Mackay Basketball and the Global Product Search Meteorettes are pleased to announce that outstanding young point guard Jillian Haughton has signed with the club for the 2012 Queensland Basketball League season.

The McDonald Meteors & Global Product Search Meteorettes will have an increased opportunity to begin their title aspirations on a positive note, with both teams playing six home games to start the 2012 Queensland Basketball League season.

IF CROWD involvement is important in sport, the Warwick Wildcats are in for a good season.

DJ Cremasco hopes the inclusion of the Warwick Wildcats in the second-tier Queensland development league this season will boost his chances of a career in the Queensland Basketball League.

Bundaberg Basketball are pleased to announce the appointment of Ryan Burns to the BR Bears as an Assistant Coach, after several years working for FIBA as the Oceania Zone Development Officer.

ONE of the tallest players in the Queensland Basketball League, 2.13m tall Steven Kluck will be in Warwick on Saturday.

Kluck will be in town for the Toowoomba Mountaineers' clash with the Warwick Wildcats in a pre-season game at WIRAC at 7pm.

IT WAS the department of youth as the Bundaberg Radiology Bulls and Bears continued their pre-season preparations by hosting trial matches against Rockhampton on Saturday.

To get your fix of State League action don't miss the 2012 QBL Pre Season Tournament hosted by Ipswich Basketball at Cotton On Foundation Stadium, Booval, on Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th of April.

Be there this Saturday the 3rd of March as the Bundaberg Radiology Bears & Bulls take on QBL Powerhouse Rockhampton Cyclones & Rockets in a Pre-season Challenge at WIN Stadium.

MACKAY Meteors coach Grant Kruger predicts his team will face stronger opponents this season as the club looks to win back-to-back QBL titles.

A Pre Season game is the perfect way for the Clive Berghofer Toowoomba Mountaineers to test their season readiness and raise much needed funds for the Toowoomba Children’s Appeal.

MICHAEL McDaniel and Leon Perdue are the first two major signings for this year's Warwick D-League team to play in the Queensland Basketball League.

The Clive Berghofer Toowoomba Mountaineers would like to announce that they have finalised negotiations with James Legan and have signed the Shooting Guard for 2012 Season.

Following on from the success of the 2011 QBL State Championship, Australia’s top basketball talent will make their much anticipated return on May 11th & 12th 2012.

THINGS are hotting up for the Minecorp Rockhampton Rockets, with coach Neal Tweedy announcing his first major signing for the new season.

Versatile guard Matthew Gange will return to the McDonalds Meteors for the 2012 Queensland Basketball League season after signing a new one-year deal with the club.

We are pleased to announce the addition of Stronger Team’s Alan Stein to the Bulls. Next week the Bulls squad start their individually specialised programs courtesy of Stronger Team as well as challenging team sessions designed by Stein. “I am extremely excited to team up with Coach Page and support the Bundaberg Radiology Bulls” Stein commented yesterday.

Mackay Basketball is very pleased to announce that Global Product Search will continue on as the Meteorettes exclusive naming rights sponsor for the 2012 Queensland Basketball League season.

TOOWOOMBA Mountaineers women continue to build an impressive roster for the upcoming Queensland Basketball League season

THE Cyclones have turned back the clock for the 2012 Queensland Women's Basketball League season by having Frenchville Sports Club as their main sponsors.

THE IPSWICH Force will field an all-WNBL front line next season with the signing of Townville Fire forward Nadeen Payne.

Payne's signature comes hot on the heals of the re-signing of 2011 players player of the year Emma Langford who is currently playing with the Logan Thunder in the WNBL.

Mackay Basketball is very pleased to announce that McDonald's Restaurants in Mackay will continue as the Meteors exclusive naming rights sponsor for the 2012 Queensland Basketball League season.

Ipswich Force Men's QBL and D/League open trials have commenced. Anyone wishing to tryout for the Men's QBL and D/League is welcome to attend. Open trials are Friday night from 7pm sharp for approx 10 weeks. This consists of a compulsory game prior to training. Cost of the game is $10 please bring water bottle and towel and ready to play at 7pm sharp. You must attend this session for consideration.

The Gold Coast Lady Rollers have taken a huge step forward in legitimizing their women’s program by signing former Australian representative and a multiple QBL “Coach of the Year” recipient Trish Cockrem as head coach for the upcoming 2012 Queensland Basketball season.

The Clive Berghofer Toowoomba Mountaineers would like to announce that former East Carolina Pirate, Chad Wynn, has agreed to terms and has signed with the club for the 2012 season.

Basketball Queensland is calling for applications of interest for the position of 2012 Referee Commissioner for the Queensland Basketball League.

The Gold Coast Rollers have looked to improve on their 2011 QBL record by re-appointing last season’s QBL Coach of the Year, Mick Conlon for a further three seasons.

Former New Zealand international player and Clippers head coach, Warwick Meehl has resumed the head coaching position of the Maroochy RSL Clippers after taking a year off in 2011.

Warwick has previously coached the Clippers for four seasons taking the team to the playoffs three times and winning a Championship in 2007.

2011 Waratah League Coach of the Year, Nathan Arousi has been appointed as head coach of the Maroochy RSL Clippers Ladies for the 2012 season. Nathan coached Queanbeyan to success in the Waratah League in 2011 after moving from Victoria where he coach successfully with Hawthorn Basketball in the Big V League and was a highly respected coach in the Victorian National Intensive Training Program.

View this item to see the dates of the 2012 QBL Referee Conference, please note that a full event flyer and registration details will be circulated shortly.

TOOWOOMBA Mountaineers will line up for the 2012 QBL season without American import Rashad Chase.

The club said in a statement last Friday that it has decided to go down a different path for next season and would not be renewing Chase's contract.

HARDWORKING guard Brendan Teys is is determined to seize his opportunity with the Blaze in a bid to win a fulltime NBL contract.

The 21-year-old -- in his third season as a development player with the Coast -- has made plenty of sacrifices to ensure he was in the position to grab his opportunity when it comes up.

IT was the spine-chilling moment and creation of a life-long memory some players spend an entire career searching for.

Todd Blanchfield's stunning block on Sydney Kings colossus Julian Khazzouh at The Swamp on Saturday wasn't just an important play, his Crocodiles coach Paul Woolpert described it as "game saving".

LIFE as a basketball player can certainly toss you some curve balls.

One day you're living it up on America's west coast, the next you're on the other side of the world building a new life.

The Bundaberg Radiology Bulls are please to announce the signing of American point guard Rodrick Stewart.

AN EXCITING part of local sport is producing elite athletes through an area's development program - and it's something the Rockhampton Basketball Association has been successful with.

BUNDABERG Radiology Bulls have lost the services of one of their United States stars of the past few seasons, Matt Hanson, but their committee is determined the team will reach the 2012 Queensland League finals.

A BEAR has long been synonymous with Bundaberg - probably most commonly known as the symbol of a world famous local alcohol drop. But the animal is also attached to the names of two of Bundaberg's teams which did most to bring sporting glory to the city in 2011.

It was a bitter end to this year's QBL season for James Legan.Despite averaging just under thirty points a game he was overlooked for the All Star five and the MVP award.

All that did was fuel the fire, the classy shooting guard - elected to stay on the Downs and work on his game. And if the stats are anything to go by - look out twenty twelve.

BUNDABERG Radiology Bears coach Dean Page believes he has filled the last two pieces of their playing roster puzzle for 2012 perfectly.

He will rest comfortably over the Christmas break after signing Rachel Maenpaa as their second American import and also recruiting Leeara Creet from Brisbane.

IF THERE was any doubt about the value of Shane Heal's appointment as Ipswich Force coach for next season, it was recently dispelled at the Ipswich Basketball Stadium.

Heal ran his first open-call pre-season training session at his new home court last Friday and players came from far and wide to work out with the Australian basketball legend.

POINT guard is arguably the most critical position on any basketball team so it is hardly surprising Ipswich Force coach Shane Heal is so pleased to have signed Shaun Gleeson to fill that role.

RETURNING Toowoomba Mountaineers coach Pop Dickerson believes the team can continue to improve on its breakthrough 2011 season.

In a coup for Basketball in South East Queensland, Brisbane Basketball has secured WNBL Logan Thunder star and current Australian Jayco Opals Squad member Kristen Veal, to a multiple year deal to Coach the Brisbane Capitals QBL Women.

Northside Wizards Basketball today announced they had signed one of Queensland's most respected coaches, Leonard King, to coach their men's team in the Queensland Basketball League for the next 2 years.

It is with great regret that the Caboolture Suns will not be participating in the 2012 Queensland Basketball League (QBL). After much deliberation and discussion, the QBL committee for the Suns have decided that it is within the best interests of the Association and its members to forego their position in the competition.

THE Blaze have removed the shackles from explosive swingman Chris Goulding, handing him a licence to shoot as he pleases.

IT'S a bit of a mixture for the Rockhampton Rockets as the team looks to the future under a new corporate banner while embracing the past with the re-appointment of coach Neal Tweedy and his assistant Darren Richardson.

Mackay Basketball is pleased to announce that Wade Rebetzke will return as Head Coach for the Global Product Search Meteorettes for the 2012 QBL season.

EIGHTEEN years after they picked up their first basketball, twins Courtney and Jessica Taylor have become the "Dynamic Duo" of the Ipswich Force.

MAROOCHY RSL CLIPPERS

Are seeking applications from suitably qualified & experienced Coaches for our 2012 QBL & D- League Season.

WHILE the experience of coming as far north as Rockhampton is new for Heath Millar, his background in basketball, and the women's game in particular, should make him feel at home with the Hog's Breath Cafe Cyclones this season.

RYAN Jeffries has always dreamt of playing in the NBL so when he heard former NBA player and Boomers star Shane Heal would coach the Ipswich Force in 2012, there was only one place he wanted to be.

Michelle Cosier loves the tough stuff, and actively seeks out punishment each time she steps on court.

But the bruises the Canberra guard cops in matches are nothing compared with the excruciating pain she's endured in her battle to overcome osteitis pubis.

Applications are now being sort for the South West Metro ’Robertson Gardens’ PIRATES Queensland Basketball League 2012 Coaches.

View the latest NCAA Update circulated by Basketball Australia

HOURS spent crafting his game at Hegvold Stadium will pay off for Rockhampton's Mitch Philp in Cairns tonight.

MACKAY Basketball has taken another step in its aim to establish itself as the premier sport in Mackay.

The Canberra Capitals want to use their clash with the Adelaide Lightning to send a warning to their WNBL rivals and prove they are not a spent championship force.

MATTHEW Adekponya remembers going to a Taipans' after-game function as a nine-year-old and shaking Aaron Grabau's hand.

NO fear. That's the attitude Crocodile Greg Vanderjagt says Townsville must adopt when the imposing shadow of NBL title favourites Perth is cast across at The Swamp tomorrow night.

Two games into the campaign and the West Australians have already created an aura of intimidation stretching league wide.

KIRBY Dalgleish has worn the pain, now she wants to taste the game.

Back for the Townsville Fire after a 12-month lay-off due to injury, Dalgleish is being hailed by coach Chris Lucas as a star-in-waiting as she makes her much anticipated comeback against the Canberra Capitals tonight.

Canberra star Marianna Tolo has vowed to ''get selfish'' and shoulder a huge offensive workload when the Capitals seek to reignite their season in Townsville tonight.

Rhys Martin might look like a composed veteran on the basketball court, but a strong case could be made for him wearing L-plates.

It’s not that he is unreliable or needs extra supervision, he simply soaks up all he can from experienced people around him, such as former Bullets team-mate CJ Bruton.

FOR junior basketball star Jason Ralph next year's QBL season can't arrive soon enough.

EVERY day Crocodiles coach Paul Woolpert works with youngster Todd Blanchfield he is being left with headaches.

The future of Mackay Basketball's QBL programs will be on show this weekend when the under 23 Meteors & under 21 Meteorettes head to Townsville for the first round of the Tropical Youth League.

QBL talents Stephen Kluck and Shane Davis did the bulk of the damage as full-strength Highfields took advantage of a depleted Toowoomba side to run out 108-74 victors in round six Regional Basketball League action on Saturday.

IN A major coup for Toowoomba basketball, Olympic silver medallist Jenni Screen has signed on to help the Mountaineers re-build their women's program into a premiership force.

CHRIS Goulding used to work in retail. He used to be a telemarketer and he wasn't a regular in high school rep teams.

FIRST impressions can mean everything and tonight Townsville coach Chris Lucas demands the rekindled Fire burns longer, harder and faster than ever before against WNBL powerhouse Bendigo at the Townsville RSL Stadium.

WHEN one door closes another one opens, just ask Republik Nightclub Rockets guard Mitch Philp.

After a number of setbacks during recent months, Philp signed his first ever NBL contract with 2010/11 runner-up Cairns Taipans and will join the club on Monday.

THE RE-SIGNING of Dean Brebner yesterday finalised the Taipans' list ahead of Saturday's NBL opening round reptile rumble with the Townsville Crocs.

It will bring to a conclusion one of the club’s most disjointed pre-seasons and be the introduction of four new faces in Snakes colours.

BUNDABERG Radiology Bears' quest to go one better next year in the QBL women's division has received a major boost with the re-signing of one of their best, Hayley Munro.

FAR North junior Deba George is about to take the biggest step of his basketball career after he was yesterday confirmed as the Cairns Taipans' final signing for the 2011-12 NBL season.

LIKE most sports-obsessed kids, Shane Coupland dreamed of being a professional athlete.

While the stardom associated with the professional game is still a while away, the 22-year-old has at least achieved half his dream.

IPSWICH Force has secured one of Australia’s most successful sportsmen to guide their men’s team in next year’s Queensland Basketball League.

Olympian, former national assistant coach and ex-Australian captain Shane Heal has accepted a one-year deal to coach the Force men’s side.

The ascent of the Bundaberg Bears in the 2011 Queensland Basketball League (QBL) Women’s premiership took many supporters by surprise.

The Bears shot up the ranks of the competition to achieve their first finals berth in five years and their first grand final appearance in the 28-year history of the team.

THE McDonald’s Meteors will relish being the hunted, rather than being the hunter, in their 2012 Queensland Basketball League championship defence.

The Meteors have been in celebration mode since their historic men’s title triumph against the Rockhampton Rockets last Saturday night at Candlestick Park. But the thoughts of victorious coach Grant Kruger have quickly turned to their championship defence.

COACH Grant Kruger will look to the younger brigade of the McDonald’s Meteors playing roster to take the next step in season 2012.

It is in this area where Kruger believes the continued improvement of the reigning QBL men’s champions will originate.

Queensland Basketball League Player/Coach Jess Bibby of the Canberra Capitals scored 27 points, but it was Jayco Opals squad member and former WNBL star Natalie Hurst who led the way with 35 points in the weekend’s QBL Grand Final against Bundaberg.

THERE were scenes of sheer jubilation as the iconic Queen rock anthem “We Are The Champions” filled the air of Candlestick Park on Saturday night.

The Crater simply “erupted” after the final buzzer signalled the start of ecstatic post-match celebrations for the McDonald’s Meteors to mark their historic QBL men’s championship triumph against the Rockhampton Rockets.

The Bundaberg Radiology Bears covered themselves in glory but they fell agonisingly short of an historic Queensland Basketball League women's premiership.

They booked their first grand final berth with a 96-88 ambush of Mackay in Gladstone on Friday night, before backing up for the decider on the same court on Saturday night against home town heroes Port City Power.

HAVING played in finals before, senior Ipswich Force basketballer Marney Lee is expecting a rowdy reception in Gladstone tomorrow night.

However, the shooting guard said the Force team was heading north with plenty of confidence and nothing to lose in Ipswich's first Queensland Basketball League semi-final.

THAT'S the message out of the McDonald’s Meteors and Global Product Search Meteorettes camps before tomorrow night’s QBL semi-final showdowns in Mackay and Gladstone.

AFTER debuting at the age of 17 in the top basketball competition in Queensland, Warwick State High School student Declan Starasts is aiming to play the sport professionally.

THE Republik Nightclub Rockets have edged one step closer to back-to-back QBL men’s championships.

And, the confidence within the group is rising heading into Friday night’s semi-final against Northside Wizards after its 85-73 quarter-final win over Townsville on the road on Sunday.

Before a QBL finals game even tips off this weekend, McDonalds Meteors and Global Product Meteorettes QBL stars will have another challenge thrown in front of them when they take on the St Mary's Catholic Primary School Basketball team in a fun exhibition game at the school's stadium.

SLAM-DUNKING powerhouse Will Shackleford has signed on for a third season with the Bundaberg Bulls after shunning better offers.

Bundaberg Radiology Bears’ QBL women’s title hopes are still alive after overcoming a tardy start to outgun Gold Coast Rollers 87-71 in their quarter-final clash at WIN Stadium on Saturday.

IT was do-or-die, but the Global Product Search Meteorettes are well and truly alive after their stunning QBL quarter-final triumph against Rockhampton on Saturday night at Candlestick Park.

THE Republik Nightclub Rockets' title defence is still alive after an astonishing come-from-behind win over Townsville yesterday.

THE Rollers' Queensland Basketball League season is over after a heart-breaking 87-86 loss to Brisbane in their knockout quarter-final.

After finishing second overall on the QBL ladder with an impressive 14-wins & 4-loss regular season record, your very own Global Product Search Meteorettes have booked themselves a home quarter-final for this Saturday night at the Crater.

After a fantastic and fascinating regular season, here are your final Power Rankings for 2011. Final rankings reflect how teams performed based on expectations.

THIS WEEKS THEME:

Doctor Who

IT WAS a weekend of mixed emotions for Ipswich basketball, with the men’s and women’s teams showing good form ahead of their state league finals.

However, the injury-hit men’s side suffered another setback with veteran player Daniel Robinson announcing his retirement.

HEAT star Todd Blanchfield has warned the last teams standing in the Queensland Basketball League play-offs that Townsville have honed their killer instinct.

The Heat earned the right to host their first home semi-final since 2003 with a 104-75 flogging of Toowoomba at QN Stadium on Saturday. Blanchfield, who led the demolition with a team-high 22 points at a staggering 64 per cent from the field, said the Mountaineers copped an early dose of what the Heat has in store for Rockhampton this Sunday.

THE McDonald’s Meteors have completed an historic Queensland Basketball League home-and-away campaign with top spot as their prize.

The Meteors will now enjoy a week’s rest before they host the second round of the 2011 finals series.

FOR youngster Tiana Gibson playing for Port City Power is a privilege and honour that she still finds overwhelming – even after two years with the side.

Tiana last year shared in the Power’s grand final victory and is looking forward to being part of the team as it goes for three in a row.

THE Hog's Breath Cafe Cyclones knew what they had to do to keep their season going and coach Peter Trennery was happy to report they did it well.

It has not been an easy season for the Cyclones with the loss of Tegan Cunningham at a crucial point in their drive to make the final.

THE Republik Nightclub Rockets are the 2011 QBL men's biggest losers.

As strange as it sounds, the Rockets booked their place in the 2011 finals series after suffering a 96-71 loss to Mackay Meteors at Hegvold Stadium on Saturday night.

It is with a great deal of disappointment that I write to advise that Basketball Queensland have just been advised by Basketball Australia that the Chinese promoter, Atlas Sports, has cancelled the tournament in which the QBL All Stars were to compete.  We were advised that this was due to “withdrawal of the sponsors’ funds.”

A GUTSY performance from the Ipswich Force men’s team has proven that they can still be finals enforcers despite the loss of centre Tim Behrendorff for the rest of the season.

BASKETBALL: It was business as usual for the Bundaberg Radiology Bears as they recorded their eighth straight victory in the QBL with an 89-51 drubbing of Northside Wizards yesterday.

EMMA Langford, Ipswich Force’s most valuable player, has been forced to resign from the squad after she was selected for the Australian Universities women’s basketball team.

PORT City Power women proved too hard to handle as they defeated Northside 95-68.

This would have been salt to Northside's wounds following its grand final loss to the Power last year.

THE Port City Power men's team had fifth-placed Northside worried with only a few points between the teams after the first two quarters.

This was followed by a strong third-quarter from the home team. However, the Power just couldn't overcome the Wizards in the fourth quarter.

As we enter into the business end of the QBL season some teams have already secured their spot in the playoffs, while other teams will be fighting for their lives over the remaining two Rounds. Many of the teams we are accustomed to seeing in the finals will be making an appearance in this year’s finals series, but there are also a number of sides who are set to end their years of finals oblivion.

THE Ipswich Force men’s and women’s teams have officially made the Queensland Basketball League playoffs this year.

With three games remaining in the QBL regular season, both teams are entrenched in the top two of their pool and neither can be relegated to third, no matter the results in the remaining three games.

BEC Haynes did her best to blow out the Rockhampton Cyclones, but couldn’t stop a 104-81 victory for the Port City Power’s arch rival.

JAMES Cripe being fouled out was more than likely the catalyst for the Port City Power’s 26-point losing margin against the Rockhampton Rockets on Saturday night.

INJURIES couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Toowoomba Mountaineers, with two winnable Queensland Basketball League games this weekend.

The Mountaineers travel to Caboolture tonight to take on a Suns outfit sitting below them in 13th place.

BUNDABERG Bulls coach Danny Page believes his team will pave a path towards the Queensland Basketball League play-offs with hard-work and persistence.

The Bulls will face Ipswich today in a tough battle to keep their finals dream alive and build upon a three-game winning streak.

TOWNSVILLE were too stubborn to let Cairns embarrass them at QN Stadium last night.

A dogged defensive performance by the Heat made up for a fumbling offensive showing by the competition pacesetters, with the hosts holding on for a 70-65 QBL win against their arch rivals.

TONIGHT the Marlins must outjump a much-taller Townsville and then get the better of a red-hot Deba George in Mackay tomorrow.  

And even then they may not be any closer to contesting the QBL finals.

JESS Bibby is going from being the jewel in the Port City Power crown to one in a string of Opals.

The Port City Power captain-coach has got the call-up to wear green and gold as the Opals take on the might of China in a three-match series starting Sunday.

AT the end of every practice court argument, Jill Haughton smiles with satisfaction.

It's not because she has won the latest spat, it's knowing that whoever Townsville meets next is going to cop the backlash.

STATISTICS may not lie, but the Heat will tonight be out to underline the truth.

Townsville manhandled their way to the outright Queensland Basketball League lead last week when they savaged both Caboolture and Brisbane on the road. More importantly, they imposed themselves as the best defensive unit in the competition, holding the Suns to 62 points and the Capitals to 58.

WILL Ferrell's legendary character from Semi-Pro Jackie Moon said it himself: “In the annals of history people are going to be talking about three things: the discovery of fire, invention of the submarine, and the Republik Nightclub Rockets round 11 QBL double header.”

Well, not quite.

THE death knell appears to be sounding for the historic Water St basketball stadium, with Toowoomba Basketball Association members voting next Tuesday on the future of the facility.

TBA has called a special general meeting and invited all registered and life members to vote on a proposal to relocate away from the association’s home.

IPSWICH Force player Emma Langford is excited about signing with Logan Thunder for the fast approaching Women’s National Basketball League season.

However, she has unfinished business with Ipswich before focusing on pre-season WNBL training at the end of August.

AFTER being named as a shadow player for the School Sports Queensland open boys' basketball team, Nathan Marsh would love to get a call-up into the team for the nationals.

But if he doesn't, the 17-year-old St Luke's Anglican School Year 12 student will just keep working hard towards his goal of ultimately playing at the top level.

QBL POWER Rankings

This Weeks theme: Entourage

Keep in mind people, this is a reflection of a 2 week span and expectations are everything.

ONE Ipswich team feels it should have won. The other accepted it was outgunned by a quality opponent.

That was the weekend wash-up after both Ipswich Force state league teams lost to Mackay at Booval on Sunday.

The Global Product Search Meteorettes and the McDonalds Meteors solidified themselves as legitimate QBL championship contenders, after both teams went undefeated on their road trip south over the weekend.

The Global Product Search Meteorettes accounted for the Gold Coast Rollers on Friday night, 89-73, the South West Pirates on Saturday night, 80-69 and the Ipswich Force on Sunday, 76-62.

AFTER two straight win-less years, the Toowoomba Mountaineers have been able to do what no one thought possible at the beginning of the year – post back-to-back wins.

Long suffering fans were treated to an unlikely come-from-behind 91-86 victory over the finals-bound Northside Wizards at the Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre on Saturday.

THE view is oh so nice from the top, but the Townsville Heat are anything but getting carried away.

Townsville completed a golden QBL road trip by pumping the Brisbane Capitals 76-58 on Saturday to add to their equally impressive 92-62 thrashing of the Caboolture Suns on Friday.

PORT City Power had to scrap and fight on its way to a six-point victory over the Cairns Dolphins on Saturday night, in what could possibly have been a preview of the grand final.

Fans who witnessed the 94-88 win weren’t treated to the usual Power offensive onslaught. It was a real grind with the home team having to dig deep to get the points.

FEW teams can boast holding fond memories of their time at Rockhampton's home court.

The QBL defending champions are a goliath in front of their fans and it took an amazing final quarter turnaround last season from the Marlins to break what was a 56-game winning streak at Hegvold Stadium.

FORGET State of Origin or Saturday’s Super 15 Rugby Union grand final, the Republik Nightclub Rockhampton Rockets could well be the hottest sporting ticket to get your hands on.

Tickets for tomorrow night’s traditional grudge match against Cairns were snapped up in hours when they went on sale in Rockhampton this week.

DIANA Neves has always had a hot hand for the Port City Power but her time at WNBL club Logan Thunder last season and with the Portugal national team has improved her greatly. Those experiences have made her an even more dangerous proposition for teams in the QBL.

A FIRED up Tony Campbell doesn’t mince his words.

Campbell suits up in his 19th season at the Republik Nightclub Rockets and can’t wait to take to the court tonight in this year’s biggest regular-season match.

FEW teams can boast holding fond memories of their time at Rockhampton's home court.

The QBL defending champions are a goliath in front of their fans and it took an amazing final quarter turnaround last season from the Marlins to break what was a 56-game winning streak at Hegvold Stadium.

A HUGE four point play in the last 20 seconds from Naomi Pedro has given the Dolphins a 79-74 victory and handed Port City their first defeat for the season.

WINNING was supposed to be fun. Townsville Heat coach Liam Flynn just had to remind his star-studded outfit of that in Saturday night's 16-point triumph over Gladstone.

THE McDonald’s Meteors swept aside Maroochydore on the back of a powerhouse 40 point opening quarter in their QBL State Championship contest at Candlestick Park on Saturday night.

PORT City Power’s men’s QBL playoff pipedream evaporated over the weekend with losses to Cairns (68-61) and Townsville (90-74), but they were just one bounce of the ball away from adding another chapter to their season story.

BUNDABERG Bears made its intention for a spot in the Queensland Basketball play-offs known in a hard-earned defeat of metropolitan powerhouse Brisbane Capitals.

THE Rollers have put a "huge dent" in their Queensland Basketball League title aspirations after an 89-88 loss to the Force in Ipswich yesterday.

THE McDonald’s Mackay Meteors will gauge the fitness of defensive specialist Matt Gange this morning before making a final decision on his selection for tonight’s QBL contest against Maroochydore at Candlestick Park.

This Saturday, July 2, Mackay Basketball will be hosting a very special fundraising event when they take on the Maroochydore Clippers at the Crater in Round 9 of the QBL.

The Global Product Search Meteorettes will be wearing special yellow armbands and the McDonalds Meteors will be wearing commemorative yellow jerseys when both teams compete in 'CALL TO ARMS' matches in support of the fight against Men's Cancers.

THE Gold Coast Rollers remain on top of the Queensland Basketball League ladder despite splitting their North Queensland road double at the weekend.

The Cairns ‘Bartercard’ Marlins and ‘Down Under Tours’ Dolphins have both tasted victory as they ‘rolled’ over visiting team, the Gold Coast Rollers on Friday night.

SECOND-placed and second-rate. Townsville Heat coach Liam Flynn was forthright in his post-mortem of the QBL top-of-the-table humbling to Gold Coast at QN Stadium on Saturday night.

Top spot on the QBL State Championships ladder is well and truly on the radar for the Mackay Meteors.

The Meteors issued a definitive statement with their decisive 92-80 win against the Bundaberg Bulls at Candlestick Park on Friday night.

Coach Wade Rebetzke heralded the defensive efforts of the Mackay Meteorettes following their comprehensive QBL State Championships win against the Bundaberg Bears on Friday night.

The Bundaberg Bears defeat of the Rockhampton Cyclones was the only joy in an otherwise luckless northern campaign for the Bundaberg Basketball Association.

FOR the Port City Power, its results at the weekend’s road trip followed a familiar script: the women winning both games and the men splitting the two.

This week's theme: “3 point shooters”

RAY ALLEN

A shot so pretty that they had to call the character he played in “He got Game” JESUS.

 1.  Cairns

Knocking off the Coast is a big scalp for this young group, they are putting the pressure on.

AFTER the early season shocks, the Republik Nightclub Rockhampton Rockets are back on course for a place in the 2011 Queensland Basketball League finals.

Coach Neal Tweedy wants to keep the team on a roll as results in the rest of the competition are assisting the Rockets, with Gold Coast, Townsville and Brisbane – the teams sitting at one, two and three respectively on the ladder before the weekend games – all losing.

Wollongong Hawks guard Rhys Martin will make his full international debut for the Australian Boomers against China on Friday night in Perth.

IT WAS a perfect weekend for the Bundaberg Radiology Bulls and Bears in the QBL with both teams winning their away double-headers possibly for the first time in the club’s history.

WNBL Logan Thunder guard Diana Neves made a welcome return to Kev Broome Stadium on Saturday night as the Port City Power continued their QBL dominance with a 107-87 win over regional rival Rockhampton.

IT was a night to forget for the Port City Power as they crumbled to a 30 point loss against Rockhampton Rockets in the QBL local derby at Kev Broome Stadium on Saturday.

AN UNDERMANNED Gold Coast Rollers outfit has repelled a dogged Toowoomba to remain the only undefeated team in the Queensland Basketball League.

AN 18-year-old girl, who earns her pay cheque flipping pancakes, is the most aggressive player on the Ipswich Force basketball team.

Do not let the easygoing nature of Lauren O'Sullivan fool you, because even if you manage to get between her and the basket – it won't be for long.

This Weeks theme: The SIMPSONS

Keep in mind people, this is a reflection of a 2 week span and expectations are everything.

Teams are still feeling each other out, but the depth of contenders is pretty special right now.

Best thing right now is to follow Ralph’s advice and keep things simple... “my cat’s breath smells like cat food”

INEXPERIENCE is no excuse for the Marlins to falter this season, according to senior member James Comino.

The boy they call Billy has played in two ABA-winning Marlins teams and said their young team had the requirements necessary to add to their silverware.

Tim Braban | 4th June 2011| The Chronicle

THE Toowoomba Mountaineers men's team might have slumped to three consecutive defeats, but captain Mike McDaniel isn't too worried.

For McDaniel these are the losses the Mountaineers need to have if they are going to be competitive at the end of the Queensland Basketball League season.

STEPHEN Weigh returns to the Republik Nightclub Rockets tonight to lead the way in the club's pursuit of back-to-back QBL championships.

Rockhampton's number one basketball export touched down in Rockhampton yesterday morning as the final piece of Rockhampton Republik Nightclub Rockets coach Neal Tweedy's 2011 roster.

QBL POWER Rankings Week 3
This Weeks theme: The Princess Bride

If you haven’t seen this movie... shame on you! An absolute Classic with a little bit of everything (much like this season)

Keep in mind people, this is a reflection of a 2 week span and expectations are everything.

THE resurgent Bundaberg Bears will aim for their third straight win in a row when the team clashes with Cairns Dolphins tomorrow.

Coach Dean Page has prepared his team for a tough battle against the northern powerhouse.

REDEMPTION tasted extra sweet for the Ipswich Force men’s team on Saturday night.

In front of a large crowd, who attended to herald the new naming rights sponsor of the stadium Cotton On Foundation, the Force shut down their opposition in the opening quarter.

At the end of the first 12 minutes, the Force led 20-12 and from there it became academic as they defeated the Mountaineers 95-78.

IT'S BEEN a tough initiation to the Queensland Basketball League for some of the Maroochydore Clippers recruits but women's coach Greg Kent predicts his youthful side will mould into a formidable outfit.

Both the Global Product Search Meteorettes and McDonalds Meteors will hit the road for the first time this QBL season with games in Townsville and Cairns this weekend.

The 'Northern Challenge' or 'Sunshine Swing' is the toughest road trip for opposing teams in the QBL and history has shown only a few teams have come away from the weekend successful.

This Weeks theme: Wrestling

BUNDABERG Bulls coach Adam Curran has asked his team to lift following a disappointing defeat at the hands of Gold Coast Rollers on Sunday.

AFTER winning their first game in two years a week earlier, the Toowoomba Mountaineers men crashed back down to earth with a thud on Saturday night.

The joy of securing their first win since 2009 against Ipswich became a distant memory at the Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre as Brisbane handed the Mountaineers a convincing 101-73 defeat in their Queensland Basketball League round two fixture.

BUNDABERG Bears will take to the courts of WIN Stadium in tomorrow’s clash against Gold Coast Rollers with three new high-profile players.

New Bears coach Dean Page will be in command of a vastly different arsenal than he had in the opening round of the Queensland Basketball League competition.

Chris Garry | 10th May 2011| QT

TERRIBLE shooting marred the Ipswich Force men’s team in their opening round of the Queensland Basketball League.

The Force lost 94-83 to the Toowoomba Mountaineers at Clive Berghofer Stadium on Sunday.

Every 2 weeks I will post the Power Rankings which are intended to provoke discussion, have some fun and not reflect the Standings but rather how the team has performed over the 2 week span. Please do not take them too seriously and feel free to use email to send me any suggestions you have for the upcoming themes, answers to trivia questions or how you feel your team is travelling. This week I have chosen the 90’s Bulls to sort out our teams and determine who won the off-season because who didn’t love those Bulls.

DESPITE two straight years without a win, newly-appointed Toowoomba Mountaineers captain Mike McDaniel says his team is a force to be reckoned with in the Queensland Basketball League.

The Gold Coast Rollers was officially resurrected at the 2^nd Annual Season Launch/Funny Money night at Carrara Indoor Stadium last night.

In front of over 350 people who flocked to the makeshift casino in the back foyer, the Rollers had two major announcements to make on the night and none of them disappointed the faithful.

The McDonalds Mackay Meteors may have luck on their side this season after landing the signing of dynamic guard Matt Gange, after he moved to Mackay for work commitments.

The Gold Coast Rollers are returning to Carrara.

The state league teams Gliders and Goannas have been renamed, as the sport looks to create a clear pathway for future champions.

RYHS Martin wants one more shot at the ultimate with the McDonald's Meteors in the Queensland Basketball League.

The McDonalds Mackay Meteors are pleased to announce that standout guard Rhys Martin will rejoin the team for the 2011 Queensland Basketball League season after agreeing to terms on Friday.

A YOUTHFUL Toowoomba Mountaineers women’s side took their first positive step towards the upcoming Queensland Basketball League season with a 68-49 win over Redlands on Saturday.

The Global Product Search Meteorettes are pleased to announce that point guard Heidi Freeburn will join the team for the 2011 QBL season.

No, the league is not being held to ransom but rather a chance to give you my thoughts on the upcoming season and hopefully get some feedback from everyone regarding rumours, facts, and opinions. Please note that I will clearly talk more about the Pirates and teams/people I know – so the more you send me, the more informed I will be!

The South West Metro ’Robertson Gardens’ PIRATES are pleased to announce that we have secured the services of Andy Sobieszuk as the Men's Coach and Phil Binder as the Women's Coach for the 2011 QUEENSLAND BASKETBALL LEAGUE SEASON. Click more for the Media Release on the 2011 Coaching Appointments.

Townsville Fire is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified people for the position of Head Coach to their Women’s National Basketball League Program.

Northside Wizards Basketball are seeking applications for Head Coach of our QBL Development League Women’s Team for Season 2011. Please click more for further information.

Lauren Jackson, current Seattle Storm superstar in the WNBA and the greatest ever Australian female basketball player will be attending the 2011 Flood Appeal QBL All-Star Game to be held at Chandler Arena, Sleeman Sports Complex on Sunday the 6^th of March 2011. Click here to read more.

Click Here to view the 2011 Flood Appeal QBL All Stars Game Team Lists for Sunday the 6th of March at Sleeman Sports Complex, Chandler

Parking for the 2011 QBL All Stars Game will be in Car Park 3 of the Sleeman Sports Complex. For a Map of the Venue Click Here.

The McDonalds Mackay Meteors are pleased to announce that star swingman Tim Coenraad will once again join the team as they push towards a QBL championship in 2011.

The much anticipated 2011 Queensland Basketball League draw has been released and many of Australia’s top basketball talent will make their return to Queensland courts on Saturday 7th May 2011.

South West Metro PIRATES are seeking applications for the Vacant D League Mens coach for Season 2011. The role will be to continue to assist the development of our highly successful Juniors through the Queensland Basketball Development League program. Applications are to be emailed to gm@southwestbasketball.com.au- marked Mens D-League Coach. Applications close on Monday 28th February 2011.

CROCODILES stars of the past, present and future will make up the Townsville Heat's new-look starting five in the QBL this season.

Townsville NBL great Kelvin Roberston will begin his career resurrection, having been overlooked for a Crocs contract this season after his second knee reconstruction in as many years, by once again suiting up for the state league team.

If you are interested in coaching D League Men or Women at Logan please contact 3801 3566.

Applications have now been called for positions of Head Coaches for Ipswich Force Men's and Women's D League. Please submit application via email: ipforce@bigpond.net.au by the Close of Business on Friday the 11th February.