IN a series wrapping up the 2020 Queensland State League (QSL) season, we take a look back at each of the 12 clubs in both the men’s and women’s competitions and how they performed across the season. We finish our review series with the men’s premiers, Brisbane Capitals who came from third to win the title, whilst the women’s side also finished third but unluckily dropped out in the first final.
Men’s:
Position: 3rd (Premiers)
Wins: 9
Losses: 2
For: 1090
Against: 881
The men’s side had a sensational season which ended in triumph, upsetting the top two sides on the Capitals’ road to glory. After a heartbreaking one-point loss to Ipswich Force in Round 1, the Capitals strung together seven consecutive victories before falling at the hands of RedCity Roar, 106-83 in Round 8. They backed up with another two wins running into finals to get on a five-game winning streak to end the season. First the Capitals toppled the sixth placed Logan Thunder by 19 points, turned the tables on the Force by 15 points, then took down the Roar in a remarkable grand final, winning 97-89 in a come-from-behind win to ruin the Roar’s otherwise near-perfect record.
Jason Cadee led the way with points and assists, dropping 25.9 and 7.1 respectively, as well as being the third most prolific rebounder with six per game. Jarred Bairstow was the dominant rebounder, ending the season with a double-double average courtesy of 20.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists. Cameron Goldfinch (17.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists) and Nicholas Stoddart (13.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists) were the other two major scorers, whilst another two players hit five rebounds per game. Timothy Soong (8.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists) and Ben Wilson (6.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists) made their presence felt throughout the season to aid the team in going all the way.
Women’s:
Position: 3rd (lost in Quarter finals)
Wins: 8
Losses: 3
For: 816
Against: 699
Much like the men’s side, the women’s team also finished third overall, but was unlucky in the post-season series, losing the first final to Ipswich Force in an upset three-point defeat. It followed on from only their third defeat of the season at the hands of second placed Southern District Spartans, after losses to USC Rip City and Logan Thunder throughout the year. They did start the season with two wins and then moved to a 5-1 record to put themselves in a great position for the run home, winning three of the last four games before dropping the last match and then the heartbreaking defeat in the quarter final.
It was an even spread across the board for the Capitals, with Georgia Woolley finishing with 15.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game playing each of the 12 matches. Meg Essex (14.2 points, 8.1 rebounds) and Madison Woodford (10.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists) were not far behind, topping the rebounds and assists respectively for the team. Of the next best, Emma Read (8.8 points, 2.9 rebounds and 2,1 assists) was consistent, while Anna Cameron had the highest average rebounds for the Capitals with 8.6 to go with 8.3 points.
Picture: Brad Anderson
Dell’Orso destined for big college campaign
VICTORIAN-BORN guard Anthony Dell’Orso spent the first two seasons of his college career at Campbell University, where he had an impressive freshman campaign averaging 12.5 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game. The 6’6 Melbourne product shot 32 per cent from three and established himself as a key component of the Fighting Camels squad. […]
Rapp rips through Long Beach as Portland pips win
HAVING started his freshman campaign with the Portland Pilots with some solid performances, Austin Rapp produced his best showing at college level in the win over Long Beach State Beach on Sunday. Having worked on his game as a development player for the SEM Phoenix in the National Basketball League (NBL), the stretch forward made […]
NBL25 Next Star Watch – Round 9
IN A drama-filled round of the National Basketball League (NBL), the Next Stars were as solid as ever across the span of the weekend. The next generation of basketballers are making a name for themselves at NBL level, and as the season has progressed, a more even spread of young guns are producing consistent performances. […]
Wessel wonderful as Gaels get the win
ONE OF many Aussies catching the eye in the NCAAM for the 2024/25 season is Harry Wessels, and he helped his Saint Mary’s Gaels to an 87-68 win over the Akron Zips last week. The Gaels are well-renowned for bringing Australian players onto their roster, with the likes of Matthew Dellavedova and Patty Mills forging […]
WNBL Wrapped – Round 3
THERE were some big scores posted across Round 3 of the 2024/25 season in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) over the weekend, with teams starting to find some cohesion on the offensive end. The round delivered no shortage of entertainment, from huge individual efforts to game-winners on the buzzer, there were a lot of […]
Wildcats break even in ninth round
THE PERTH Wildcats entered Round 9 with a battle against a rolling SEM Phoenix side, but welcomed back star guard Bryce Cotton who wasted absolutely no time getting back into his rhythm dropping 33 points, five rebounds and four assists. They overcame a relatively slow start by posting 40 second quarter points and didn’t look […]
NBL25 Wrapped – Round 9
THE NINTH round of the National Basketball League (NBL)’s 2024/25 season had it all, leaving plenty to unpack as the competition enters a week off for the FIBA qualifying window. Although there were only six games that took place over the weekend, there was plenty of action throughout the span of Friday and Sunday, with […]
Wildcats and Lynx looking for crucial wins
REIGNING MVP Bryce Cotton is set to return on Friday night as the Perth Wildcats tackle the SEM Phoenix at RAC Arena. Perth’s superstar has missed the last five games after suffering a fractured rib in the Round 5 loss to New Zealand. Cotton said that the injury changed the way he was living day-to-day, […]
Whitcomb continues winning start to WNBL season
THE FIRST two and a half rounds of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) season has seen the Bendigo Spirit emerge as the form team of the competition, largely on the back of some MVP-level performances from Sami Whitcomb. Coming into Round 3, the Spirit held an unbeaten record of three wins from three matches, […]
