Rockets fired-up for finals
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.
The win for Mackay coupled with their 88-80 defeat of Gladstone on Friday night, ensures the Meteors finish on top of the QBL men's ladder, allowing the fourth-placed Rockets to progress through to the finals along with northern conference rivals Townsville.
The Rockets travel north next weekend for their must-win quarter final match against the Townsville heat on Sunday afternoon while Gold Coast hosts Brisbane and Northside take on Ipswich in the other quarter-final matches.
Stephen Weigh and Paul Scott return for the Rockets after missing Saturday night's match against the Meteors.
Mackay proved too strong for an under-strength Rockets outfit despite some early opposition from the locals.
The Rockets led 20-18 at quarter time before the Meteors skipped away thanks to Timothy Coenraad, former Rocket Rhys Martin and the energetic Deba George.
Coenraad finished with 37 points and 12 rebounds, while Martin and George both added 17.
Towering import Travis Reed was once again the star for the Rockets in Stephen Weigh's absence, adding 22 points and 12 rebounds while local product Aaron Glazebrook put up his best numbers of the year, finishing second behind Reed in scoring with 11 points.
“I thought everyone did okay for us,” Tweedy said.
In promising signs, Ryan Jeffries suited up for the Rockets less than 48 hours after suffering an ankle injury at training.
“We just wanted to get Ryan some minutes to see how he was progressing after Thursday,” Tweedy said.
“He pushed through the pain and he's a good chance to play now. He'll be right for next weekend,” he said.
Check out all the weekend's sports action in our online galleries at themorningbulletin.com.au.
Men's QBL
Round 14
Mackay 96 (Coenraad 37, Martin 17, George 17) def Rockets 71 (Reed 22, Glazebrook 11, Philp 9)
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