The Good, The Bad and The Scheibs... ep17
Well well it’s a BBI Cairns grand finale at Auchenflower! Last time that happened it was 14 years ago and Brisbane won their first and only QBL Men’s title. Will we see a repeat performance or will the Marlins with their star studded line-up return to their glory days of winning state titles with regular monotony? It shapes as an intriguing battle with both teams strengths being the other teams weaknesses and vice versa. But first let’s have a look at how we have arrived at this point.
First off it was the minor premiers putting their season long undefeated home record on the line against the league’s hottest team. Townsville had a week’s rest and plenty of time to prepare for a Marlins team who suddenly found themselves on a hot streak that had turned almost certain elimination into a chance to make a GF. It was any ones ball game at the half with the Marlins enjoying a 2 point lead, which they increased to 7 at the end of the third. That’s when the Marlins doused the Heat and cruised to a surprising 17 point win and ended Townsville’s dreams of hosting a QBL GF. The win also ensured a South team would host the GF series for the first time in 10 seasons.
For Townsville Peter Crawford capped of a fine season and led from the start with a nice 26 point game and Josh Wilcher added 19. Big Luke Schenscher was in foul trouble the entire night and had a minimal impact on proceedings. The Heat missed Mirko and could have used Harry Froling too, but those two had moved on and the Townsville side battled on gamely and fought to the very end. The home sides 11 fouls and 7 turnovers in the final term certainly didn’t help either. Great season by the Heat and it will be interesting to see how it all pans out for season 2017.
For the winners Damon Heuir has been on fire and this game was no exception. The Taipans and Townsville lad lead all scorers with 27 points at a very efficient rate and did it while having some foul troubles as well. Mitchell and Fisher played big minutes and were the glue guys for Cairns. Loughton and Trigger were NBL worthy and the surprise packet long time benchie Chris Daniel had 18 (a point a minute) and got to the line 11 times to give the Marlins the lift they needed off the bench. Cairns win was their second in only a few weeks over the Heat and there can be no doubt this is the Norths best team.
In the South a BBI V Logan matchup had everyone looking forward to a close hard fought battle. Not sure anyone except maybe the Cap boys thought it would turn out the way it did. Brisbane shot 9-13 from the three point line in the first quarter and doubled the hapless Thunders score 42-21. Yep 42 in a quarter, that’s all she wrote and the game was over, with the chardonnay sippers from the western suburbs able to kick back and enjoy the victory and the chance to host a GF for the first time in 14 years. Not sure what happened in Logan because only a few weeks earlier they were flying high and they were big favourites to win the south and possibly host their first GF. If this was racing a swab would definitely be on the cards. Mitch Young was very quiet and even thou Mick Cedar was a rebound off a triple double it wasn’t his best game. Decent year for the Thunder, but you know they will be ruing a lost season.
BBI did what they can do and when you let them shoot 9-13 from deep in the first quarter they will beat anyone in this comp. They scored 42 in the first quarter, but also only 13 in the third in a typical BBI display. Brisbane had 5 players in double figures and no one played more than 29 minutes. This team is full of confidence and are making their third GF appearance in four seasons. This will be the first time they have hosted in this run thou so they will certainly go in as slight favourites.
Ok on to the big one Cairns visiting BBI. I see Brisbane are trying to cash in on the final series by asking 20$ a ticket and insinuating that you better get in quick or you’ll miss out. Typical marketing by a club that hasn’t done this for a while. Don’t worry folks it’s Brisbane not Rocky, you’ll be fine to rock up on the night. Personally I think if the Marlins are going to have a chance they’ll need to win the first game to put pressure on BBI. If this happens they could be a chance, lose that first one and I think you can get the brooms out for BBI.
For Cairns to win they will need to take advantage of their dominance inside with Trigger, Loughton and Mitchell. Damon Heuir will need to cancel out import Anderson. They will have to contest with a hand every three point shot, slow down Brisbane’s Trans game, control the tempo and get to the line often. Brisbane are great front runners, but if they can slow them down early grab a lead and make it a half-court game, Cairns will have a great chance.
For BBI to win they will need to shoot the ball well, get their trans game going and work out a way to blunt the size and class of the Marlins bigs. Brisbane will know that they are deeper and playing a third game will play right into their hands. One thing that could decide this is how hard the Taipans make their trio of players train in the lead up to this game. It’s always great to have NBL players in your side, but when it’s their preseason and the end of a QBL campaign a lot of them aren’t as committed has a team like BBI who have none of these issues.
My tip and I said it in my first article I called a Rocky (got that totally wrong) BBI final and whoever hosted would be the winner. Well BBI have won the right to host and I am guessing they will get it done in three.
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.
