Capitals looking good and on the hunt for a Championship

The Brisbane Capitals have sent a strong message to all teams in the 2009 QBL after the team’s success in a pre-season hit out in New Zealand over the weekend. The Capitals were edged out of the top spot of the 2009 NBL Blitz after going down to the Century City Saints (64-46) in the Grand Final played at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua, New Zealand.

The final started slowly with it taking a minute for Troy McLean to open the scoring with a fade away jumper. It was another full minute before Brisbane replied with a three pointer to captain Braden Saunders. As the first half progressed the Century City Wellington Saints began to dominate and the crowd of 500 plus came to life on the back of three big dunks from Mike Efevberha, Arthur Trousdell and Calum MacLeod. Momentum was firmly with the Saints as they took a nine point lead into the break up 30-21.

The Saints never took their foot of the throttle in the second half and some outstanding defensive pressure kept Brisbane sharp shooter Michael Shaw in check and working hard for long range buckets. Arthur Trousdell troubled the Capitals both inside and from beyond the arc in recording a game high 24 points and by the time Saints development player Jordan Mills drained a three from the corner with four minutes to play the Saints had extended their lead to 20 points.

Even as Saints coach Gordie McLeod gave some time to youngsters Tipene Friday and Thomas Webb, who had performed credible during the tournament, the Saints continued to dominate and eventually won by 18 points.

In earlier Semi Final action the Brisbane Capitals jumped out to a 6 point lead after a pair of threes from Michael Shaw and as the game settled the Capitals extended the lead to 10 points midway through the first half. The Devon Taranaki Dynamos rallied late in the first half with Link Abrams and James Paringatai both getting hot. At the break Taranaki had closed to within three of the Capitals. Brisbane controlled the second half and was ahead by nine midway through the second half and looking comfortable until Phillip Gilbert and Aaron Nowell stepped up for Taranaki to get with two of the Capitals. That run only served to wake the Capitals up and Braden Saunders hit a couple of threes to see Brisbane run out 66-59 winners.

2009 NBL Blitz Results-

DAY 1-

Brisbane Capitals 51 (Braden Saunders 16, Mark Ferguson 10, Matt Roberts 8) def. Easy LPG Bay Hawks 44 (Mark Morrison 13, Miles pearce 9, Clifton Bush 8)

ecogise Nelson Giants 58 (John Barber Jnr 20, Jarryd Lloyd 9, Steve Bill 9) def. Brisbane Capitals 47 (Andrew Latimer 11, Michael Shaw 9, Alex White 7)

Brisbane Capitals 44 (Andrew Latimer 13, Branden Saunders 9, David Bartholomaeus 8) def. Waikato Pistons 41 (Pero Cameron 12, Puke Lenden 11, Mike Homik 9)

DAY 2-

Brisbane Capitals 62 (Andrew Latimer 17, Michael Shaw 15, Alex White 15) def. Appliance Shed Harbour Heat 58 (Chaz Spicer 15, Mychal Green 9, Daryl Cartwright 9)

SEMI FINAL-

Brisbane Capitals 66 (Michael Shaw 18, Andrew Latimer 14, Braden Saunders 11) def. Devon Taranaki Dynamos 59 (Link Abrams 19, Phillip Gilbert 19, Aaron Nowell 11)

GRAND FINAL-

Century City Wellington Saints 64 (Arthur Trousdell 24, Mike Efevberha 12, Boyd Skircovich 8 ) def. Brisbane Capitals 46 (Michael Shaw 13, Andrew Lattimer 8, Matt Roberts 7)

Last Modified on 04/03/2009 17:23

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