Logan Thunder have confirmed their status as championship favourites in the NBL 1 North Basketball Conference.
The competition front runners demonstrated their title credentials when they rolled a courageous Mackay Meteors outfit 96-83 last Saturday night at Mackay Basketball Stadium.
It was the Thunder team’s twelfth win from 13 fixtures with former star Meteors guard Shaun Bruce playing a pivotal role for the visitors.
The outstanding number seven produced a classy display to finish with 14 points, four rebounds and 13 assists to help keep the Logan side entrenched at the top of the ladder.
Bruce was supported by Sydney Kings NBL Championship-winning forward Majok Deng, who capped a top game with 23 points, eleven rebounds and four assists and talented guard Boston Mazlin (21 points, four rebounds and four assists).
The fifth placed Meteors applied defensive pressure on the Thunder for most of the match and trailed 24-16, 57-36 and 84-58 at the end of each break.
But they failed to pounce on several rebound opportunities which proved costly for the home side in the end.
Logan kept close tabs on champion Mackay guard Isaac White – restricting the pocket dynamo to 22 points, four rebounds and three assists on the night.
Stalwart Meteors forward Brad Rasmussen turned in a wholehearted display with 15 points, five rebounds and two assists while sharp shooting guard Tyler Williams contributed 14 points, five rebounds and four assists and forward Shane Temara (14 points, three rebounds, two steals and one assist).
Logan Thunder women kept their nerve to edge out the Mackay Meteorettes 69-61 in the early game.
In a game of fluctuating fortunes both sides produced some exhilarating basketball with the Logan side staving off a fierce Mackay challenge.
Leading Thunder guard Mikaela Ruef proved the difference with a superb game – posting 24 points, 24 rebounds and three assists to mastermind a Logan victory.
She was supported by guard Mikhaela Cann (15 points, two rebounds and seven assists) and forwards Chevannah Paalvast (11 points, four rebounds, three assists) and Ula Motuga (11 points and four rebounds).
The Meteors and Meteorettes play host to the Ipswich Force this Saturday night at Mackay Basketball Stadium with tip offs at 6pm and 8pm respectively.
