Hoops Capital off-season wrap (July 14)
There was plenty of monster performance by Hoops Capital stars during the weekend’s NBL1 action.
None more so than King #249 Keli Leaupepe.
During Knox’s NBL1 South wins against Ringwood (107-104) and Keilor (93-82), the Kings’ big man averaged 32.5 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals, while shooting 71 per cent from the field and 71 per cent from the three-point line.
Next up for the first-placed Raiders, who have a 15-4 record, is Ballarat in the 15th and final round of the regular season.
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Staying with the Raiders and Flames’ Agnes Emma-Nnopu totalled 13 points, 19 rebounds, four blocks, three assists and two steals in her side’s wins over Ringwood (81-49) and Keilor (79-64).
Her second-placed Knox side takes on Ballarat on Saturday.
Staying in the South and Flame #224 Shaneice Swain produced seven points, four rebounds, three dimes, two blocks and one steal in Nunawading’s 65-53 victory over Mount Gambier.
Her Spectres finish off their season with fixtures against Diamond Valley and Keilor.
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Speaking of Diamond Valley, Lara McSpadden’s Eagles split their round 14 matches with Melbourne (lost 102-55) and Hobart (won 97-80), where the Flames totalled 25 points, 15 boards, seven assists, two steals and one block.
Her Eagles, who currently sit in sixth, play Nunawading and Frankston in round 15.
Despite Flame #200 Keely Froling managing 28 points, 16 rebounds, five dimes and one steal across the round, her Launceston Tornadoes lost to both Sandringham (105-86) and Eltham (83-79).
Froling’s outfit next faces Dandenong.
Shifting to NBL1 East and Norths, headlined by Flames’ Carla Pitman and Caitlyn Martin, smashed Central Coast 119-35.
In the huge win, Pitman had 18 points, nine rebounds, six dimes and one steal, while Martin tallied 19 points, 10 assists and two rebounds.
The Bears, who are without coach Renae Garlepp due to her World Cup commitments with the Australian Gems, battle Sydney and Penrith in the final round before the finals.
In Illawarra, Lauren Nicholson added 24 points, seven boards, seven assists, three steals and one block in Sutherland’s 90-72 loss to the Hawks.
The Sharks next host Inner West on Friday.
Staying with the Sharks and the men’s team, coached by Shaun Roger and featuring Jason Spurgin and Kouat Noi, secured a huge 120-112 triumph over the Hawks.
In the victory, Spurgin put up 22 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and one block, while Noi produced 18 points, six boards and six dimes.
The Sharks take on Inner West in round 15.
Another big win was produced by Jaylin Galloway and his Bankstown Bruins, who downed Canberra 104-89 behind 28 points, six boards, three assists and three steals by the Australian Boomer.
The Bruins face Manly and Central Coast this weekend.
Heading to the NBL1 North and Mikhaela Cann once again shone for Logan, tallying 22 points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal in her side’s 87-66 triumph over Mackay.
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The Thunder next face Brisbane.
While Kings’ Makuach Maluach contributed 22 points, five assists, three boards and two steals as Mackay downed Logan 105-97.
The Meteors have the bye next weekend before clashing with Rockhampton in round 13.
Finally, in New Zealand, Shaun Bruce and his Wellington Saints are into the NZNBL grand final, after defeating Tauranga 93-68 in the semi-final.
In the result, the two-time NBL champion had 12 points, four assists and three rebounds.
The Saints will now take on Southland in the decider on July 20.
Stay up to date with all the Hoops Capital club’s off-season news here.