Hoops Capital off-season wrap (May 7)

The busy off-season of Hoops Capital's stars continued over the past week, with numerous Kings and Flames excelling all around the world.

In terms of the Kings, duo Makuach Maluach and Kouat Noi sparked Darwin to big road victories against Cairns (103-74) and Townsville (109-91).

Across the pair of victories, Maluach had 48 points, 10 rebounds and five steals, while Noi added 37 points, 15 boards, three assists and one block.

The Salities, who sit in second with a 4-1 record, have the bye in round five before hosting Ipswich on May 18.

Elsewhere in NBL1 North, Shaun Bruce tallied 14 points, 10 dimes, seven rebounds and one steal in Logan's 104-92 victory over Northside.

The 3-1 Thunder take on Southern Districts on the road in round five.

To NBL1 East and on his birthday, Klairus Amir dropped 20 points, five boards, three dimes and one block for Sutherland in their 88-78 comeback win against Hornsby.

Backing up the next day, Sutherland lost 96-81 to Manly, despite 20 points, two boards and one assist from Amir.

The Sharks travel to the Comets in round six.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST FOR NBL25 MEMBERSHIPS NOW

Heading overseas and Izayah Le'afa contributed 13 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals in Wellington's 107-82 New Zealand NBL win over Manawatu.

The first-placed Saints (who have a 6-1 record to date) next host Nelson on May 12.

While the 5-2 Franklin Bulls, spearheaded by Sam Timmins, lost 90-76 to Taranaki - despite King #247 adding 12 points, nine rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals.

The Bulls host Southland next round.

Finally, in the United States, Fleur McIntyre's Phoenix Mercury have just wrapped up their 2024 training camp and will play their first WNBA pre-season game against Seattle on Tuesday.

READ MORE: HOOPS CAPITAL UNVEILS 2023-24 AWARD WINNERS

Shifting across to the Flames contingent, while staying in the US, and Did Richards made her Washington Mystics debut recently.

In the Mystics 87-84 loss to Atlanta, Flame #217 played 17.30 minutes off the bench and recorded five points, two rebounds, two steals and one assist.

Washington next face Minnesota on May 8.

Staying overseas and Lauren Nicholson's Spar Girona split their Liga Femenina de Baloncesto semi-final series with Avenida but did not progress to the final due to their rivals winning by a greater margin.

Girona won game one 73-61 before losing 82-51 in game two.

Across the two season-ending fixtures, the Sutherland junior had 17 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

In Taiwan, Cayla George's Cathay Life Tigers are currently 1-all with minor premiers, Taiyuan.

Taiyuan won the first of the best-of-five series 70-63 before the Tigers responded with an emphatic 71-54 victory in game two.

Game three is on May 9.

In New Zealand, Guy Molloy's Southland Sharks lost 89-79 to Nelson.

They'll look to rebound against Franklin on May 10.

Closer to home, Shaneice Swain starred as Geelong split their NBL1 South fixtures against Mount Gambier (81-79 which included a go-ahead basket by the Flame) and Kilsyth (88-77).

Across the two round five games, Swain totalled 62 points, 11 steals, nine rebounds and two dimes.

Swain's Geelong take on Sandringham and Ringwood next round.

Staying in NBL1 South and Paige Bradley dropped 25 points, seven dimes and one board in Knox's 80-62 triumph over Casey.

The Raiders play Waverley and Eltham in round six.

While Ahlise Hurst (15 points, two boards, two dimes and one steal) and hr Ringwood Hawks tasted defeat at the hands of Eltham 89-79.

The Hawks take on Diamond Valley and Geelong next weekend.

Moving north to NBL1 East and the Norths Bears, coached by Renae Garlepp and featuring Caitlyn Martin and Carla Pitman (injured), defeated Inner West (87-55) and Centre of Excellence (73-57).

Across the two wins by the defending champions, Martin had 20 points, seven dimes, two rebounds and three steals.

Next up for the Bears are Penrith and Illawarra.

Sutherland, headlined by Vanessa Panousis, split the weekend's matches against Hornsby (won 94-83) and Manly (lost 86-71) - with the Flame totalling 48 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and one steal.

The Comets await the Sharks next round.

Moving to NBL1 North and Abi Curtin's 26 points, 12 boards and two dimes saw Darwin split their games against Cairns (won 104-86) and Townsville (lost 94-58).

The Salties have the bye next weekend before hosting Ipswich in round six.

Finally, Rockhampton defeated both Ipswich (95-76) and South West Metro (82-68) thanks to a massive 43 points, 31 rebounds, three dimes, three steals and three blocks across the two fixtures by Lara McSpadden.

Rockhampton, who sits in second with a 5-0 record, next play Northside on May 19.

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

- Cover photo: Jack Riddiford.