North Spotlight | Wigness hoists Spartans over Seahawks

Featured image: @shots.by.hogi

It took until the final quarter for the defending NBL1 North champion Southern Districts Spartans to shake off the challenge from the North Gold Coast Seahawks with another 32 points from Tamuri Wigness leading to the 97-83 win.

The Seahawks have returned to the NBL1 North in 2026 but lost their first three matches ahead of hosting the defending champions at Runaway Bay Indoor Stadium who were trying to bounce back from a last up loss to the Northside Wizards.

North Gold Coast did well sticking with Southern Districts through the first three quarters with just a four-point deficit by three quarter-time, but then the Spartans took control.

>> NORTH SPOTLIGHT | ROLLERS HAND THUNDER FIRST LOSS

>> NORTH WRAP | MEN'S ROUND 4

>> DALTON ENJOYING HOT LOGAN START AFTER THE CHAOS

Southern Districts outscored the Seahawks 25 points to 13 in the last quarter on the way to the 14-point win that sees them improve to 4-3 in their championship defence with North Gold Coast still winless after four games in 2026.

There wasn’t much that separated the teams overall but Southern Districts did end up with seven extra shot attempts on the back of the 20 offensive rebounds to 17, and having 20 turnovers while forcing the Seahawks into 23.

Last year's Grand Final MVP Tamuri Wigness was again the difference for Southern Districts with another 32 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals on 12/22 field goal shooting and 8/8 free-throw shooting.

Griffin Biwer also produced 17 points, seven rebounds and two assists for the Spartans with Isaih Tueta adding 12 points and seven assists, Ben Hastings 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists, and Cameron Thew eight points, five boards and two steals.

North Gold Coast did put in a strong showing especially for three quarters with Sean Murphy top scoring with 27 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Zac Dunmore also added 21 points, four rebounds and four assists with 3/5 three-point shooting, Cole Ross 14 points, 11 boards and two assists, Jasraj Gill 12 points, nine rebounds and four assists, and Zahn Agosta seven points, four steals, three assists and two boards.

The Seahawks made an encouraging start hunting for their first win on returning to the NBL1 North and went on a 10-0 to lead by nine early on only for the Spartans to hit back with their own 10-0 run.

That saw the Spartans narrowly leading 23-22 by quarter-time with Tamuri Wigness already having nine points for the reigning champs while Zac Dunmore and Sean Murphy combined for 18 for the Seahawks.

Southern Districts pushed out to a 10-point lead in the second quarter on the back of putting up 30 points on 13/25 shooting from the floor and by half-time they were leading 53-43.

But North Gold Coast were up for the fight and had closed the gap back to just four at three quarter-time and going into the fourth they were a real chance at the upset with Dunmore and Murphy having put up 21 points each.

The Spartans then saw off the challenge from the Seahawks in the final period with 25 points to 13 to end up leading by as much as 16 before going on to score the 14-point victory on the road.

The Seahawks continue their hunt for a first win next weekend with a double header starting away to the South West Metro Pirates on Saturday and then at home to the Rockhampton Rockets on Sunday.

The Spartans remain on the road next Saturday to take on the Northside Wizards.

NBL1 NORTH 2026 SEASON | ROUND 5

NORTH GOLD COAST SEAHAWKS 83 (Murphy 27, Dunmore 21, Ross 14)

SOUTHERN DISTRICTS SPARTANS 97 (Wigness 32, Biwer 17, Tueta 12)