Pat Koopman | 8th August 2011 | Daily Mercury

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.

Coach Grant Kruger could not hide his sense of pride when he spoke to the Daily Mercury

yesterday after weekend road wins against Gladstone and

Rockhampton.

“We will have this week off and get to watch all the other teams,” he said.

Kruger said this was timely as it would give players the benefit of an extra week’s rest to recover from niggling injuries.

Among them will be Peter Duck, who sustained a badly sprained ankle on the weekend.

The Meteors defeated Gladstone 88-80 on Friday night before they backed up with a 96-71 triumph against Rockhampton.

The wins enabled the Meteors to maintain their number one spot.

“Total credit to the team,” Kruger said.

“The whole team plays together and for each other.”

This was evident again on

Friday night after the Meteors had opened up a 20-point buffer at one stage.

They then had to withstand a resurgent Gladstone as they reduced the final deficit to eight points.

Rhys Martin (27 points), Deba George (25) and Tim Coenraad (18) were the primary scorers for the Meteors.

“We had to go out and play our own game,” Kruger said of the contest with Rockhampton.

“The guys really did that and dominated.”

Coenraad top scored with a game-high 37 points.

George and Martin continued their productive scoring form with 17 points apiece, while Brad

Rasmussen made the most of his court time with 10 points.

Travis Reed (22) and Aaron Glazebrook (11) were the only Rockhampton players to reach double figures.

The Meteors have created history for the Mackay club this season, but want to achieve so much more.

“I am really proud of the guys,” Kruger said.

“We want to be the first Mackay team to win the whole QBL.”