North Wrap | Women's First Nations Round

Featured image: P2DK Photography - @p2dk_photography

There's a new team on top of the NBL1 North and it's the defending champion Logan Thunder who have now won 10 straight as they replace the Cairns Dolphins who were handed a loss from the North Gold Coast Seahawks after 39 points from Georgia Woolley.

>> NORTH SPOTLIGHT | THUNDER BEAT WIZARDS TO GO TOP

>> PROUD NES'EYA ONLY CONTINUING TO GET BETTER

>> NORTH SPOTLIGHT | DOLPHINS OVERPOWER SPARTANS TO STAY TOP

>> FIRST NATIONS DESIGN SPARKS DARRYL JR'S NBL1 RETURN

FRIDAY

Brisbane Capitals (68) lost to Sunshine Coast Phoenix (81)

The Sunshine Coast Phoenix kept their finals hopes alive with the 81-68 win on the road to the Brisbane Capitals on the back of 24 points from Maya Price.

The Caps have fallen out of the finals race having lost their past four games but were looking to claim a scalp at Auchenflower Stadium when hosting a Phoenix team needing to likely win outright from here if they want to break into the top six.

The Phoenix started strongly with 22 points to 10 in the first quarter and then another 22 in the second to go into half-time leading 44-28.

It was then another 20 points to 11 in the third frame with the lead growing to as much as 28 and then despite the 29 points from Brisbane in the final term, the Phoenix still got the win they needed by 13 to improve to a 7-6 record.

Maya Price produced 24 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals on 11/17 shooting for Sunshine Coast with Isabel Palmer contributing 15 points, six assists and five boards.

Erin Bollmann also had 13 points, eight rebounds, eight assist and two blocks, Amy Browne six points, six boards, three steals and two assists, and Kayla Mathews six points, five assists and two steals.

The Capitals have now lost five straight to be 3-11 with Alyssa Brown finishing with 18 points, four rebounds and two steals.

Rachel Mate contributed 14 points and seven rebounds, Tyla Stolberg 10 points and eight boards, and Ashley Harris nine points, 10 rebounds and three assists.

South West Metro Pirates (73) lost to Logan Thunder (81)

Amandine Toi, Leah Scott and Mikhaela Cann combined for 62 points as Logan Thunder made it nine wins in-a-row for the 81-73 win on the road to the South West Metro Pirates.

The Pirates had lost their past four to be out of out of the finals hunt but were looking to take the challenge up to Logan at Hibiscus Sports Stadium but the defending champions had their eyes on top spot coming into the weekend.

South West Metro started strongly with an early seven-point lead and they were still up one at quarter-time before Logan responded with a 13-0 run and held the narrow 36-34 lead by half-time.

The Thunder then were able to work on top as the second half unfolded for the eventual eight-point win to make it nine in-a-row to improve to 11-1 and stay hot on the heels of the Cairns Dolphins.

Amandine Toi delivered 22 points, three assists and two steals with 5/10 three-point shooting while Leah Scott contributed 21 points, five boards, four assists and three steals, and Mikhaela Cann 19 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Maddy Allen also had eight points, four rebounds and three assists, and Prasayus Notoa seven points, five boards and two steals.

South West Metro have now lost five straight to be 3-11 and Tessa Morrison had her best game of the season having been captain of the East Perth Eagles in the NBL1 West in 2025.

The New Zealander finished with 22 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals with 5/8 three-point shooting.

Charlotte Whittaker also had 13 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, Steph Bairstow 12 points and six boards, Jenna Kilty 10 points on 3/5 shooting, and Hannah Simental seven points, four rebounds and two assists.

Southern Districts Spartans (79) lost to Cairns Dolphins (86)

The Southern Districts Spartans put up 50 three-point attempts for the game and that did help them to a 10-point lead in the third quarter, but the Cairns Dolphins responded on the way to the 86-79 win to stay top.

It shaped as a fascinating match up at Rowland Cowan Stadium with the Dolphins beginning their road double in top spot while the Spartans were third and trying stay in touch of a top two finish.

The Spartans were leading by three points at quarter-time and seven at the half before that lead grew to 10 in the third, but eventually Cairns wore them down and the three balls stopped falling for Southern Districts with them going 5/23 in the second half.

The Dolphins ended up winning the second half 49 points to 35 on the way to the seven-point win to improve to a 12-1 record to stay in first place while the Spartans remain third at 10-5 with just one game of their season to go.

Summah Evans top scored for Cairns with 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals with Taryn Bond adding 16 points, four boards and four assists, and Teyla Evans 14 points, 13 rebounds and two steals.

Mia Loyd contributed another 14 points, eight rebounds, six assists and five steals with Leah Pearson-Pitt adding nine points and two boards with 2/2 three-point shooting.

Southern Districts did plenty right but enough of their 50 three-point attempts just didn’t fall in the finish with Jess McDowell-White going 5/15 for 23 points, nine rebounds, nine assists and four steals.

Abby Solway went 4/15 for 15 points and three rebounds with Mikayla Cowling providing 18 points, six assists, five boards and three steals, Emily Preston 12 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two assists, and Kalani Purcell eight points, four boards and four assists.

Mackay Meteorettes (78) lost to Townsville Flames (88)

The Townsville Flames dug deep without MVP favourite Courtney Woods to consolidate their playoff position and move up to fourth place with the 88-78 road victory.

Both teams came into the clash at Mackay Basketball Stadium on identical 8-4 records but with the Meteorettes having lost their past two and the Flames having won two straight.

But it's a different Townsville team without the presence of Woods although they were still leading 20-16 by quarter-time.

Mackay then went on a 13-0 scoring run to open up a nine-point edge and to still be leading 38-34 by half-time and then it was Townsville clinging to a one-point advantage by three quarter-time.

It was then all the Flames in the last 10 minutes with 27 points to 18 to secure the 10-point win to make it three on the trot and improve to 9-4 record move up to fourth position.

Bree Stephens had a monster performance for Townsville with 36 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals with 6/11 shooting from behind the arc.

Chailee Ward also had 19 points, nine assists and five rebounds, Mia Murray 14 points and seven boards, and Kate Searle 10 points, four rebounds and three assists.

The Meteorettes have now lost three in-a-row to be 8-5 in sixth with River Baldwin top scoring once more with 19 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocked shots on 8/11 shooting.

Monique Bobongie added 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists with 4/9 three-point shooting while Sammie Puisis had 12 points, three steals, two boards and two assists, and Cheyenne Bobongie 12 points, seven assists and four rebounds.

SATURDAY

Ipswich Force (78) defeated Gold Coast Rollers (70)

The Ipswich Force snapped their eight-game losing streak with the 78-70 home win over the Gold Coast Rollers with Valerie Huerta putting up 27 points.

The Force were back home at Ipswich Basketball Stadium having lost their past eight matches to be in bottom spot ahead of hosting a Rollers team fresh off a win against the Brisbane Capitals that ended their own run of eight straight losses.

After Gold Coast scored nine straight points early, Ipswich went on a stunning 18-0 run to be leading 24-16 by quarter-time.

Ipswich then remained in front the rest of the evening to be leading by nine points at half-time, by seven at three quarter-time and then securing the eight-point victory to improve to a 3-11 record.

Valerie Huerta delivered 27 points, three assists and three steals in the win for the Force with 10/14 shooting from the field, 3/5 from downtown and 4/4 at the foul line.

Georgia Ralph also had 20 points, four rebounds and two assists with 5/9 three-point shooting while Stacie Jones added 14 points, nine boards and there assists, and Natasha Elliott seven points, four rebounds and two steals.

Gold Coast are now 3-10 with the loss with Juna Umezawa having a huge night despite the result with 21 points, 16 rebounds and four assists.

Nyah Morris added 14 points and two boards with 4/9 three-point shooting while Ariana Moorer contributed 12 points, nine rebounds and thee assists, and Tara Manumaleuga nine points, three boards, three assists and two steals.

North Gold Coast Seahawks (99) defeated Cairns Dolphins (95)

Georgia Woolley was incredible with 39 points and almost had a triple double as the North Gold Coast Seahawks continued to surge and knocked the Cairns Dolphins from top spot in the process with the stunning 99-95 win.

The Seahawks were back home at Runaway Bay Indoor Stadium having won five of their last eight games but likely still needing to win outright to be any hope of sneaking into the playoffs ahead of hosting the top-of-the-table Dolphins.

Cairns were fresh off beating the Southern Districts Spartans the night before and then overcame an early seven-point deficit to North Gold Coast to lead 29-27 by quarter-time.

But the Seahawks then got on top in the second term with 26 points to 14 to lead 53-43 at the half before Cairns responded with 28 to 18 in the fourth including going on a 15-0 scoring run to be back up seven.

Scores were all square going into the fourth quarter before teenager Charlize Brown scored first for the Seahawks and then Katie Deeble hit a three ball but scores were again level at 93-93 with two minutes to play.

That's when the Seahawks took charge for good with a three ball to Jess Boundy and then both her and Deeble wrapped things up at the line for the four-point win in the finish.

The win improves North Gold Coast to 6-7 on the season as they try to chase down the 8-5 Northside Wizards with three games for both remaining.

Georgia Woolley was brilliant for the Seahawks playing all 40 minutes for 39 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and five steals on 12/23 shooting from the floor, 3/5 from downtown and 12/14 at the charity stripe.

Jess Boundy also ended up with 20 points and three rebounds, Katie Deeble 16 points, eight boards, seven assists and two steals, Antoniette Emma-Nnopu 10 points and six rebounds, and Charlize Brown showed maturity beyond her years for seven points and six rebounds in her 12 minutes.

Cairns now drop to second spot at 12-2 behind Logan Thunder with Mia Loyd finishing with another 30 points, 15 rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Summah Evans added 26 points and seven rebounds, Taryn Bond 23 points, four assists, three boards and two steals, and Alessandra Burke eight points, three assists and two rebounds.

Rockhampton Cyclones (83) defeated Townsville Flames (80)

Two huge buckets from Shanique Lucas in the last 30 seconds were instrumental in the Rockhampton Cyclones making it back-to-back wins with the 83-80 home win against the Townsville Flames.

The Cyclones were back home at Bravus Arena fresh off beating the Mackay Meteorettes ahead of hosting a Flames team coming off winning on Friday over the Meteorettes as well but still without Courtney Woods.

Rockhampton managed to lead 24-20 by quarter-time before still holding on to the 41-38 advantage at half-time and then 60-55 by three quarter-time.

But it was set up for a thrilling finish and Mia Murray hit a trademark three-pointer for Townsville with a minute to play to tie scores up.

Just over 30 seconds later and Lucas grabbed an offensive rebound and scored before then forcing the turnover on Murray and finishing as well for the four quick points in 15 second that ultimately sealed the three-point win for Rockhampton.

It's back-to-back wins now for the Cyclones to improve to 4-9 with Akaysha Muggeridge delivering 21 points with 4/6 three-point shooting.

Emily Kiser added 19 points, nine assists and four rebounds, Shanique Lucas 18 points, four assists and three boards, Tai Wakelin-Gray eight points, four assists and three rebounds, Halle Shipton seven points and five boards, and Gracie Stugart seven points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Townsville split their weekend double to be 9-5 and still solid in the top six with Mia Murray ending up with 23 points, six rebounds and three assists with 5/10 shooting from downtown.

Bree Stephens had another 21 points, 12 rebounds and five steals, Chailee Ward 18 points, five boards, two assists and two steals, and Ella Tofaeono nine points, five rebounds and five assists.

Logan Thunder (93) defeated Northside Wizards (80)

The defending champion Logan Thunder are now in top spot having won nine straight games to replace the Cairns Dolphins following the 93-80 home victory over the Northside Wizards.

The Thunder and Wizards arrived at Bendigo Bank Cornubia Park Sports Centre as the two hottest teams with Logan on an eight-game winning streak with the Wizards having won five in-a-row.

That set up a tantalising match up and the Wizards found themselves nine points up on the defending champions early but the Thunder worked on top in the second term to be leading by six at half-time.

Logan then had 22 points to 11 in the second term to be up by 17 at three quarter-time before going on to complete the 13-point victory to make it nine on the trot.

With Cairns losing at the same time to the North Gold Coast Seahawks, the Thunder now assume top spot at 11-1 while Northside are now 8-5 with a first defeat since May 29.

Amandine Toi did her damage in the first three quarters and finishing with 24 points and three assists with 7/10 shooting from the floor, 3/5 from downtown, and 7/7 at the charity stripe.

Leah Scott also produced another 18 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals, Prasayus Notoa 17 points, 11 assists, eight boards and three steals, and Mikhaela Cann 15 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals.

Northside missed out on a sixth straight win with Kelsey Ransom having 17 points in the first half on the way to 19 for the game with three rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Nes'eya Parker-Williams had another 18 points, 12 rebounds and three assists with Alice O'Driscoll contributing 15 points and three boards, Nadeen Payne 11 points, seven rebounds and three assists, and Grace Ellis eight points, nine boards, six assists and three steals.