QBL: Rip topple Spartans, Power storm past Cyclones
Round 2 of the QBL saw 11 of the 14 games played across both men's and women's competitions finish with double-digits deficits. There were a few close games as well as upsets so let's take a deeper look.
Round 2 Men's Review
USC Rip 76 - Brisbane Spartans 71
This one was close through the first three quarters, with the Spartans clinging to a three-point lead heading into the 4th. The Rip closed out strong though, winning the final period 25-17 to move to 2-0 on the season.
Rip held Brisbane to 37% from the field and 21% from deep, while limiting Bullets stars Tom Jervis and Adam Gibson to a combined 28 points on 9-of-29 shooting.
USC Captain Isaih Tueta lead all scorers with 23 points to go along with 8 assists and 6 rebounds, brother Josh had 16 points and 7 rebounds, and Lance Hurdle chipped in with 18 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.
This was a big early win for the Rip, something they can build upon.
Ipswich 103 - Gold Coast 95
Gold Coast was forced to move this game to Ipswich due to court damage from flooding on the Gold Coast, and the Force were happy to oblige, handing the Rollers their second consecutive loss to start the season while improving to 2-0 themselves.
Ipswich was lead by super-sub Kyle Harvey's 29 points on 11-of-19 shooting, while three other Force players hit double-digits including James Kuon with 21 and James Legan with 22.
Gold Coast dominated the boards, pulling down 53 rebounds, 25 of which were on the offensive glass. Torrey Craig had a line of 30 points and 9 rebounds, and Dwayne Vale had 21 points and 6 rebounds, but the rest of the Rollers squad failed to contribute consistently which needs to change if the Coast wants to play finals basketball.
Toowoomba 88 - Logan 71
Welcome to Australia Jalil Abdul-Bassit! The former Oregon Duck took over this one, carrying Toowoomba to a big win. Abdul-Bassit dropped 34 points on 12-of-24 shooting, 8-of-14 from beyond the arc.
The Mountaineers were no one man show though! Point guard Jay Washington managed the team extremely well while contributing 19 points and 5 assists, while big men Manylok Malek and Paul Aleer dominated the glass, combining for 24 rebounds (13 offensive) and 28 points. They did so while containing Thunder big man Mitch Young at the other end of the court.
Logan again struggled to put the ball in the basket, and Toowoomba's zone defense baffled the Thunder. Coach Rucker wasn't happy before this one...so I can only imagine what training was like this week in Logan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vdanz64-cNI
Other results:
Townsville 98 - South West 79
Capitals 70 - Sunshine Coast 53
Rockhampton 88 - Gladstone 72
Cairns 108 - South West 79
Round 2 Women's Review
Gladstone 67 - Rockhampton 65
The Port City Power traveled to Hegvold Stadium and walked out with a huge early season road win, taking down the reigning QBL champions.
Tabatha Richardson Smith top scored for the game, totaling 25 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals. Cassie Rochel had 15 points and 19 rebounds as the Power controlled the boards, grabbing 58 (18 offensive) to the Cyclones 30 total rebounds.
Best wishes to Briana Bailey who suffered a concussion in the contest. Hope you recover quickly.
Townsville 99 - South West 52
The Flames ran away with this one early, jumping out to a 16 point lead by the half, increasing it to 28 by the end of the 3rd quarter and outscoring the Pirates by 19 in the final stanza.
Townsville had 3 players in double figures, lead by Round 1 player of the week Darcee Garbin's 25 points. Mia Murray chipped in 18 points and the Townsville bench added 34 points.
The Flames have talent and depth and are quickly establishing themselves as legitimate championship contenders.
Brisbane Spartans 87 - USC Rip 63
Brisbane overcame a 6 point halftime deficit to win this one comfortably. The Spartans absolutely dominated the boards in this one, out-rebounding USC 62-34, with 26 of those on the offensive glass, leading directly to 26 second chance points for Brisbane.
The Spartans were paced by Ashleigh Karaitiana's brilliant 35 points and 11 rebounds. Aja Parham had 22 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists, while Rebecca Haynes also had a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
Brisbane has talent galore and enters Round 3 undefeated. This is another team which is also making a case as an early title contender.
Other results:
Ipswich 91 - Gold Coast 43
Capitals 72 - Sunshine Coast 61
Cairns 87 - South West 64
Logan 99 - Toowoomba 54 (replay below)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siElcj_Pl7M
Round 3 Men's Preview
Friday 12 May 8:00PM | Rockhampton @ Toowoomba (see live stream details below)
Both teams picked up their first wins of the season last week...which team can build some momentum?
Friday 12 May 8:30PM | Sunshine Coast @ Gladstone
One of these teams is going to pick up their first win of 2017...the other is going to move to 0 - 3. Are the young Phoenix ready to step up against a veteran Gladstone group?
Saturday 13 May 7:00PM | USC Rip @ Logan
Logan has championship aspirations with an 0 - 2 record. Can the Thunder get on track or will the Rip continue their impressive start to the season?
Saturday 13 May 7:00PM | Rockhampton @ Ipswich
Rockhampton plays their 2nd game in 2 nights against Ipswich. Can the Rockets back up from Friday night and slow down the Force? Can Ipswich remain undefeated?
Saturday 13 May 7:30PM | Gold Coast @ South West
The Pirates return home after a rough trip up north to open their season, while Gold Coast travels up the motorway looking to get their first W of the year. How does South West adjust to their early injury concerns? Who is going to be Torrey Craig's wingman for the Rollers?
Saturday 13 May 8:00PM | Townsville @ Mackay
The Heat were impressive in their win over South West in Round 2, while Mackay comes into Round 3 off a bye week. Will the rest help the Meteors? Can the Heat pick up a big win on the road?
Saturday 13 May 8:00PM | Cairns @ Capitals (see live stream details below)
A rematch of the 2016 Grand Finals series with both teams looking to be in championship form to start the 2017 season. Can the Marlins carry over their dominance from the Grand Finals into this matchup? What adjustments has Brisbane made to get a win over the Marlins?
Sunday 14 May 2:00PM | Gold Coast @ Sunshine Coast
Both teams facing off in their 2nd games of the weekend, Gold Coast on a back-to-back while the Phoenix return home after playing in Gladstone on Friday night. Can Sunshine Coast put enough points on the board to get the win?
Sunday 14 May 3:00PM | Cairns @ Spartans
Back-to-back Brisbane battles for Cairns. It is a very quick turnaround for the Marlins, can they maintain their early season form? How do the Spartans bounce back from a tough loss in round 2?
Round 3 Women's Preview
Friday 12 May 6:00PM | Rockhampton @ Toowoomba
The Cyclones are surprisingly looking for their first win of the season as are the Mountaineers. Can Rocky get the firepower going? Can Toowoomba play consistently for 4 quarters?
Friday 12 May 6:30PM | Sunshine Coast @ Gladstone
Port City will still be on a high after their big win last weekend. Can they stayed focused on the task at hand? Sunshine Coast improved from Round 1 to Round 2...can they take the next step and pick up their first win?
Saturday 13 May 5:00PM | USC Rip @ Logan
Logan rebounded last week and nearly hit triple digits. USC battled Spartans but fell just short. Can Logan continue to play their uptempo style? How do the Rip get Logan into a half court game?
Saturday 13 May 5:00PM | Rockhampton @ Ipswich
Ipswich sit at the top of the table percentages, but they haven't really been tested yet. That changes as Rockhampton comes to town. Are the Cyclones early struggles just a blip on the radar? Is Ipswich ready to take the next step?
Saturday 13 May 5:30PM | Gold Coast @ South West
South West has a new group, but would have expected better showings in Round 1. The Rollers are also a new, and very young, group. Is this the week the Pirates start to gel? Can the Rollers limit their mistakes?
Saturday 13 May 6:00PM | Townsville @ Mackay
This one should be the game of the round as both teams look the goods early in 2017. It's a shame we are seeing this one this early in the season, but it could legitimately be a preview of the Grand Finals so don't miss it!
Saturday 13 May 6:00PM | Cairns @ Capitals ( see live stream details below)
Capitals are 2 - 0 to start the year while Marlins are at 1 - 1. Both teams are expecting to play Finals in 2017 and this match-up will tell us if either of these teams can be there in the end. Will Amy Lewis lineup for Brisbane?
Sunday 14 May 12:00PM | Gold Coast @ Sunshine Coast
These are two of the youngest teams in the QBL who are both playing two games in one weekend for the first time this season. The team who has the better conditioning should be the favorite to take this one.
Sunday 14 May 1:00PM | Cairns @ Spartans
This should also be an excellent game. A lot of people are saying that Spartans are up there with the top teams from up north while Cairns wants to be included in that conversation. The Dolphins can make a statement with a win in this one.
Watch QBL Live
12 May 2017 | Rockhampton @ Toowoomba (Men)
From 8:00PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgOtU0zkOsk
13 May 2017 | Cairns @ Capitals (Women)
From 6:00PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPi5SkqenQc
13 May 2017 | Cairns @ Capitals (Men)
From 8:00PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph8T8SHnSls