We reveal the biggest talking points from Toowoomba Mountaineers’ loss to Logan Thunder

The Toowoomba Mountaineers and Logan Thunder faced off in an thrilling high-scoring contest in round 3 of the QSL Men’s Youth League on Saturday. Check out the biggest talking points from the contest here.

Braydon Ford for Toowoomba Mountaineers against Logan Thunder in QSL Youth men basketball. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The Toowoomba Mountaineers men’s youth side suffered their first defeat of the 2024 season with the Logan Thunder coming away with an exciting 94-89 win.

In a high-scoring contest where at times it rained buckets, we reveal the biggest talking points from the round 3 clash.

Kizito magic

Teenage sensation Kizito Oryem is one of the most exciting talents in the QSL Youth League and he proved that again on Saturday afternoon with some flashes of absolute brilliance.

Oryem hit the ground running with a flashy move into a jumpshot with left his opponent shell-shocked.

Kizito Oryem for Toowoomba Mountaineers. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Throughout the course of the contest, he was a weapon on both ends of the floor as his elite athleticism allowed him to take the game on with electric pump fakes and assertive rebounds.

Oryem’s explosive athleticism allowed him to create opportunities for his teammates while also chipping in with a solid 15 points.

Logan’s transition offence a class above

The Thunder were relentless in transition for the full 40 minutes, with several points coming off the fast break.

Led by mercurial talent Mahir Mali Hodzic - who scored a game-high 38 points - Logan was at its best in the first seven seconds after gaining possession.

Third quarter fightback

After trailing 41-54 at half time, the Mountaineers were on the back foot headed into the third term, but the hosts showed their never-say-die attitude as they quickly erased the deficit.

Toowoomba got itself to back within striking distance almost immediately and managed to briefly hit the front late in the quarter.

However, the Thunder fought back to take a narrow two-point lead with one quarter to play.

Mountaineers lethal in the paint

The Mountaineers - led by Theo Hess, Oryem and Isaac Wells - were a menace close to the rim throughout the contest.

When the Neers worked the ball inside there was little stopping them as they would score with ease and the close looks were a major factor in their third-quarter comeback.