The Brisbane Capitals have once again tormented all who stand in their way, last weekend sweeping the South West Metro Pirates in SBL and QBL action, and then the following day, the SBL men disposed of SASE in Maroochydore to claim 5 wins from 5 games over the weekend.

The Capitals SBL women’s team got the ball rolling with a convincing 85 – 64 win moving them just one game out of the top four and finals contention. In what could only be likened to the Tortoise and the Hare story, these girls turned that fairy-tale into reality.

After a solid start to the season, then a mini slump mid-way through, now these girls are back to stringing wins together on the back of new recruit Kate Heal who led the way yet again over the weekend with 18 points and Jessie Cooke added 16 to cement the win after a close first half.

The SBL men’s team were going to be testing over the weekend, playing two teams in the top four, back to back so you could forgive them if they lost concentration or lacked enthusiasm for portions of the games, but head coach Michael Van Dongen accepted nothing less than perfection.

“It doesn’t matter who we play or where we play them, we have to come out ready to play each and every time if we’re going to give this thing a solid shake,” Van Dongen said.

“This weekend will give us a strong indication of where we really are and the boys are ready to go,” he concluded.

And these men rose to the occasion with a gritty 66 – 56 win against the Pirates who were in top spot prior to the game, then after a long drive up the M1 disposed of SASE by a whopping 18 points to rocket into first place on the ladder and into “home finals” contention.

Tim Weigh and Tom Malloy both combined for a total of 24 points each over both games and against the Pirates, Malloy recorded 10 blocked shots.

Looking at the QBL ladder as it stood, this game was 3^rd vs 12^th. On paper you could be forgiven for thinking the Capitals would walk away from this one with an easy win, however only a single point separated these two at the first break, with the Capitals leading 13 – 12.

They were able to extend that lead to 7 points at the main break and then the flood gates opened where every Capitals player contributed, led by Kristen Veal with 11 points then Mikaela King, Jess Wallis and Heidi Freeburn all added 10 points each.

This win places the Caps in first place in Pool B of the QBL and third on the overall QBL ladder and like their SBL men counterpart, eyeing off a home elimination finals game.

In the last game of the day, like their female counterparts, this was 4^th vs last and it showed after one quarter of basketball. At the end of the first the Capitals led 19 – 18 but the storm was brewing and they exploded for 33 second quarter points to cruise to the easy win and stay in contention for top spot in the pool.

Drew Phillips was outstanding with a game high 30 points with solid contributions from Drew Eisinger 17 points, Ryan Jeffries 14 points and Dusty Rychart with 13 points. The Capitals sit in second spot in Pool B and fourth overall on the QBL ladder.

The Capitals continue their trade on the road again this weekend travelling up the M1 to take on the Suncoast Clippers. Last time these two teams met was in Round 6 where the women won narrowly by 9 points and the men needed an overtime period to claim their 3 point win.