North Spotlight | Whitt stars again as Gold Coast keep winning

Featured image: @catchnkissphotography - Denise Saba

James Whitt delivered another standout NBL1 North performance and the Gold Coast Rollers romped to the 113-93 home win against the Sunshine Coast Phoenix on the back of it.

After a disappointing finals exit last year after being regular season champions, the Rollers are a team on a mission in 2026 under coach Anthony Petrie but it was a mixed bag to start with a loss to Logan before two straight wins once Whitt was on board and finding his feet.

The Rollers were looking to make it three straight when hosting Sunshine Coast at Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium with the Phoenix trying to bounce back from their first loss of 2026 against the undefeated Cairns Marlins.

Gold Coast were on top virtually from the outset leading by six at quarter-time, 17 at half-time, 23 at three quarter-time and going on to win by 20 to make it three straight to sit at 3-1 with the Phoenix now 2-2.

>> DALTON ENJOYING HOT LOGAN START AFTER THE CHAOS

>> NORTH SPOTLIGHT | SPARTANS RESTRICT PIRATES TO 48 POINTS

>> NORTH WRAP | MEN'S ROUND 3

James Whitt has had a spectacular start to the season for Gold Coast and continued that with 28 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a block on 13/19 shooting.

Preston Le Gassick was buoyed by the news during the week of signing his first NBL contract at the New Zealand Breakers. He backed it up with 23 points, four assists and three rebounds with 10/11 free-throw shooting.

Jensen Bradtke added 19 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two steals with Brodie McGregor contributing 16 points and three assists, and Boston Mazlin 11 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Nelson Kahler finished with 20 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks for the now 2-2 Sunshine Coast with DeShawn Ross-Paiwan adding 17 points and six boards, Luke Anderson 15 points and seven rebounds, Erik Kafritsas 10 points, five assists and four boards, and Darnell Robateau eight points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Both teams came into the Round 4 match up with 2-1 records over the opening three weeks of the NBL1 North season with James Whitt continuing his hot form to help Gold Coast to the 24-18 lead by quarter-time.

He already had 10 points on 5/6 shooting while the Rollers were shooting 50 per cent as a team to be leading the Phoenix who were going at just 29 per cent in the first 10 minutes.

Gold Coast then caught fire with 34 points in the second period on the back of shooting 13/19 from the field with 4/7 from downtown and by half-time that saw the Rollers leading 58-41.

Sunshine Coast were hanging in there despite shooting 35 per cent by going 14/21 at the foul line and with Nelson Kahler having 10 points and nine rebounds.

It was another 31 points to 25 in the third period in favour of the Rollers with the lead getting out to 27 points and they ended up winning by 20 to improve to 3-1 with Sunshine Coast now 2-2.

Gold Coast now prepare for a double-header next weekend away to Logan Thunder and at home to the South West Metro Pirates while the Phoenix play again on Friday night at home to the Townsville Heat.

NBL1 NORTH 2026 SEASON | ROUND 4

GOLD COAST ROLLERS 113 (Beggs 17, Rettstatt 14, Zugna 9)

SUNSHINE COAST PHOENIX 93 (Forster 31, Weir 13, Burton 13)