North Spotlight | Kafritsas shoots Phoenix to Rocky win

Featured image: Judd Green

The Rockhampton Rockets were trying to win their last home game of the NBL1 North season and gave themselves a shot but the Sunshine Coast Phoenix prevailed 111-103 on the back of 25 points and five three-pointers from Erik Kafritsas.

The Rockets were playing a last game at Bravus Arena on the season so were motivated to try and finish on a high while the Phoenix had lost two of their past four and needed to bounce back to remain any chance of improving on their fourth position.

It was a tight battle most of the evening but eventually Sunshine Coast opened up a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter away from home and then from there held on for the eight-point victory.

The win improves the Phoenix to a 10-4 record while the Rockets are now 2-12 with just two road games to go to close out the season next weekend.

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Rockhampton did put up a good fight in a bid end their home season on a high and they shot 50 per cent from the field and 25/31 at the foul line, but the Phoenix got up an extra 16 shot with 16 offensive rebounds along with going 12/30 from the outside to secure the important win.

Sunshine Coast started their weekend double with the eight-point win with Erik Kafritsas finishing with 25 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists on 5/9 shooting from the outside.

Earnest Ross was back from playing with Guam against the Boomers and Tall Blacks last week and delivered 17 points, 10 rebounds and four assists with Nelson Kahler adding 14 points and five boards even with just 16:32 because of foul trouble.

Luke Anderson then provided another 23 points and eight rebounds with 3/3 three-point shooting with DeShawn Ross-Paiwan providing 13 points, three boards and three assists, and Darnell Robateau 16 assists along with nine points and eight rebounds.

Rockhampton did get another standout performance from Jalen Graham who finished with 32 points, nine rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals with 12/16 field goal shooting.

Jack Tweedy added 20 points and four assists, Junior Madut 20 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, and Treauhn Williams 16 points, 11 boards, four assists and two steals.

It was the last home game of the season for Rockhampton and they wanted to finish off on a high in front of their community Sunshine Coast are trying to finish up as high as they can and ended up leading 30-25 by the end of the first quarter.

The Phoenix then did push out to a 10-point lead in the second frame but Rockhampton hit back to cut their lead by half-time to 54-51.

Earnest Ross already had 13 points for Sunshine Coast and Nelson Kahler 12 while Jalen Graham was on fire for the Rockets with 16 points but the Phoenix were on top thanks to 11 offensive rebounds and saw them get up an extra nine shot attempts.

It was still a tight contest by three quarter-time with Sunshine Coast adding another 27 points and Rockhampton 26 of which 16 were courtesy of Graham who was up to 25.

The Phoenix were clinging to the 81-77 advantage before they then took over with a 9-0 run in the final term to open up a 16-point lead and to end up securing the eight-point victory as they gear up for a playoff push.

Rockhampton now finish their season with a road double to the Cairns Marlins next Friday and Townsville Heat on Saturday while Sunshine Coast back up on the road on Sunday against the Mackay Meteors.

NBL1 NORTH 2026 SEASON | FIRST NATIONS ROUND

ROCKHAMPTON ROCKETS 103 (Graham 32, Tweedy 20, Madut 20)

SUNSHINE COAST PHOENIX 111 (Kafritsas 25, Anderson 23, Ross 17)