Hoops Capital off-season wrap (May 27)

The strong performances of Hoops Capital's stars continued over the past week, with numerous excelling in their respective off-season competitions.

Around Australia, one of the standouts was Kings' Shaun Bruce.

The two-time NBL champion produced two double-doubles to power Logan to NBL1 North wins against Townsville (93-85) and Cairns (106-82).

Across the pair of victories, Bruce totalled 35 points, 25 assists, 11 rebounds and one steal.

The Thunder, who are now second with an 8-2 record, next host reigning champions Ipswich on Friday.

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Elsewhere in NBL1 North, Kings pair Kouat Noi and Makuach Maluach lost a tight affair with their Salties, with Darwin being edged by Rockhampton 113-111.

In the defeat, Noi had 25 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and one steal, while Maluach tallied 25 points, six boards, five dimes and two steals.

The third-placed Salties will look to rebound in round eight with road games against Mackay and Rockhampton.

Shifting to NBL1 East and Klairus Amir's Sutherland outlasted Newcastle 74-67, with the young wing adding 11 points, five boards and one steal in the victory.

The Sharks take on Bankstown and Central Coast in road games next weekend.

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To the Flames' contingent and Shaneice Swain was electric during Geelong's 88-70 victory over Launceston.

Flame #224 put up 29 points, seven rebounds, nine dimes and two steals in the triumph, which moves United to 5-7 on the season.

Geelong will look to build on this win in road games against Mount Gambier and Eltham.

Elsewhere in the South conference, Knox smashed Ballarat thanks to 16 points, five assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block from Paige Bradley.

The Raiders, who are second with a 10-2 record, host Kilsyth and Diamond Valley in round nine.

While Ahlise Hurst's Ringwood edged Dandenong 80-72 behind the Flames' 21 points, two rebounds, three dimes, two steals and one block.

The Hawks are now preparing for a match-up with league leaders Keilor.

In NBL1 East, the Norths Bears, featuring Caitlyn Martin and Carla Pitman (as Renae Garlepp is currently away on Opals duty), recorded strong road wins against Manly (68-52) and Newcastle (82-78).

In the two victories, Martin had 20 points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal, while Pitman added 22 points, eight boards, five dimes and two steals.

In the loss, Isla Juffermans put up 15 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block.

The Bears, who are second on the ladder with an 11-1 record, host Canberra on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Jufferman's Newcastle downed Vanessa Panousis' Sutherland 93-83 on Saturday.

In the win, Juffermans had 24 points, 14 rebounds and one block, while Panousis contributed 18 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists.

Next week, Newcastle takes on Illawarra, while Sutherland faces Bankstown and Central Coast.

In NBL1 North, Lara McSpadden's Rockhampton proved no match for Abi Curtin's Darwin, losing 101-73.

In the win, Curtin produced eight points, six boards, four dimes, one steal and one block, while McSpadden contributed 31 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks in the defeat.

Next round, those two sides clash again on Saturday, with Darwin also playing Mackay the night before too.

In New Zealand, Guy Molloy's Southland Sharks broke through for their first win of 2024, downing Otago 99-81 on Saturday.

They next host Franklin on Sunday, June 2.

Finally, Didi Richards and her Washington Mystics suffered losses to Los Angeles (70-68), Phoenix (83-80) and Seattle (101-63) in the past week.

They next face Atlanta on Wednesday, May 29.

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