Hoops Capital off-season wrap (April 22)

It was another busy week for Hoops Capital's stars on the court, during the NBL and WNBL off-seasons.

Starting with the Kings, newly signed guard Izayah Le'afa posted 27 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals in Wellington's 103-86 New Zealand NBL win against Taranaki.

The Saints next host Hawkes Bay on April 25.

The other King plying his trade currently in the NZNBL is Sam Timmins, who produced 14 points, nine boards, six dimes and four steals as Franklin smashed Otago 105-71.

The Bulls take on Auckland on April 24.

Staying overseas and Denzel Valentine tallied 13 points and one assist as Olympia Milano cruised past Sacfati 99-77.

Valentine next hist the hardwood on April 29 against Brescia.

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Closer to home and Darwin chalked up their first NBL1 North win of the season on Saturday, powered by Kings duo Makuach Maluach and Kouat Noi.

In the 101-93 win against Logan, Maluach had 30 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, while Noi added 29 points, three boards and two dimes.

In the defeat, Shaun Bruce tallied 15 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and one steal for the Thunder.

Next up in round three, the Salties host Gold Coast and Logan plays North Gold Coast.

Finally, Sydney young gun Klairus Amir continued his strong debut NBL1 East campaign with Sutherland.

Despite his Sharks losing 85-82 to Maitland (in a replay of last year's grand final), Amir added 12 points, six dimes and one assist.

In round four, the Sharks face Illawarra on Anzac Day and Norths on Sunday.

Shifting to the Flames and Lauren Nicholson sparked Spar Girona to a 78-73 Liga Femenina de Baloncesto victory against Islas Canarias.

In the victory, the Sutherland junior had 15 points, including three triples.

Spar Girona next face Jairas in the quarter-finals on April 26.

To Taiwan and Cayla George's Cathlay Life Tigers defeated Chunghua (74-67), Taipower (88-38) and Taiyuan (77-61) across the weekend.

In the trio of victories, the Australian Opal totalled 55 points, 32 rebounds, eight assists, two steals and two blocks.

George currently leads the league in points (17.3) and rebounds (11.6) per game, as her Tigers sit second on the ladder with a 23-7 record after 10 rounds of action.

In New Zealand, Guy Molloy's Southaldn Sharks suffered defeats to Auckland (94-54) and Tauranga (88-73) in the last week.

They next host Canterbury on April 27.

Closer to home and in Queensland, Lara McSpadden's Rockhampton Cyclones recorded their second win of the NBL1 North season.

In the 81-58 victory against Brisbane, the Flame double-doubled (18 points and 11 rebounds) with two assists and one steal to boot.

The 2-0 Cyclones next travel to Mackay.

While in Darwin, Abi Curtin's Salties edged Logan 90-82, with the young Flame contributing 14 points, nine boards and a pair of dimes and steals.

Curtin's outfit hosts the Rollers on Saturday.

Moving to NSW and the Norths Bears, coached by Renae Garlepp and featuring Carla Pitman and Caitlyn Martin, lost to Albury-Wodonga (75-60).

In the defeat, Pitman had nine points, 10 boards and three dimes, while Martin added six points, two dimes, one board and one steal.

The Bears will look to rebound against Sydney and Sutherland in round four.

The latter opponent, headlined by Vanessa Panousis, lost to Maitland 84-74 at the weekend, despite 32 points, seven boards and four dimes by the Flame.

To NBL1 South and Shaneice Swain powered Geelong to their first win of 2024, downing Frankston 93-66.

In the triumph, Swain nearly triple-doubled, producing 18 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists and four steals.

United travels to Dandenong in round four.

Elsewhere, Knox featuring Paige Bradley and Flames alumni Kiera Rowe, outlasted Dandenong 83-61, with the former adding 10 points, four boards, two steals and one rebound in the win.

Knox travels to Diamond Valley on Saturday.

Finally, Ahlise Hurst and her Ringwood Hawks lost to Ballarat (93-84) before defeating Hobart (81-67).

Across the two fixtures, Hurst totalled 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists, four steals and one block.

The Hawks next play Waverley and Bendigo.

Stay up to date with all the harbour city club's off-season news here.

- cover photo: DUB Gallery