Mackay Meteors playoff hopes in the NBL1 North Basketball Conference took a savage blow last Saturday after a shock 69-68 loss to cellar dwellers Rockhampton Rockets at Bravus Arena.
Rockets forward Chier Maker was the hero after hitting the match-winning shot with two seconds left on the clock to secure a one-point triumph and second win of the season.
The loss could prove catastrophic for the Meteors who have now lost seven of their past ten matches and slip to seventh spot with eight wins in 2023.
In an absorbing contest, Mackay started strongly to lead 27-19 at quarter-time before the Rockets hit back to level at 34-all at the half time interval.
Scores were locked 50-all at the third break and remained tight until Maker’s spinning fadeaway jumper in the dying moments gave Rockhampton the edge in a thriller.
Maker finished with 17 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Rockets with support from Jarvis Summers (16 points, three rebounds and two assists), Malcolm Bernard (10 points, seven assists and six boards), Damian Prgomet (nine points, eight rebounds and three assists).
Mackay skipper Isaac White continued his stellar form with another 26 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Talented guard Tyler Williams posted 17 points and six rebounds and Isaiah Lee eight points and four boards.
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In the early game the Rockhampton Cyclones registered an 82-68 victory over the Meteorettes with gifted guard Lauren Heard the standout.
It was the Cyclones’ tenth win of the season and the Meteorettes ninth successive loss.
Heard was superb for Rockhampton contributing 23 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals with Lara McSpadden adding 16 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals, Elizajane Loader 17 points, three assists and three steals and Sam Bowman 13 points, 13 rebounds and six assists.
Mackay were best served by Davida Dale (16 points, six assists, six steals and four rebounds), Denesha Bobongie (13 points and four boards), Brittany Reeves (10 points, 10 rebounds and three assists) and Phoebe Holmes (10 points, two boards and two assists).
Denesha Bobongie scored 13 points for the Meteorettes against Rockhampton. Photo credit: Keiron Place Photography
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