14 SPORT
BY VELMA GARA All the top four basketball teams made it through to the NBL1 North semi-finals but not without a fight from the opposing teams. Playing on the home court gave the top four teams an advantage and that will continue for the top two in the next round - the winners will contest the grand finals next month. Only three First Nations players are involved in the semi-finals - Diop, Cedar and Alana Fraser. The grand finals will be played in the best-of-three games in August at the home court of the highest ranked winners. In the meantime it will be the Battle of the Balas - Tidjane Diop (Rollers) vs Christopher Cedar (Pirates) on the Gold Coast on Friday night,
THURSDAY 27 JULY 2023 TORRES NEWS
Top 4 ready for NBL1 basketball race to finals while on Saturday night there are three semi-finals games. Michael Cedar and Naomi Moke have predicted upsets in the NBL1 North semi-finals this weekend, and as outstanding players themselves, they could be on the money. The pair have tipped Logan Thunder to play South West Metro Pirates in the men’s grand final and Northside Wizards to play against Rockhampton Cyclones in the women’s grand final. Cedar and Moke represented Indigenous Australia and Queensland and are great ambassadors and role models for the sport. Their quarter finals tips resulted with Cedar getting 6 from 8 and Moke got 7 from 8. Tomorrow night, only one men’s semi-finals game will be played.
FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHT TIPS
Gold Coast Rollers (1st) vs SW Metro Pirates (4th) Cedar’s Tip: Pirates to upset the Rollers - it should be a close game and even though Gold Coast gets high level performance from NBL players Jason Cadee and Todd Blanchfield, SW Metro have the deepest roster left in the playoffs. SW by six points. Moke’s Tip: Pirates to beat the Rollers - It seems they always find a way to step up against the big time teams and the ‘game face’ that Lamar Paterson had on in the quarter finals was scary and for whoever they face next. It will definitely be a close one with Cadee and Coach of the Year, Anthony Petrie, on the GC side. SW by three points Northside Wizards (1st) vs South West Metro Pirates (4th) Cedar’s Tip: Wizards to beat the Pirates - Wizards have been the best team all year and will win this game by 15 points to get to the grand final. Moke’s Tip: Wizards to beat Pirates in a close match up. Although Pirates have two of the best Leah Scott and Maddi Rocci in their team, I feel Wizards led by Courtney Woods have more depth and strength to get the Pirates ladies by 12 points.
Logan Thunder (2nd) vs Rockhampton Cyclones (3rd) Cedar’s Tip: Cyclones to upset Thunder - the Cyclones have the team to slow down Micaela Ruef and disrupt the Thunder game plan. This will result in a three point win for Rocky. Moke’s Tip: Upset of the Year - Cyclones to beat Thunder. With injuries hurting Thunder Women’s Quarter Final Results: and the strength and depth that Cyclones have inside, I will have to agree with Northside Wizards defeated Townsville Flames, 65-60, at the Northside Indoor Sports Centre. Michael in saying if its any team that can contain Ruef just a little, its Rocky. Logan Thunder defeated Gold Coast Rollers, 66-62, at the Cornubia Park Sports Centre (CPSC). Rockhampton Cyclones defeated Darwin Salties, 72-63, at Bravus Arena. South West Metro Pirates defeated Southern Districts Spartans, 69-58, at the Hibiscus Sports Stadium (HSS).
Men’s Quarter Final Results:
Gold Coast Rollers defeated USC Rip City, 99-96, at Carrara Stadium. Logan Thunder defeated Darwin Salties, 81-66, at CPSC. Ipswich Force defeated Cairns Marlins, 99-92, at JBS Stadium. South West Metro Pirates defeated Mackay Meteors, 94-72, at the HSS.
Logan Thunder (2nd) vs Ipswich Force (3rd) Cedar’s Tip: Thunder to beat the Force - Thunder the most disciplined team versus the Force the most talented roster in the league. Will be a close game but Thunder with some more superior point guard play and leadership from Shaun Bruce will be the difference. Thunder by three points. Moke’s Tip: Thunder to beat the Force in a close encounter - Thunder gels more as a team as many have played alongside each other for many years, either at Logan or in the NBL level. X-Factor is Majok Deng with his amazing double double form as of late.
More named for netball play-offs More Torres Strait Islander netball players have been selected to play into the top levels of the Vicki Wilson competition finals.
The Indigenous boys and girls teams will play for a Cup or Shield, depending on their ages, against the best 23 schools in the state. For the boys, natural athlete Zakius Matthew, who is best known for his Touch and Oztag skills as well as being a deadly netballer, was chosen for the 10-strong team. For the girls, Tahira Muckan, Allah Lacey, Keiriana Dargin-Clark, Kiesha Muckan and Laura Beschel have been selected to play off for the 2023 Vicki Wilson Cup. Tahira has played state age netball with Pine Rivers and was recently chosen to play in the Thunder Under 16s for the state titles. She was a co-captain of last year’s Shield team. Kiesha played at semi-pro level in State Ruby League Netball, and also played for the Cup team last year, as did Keiriana, who has played for state age netball in Caboolture.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Brisbane Deadly Choices Coordinator Brendon Cook said they looked for players whose schools were outside of the top 23. “We prefer the girls to play for their school first in the finals, as this opens up more opportunities for Indigenous players,” he said. “All schools in Queensland are invited to attend qualifying rounds at 13 regions throughout Queensland. “Our selectors try to watch as many of the players as possible at the Budgies National Carnival in January, Junior & Senior State Age competitions, QISSN and Vicki Wilson Qualifiers to get a gauge of the talent around the state.” Pictured: Left: Keiriana Dargin-Clark. Right: Kiesha Muckan Pics supplied.
