MVPs Maddi Rocci, Mikaela Ruef lead All-Queensland State League women’s teams

The MVPs from the past two seasons lead the All-Queensland State League women’s team. SEE WHO MADE THE LISTS.

Two MVPs, WNBL talents and youngsters, who had a breakout season – the All-Queensland State League women’s First and Second teams are full of stars.

After the inaugural NBL1 North season was cancelled due to COVID-19, women’s basketball fans were still treated to some high quality basketball as teams fought for the first QSL championship.

The season, which was livestreamed on The Courier Mail website, also provided the perfect platform for players to showcase their talents and earn a contract in the WNBL.

Logan Thunder went undefeated and beat the three-time defending champion, Southern Districts Spartans, to win the title while the Gold Coast Rollers, Ipswich Force, RedCity Roar and Brisbane Capitals filled out the playoff teams.

After we announced the men’s teams yesterday, see who made the All-Queensland State League women’s first and second teams below.

ALL QSL WOMEN’S FIRST TEAM

Logan Thunder skipper Mikhaela Cann

Mikhaela Cann – Guard – Logan Thunder

Cann has been one of the premiere point guards in the Queensland league for years and showed it once again as the skipper for the eventual champions, the Logan Thunder. The 26-year-old returned to the court after having her second child to average almost 12 points, 7.7 assists and 5.4 assists per game. Her best performances included 26 points and 10 rebounds against the Spartans in Round 3 and a 19-point, 11-rebound and 11-assist triple-double against the Northside Wizards in the last regular season game.

Maddy Willey.

Maddy Willey – Guard – Southern Districts Spartans

In her first season with the Spartans, Maddy Willey showed she is an WNBL quality player, leading her team to an 11-2 record for the whole season. Wiley, a former Townsville Fire guard, averaged more than 20 points per game along with 5.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game. Willey’s best game for the season was in the season opener where she recorded 40 points, eight assists and seven rebounds against the South West Metro Pirates.

Maddison Rocci of the UC Capitals. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Maddi Rocci – Guard – USC Rip City

This year’s Most Valuable Player, Maddi Rocci was impressive from the season tip-off, producing a bunch of dominant performances to give her USC Rip team a chance of making playoffs. The UC Capitals WNBL star averaged 32.5 points, 10 rebounds and four assists per game to claim the league’s best player award. Having recently been selected in the Australian Opals squad, Rocci's QSL season included two 40-point games and five 30-point games.

Kalani Purcell of the Melbourne Boomers. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Kalani Purcell – Forward – Southern Districts Spartans

Another WNBL player, who took to the court in the QSL, Kalani Purcell returned to the Southern Districts Spartans and helped her team make a grand final appearance. A talented big, who can shoot, pass, rebound and defend every position, Purcell had an impressive season with 15.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game while shooting more than 45 per cent from the field. The Melbourne Boomer had two triple-doubles for the season, including a 22-points, 17-rebounds and 10-assist performance in the grand final against Logan.

Logan Thunder and UC Capitals star Mikaela Ruef. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Mikaela Ruef – Forward/Centre – Logan Thunder

Last year’s QBL MVP Mikaela Ruef again proved why she is the best big in the state league competition, leading the Logan Thunder along with Mikhaela Cann to an undefeated season. The UC Capitals big averaged 23 points and 18.7 rebounds per game while shooting almost 60 per cent from the field to be one of the leading candidates for this year’s MVP award. Ruef’s best performances included 37 points and 32 rebounds against the Seahawks and 33 points and 30 rebounds against USC Rip City.

RedCity Roar star Ashleigh Karaitiana

Sixth Man: Ashleigh Karaitiana – Forward – RedCity Roar

Leading the RedCity roar to the playoffs in their first season in Queensland’s top-tier league, Ashleigh Karaitiana was dominant all season, which resulted in a WNBL call up for the Melbourne Boomers. Karaitiana averaged 21.2 points, 9.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game with that form carrying on to the WNBL. The sharpshooting forward’s best performances included 32 points and 11 rebounds against the Northside Wizards and 40 points, 15 rebounds and six assists against Toowoomba.

ALL-QSL WOMEN’S SECOND TEAM

Ipswich's Amy Lewis.

Amy Lewis – Guard – Ipswich Force

The former WNBL guard had one of her best seasons in the Queensland state league, averaging almost 20 points, six rebounds and five assists per game to help Ipswich rebound from a slow start to reach the semi-finals.

Ashley Taia from the Logan Thunder and UC Capitals. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

Ashley Taia – Guard/Forward – Logan Thunder

Another key part of Logan Thunder’s undefeated championship side, Ashley Taia averaged 11.5 points, almost five rebounds and 2.8 assists per game but also was a significant part of the team’s defence, which was the best in the league. Her performances earned her a spot in the WNBL with the UC Capitals.

Southern Districts Spartans sharpshooter Nat Taylor

Natalie Taylor – Guard/Forward – Southern Districts Spartans

One of the more experienced players in the league, Nat Taylor wound back the clock, starring for the Spartans as they tried to claim their fourth-straight title. The sharpshooter shot averaged 15.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 41 per cent from the three-point line.

Logan Thunder and Bendigo Spirit forward Chevannah Paalvast. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Chevannah Paalvast – Forward – Logan Thunder

The New Zealand Tall Ferns and 3x3 player made a huge impact for the Logan Thunder in her first year with the team with her ability to defend all positions as well as score and pass offensively. Paalvast averaged almost 12 points and six rebounds per game, while shooting 54 per cent from the field. her best performances included a 23-point, 10-rebound game against the Northside Wizards.

Brisbane Capitals centre Meg Essex

Meg Essex – Centre – Brisbane Capitals

In her first year after returning from college, Meg Essex starred for the Capitals, helping lead a young side to third on the ladder after the regular season and an appearance in the playoffs. Essex averaged 14 points and eight rebounds per game with her best performance coming in the quarterfinals with 27 points and 11 rebounds.

Brisbane Capitals youngster Georgia Woolley

Sixth Man: Georgia Woolley – Guard/Forward – Brisbane Capitals

Arguably the best young player in the competition, Georgia Woolley had a breakout season in the QSL, helping her Capitals team to a quarterfinals appearance. The athletic wing averaged 15 points per game and grabbed 7.1 rebounds per contest.

*The All-QSL teams were selected with input from several QSL coaches, including Coach of the Year Michael Van Dongen, as well as Courier Mail journalist and Logan Thunder women’s coach Brayden Heslehurst.