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.

Women’s Quarter Final Results:

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.

Northside Wizards defeated Townsville Flames, 65-60, at the Northside Indoor Sports Centre.

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.

Moke’s Tip:

Upset of the Year - Cyclones to beat Thunder. With injuries hurting Thunder and the strength and depth that Cyclones have inside, I will have to agree with Michael in saying if its any team that can contain Ruef just a little, its Rocky.

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.