Hoops Capital off-season wrap (July 21)

Another week, another exceptional showing by King #249 Keli Leaupepe for the Knox Raiders in the NBL1 South competition.

The Sydney big man produced 31 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in the Raiders' tight 95-92 loss to Ballarat.

Despite the defeat, Knox finished the regular season as minor premiers with a 17-5 record, seeing them progress straight to the qualifying finals, where they'll host Eltham from 8pm AEST on Saturday.

Staying with Knox and Flames' Agnes Emma-Nnopu put up 15 points, 11 boards, three steals, three blocks and two dimes in her side's comprehensive 98-88 triumph over the Miners.

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Her Raiders finish the second in second, with a 19-3, record and will now host Dandenong in Saturday's qualifying final at the State Basketball Centre.

Elsewhere in the NBL1 South conference, Shaneice Swain ended her campaign with strong play for Nunawading.

The Flames guard totalled 43 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, four steals and one block across the Spectres' two matches against Diamond Valley (lost 90-84) and Keilor (won 75-69).

The Spectres finished the season in 11th with an 11-11 record.

Speaking of Diamond Valley, Lara McSpadden gave her all during the Eagles' final two regular-season matches.

Across the two games (won against Nunawading 90-84 and lost 97-64 to Frankston), the NSW junior tallied 29 points, 20 rebounds, eight dimes, two blocks and one steal.

The Eagles finished the season with a 14-8 record and will now play Frankston in an elimination final on Saturday.

Another Flame whose season came to an end over the weekend was Keely Froling.

 The Australian Opal added 16 points, eight boards and four dimes in Launceston's 92-70 loss to Dandenong.

The Tornadoes end the season with a 4-18 record.

Shifting to NBL1 East, which also held its final round of the regular season over the weekend.

In the Flames, Lauren Nicholson ended the season on a massive high, exploding for 51 points, 11 rebounds, six dimes and three steals in Sutherland's 110-102 overtime win over Inner West Bulls - while playing all 45 minutes for her Sharks.

Nicholson's side ended their season in 10th with an 8-12 record.

 

 

 

 

 

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One team that will be playing finals hoops in the East will be the Norths Bears women's side, headlined by Carla Pitman and Caitlyn Martin.

The Bears, who were without coach Renae Garlepp due to her under 19s World Cup commitments with the Australian Gems, won both their round 15 games against Sydney (89-55) and Penrith (84-77) to lock up second spot on the ladder.

Across those two wins, Pitman had 19 points, 24 rebounds, nine steals and six dimes, while Martin put up 23 points, 14 assists, two steals and one block.

The Bears now host reigning champions Newcastle in Saturday's qualifying final.

To the men's side and Jaylin Galloway's Bankstown Bruins continued their late-season charge in round 15, defeating both Manly (96-78) and Central Coast (102-83).

Across the pair of wins, King #223 Galloway added 26 points, 16 boards,10 dimes, five steals and three blocks.

The Bruins will now host Sutherland in an elimination final on Saturday from 7pm.

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The Sharks, featuring Kouat Noi and Jason Spurgin as well as being coached by Shaun Roger, head into the must-win game on the back of an 85-82 loss to Inner West on Friday.

In the defeat, Noi had 26 points, 12 rebounds and one block while Spurgin added one point, nine boards, four blocks and one steal.

Heading to NBL1 North and Flames' Mikhaela Cann put on a clinic as Logan defeated Brisbane 79-75 on Friday.

In the win, Cann produced 26 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.

The Thunder, who sit in first with a 12-1 record, host South West Metro in the final round before finals.

Stay up to date with all of Hoops Capital's off-season news here.