Young stars fight for grand final spots as Wizards, Thunder head into SQJBC finals as favourites

Some of the country’s best young athletes will be on show as they contest the Basketball Queensland SQJBC under-16 semi-finals. SEE THE TALENTS TO WATCH

Some of the state’s top young basketball talent will showcase their skills as the Basketball Queensland SQJBC under-16 semi-finals take place on Saturday.

Grand final spots as well as rankings for the pool stages at the upcoming State Championships will be on the line as the Northside Wizards (Northside Indoor Sports Centre) host the boys semi-finals and the Logan Thunder (Cornubia Park Sports Centre) host the girls games.

The undefeated Northside Wizards under-16 boys team.

The Wizards and the Thunder are the clear favourites for the boys and girls titles after going through the regular season undefeated.

However, finals are a completely different game with the Capitals looking to upset Northside in the boys while Spartans will look to push the Thunder all the way in the girls.

The undefeated Logan Thunder under-16 girls team.

In the other games, the Spartans will try to set up a blockbuster grand final match up in the boys as they look to take down the Gold Coast, while the Waves will be trying to do the same when they play the Capitals this weekend.

See the top talents to watch this weekend below.

UNDER-16 GIRLS PREMIER LEAGUE

LOGAN THUNDER (1st, 14-0) V SOUTHERN DISTRICTS SPARTANS (4th, 8-6)

– Cornubia Park Sports Centre, 4.30pm Saturday

Logan Thunder star duo Vahayliah Seumanutafa and Prasayus Notoa

Vahayliah Seumanutafa – Guard – Logan Thunder

One of the top guards in the country for her age, Vahayliah has continued to be dominant in the age group after making the switch from Ipswich to the Logan Thunder. Averaging more than 20 points per game and with the ability to score in the paint and from the perimeter, she has formed an impressive backcourt pairing with Prasayus Notoa as well as Atawhai Pepene-Davis and Keriana-Marie Hippolite.

Prasayus Notoa – Guard – Logan Thunder

Another guard who has been identified as a top prospect in the state and country, Prasayus Notoa has led the Thunder to an undefeated record so far. The versatile guard, who can play multiple positions on the floor, averages more than 14 points per game but can also impact the game in many other ways with her basketball IQ and ability to create for others and rebound.

Sharni Reisinger – Forward – Logan Thunder

Sharni Reisinger has been impressive for the Thunder this season with her athleticism and work ethic proving she is one of the best players in the under-16s competition. Averages more than 12 points per game for the undefeated Thunder.

Georgia Bethem – Centre – Logan Thunder

A dominant big who uses her size and strength inside the key way and has been an anchor for the dominant Thunder side. She is strong rebounder and is also contributing on the offensive end, averaging almost seven points per game for Logan.

Alice Dart – Forward – SD Spartans

A scoring guard who has been in dominant form so far this season, averaging more than 24 points per game to lead the Spartans into the finals. A left-hander who is a handful for defenders, especially in transition, Dart is one of the most talented up and coming youngsters and will need to have a big performance for the Spartans to challenge the undefeated Thunder.

Keasine Latu – Guard – SD Spartans

A talented guard who is an impressive shooter, Keasine Latu is Southern Districts’ only other double-digit scorer except for Alice Dart. Has hit 16 three-pointers so far this season, the most by far in her team, and averages right on 12 points per game.

GOLD COAST WAVES (2nd, 12-2) V BRISBANE CAPITALS (3rd, 10-4)

– Cornubia Park Sports Centre, 4.30pm Saturday

Emma Petrie – Forward – GC Waves

Another talented junior who has basketball in her blood, the daughter of former NBL big man and Australian Boomer Anthoney Petrie and former WNBL player, Sarah Petrie, Emma is an all-purpose forward who can play inside and out and is averaging more than 15 points per game. Also follows in the footsteps of her older sister, Jess, who is in the under-18 state team.

Rica Chanel Enriquez-Paea – Guard – GC Waves

An elite shooter who has connected on 19 three-pointers in just 14 games, Rica averages almost 12 points per game, helping lead the Gold Coast to second spot and push the Logan Thunder. Forms a tough combination to guard with Petrie and fellow shooter Kiama Tahere.

Kiama Tahere – Guard – GC Waves

Another one of Gold Coast’s stock of elite shooters, Kiama Tahere averages 14 points per game and has hit an impressive 24 shots from beyond the arc, making the Waves one of the most dynamic teams on the offensive end. Has helped lead Gold Coast to 12 wins and two losses with their only defeats being single-digit losses to the Thunder.

Olivia Booth – Guard – Brisbane Capitals

A dynamic scoring guard, Olivia Booth has helped the Capitals earn third spot after the SQJBC regular season. A scorer who plays with extreme confidence, Booth has had an impressive season to date, averaging 15.5 points per game and can do work in the paint as well as on the perimeter having made 15 threes so far this year.

Lili Schmitt – Guard – Brisbane Capitals

A heady point guard with an impressive basketball IQ, Lili Schmitt has been one of the leaders of this talented Capitals side. With an ability to create for others as well as score herself, averaging more than 10 points per game and hitting 18 threes so far, Schmitt will be one of the players to watch this weekend.

Hilary Fuller – Forward – Brisbane Capitals

Hilary Fuller is a developing forward who has had an impressive season to date, averaging more than 10 points per game as the Capitals qualified for the semi-finals. Has a good perimeter shot that will need to be on this weekend if Brisbane are to trouble the Gold Coast.

Tess Mackinnon – Forward – Brisbane Capitals

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UNDER-16 BOYS PREMIER LEAGUE

NORTHSIDE WIZARDS (1st, 14-0) V BRISBANE CAPITALS (4th, 6-8)

– Northside Indoor Sports Centre, 6.30pm Saturday

Northside Wizards young gun Lebron Brooks

Lebron Brooks – Guard – Northside Wizards

Having already played in a state championship as a bottom-aged player, Lebron Brooks’ confidence and performance has elevated even further so far this season. Averaging more than 19 points per game for the undefeated Wizards, Brooks can score from the perimeter, in the paint as well as in mid-range areas but can also create for his teammates. Is the leader of an exceptional Wizard steam.

Rocco Zikarsky – Centre – Northside Wizards

The tallest player in the competition by far, Rocco Zikarsky has been absolutely dominant so far this season, leading the undefeated Wizards with more than 23 points per game. Standing at 210cm tall, Zikarsky is still a versatile and mobile player for his size and has been a huge addition for Northside after moving from the Sunshine Coast.

Kailan Sales – Guard – Northside Wizards

Don’t leave Kailan Sales open at the three-point line! Sales in recent years has already established himself as a top shooter, playing a big role in Northside’s 2020 state championship but has continued his form this year, hitting 12 three-pointers in 14 games and averaging almost 13 points per game. Creates spacing, allowing big man Rocco Zikarsky and guard Lebron Brooks have room to operate.

Rahid Chowdhury – Forward – Northside Wizards

Described as a bull terrier, who is all about winning, Rahid Chowdury typifies what this Northside Wizards team is all about as they shoot for back-to-back state championships. Averages more than 10 points per game as one of siz Wizards players scoring in double figures.

Matthew Amoamo – Forward – Brisbane Capitals

A bottom-aged player who has established himself as a high-volume scorer, averaging more than 19 points per game, as the Capitals scraped into the top four and earned a spot in the playoffs. Has a knack for getting to the basket, drawing contact and making his way to the free-throw line, which will make him one of the toughest players to guard come finals time.

Cooper Rawlings – Forward – Brisbane Capitals

A long and agile big man, Cooper Rawlings will have a big job ahead of him this weekend as the Capitals go up against the undefeated Northside Wizards. Averages just short of six points per game but his impact will mostly be felt on the defensive end with his impressive ability to block shots.

Coleman Vagana – Forward – Brisbane Capitals

A dynamic wing/forward, Coleman Vagana has had a major impact for Brisbane this season, averaging 12 points per game to be one of the team’s leading scorers. Is explosive off two-feet and has an impressive ability to finish around the basket.

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS SPARTANS (2nd, 12-2) V GOLD COAST WAVES (3rd, 10-4)

– Northside Indoor Sports Centre, 5pm Saturday

Mason Honeyman – Guard – SD Spartans

Basketball is in Mason Honeyman’s blood with his dad, Aaron, a former NBL player and one of the most well-known Queensland state league players of all-time. Honeyman has blistering pace and an incredible ability to create on the offensive end for himself and others, averaging more than 16 points per game he has helped the Spartans to a semi-finals appearance after 12 wins from 14 games in the regular season.

Roman Siulepa – Forward – SD Spartans

An athletic forward who plays with impressive energy, Roman Siulepa has been a standout for the Spartans so far this year averaging 24.5 points per game. A player who uses his athleticism to get out in transition and make plays at the basket but can also hit from the perimeter, making 12 threes so far this season.

Brodie Blaser – Guard – SD Spartans

A streaky shooter, who can get it going and have a huge impact on any game, Brodie Blaser has been another standout along with Honeyman and Siulepa for the Spartans. Averages 17 points per game and along with Siulepa has hit 12 shots from beyond the arc so far this year.

Zai Millane – Guard – GC Waves

Averaging 14.5 points per game this season, Zai Millane is the Gold Coast’s top scorer. A quick guard who plays with good instincts, Millane has helped lead the Waves to third spot on the ladder and will look to lead his team against the more favoured Spartans and earn a grand finals spot this weekend.

Ziggy Fowler – Forward – GC Waves

Gold Coast’s second leading scorer, Ziggy Fowler is a hardworking and athletic big man who does all his work in the paint. Fowler is averaging 13 points per game this SQJBC season and all of his points have come from inside the arc.

Marley Enders-Green – Guard – GC Waves

A combo guard who can catch fire quickly and turn a game on its head, Marley Enders-Green is Gold Coast’s third double-digit scorer at just more than 10 points per game. Has connected on 11 shots from behind the three-point line, making him a threat to watch as the Waves look to upset the Spartans.