Rees was serviceable
with 14 points and 9 board in 24 minutes
while Wilcher and Mines struggled going a
combined 10-34 from the field.
The Metoers also fell to the Rockets on their
home floor to close out the regular season,
going down by 17 points. Mackay’s defense
once again struggled allowing the visitors to
convert on 54% of their shot attempts. One
positive to take out of the game would be
Bryce Washington finishing with 24 points and
10 boards. Mackay’s 96 points on the offensive
end was their highest tally in their past six
matches despite the heavy loss.
After what has been another dominant regular
season, Townsville’s championship aspirations
have been dealt a major blow with Jamell
Anderson returning to Great Britain for FIBA
World Cup commitments and an injury to
Peter Crawford, both of who are both essential
pieces towards a deep finals run. Mackay
on the other hand enter the QBL finals with
their own struggles only winning one of their
past five matches – including two losses to
the Heat. The Meteors have only managed
84.5 points per game over this stretch after
averaging 100.5 points over the first eight
rounds. Not too many other teams would
be able to recover the following the absence
of two important players but we believe that
Townsville are more than capable of recording
the victory against the struggling Meteors.
Prediction: Townsville by 7
Cairns Marlins (4) v Rockhampton Rockets (5)
Last time they met: Round 11 – Cairns 100
(Jurlina 29) def Rockhampton 77 (Robateau 21)
The Marlins will enter the opening round
of the QBL finals well rested following their
round 15 bye. Compare this to the Rockets
who travelled to Mackay and Townsville for
their final two games of the regular season.
Rockhampton closed the season out in style
with two huge road wins by an average of 22
points. Shaun Bruce put up a massive 24.0
points, 13.0 assists and 6.0 rebounds across
the weekend, while Sean O’Mara was the QBL
Player of the Week with averages of 24.5 points
and 13.5 rebounds.
Cairns are winners of 11 of their past 12 games
with their only loss being by 5 points to the
second seeded Gold Coast Rollers. This game
will feature a clash in respective game styles
with the Marlins being the leagues stingiest
defense only allowing their opponents to
score 81 points on a nightly basis, compared
to Rockhampton allowing 91. The Rockets on
the other hand are the leagues second highest
scoring team with coach Tweedy wanting
Bruce to push the tempo, while Cairns are the
tenth high scoring team.
The Marlins were able to win the series
matchup comfortably between the two teams
2-0 by an average of 22 points. Whilst Cairns
have continued their strong form since the
teams last outing in round 11, the rockets have
dramatically turned their form around and are
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