Hoops Capital off-season wrap (May 20)

The past week was once again busy for Hoops Capital stars during the current NBL and WNBL off-seasons.

After the week off, the Darwin Salties kept rolling in NBL1 North, downing the defending champions, Ipswich, 121-110 on Saturday.

The win was sparked by Kings duo Makuach Maluach and Kouat Noi, who both had 26 points.

Makuach also had 11 rebounds, four assists and four steals, while Noi produced five boards and five dimes.

The 5-1 Salties host Rockhampton in round seven.

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Stayng up north and Shaun Bruce (22 points, 10 dimes, three rebounds and one steal) steered Logan to a 93-79 victory over Gold Coast.

The third-placed Thunder plays Townsville and Cairns on the road next weekend.

Moving to NBL1 East and Klairus Amir and his Sutherland Sharks lost 101-59 to the Centre of Excellence, despite three points and one block from the King.

The Sharks will look to rebound against Newcastle on Saturday.

In New Zealand, the Wellington Saints, playing without Sydney's Izayah Le'afa, edged Franklin 87-85 - with Kings' Sam Timmins having 19 points, 10 rebounds, five dimes, two blocks and one steal in the defeat.

Next round, the Saints play Canterbury and Franklin host Nelson.

Finally, in the United States, Fleur McIntyre's Phoenix Mercury have split their two opening WNBA fixtures of the season - losing 89-80 to Las Vegas before defeating Atlanta 88-85.

The Mercury faces the Aces on Tuesday.

Shifting across to the Flames contingent but staying with the WNBA, Didi Richards' Washington Mystics have lost their opening three matches of the season to New York (85-80), Connecticut (84-77) and Seattle (84-75).

From those games, Richards' best showing came against the Storm, as she tallied four points, two rebounds, one assist and one block in her 10.15 minutes.

The Mystics now travel to Los Angeles to face the Sparks on May 12.

To the NBL1 South conference and Shaneice Swain was on fire during Geelong's matches against Nunawading (won 81-70) and Frankston (lost 72-60).

Across the two fixtures, the Flame totalled 42 points, 10 rebounds, six dimes, four steals and one block.

A showdown with Launceston awaits Geelong in round eight.

Elsewhere in NBL1 South, Knox (featuring Flames' Paige Bradley) split their games against Mount Gambier (lost 81-63) and Hobart (won 90-69).

Bradley produced totals of 32 points, 17 assists, 10 rebounds and one block over the two games.

Knox travels to Ballarat next week.

At Ringwood, Ahlise Hurst's Hawks lost 74-71 to Launceston, despite seven points, five boards, five dimes and four steals from the Flame.

The Hawks take on Dandenong in round eight.

In NBL1 East, Norths - coached by Renae Garlepp - downed Hornsby 79-74, thanks to strong performances by Carla Pitman (21 points, seven boards, four assists and three steals) and Caitlyn Martin (six points, four assists and one rebound).

The Bears host Canberra in round nine.

To Sutherland and Vanessa Panousis' Sharks lost 73-68 to the Centre of Excellence, despite 17 points, six dimes and five rebounds from the Flame.

The Sharks host Newcastle next Saturday.

The Falcons, headlined by Isla Juffermans, head into that clash on the back of a 90-78 triumph over Central Coast - in which the Flame had 34 points and nine boards.

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Heading up north and Lara McSpadden put up seven points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block in Rockhampton's 70-63 loss to Northside.

The Cyclones head to Darwin next round.

That fixture will pit her against Flames teammate Abi Curtin, whose Salties defeated Ipswich 92-78 at the weekend.

In that victory, Curtin had 17 points, nine boards, two assists and a steal.

Finally, in New Zealand, Guy Molloy's Southland Sharks lost 97-74 to Auckland.

They'll next host Otago on May 25.

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

Cover photo: Jack Riddiford.