Mika Vukona made his Queensland Basketball League (QBL) debut on Saturday helping Southern District Spartans to an 86-60 road win at Northside Wizards.
Vukona hadn’t played since his NBL season with the Nelson Giants concluded in late July but he managed 26 minutes for the Spartans contributing 8p/10r/3a/4s.
Fellow Tall Black Tyrell Harrison produced 8 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks for the 5-1 Spartans that now sit second on the QBL ladder.
The Southern Districts Spartans women’s team were also in action at Northside Wizards and they were able to produce a similar score line to the men winning 89-66.
Natalie Taylor had 19 points and 8 rebounds for the Spartans. Last week the Tall Ferns guard was within an assist of a triple double – against the Wizards it was sister Kalani Purcell that threatened the triple as she finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists.
Like the men the Spartans women have a 5 wins, 1 loss record.
Ashleigh Karaitiana took her run of double-doubles to five with 25 points and 16 rebounds as RedCity Roar disposed of USC Rip City 90-79. Karaitiana had a monster 12 offensive rebounds in that tally of 16 boards. Former Tall Fern Karlene Kingi helped the Roar with 6 points and 4 rebounds.
Logan Thunder remain top of the QBL ladder with a 5-0 record after another huge win. Last week they won by 38 and 50 but on Saturday claimed an even bigger victory pulverizing the Sunshine Coast Phoenix 84-28.
Chevannah Paalvast, again in good form, added 8 rebounds to 15 points (7/11FG) for the Thunder.
LACEY LOWDOWN 