Gold Coast Rollers end 34 year drought with NBL1 North premiership

The Gold Coast Rollers have ended a 34 year drought, dominating USC Rip City to become NBL1 North premiers.

The Gold Coast Rollers have etched their names into history, becoming NBL1 North Premiers over USC Rip City and ending a 34 year premiership drought on home soil.

The Rollers outclassed the Sunshine Coasters 118-71 in front of an emphatic, sold out arena of more than 1000 fans at Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium, winning the series two nil.

Rollers captain and Brisbane Bullets star Jason Cadee put on an absolute show in offence, while Tanner Krebs dominated the rebounds and powerhouse Lamar Patterson was a crowd favourite.

The Rollers managed to build on an already strong performance from Friday night where they won 101-86.

“I just want to thank the crowd, all finals all year long,” Cadee said.

“This is for you as much as everyone else.”

Match MVP Jason Cadee. Pic Mike Batterham

Donovan ‘DJ’ Mitchell played a key role for the Rollers. Photo: Trent Schwarz.

Captain Cadee lead the way for the Rollers. Photo: Trent Schwarz.

Tanner Krebs. Photo: Trent Schwarz.

The Rollers knew from the beginning they would need to take game two to a different level, with the addition of USC Rip City player and NBl1 North MVP Kouat Noi.

Noi was forced out of game one with Sydney Kings pre-season commitments.

In a massive statement to the league, Noi took to Instagram on Saturday morning to assert his confidence — writing Friday’s win would be their “first (and) only win of the finals.”

But the statement only fuelled the hunger of the Rollers, with the crowd chanting “MVP” at Noi’s demise.

Kouat Noi made his intentions clear before the game.

Rollers’ head of marketing and promotions Billy Cross has been a major voice in the push for a Gold Coast NBL promotion and said the win made his point loud and clear.

“I became involved in this club in 2017 because we saw where basketball was heading, we saw how great of an association Gold Coast Basketball was,” Cross said.

“Watching it from where we’ve come from 2017 until now, this is the greatest city and it should be so proud of itself.

“It shows how bright the future of basketball is in the Gold Coast and why we need to have an NBL team here.

“It’s a sold out arena tonight, we won two nil with a massive score, we’ve got these amazing players and these amazing juniors playing at this elite level.

“I couldn’t be more proud.”

Pic Mike Batterham

Pic Mike Batterham

Pic Mike Batterham