LACEY LOWDOWN

Micaela Cocks and Toni Farnworth came close to logging triple-doubles as a number of Australian based Tall Ferns posted impressive numbers at the weekend in State League action.

Farnworth, playing for Perry Lakes Hawks in the Western Australian State Basketball League, recorded 29 points (5/8 3PG), 9 rebounds and 8 assists in the win against Kalamunda. The Hawks started their season in disastrous fashion losing eight of their first nine games but are now up to eighth on the table with an improved 8-11 record.

In the Queensland State League (QBL) Micaela Cocks was one assist shy of a triple-d with 25 points (5/10 3PG), 10 rebounds and 9 assists as Townsville Flames beat Mackay Meteorettes 93-81. Recent recruit Stella Beck scored five points for the Flames who head the QBL ladder with a 12-1 record.

One spot behind the Flames are South West Metro Pirates (10-2) who beat Logan Thunder 83-63 with Kalani Purcell posting 17 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. The Pirates achieved the win without the services of Natalie Taylor and Charmian Mellars who were both playing for Auckland Dream at the WBC Finals in Dunedin.

Brooke Blair was busy at the weekend as the Rockhampton Cyclones undertook a three game road trip. Despite 28 points from Blair (4/9 3PG) the Cyclones were edged 94-90 by Southern District Spartans on Friday.

The Cyclones fared better after that with a 78-55 demolition of North Gold Coast on Saturday and an even bigger 89-52 victory at Brisbane Capitals on Sunday. Blair scored 11 points against NGC and compiled 23 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists against the Capitals. The Cyclones are sixth on the QBL ladder with a 9-5 record.

In Melbourne Jess Bygate and Sandringham Sabres remain fourth on the South East Australia Basketball League (SEABL) table after a valuable 76-75 win against second placed Kilsyth Cobras. Bygate scored 11 points whilst former Tall Fern Megan Craig chipped in with 4 points and 6 rebounds.

Recently selected Tall Fern Ashleigh Karaitiana scored 12 points as the Bendigo Lady Braves beat Launceston Tornadoes 95-81 to remain a perfect 16-0 in SEABL action

In Adelaide Jordan Hunter dealt only in threes, making 6 from 7 from beyond the arc, as she added 18 points to 8 assists for Sturt Sabres. The Sabres snapped a four game losing streak to beat Woodville Warriors 109-66 and still remain second on the South Australia Premier League standings with an 11-5 record.

Beck, Blair, Karaitiana and Purcell will be in action again this weekend before linking up with the Tall Ferns for their Asian tour early next week.