Underdog Mackay Meteorettes headline Basketball Qld u18 State Championships semi-finals (Under-18 State Championships)
The business end of the Basketball Queensland Under-18 State Championships featured the state’s star-studded teams going head-to-head in the semi-finals. WATCH THE REPLAYS
Live Stream
Don't miss out on the headlines from Live Stream. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Scroll down to watch all the replays from Day 4 of the Basketball Qld u18 State Championships semi-finals from the Gold Coast.
REPLAY: U18 Girls Div 2: RedCity Roar def Logan Thunder 78-71
A 31-point performance from star guard Hayley McDowell-White has helped the RedCity Roar clinch a spot in the grand final with a hardfought seven-point win over the Logan Thunder in the semi-final.
RedCity had the better start, running out to an early double digit lead but the Thunder fought back, using some full court pressure defence to create turnovers and get back in the game.
However each time the Thunder were within striking distance, McDowell-White and several other RedCity players stepped up to make some clutch shots from beyond the arc to keep Logan at bay.
The Thunder kept fighting deep into the fourth quarter, again pulling within single digits but the Roar proved too good in the end to finish with a close victory and move on to the championship game.
McDowell-White finished with 31 points while Reatha Morrell had 14.
Jorja Rhode top scored for Logan with 16 points and was supported by Georgia Betham and Breanna Dwyer who both had 14 points.
REPLAY: U18 Girls Div 1: Mackay Meteorettes defeat Southern Districts Spartans 86-55
The dynamic duo of Monique Bobongie and Phoebe Holmes have combined for 52 points to lead the Mackay Meteorettes to a 31-point victory over the Southern Districts Spartans and help the team progress to Sunday’s championship game.
Bobongie and Holmes were dominant from the start, getting to the basket with ease but also leading Mackay’s pressure defence as they went into the halftime break with a double-digit lead.
The pressure from Mackay only increased in the second half as the Ross Jensen-coached side extended their lead past 20 and never looked back.
The result means Mackay have made every state championship grand final in this age group for the past four years.
Bobongie led the scoring with 31 points while Holmes had 21.
Summah Hanson was the top scorer for the Spartans with 15.
REPLAY: U18 Girls Div 1: Gold Coast Rollers defeat Logan Thunder 82-48
Four players have scored in double figures as the Gold Coast Rollers recorded a convincing 34-point win over the Logan Thunder to book a spot in another state championships grand final.
The result means the Rollers have maintained their undefeated record at the tournament after dominating for the full 40 minutes to earn the chance to go back-to-back after winning last year’s gold medal.
Katelyn Donovan once again top scored for the Rollers with 20 points and was supported by Jade Peacock with 18, Layla-J Cameron with 13 and Jess Petrie with 11.
Mackenzie Auton led the way for the Thunder with 19 points followed by Atawhai Pepene-Davis with 10.
REPLAY: U18 Boys Div 1: Gold Coast Rollers defeat Spartans 95-77
Jalen Blanchard and Elijah Kamu have combined for 54 points to lead the Gold Coast Rollers to a dominant victory over the Southern Districts Spartans and be the first boys team to progress to Sunday’s grand final.
In what was a rematch of the SQJBC grand final which went to overtime, this game would be the complete opposite as the Rollers proved just a class above from the opening tip to the final whistle.
Blanchard (30 points) and Kamu (24 points) put in arguably their best performances of the tournament so far with the Spartans not able to find a solution to the pair, who pose problems both on the inside and from the perimeter.
Roman Siulepa did his best to help the Spartans compete as he always does, scoring 37 points but Southern Districts didn’t have enough support for the dominant forward.
The result gives the Rollers a chance to go one step further than last year after they lost to Townsville in the grand final in 2021.
REPLAY: U18 Boys Div 1: Northside Wizards v North Gold Coast Seahawks 116-91
Northside Wizards big man Rocco Zikarsky have put in a memorable performance to lead their team to a 25-point semi-final victory and end the fairytale tournament for the North Gold Coast Seahawks.
The Wizards went into the tournament as one of the favourites but on the other hand, the Seahawks went in without a win so far this season but had turned their form around to make it to the top four at the state championships.
But the firepower of the Wizards was too much for the Seahawks with Zikarsky (24 points) and Brooks (23 points) combining for 47 points to take away any hopes of a grand final appearance for North Gold Coast.
The pair weren’t alone though with three other Wizards reaching double figures in the win.
Seahawks forward Amarco Doyle continued with his impressive form, scoring 25 points to lead his side
DAY 4 PREVIEW
They have been the underdogs all through juniors, never really talked about much compared to their opponents but always contending or winning state championships.
But if you asked the Mackay Meteorettes Under-18 girls division one team – they wouldn’t want it any other way.
The Meteorettes group, which are contesting the current Basketball Queensland Under-18 State Championships on the Gold Coast, have played in three state championship grand finals in the past two years – winning one gold and two silver along the way.
And after a dominant group stage, where Mackay went undefeated, they’re on track to contend for another state title and it starts with their semi-final clash with the Southern Districts Spartans at 12.30pm at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre.
Meteorettes coach Ross Jensen said people always discount the strength of his girls despite the team being so successful.
“We are always forgotten about, we are from the north,” he said.
“Even this year I’ve heard people say they didn’t expect us to be as good.
“This team won gold two years ago and although we’ve lost one of our key players and another returning from injury, half won silver last year in 18s and the other half silver in the 16s.
“So they have learnt how to win.
“I won’t lie it’s tough coming down here to find key players switching clubs to form harder teams but it does make it that much more gratifying for these girls knowing they’ve stuck together, grown together and are getting great results from a little pool of athletes.
“They are a pleasure and I would even say fun to coach. I can throw anything at them and they will give their best.”
Jensen said their Spartans matchup would be tough with the main challenge containing the Southern Districts big three of Lulu Twidale, Summah Hanson and Alice Dart.
In the other semi-final clash, it will be the gold medal favourites in the Gold Coast Rollers going head-to-head with the Logan Thunder at 2pm.
While on the boys side, most of the favourites made it through to the finals but the surprise of the tournament has been the North Gold Coast Seahawks who have climbed into the top four behind the dominant form of Amarco Doyle.
The achievement is even more impressive considering the Seahawks went winless in the SQJBC competition but have the chance to make the grand final when they face the Northside Wizards at 5pm.
The Rollers will face the Spartans in a rematch of the SQJBC grand final in the other semi matchup.
Join the conversation
‘Kids travelled from everywhere’: How PYRF success boosted Tonga profile
There was such demand for spots on the Queensland Tonga teams for the Pacific Youth Rugby Festival that ‘we had to do trials and over 200 kids turned up’. See them play LIVE from Friday.
Read more
Territory terrors join all-star cast at Pacific Youth Rugby Festival
All Nations NT is offering their players a thrilling opportunity at one of the country’s premier junior rugby carnivals - and they can’t wait. Catch them LIVE from Friday. Check the schedule.
Read more