A MASTERFUL performance from Mikaela Ruef has helped the North Gold Coast Seahawks advance to the semi-finals of the National Basketball League (NBL)1 North Women’s competition over the weekend.

The Seahawks faced off against the Southern Districts Spartans in an elimination final at Rowland Cowan Stadium on Saturday evening. Both teams finished the regular season with a record of 12 wins and five losses, and were separated by just percentage heading into the postseason. With big names on either team, it was shaping up as an enthralling affair.

It was a grind to start the match, with both sides fighting tooth and nail defensively to keep the other team contained on the scoreboard. The Seahawks led by four points at the first change, but it was anyone’s game at that point. However, North Gold Coast broke away with a defining second period that saw the visitors outscore Southern Districts 23-15 and take a double-digit lead into the main break. Although the Spartans tried valiantly to chip away at the deficit, they were kept at bay by the opposition, as the Seahawks claimed a 91-83 win.

Already established as one of the most damaging players in the competition, Ruef stood up on the big stage with one of the most impressive statlines of the 2024 season.

Southern Districts Spartans (83) def. by North Gold Coast Seahawks (91)

Mikaela Ruef – 26 points, 27 rebounds, eight assists

Ruef was a force to be reckoned with in the win over the Spartans, keeping her side rolling for 2024 and breathing life into North Gold Coast’s championship hopes.

She was one of the most reliable options on the offensive end for the Seahawks, combing well with teammate Miela Goodchild (30 points, 13/14 FT) to keep North Gold Coast’s score ticking over as the Spartans made their push.

From the field, Ruef made eight shots on 17 attempts, looking to score across all three levels and make the defence work to contest her shots. She also knocked down three triples, stretching the floor and picking up the slack after Goodchild began to misfire from behind the arc.

On the glass, Ruef is unmatched in terms of output, and proved that once again on Saturday with a towering presence. She accounted for 27 of her team’s 46 rebounds, with 22 of those coming on the defensive end as she got into the ideal position as the Spartans shot the ball.

Rounding out an excellent game, Ruef recorded eight assists, setting up Goodchild with some well-timed passes that waited for the defence to drop off and giving her teammate an open look.

Ruef was always going to be one of the biggest factors in the NBL1 North Women’s finals, and justified those claims with a tremendous outing to book her side a spot in the semi-finals.