The Good, The Bad and The Scheibs... ep.16
Well the first round is done and dusted and no real surprises there, except maybe the point spread in the far north clash between Cairns and the dethroned champions Mackay. BBI did just like I expected and handled Ipswich and Legan even with their total lack of a four man. Logan easily accounted for a depleted SWM and both southern clubs bounced back from surprising loses in their final round game.
Let’s start in the North with the Marlins finding themselves into the semi-finals for the first time in many years. Cairns possess one of the best coaches in the comp and four outstanding players. The role players know their roles and add to the depth of this side. An all Aussie QBL front court of Trigger, Loughton and work horse Mitchell is clearly the top local frontline in this comp and probably one of the most decorated in league history. Toss in Vic country rising star Anthony Fisher and Townsville product Damon Heuir and this
side has all the bits and pieces covered. In years past most Marlin sides have had good players but with their close link to the NBL side, it seemed that winning another QBL title was not a major concern in Taipan country. It appears that might be changing?
In this match Cairns jumped out early and this one was pretty much over at the half. Diop and Harvey both troubled by foul trouble and no import it was always going to be an uphill battle. Toss in the fact that CC had a very un-Toff like game and it was not the recipe for success that this side needed to come up with a win in the Fish tank. For the winners, Damon Heuir showed how far he has come as a complete player a game high 28 points on only 16 shots, a perfect 10-10 from the line, toss in 6 assists, 2 steals and no turnovers,
that’s a superb game folks. Young Fisher had a very efficient double-double, and toss in 6 assists. Skipper Mitchell had 17-11. The two headed monster of Traghard and Loughton also did their bit both scoring in double figures shooting a combined 14-19 from the field, scary stuff if you’re Townsville!
BBI once again rocked Ippys world and handed out a comfortable 12 point win in the end. As predicted the Brisbane guards shot the ball at 43% from the 3 point line and the group shot over 50 from the field, that’s a recipe for a certain Cap win. You let Brisbane get hot from the perimeter and they will beat any side in this comp. Ippy with their total disdain for playing on the defensive end needed to shot the ball as well as Brisbane, this didn’t happen. Their star James Legan had 13 shots all threes and scored 20 points below his
season average and shot it at only 23%. Probably guarantees him another year with the Force for that performance, they seem to treasure mediocrity! Their final season record of 8-10 is just that! While Brisbane did what they needed to do, they will realise they faced the worst team in the playoffs and they will need to rise to meet and beat their next opponent.
Logan v SWM at Hibiscus was a just reward for the Pirates who showed glimpses of a club ready to step up with the big boys. Thou depth is still and issue with this side and the loss of 3 of their top 6 players meant they were always going to be pushing the proverbial up the hill in this one. McGrew had to shoulder more of a load and he shot poorly, but still finished with 25 points and 18 boards, this guy has been one of the finds for the season and I doubt he’ll be in the QBL next season after his standout debut. Vines with 7 turnovers and only 1-7 from downtown failed to rise to the challenge that was required for his side to mount a serious challenge. Logan were far from their best as they shot a combined 37% from the field and only 24% from deep. They do this in the Semi against BBI and it will be the end of their season. Cedar, Young and Baker again all and solid but not spectacular games and were the only three guys in double figures in this one. All up Logan got a very predictable win against a weak opponent and were probably the least impressive winner from the qualifying finals.
Ok this week we have seen the four strongest teams progressing to the semi-finals, take a bow BQ! Thou it’s probably more arse than class, but this season it has worked out the way it should have. Let’s head north and have a look at the minor premiers Townsville hosting Cairns. This is a quality clash and it will be interesting to see how the Heat have prepared with a week’s rest against a surging Marlins side riding a league best 6 game winning streak. Throw in the fact that this very same Cairns side smashed Townsville in
the fish tank only a couple of weeks ago and this is a tough one to predict. The Heat are missing their most dynamic player in Mirko and this will not help. However they have great depth and along with BBI have the comps deepest roster. Townsville have a belief, teamwork, are undefeated at home and have been playing the best defence of any side. This is championship winning basketball and so far they have met every challenge. The Marlins have probably the strongest first five in the comp, and to me the dark horse is
Anthony Fisher, this kid is very good and is their surprise packet. A lot depends on if Taipans HC Fearne gives the NBL guys a bit of a rest from their preseason training. If they are rested I am tipping the Marlins, thou I wouldn’t put my house on it.
Brisbane V Logan at Vince Hickey (you can stick NAB stadium up your you know what) will be a classic. One team has only one big and more guards than Buckingham palace, the other has three very good bigs and a sole dynamic guard. Classic inside outside battle. Brisbane have made an art form out of running and gunning and when they are on they are unbeatable. They have athletes and are capable of playing very good defence and they held the seasons leading scorer to 20 points below his season average. Dusty will be Dusty but he can’t possibly stop Young and Baker. Marshmallow, Malloy and Barker are the Achilles heel of this side and if Logan can expose this they will go close to winning. On the other side Brisbane have fleet footed athletes that have a licence to shoot when open, no questions asked. Can the Thunder contest every shot and pressure these athletes into shooting a poor percentage and ignoring Rychart and Anderson? That’s the key these guys are athletes that are streaky shooters. Caps only true shooter is import Anderson, the rest can shoot but they aren’t shooters. It’s an interesting matchup and it will be close, but I am sticking with Brisbane by 5 in a tight one. If my predictions are correct that means BBI hosting Cairns in the GF series now that would be a change and a bit of dejavu….
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.
