The Good, The Bad and The Scheibs... ep. 15
The final week of the regular season and yes there were some upsets. However none of the results had any real effect on the playoffs and the seeding’s as these were all basically decided in week 14. I’ll have a quick look at some thou and then move on to the real stuff the three qualifying finals.
Ippy finally got a win against a team with a winning record, congrats but it still couldn’t save them from recording a losing record and making the playoffs. Rockhampton losing again at home and giving up 116 just showed what’s wrong with the Rockets. Defence is always a dirty word in Ipswich but it seems it’s now the same in Rockhampton in 2016. The Rockets finished the season with 4 straight losses and this should lead to some real soul searching in Rocky this offseason.
BBI lost to a Toowoomba side who have been very disappointing in season 2016 up on the mountain on Sat night. It was a season’s best win for the Mountain men for sure. However Brisbane had sealed their fate the week before in their big trouncing of Logan and this game was no more than an annoyance for Brisbane. Thou I am sure self-titled super coach Tarrant would have preferred to go into the playoffs with a win under his belt. The fact that T’bar were beaten like an accused terrorist in Guantanamo bay, at home by an equally disappointing Old Coast the following day says it all about Toowoomba QBL 2016.
First playoff game is the all north conference affair pitting the defending champions McKay taking on the Marlins of Cairns in the Fish Tank in the far north capital. Macktown will have no fears of playing and winning as their recent victory up there will attest to. This team had been disappointing and as of late on a roll and have won 5 on the trot, equal longest streak in the league. However they are not nearly the side they were last year and the big Kiwi import has been average at best and a disappointment at worst. However Toff and Bruce have no peers as an all Aussie backcourt. Toss in Diop, Harvs and Rasmussen and this side is capable of beating anyone. They will need to be on song and their recent road wins against Rocky and Cairns proves they are capable.
Cairns have also come home with a wet sail and their recent mauling of Townsville on their home court proves they can match it with the best. They have a very nice starting five with a nice mix of youth and experience. Trigger has a fire in his belly and a point to prove and the Marlins are reaping the benefits. Loughton is as legit as a big gets in this league. Young gun Victorian Fisher is a very dynamic player, throw in Damon Heuir who is capable to toss in 40 on his night and now knows when to be the playmaker. Skipper Mitchell plays his role to perfection and Jamie Pearlman is as good as they get in this league. The leveler might be how the NBL guys approach this one and if they have any legs for a weekend QBL game after being hammered all week by their respective clubs. I am going with Cairns, thou not with much confidence.
Next up SWM V Logan at the Pirate ship, this will be a rematch of last week’s game which was a surprising victory by a weakened but committed Pirate side against a Logan team that knew this game really didn’t matter in the scheme of things. I mean import Conrad who has been very pedestrian had 21, easily his best game all season. Luke Pittle played the whole 40 minutes and was solid, but he’s no Brendan Teys. McGrew had another stellar game and new Bullets development player Vines was solid as usual. The Pirates were missing starters Teys and Bairstow and their best benchie in Adam Tolo. So it was a nice win, thou I am guessing it will be their last one for season 2016, as JB and Tolo will still be away when this game is played, and Teys is expected to miss the semi-final.
Logan were for the second game well below their best and this will be a concern to coach Rucker. Thou I am sure this side will relish a quick rematch with a lot more on the line this time around. I can’t see a depleted SWM getting back to back wins against a full strength Logan. Sure Cedar, Baker and Young will need to play at their accustomed level and not like they have the last two games. Another big advantage is in the coaching roles, D Ruck is one of the top three coaches in this league and SWM HC Tate is untried in the post season and this is a big advantage to the Thunder. SWM have had a great season, but it ends at Hibiscus in this one.
Now a rematch of last year’s exciting game between BBI and Ipswich at Auchenflower. Now last year I know the Force felt they let this one slip and they truly believe they should have won. They might be the only ones that believe this but hey whatever floats your boat. So they will be very keen to make amends 12 months later. I think they do indeed have a chance, however they will have to make history to do it. Legan needs to be a leader, and there is a big difference between a scorer and a leader, not sure he knows the difference? Harvey has finally hit some form and the biggest addition is Ben Wilson. This guy really has no place in this side as he loves to pay D and team basketball, two things very unfamiliar with recent Force sides. If he has had some influence on this side he could be the difference, I know he would like nothing better than to knock off his old junior club.
Now Brisbane will be big favourites and at short odds to get the victory at home. Why wouldn’t they be? 13 wins and the number one seed in the South against a side that went 8-9 and has not beaten them in years. Ipswich will have to figure out who will defend their best player, import Anderson. Dusty always has a big game against Ippy and I expect he will again. For mine thou it will be how the Brisbane “shooters” preform, if Jeffries, Ant, Philips and Davis can shoot above 35% they should win easily, if they are off it will be a dog fight. Brisbane’s total lack of a competent four man comes into play if the Capitals struggle from the perimeter. However I picked Brisbane to make the GF and I can’t see any reason to change that now. BBI by 12 Disclaimer: This article was prepared or accomplished by Rob Scheibner in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the Basketball Expressions.
