SEQ clubs crowned: Grand final hoops, top performers at U18 Basketball QLD State Champs
Results are in for the 2024 Basketball Queensland Under-18 State Championships with Logan Thunder and Brisbane Capitals crowned division 1 champions. Relive the grand final action including top players, biggest moments and a mega gallery to come. Full details:
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Results are in for the 2024 Basketball Queensland Under-18 State Championships on the Gold Coast.
Five days of high quality, high intensity and high stake games were showcased from January 10-14 as athletes played to put their name on the Basketball Australia map.
Relive the grand final action including top players, biggest moments and a mega gallery to come.
BOY’S DIVISION 1 GRAND FINAL
Fresh off the back of a thrilling semi-final against the Gold Coast Rollers, the Brisbane Capitals were out to beat RedCity Roar for gold in the men’s grand final.
It was quickly noted they would need to fight hard, as Roar’s John Cooper got the first hoop of the game with a fast break and drive to the basket.
Cooper had top scored in his semi-final with 24 including two behind the arc and was set for another big performance.
In the Capitals lineup it was Matthew AmoAmo who looked most dangerous after a stella 45-point game the day before.
Brisbane let go of an 11-point lead in the second quarter and soon found themselves scrambling.
Jasraj Gill pulled off a huge play for RedCity in the final 90 seconds before halftime, stealing possession and executing the basket to level scores.
He didn’t stop there, drawing a foul with two seconds to play and sinking both free throws.
The second quarter closed 39-35, Roar leading for the first time since opening minutes.
Capitals switched gears in the third to take back the lead with an early 3-pointer before letting in three free throws.
Roar’s Tyrell Mason found himself in hot water with three fouls as Brisbane pushed their lead out to nine, though gill wasn’t letting up.
He continued in MVP form, putting crucial points up and staying clean on defence.
The final quarter opened with Brisbane leading 68-57.
Out of nowhere, Emerson Juhasz reached a milestone 30 points and had the crowd on their feet.
RedCity’s fate was all but sealed with 4:30 minutes to play as the deficit reach 22 points.
Last-ditch efforts from Gill and Cooper made little difference to the score as Brisbane gladly accepted the praise.
Juhasz was unsurprisingly awarded the Most Valuable Player award, finishing with 35 points including three 3s while teammates Jacob Austin and AmoAmo finished with 21 and 20 respectively.
Gill top scored for Roar with 26 points, eight of which were free throws.
GIRL’S DIVISION 1 GRAND FINAL
Cairns had their work cut out in the U18 girls gold medal match.
Their Logan Thunder opponents had been undefeated by miles, with a single point victory the only game kept within 15 points.
Logan’s second-smallest win margin was 17 against Gold Coast in the semi-final, with their biggest win margin 73 against Rockhampton on day one.
Vahayliah Seumanutafa entered the game averaging 25.2 points and leading the competition for total points, average per game, free throws made and 3-points made.
Despite the odds, Cairns put on an impressive fight until the end.
Competition top points-scorer Taryn Bond (Cairns) boasted ball movement and smart drives to the basket that worked to draw fouls.
V Seumanutafa’s play reading and transition were on full display from the get-go, diving to the basket for easy points in the paint.
10-points in Thunder’s favour was the difference quarter time, as Harmony Seumanutafa opened the second with back-to-back 3s.
The second term was a closer contest, with Logan only managing to add a further four points to their lead.
Fatigue hit both teams in the third, though Cairns began to close the gap thanks to a series of turnovers and buckets from Bond.
A spectacle 3-point play gave Cairns some hope, before Thunder’s Alleah Hanson struck with five quick points within two minutes.
The once 10-point lead quickly turned into 22.
The final quarter featured little change to the momentum as V Seumanutafa, Sharni Reisinger and Prassyus Notoa dominated the scoring.
Thunder pushed out to a 30-point lead before Bond retaliated with quick points and V Seumanutafa conceded her fourth personal foul with 3:30 minutes on the clock.
Reisinger was named Most Valuable Player - a cherry on top for the Logan captain who will move up to U20s in 2025.
DAY FOUR:
The division 1 boys semi-finals tipped off at 12:30pm between Rockhampton and eventual winners RipCity.
The Sunshine Coast side walked through to win 97-71.
Going into the match, Rocky’s Brayden Huff led the competition average points tally with 22.2 per game.
Closely following was RipCity’s own Jasraj Gill, averaging 22 per game.
Gill continued his top form with 22 more points including three behind the arc, as teammate John Cooper topped the scoring with 25 points for the RipCity side.
Jack Tweedy gave Rockhampton some light with 20 points of his own, but the effort made little dent.
The second semi-final, between the Gold Coast Rollers and Brisbane Capitols Gold, featured as strong 3-point game from both sides but it was Brisbane who won 116-110.
Ahead off the match, Rollers’ Indy Cotton averaged 28.2 points per game while Emerson Juhasz averaged a marginally better 28.4 for the Capitols.
Cotton’s 17 3s put him eight ahead of the competition.
Matthew AmoAmo shot out of the woodwork to put 45 points on for his Brisbane side in what was by far his best performance of the tournament.
Eight points came from behind the line along with three 3-pointers and 14 from inside the arc.
Juhasz put on another quality performance with 20 points.
For Gold Coast it was Ashley McGrath who topped scored with 24 including five 3s followed by Cotton and Samuel LeGassick (22-a-piece). LeGassick put on a stella long-range performance, sinking six 3s while keeping out of foul trouble.
In the girls division 1, Logan Thunder showed no mercy when they faced the Gold Coast Rollers in their semi-final.
Continuing their supremacy, Thunder breezed through 85-68 to secure a golden ticket to the big dance.
Vahayliah Seumanutafa top scored with 24 points followed closely by Alleah Hanson with 18.
For the Rollers it was Emma Petrie and Rica Chanel Enriquez-Paea who sank 22-a-piece.
Seumanutafa holds onto her position as leading points scorer in division 1 (127) going into Sunday’s grand final.
Logan will suit up against the Cairns Dolphins for gold honours, after the northern side clung onto a 65-56 win against the Mackay Meteorettes in their semi-final.
Leah Pearson and Taryn Bond score 17 points each for Cairns including seven 3s between them.
For Mackay, Cheyenne Bobognie top scored with 18 as Hannah Jenson sank four from long-range.
DAY THREE:
Day three started with a bang for undefeated Toowoomba Mountaineers in the Boys division 2 Pool A when they handed Moreton Bay Fire their first loss of the tournament.
The 107-97 victory for the Mountaineers was thanks to Tobias Adams’ 25 points, which included 17 points from the foul line, while supported by Kizito Oryem’s 21 points.
Oyin Oguntonyinbo dropped 22 for the Fire, with Darcy Kendall (19 points) and Deon Thompson (17 points) keeping them in the game.
In the other two games that started the day, Maryborough Magic remain winless after the Gold Coast Breakers claimed their first win of the tournament.
Mick Marimowa led the way for the Breakers with 28 points, while Alexander Walker supported with 25 points in the 88-57 victory.
Damian Small (12 points), Layden Shaw (11 points) and Matthew Town (11 points) were the three stand outs for the Magic.
While Logan Thunder were too strong in their 77-65 game win over Townsville Lightning.
Charlie Hinson led the way with 19 points for the Thunder while Ronin Evans hit 18 points and Kobe Fui dropped 16 points.
Lightning’s Cornell Moncrieff was the stand out with 14 points.
Southern Districts Titans maintained top spot after a 78-65 point win over USC Rip Black in Boys division 2 Pool B.
An even mix of scorers across the board for the Titans, Mitch Honeyman led the way with 15 points, ahead of Eli Murray (14 points), while Cooper Long and Samuel Colley had 12 points each.
Eamon Shemansky led the way for USC with 14 points.
SWM Pirates Gold gained a much needed percentage boost as they slide into the top four with a 100-50 point smashing of Mackay Comets
Jack McGrath dominated the court for the Pirates with 26 points while Damon Casey hit 12 points and Kai Summerfield dropped 10 points.
While for the Comets, Lebron Foong was the only player to score double figures, with 14 points.
The Gold Coast Waves and Cairns Marlins have played out one of the games of the tournament as both teams now sit equal first with Southern Districts.
In the 75-66 point victory to the Marlins, Saxon Toyne dropped 26 points while Kyzen Luki supported with 22 points.
An even mix of scorers for the Waves, Lockie Mason scored 14 points while Denzyl Bianchin, Riley Oberman and Vitus Weng all dropped 10 points each.
Cairns Stingers are still chasing their first win of the tournament after going down 81-92 thanks to Brisbane Capitals Silver.
Silvers’ Callum Harris and Jonas Kowalik dropped 19 points a piece while Efram Wanandi hit 15 points.
Cohen Payet showed incredible fight for the Marlins, hitting 29 points while Hunter Bell-Fitzgerald and Ethan Ross both scored 14 points.
In the top of the table clash, Red City Pride were too strong for Northside Wizards 2, remaining the only undefeated team in the division.
The 101-92 point victory was thanks to Jesse Kiddy’s 29 points including six 3-pointers and Orlando Alba’s 26 points.
George Mercer did everything he could to get his team across the line, scoring a game high 34 points with Joshua Sundhoo the next best with 17 points.
Hervey Bay Hurricanes Purple have kept their top three’s chance alive with a 66-55 point win over the winless Yarrabilba Yowies Blue.
Hurricanes’ Jack Bell dropped 18 points, 12 coming from three-point range, while Daniel Lemanu and Sam Kurz both scored 14 points each.
Nahshon Watson led the way for the Yowies with 21 points.
Southern Districts have set up a top of the table clash with Logan City after a comprehensive win over Ipswich Force.
The 117-89 point victory was led by a member of the Trojans attack who dropped 43 points, with Aidan Jackson showing support with 16 points.
Joshua Affleck score 35 points for the Force while Brennen Tapiador’s 23 points.
Greater Springfield Pioneers claimed their first win of the tournament after being too strong for the Burdekin Wildcats.
Kristian Oberg dropped 15 points for the Pioneers in the 65-52 point victory, with Corey Lane also hitting 14 points.
Nathanael Minuzzo was the standout for the Wildcats with 19 points.
Logan Thunder Gold remained undefeated with a 33 point victory over the Bundaberg Bulls.
The 69-36 point victory was led by Jake Melenewycz with 19 points and Lebron Mauigoa with 15 points.
While Joseph Mulkearns was the only player to score double points for the Bulls with 14.
In division 1, the Rockhampton Rockets made light work of their final game before finals, defeating SC Phoenix Teal 87-50.
Brayden Huff dropped 20 points including four from beyond the arc and was supported by Elijarh Girdler (17 points) while Keahan Tuakura, Sam Loughnan and Thomas Houston all scored 11 points each for the Rockets.
While Ryder McCormack hit 19 points and Cooper Wilson dropped 18 points.
Northside Wizards 1 booked themselves a spot in the finals after a 39-point thrashing of Gladstone Power Blue.
Led by Rohan Barlow (23 points) and Kaylan Jackson (22 points) the Wizards ran out 102-83 point winners.
Lucas Rhodes showed some fight for the Power Blue, scoring 29 points.
Brisbane Capitals Gold finished second spot after a finals-like match up against Southern Districts Spartans.
In the 100-86 point victory, Emerson Juhasz dropped 41 points with Matthew AmoAmo hitting 19 points.
Kurt Siwek and Oskar Olechnowicz both scored 16 points each for the Spartans.
SWM Pirates finished off their tournament with a win over winless Mackay Meteors on Friday in division 1 Pool B.
In the 96-81 point victory, with Obama Tawor scoring 24 points and Espoire Niyonyisu dropping 17 points.
Taj Goodwin was the standout for Mackay with 27 points.
In a finals like match up, RipCity Roar were too strong for North Gold Coast Seahawks.
Jasraj Gill’s 22 points, led the way in the 100-83 point victory for the Roar, supported by John Cooper’s 16 points.
Seahawks’ Mitchell Chen dropped 24 including six from outside the arc.
Gold Coast Rollers remained undefeated in the regular tournament, finishing it off with a 105-90 point victory over Townsville Heat.
Sam Scott and Mahir Mali Hodzic led the way with 19 points each for the Rollers, while Issac Weldon dropped a game high 25 points for the Heat.
Cairns Dolphins were too strong for Northside Wizards in their final clash before the finals.
The Dolphins running out 67-39 point winners thanks to Taryn Bond’s 29 points.
Kelylah Harris-Wihongi dropped 12 points for the Wizards.
SC Phoenix Teal locked down fourth spot and a finals position after knocking off the winless Rockhampton Cyclones.
In the 70-33 point victory, both Bonni Buttsworth and Maya Winiata scored 12 points each for the Teal.
While Emily Tweedy was the only player to score double figures for the Cyclones, with 11 points.
In arguably the best game on Friday, Logan Thunder remained undefeated after winning in the final moments against Brisbane Capitals Gold.
Scoring a game high 37 points, Vahayliah Seumanutafa for the Thunder, the final point she scored was the biggest as she led them to a 78-77 point victory.
Keriana-Marie Hippolite scored 23 points for the Capitals
In Girls division 1 Pool B, Southern Districts Spartans were too strong for the SWM Pirates Gold as both teams looked to finish in the top four.
In the 59-41 point victory, on Peata Manumaleuga score doubled figures, with 11 points for the Spartans.
While Jema Sebasio hit a game high 22 points for the Pirates.
Ipswich Force have jumped into fourth spot and claimed the last finals position after a nine point win over the Townsville Flames.
Finishing the game off 69-60, Forces’ Allazae Duncan-Semau led the way with 17 points.
While Mia Brown scored 17 points of her own for the Flames.
Mackay Meteorettes were too strong for the home side, Gold Coast Rollers.
In the top of the table clash, the Meteorettes ran out winners 76-67 thanks to Cheyenne Bobongie’s 22 points.
Jaya Lowe dropped 21 points and Isabel Tieppo scored 19 points for the Rollers.
the Bundaberg Bears were too strong for the Toowomba Mountaineers, earning themselves a spot in the finals.
Bella Dickson led the way for the Bears with 18 points for the 75-51 point victory.
While Tyla-Jo Salmi scored 12 points and Lara Ecroyd dropped 11 points for the Mountaineers.
Southern Districts were too strong for the Cairns Corals, running all over them in their 88-55 point victory.
Scoring was split among the team for the Districts, but Regan Holt led the way with just 14 points.
Kyla Bawden was the only person to score double figures for Cairns with 15 points.
Jessie Whinwray led the way for the North Gold Coast Seahawks comfortable win over Moreton Bay Fire.
Whinwray scored 25 points in their 85-59 point victory, strongly supported by Holly McNamee’s 21 points.
Tenielle Bryer scored 14 points for the Fire.
USC Rip Black and Brisbane Capitals Silver fought it out for a top in the final four, with the Rip Black claiming the win 58-48.
Ella Wicks was the only player to score double figures for the Capitals with 13 points.
While Bella Pease hit 14 points and Eden McCosker dropped 10 points for USC.
Northside Wizards did enough to remain undefeated, with a final round win against fourth placed Mackay Comettes.
In the 75-65 point win, Noelle Sipsma scored 21 points with Blythe Lambie hitting 14 points.
Mikayla Green led the way for the Comettes with 17 points.
Townsville Lightning couldn’t get that win they were looking for, remaining winless and losing the final game to the Red City Roar by 40 points.
In the 29-69 point deficit, not one player scored double figures for the Lightning.
While Emeleise Smith scored 19 points for the Roar with Kaitlyn Harrison hitting 11 points and Amarlee Watts dropping 10 points.
DAY TWO:
Day two started on a high note for the Southern Districts Spartans as they secured another dub, this time over Brisbane rivals the Northside Wizards 1.
The 101-96 victory was largely thanks to Kurt Siwek’s 26 points along with 19 from Zachary McDowell-White and 18 from Oskar Olechnowicz.
Kaylan Jackson scored a third (32) of the Wizards points including a commendable 10 from the foul line.
In the Women’s division one pool, Cheyenne Bobongie of the Mackay Meteorettes and Ipswich Force 1’s LeiAna-Nila Leiataatimu both put 26 points on the board in their round one games. Bobongie was crucial in Mackay’s 82-54 win over the Southern Districts Spartans, sinking three from behind the arc and seven at the line while keeping out of foul trouble. Leiataatimu only had one foul to spare when Ipswich overpowered the SWM Pirates Gold 63-39, but still managed two 3s and six free throws.
Brisbane Capitals Gold continued their winning streak, defeating the Rockhampton Cyclones 100-46. Keriana-Marie Hippolite (Brisbane) put 20 on the board while Emily Tweedy (Rockhampton) 22 of her own including 11 from the line and one 3-pointer.
The afternoon rounds were a mixed bag. In division 1, Rockhampton Cyclones took a major blow from the Logan Thunder, walking away with a 103-30 thumping. Logan’s Vahayliah Seumanutafa scored 30 of her own, all from the field including four 3s.
In a slightly closer contest, the Cairns Dolphins pushed out the Brisbane Capitals Gold 78-68 as Leah Pearsonsank 28 points and Taryn Bondanother 20.
Cairns and Bundaberg were near-level on the division 2B ladder going into their day two clash, but it was the southern side who mustered an overtime win - their first dub of the tournament. Both teams found themselves in early foul trouble, going into bonus during the second quarter. Bundaberg’s Ava Mullaney made a hard effort playing top minutes and adding 32 points to her existing total of 29. She put a cherry on top by executing a three-point play in the dying seconds to send the game into overtime. It was Bella Dickson (31 points) who re-enacted the play at the end of OT1 and went on to score the winning basket for Bundaberg. Amy Christoffelsz made her statement for Cairns with 21 points including four 3s, but it wasn’t enough to combat four players being fouled out (Attani Enosa, Hannah Tynan, Kyla Bawden and one unidentified athlete.
DAY ONE:
The men’s Brisbane Capitals Gold started their day strong in division one on Wednesday, thumping Gladstone Power Blue 122-79.
Charlie Winks put 24 points on for the Brisbane side including two 3-pointers and four free-throws. Emerson Juhasz closely followed on the points scoring with 22, equal with Gladstone’s Evander Ghee. Nine of Ghee’s 22 came from 3-pointers.
The Rockhampton Rockets pulled off an impressive feat to beat the Northside Wizards 1 side and Brayden Huffmade his presence known with 29 points (three 3-pointers and eight free throws).
It puts Huff on top of the division one stats for points scoring, one ahead of Cooper Wilsonof SC Phoenix Teal.
Gladstone Power Blue suffered a second heavy loss in the afternoon, going down 119-62 to the Southern Districts Spartans. It was a Logan Siolo show, the teen putting on 25 points, 18 of which from behind the arc. Gladstone’s Lucas Rhodes matched in points with 22 from the field and three free throws.
In pool A of division 2, Moreton Bay Fire defeated Maryborough Magic 83-65 in round 2. Layden Shaw put on a score-fest for the Maryborough side with 24 points, equalling his round one stats.
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