Gold Coast Rollers demonstrated their durability and class to register a double triumph over the Mackay Meteors and Meteorettes in NBL1 North action last Friday night at Mackay Basketball Stadium.
Top performances by American import Catherine Reese and guards Ariana Moorer, Jasmine Hooper and Carla Drennan piloted the Rollers to an emphatic 110-75 victory over the Meteorettes in the early fixture.
Both sides were locked 20-all at the end of the first quarter before Gold Coast gained the upper hand to lead 50-41 at the half time interval and 82-52 at the end of the third break.
The Meteorettes were hampered by illness but received value from flamboyant guard Davida Dale, who top scored with 21 points, eight rebounds, six steals and assists; rising centre Charli Bliss (14 points and eight boards); promising guard Courtney Virgo (12 points, two rebounds and assists), forwards Nikita Van Wyk (10 points and three rebounds), Madison MacDonald (9 points and two rebounds) and Denesha Bobongie (9 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals).
Meanwhile, former Mackay basketball junior Todd Blanchfield enjoyed a successful return to his old stamping ground by helping the Rollers sink the Meteors 101-89 in the main game.
Blanchfield and fellow Gold Coast guards Jason Cadee and Tanner Krebs were instrumental in the victory, utilising their vast NBL experience to inflict a second consecutive loss on the home side.
It was a fourth successive win for the reigning champion Rollers, who trailed 28-22 at the end of the first quarter before rediscovering their mojo in a gripping tussle.
Mackay superstar guard Isaac White kept his side in the hunt with 35 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals with support from clever guard Tyler Williams (22 points, seven rebounds and four assists), forward Shane Temara (16 points, five boards and two assists) and guard Samson Haughton (10 points, two rebounds and four assists).
Meteors guard Isaac White. Photo credit: Kieron Place Art & Photography
