The Wrap QBL Round 15 Round 15 | Page 14

WOMEN Toowoomba Mountaineers v Carina Leagues Club Lady Spartans Round 15 kicks off with top versus bottom in Toowoomba as the Lady Spartans face the Mountaineers. Toowoomba nearly pulled off their second win of the season as they fell in overtime to the visiting Pirates. Anita Brown put in a massive 28 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists although of an inefficient 11-33 from the field. King and Skinner also balled out with 27 and 22 points respectively. Southern Districts have had top position locked in since their round 13 win over Rockhampton and now have the opportunity to rest players in their round 15 road double if they have the desire to do so. The Lady Spartans have the most depth in the league and regardless of who plays in this win they will record the victory over Toowoomba. Mackay Meteorettes v Rockhampton Cyclones The Meteorettes came out 14 points the better of the Capitals in round 14 and now find themselves in a tie for sixth with Ipswich. Heidi Freeburn had 22 for the home team to go with her 7 assists in the win. They will face the visiting Rockhampton Cyclones who limped over the line against the 2-15 Capitals in round 14. The Cyclones found themselves in a 13-point hole heading into the major break but were able restrict Brisbane to 10 points in the final term as they eventually escaped 6 points the better. Rockhampton have locked in home court for the first week of the finals but can still drop to third if they suffer two losses. Rocky’s depth will be tested in the final round of the regular season with injuries hitting key players over the past couple of weeks. Mackay to get the W on their home court. Brisbane Capitals v Sunshine Coast Phoenix Despite finishing their road double 0-2, the Capitals were extremely competitive against Rockhampton and Mackay only losing by a combined 20 points over the two games. Brisbane led throughout various stages of the fourth quarter in Rockhampton before eventually falling by 6 points. Dowdell had a great weekend, finishing with averages of 20.0 points and 10.0 rebounds across the two games. The Capitals will close their season with a home game against the tenth-placed Phoenix. Sunshine Coast’s dream of a finals berth came to an end with an 18-point road loss to Logan in round 14. Clancy (23) and Browne (21) were the main contributors for the visitors. Brisbane’s form over the past month has been impressive and if this continues, they are a big chance to finish the season with a home victory. Capitals just. Ipswich Force v Carina Leagues Club Lady Spartans A narrow 5-point round 14 loss to USC sees Ipswich drop to seventh entering the final round of the season. The Force were unable to capitalise on a 5-point lead entering the final term as they allowed USC to finish on a 10-0 run over the final three minutes of the match. Amanda Johnson struggled from the field despite ending with 15 points and 19 boards, whilst McLaren was a perfect 8-8 form the field. The loss now prevents Ipswich from finishing top 4 and securing a home final. Ipswich will be keen to get back on the winners list after dropping their past two matches. They will play their final game at Llewellyn Stadium of the season against the top-placed Lady Spartans. Southern Districts in a close one. North Gold Coast Seahawks v USC Rip City The Seahawks got an early taste of finals basketball in their round 14 loss to the top placed Lady Spartans. Deja Middleton was a standout for the visitors finishing with 25 points and 12 rebounds but ultimately her team was no match for the ladder- leaders falling by 25 points. They now find themselves in a final round blockbuster against USC following their two big round 14 home wins. Rip were able knock off the Pirates by 3 before a 5-point come from behind victory over Ipswich has kept their season alive. Maddi Rocci averaged 24 points over the weekend, closely followed by Paalvast’s 21. Both teams now find themselves in a position where their fate lies in their own hands. USC are required to defeat North Gold Coast by 13 points or more to steal the last position entering finals. If Seahawks win or lose by 1-12 they will finish 8th. We predict USC to win the game but not by enough to make the finals. 14