Townsville Flames coach James Rapinett praises ‘best team in the league’ ahead of NBL1 North finals

Townsville Flames coach James Rapinett has thrown down the gauntlet a week before finals as he eyes NBL1 North glory. Find out why he thinks his team can go all the way in 2024.

Townsville Basketball Season Launch. Townsville Flames' Alex Fowler at Carmichael Ford. Picture: Evan Morgan

Townsville Flames coach James Rapinett believes he has the players to deliver the club its second NBL1 North title in three years.

The Flames host Ipswich on Saturday night in the final game of the regular season in what could be a crucial game for their hopes of repeating their championship-winning 2022 season.

A win on Saturday could cement a top-two finish and a week off for the Flames, but the team’s fate relies on a Friday night fixture between Southern Districts and Rockhampton.

A Spartans victory would give Townsville a chance to lock in second place with a win, while a win for the Cyclones would doom the Flames to third regardless of Saturday’s result.

Rapinett was Shannon Seebohm’s assistant in the Flames’ successful 2022 campaign where Townsville beat the Logan Thunder 85-57 to claim the title.

James Rapinett is one of three finalists in the running for 2024 women’s coach of the year alongside Wizards’ Dwight Hicks and the Pirates’ Jon Newlee.

“I’ve said it all year but I truly believe we have the best team in the league so hopefully we can show that, go to the big dance and go all the way,” Rapinett said.

“But obviously we need to get through Ipswich this weekend first.

“It was my first year coaching last year, I was maybe a bit naive and underestimated some teams but I’ve definitely learnt from that so we’ve got to get this done firstly.”

STAT LEADERS

Townsville Fire recruit Alex Fowler has been the Flames’ most consistent scorer with slightly more than 22 points per game. Indiah Bowyer (17.13), Ella Tofaeono (15.54) and Saffron Shiels (15.5) have all averaged more than 15 points per game.

Shiels leads the team in assists with 6.17 while Fowler (3.33) and Bowyer (3.33) both chipped in with decent averages.

Tofaeono is Townsville’s only player averaging more than 10 rebounds and she is also the team’s most prolific blocker with 0.62 per game.

Ella Tofaeono drives to the basket past Alicia Froling during the 2023/24 WNBL season. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Rapinett said each of those four players had been outstanding in 2024.

“All of our girls have exceeded my expectations. The way they have worked hard every day, the girls are in the gym with me day in, day out, looking to get better and they’ve done everything I’ve asked of them,” Rapinett said.

“I think our results reflect that. My expectation was to hopefully get into the top two so we’re there or thereabouts.

“We’ve still got a lot of work to do, we can’t really rest on our laurels finishing second or third, we’ve got the real season coming up in a week’s time.”

FLAMES’ NOT-SO-SECRET WEAPON

It might be hard to call Townsville’s club captain a secret weapon, especially when she comes from the most famous basketball family in Australia, but Kate Gaze has been incredible.

The 34-year-old veteran has quietly gone about her work all season, averaging 10 points, three rebounds and three assists while stepping up whenever Shiels was out of the line-up.

Rapinett hailed the point guard’s professional mindset that allowed her to return to court just three months after giving birth.

“Kate’s leadership as our club captain has been phenomenal,” Rapinett said.

“The intangible stuff she brings in every week around the club and the playing group is something I really admire.

Kate Gaze has quietly gone about her work all season, averaging 10 points, three rebounds and three assists. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“I’m really proud of ‘Gazey’ and how she’s carried herself this year after coming back from having a baby.

“When it was round 1 she was only 12 weeks post-partum so it’s a pretty impressive feat if you ask me to get back on court and contribute the way she has and been such a great influence among the group.”

Following the NBL1 North finals, each region’s champion will join the Bendigo Braves – last year’s national champion – for the national finals at the University of Sunshine Coast and Caloundra Indoor Stadium from August 16-18.

EYES ON THE PRIZE

Although the Flames’ full focus will be on taking out the championship and heading to nationals, Rapinett, Fowler and Shiels are all in line for personal accolades after their impressive seasons.

Rapinett is one of three finalists in the running for women’s coach of the year alongside Wizards’ Dwight Hicks and the Pirates’ Jon Newlee.

Fowler is one of five players in the running for the most valuable player.

She will have to usurp her new Townsville Fire teammate and reigning MVP Courtney Woods for the title, as well as Northside Wizards AJ Johnson and Erin Bollmann, and South West Metro Pirate Leah Scott.

Young gun Saffron Shiels, who turned 18 this year and just returned from leading the Australian Gems to Under-18s FIBA Asia Cup glory in China, is a finalist for the youth player of the year award along with Lil Dart and Prasayus Notoa.

Originally published as Townsville Flames coach James Rapinett praises ‘best team in the league’ ahead of NBL1 North finals