Big prize at stake

HOME finals will go on the line on Friday night at the Fish Tank with both Cairns and Logan in the frame to host a Queensland Basketball League final.

And with Logan having a bye in the final round of the season, former Marlin and current Thunder centre Mitch Young knows how crucial their Northern nightmare weekend will be.

The Thunder are seventh with a 9-6 record and could jump into the top four with wins over Cairns and Townsville in Round 14.

The Thunder are arguably the most in-form team in the competition, winning seven of their last eight games.

“We have turned a corner in the way we have been playing,” Young said.

“There is still some slim chance of us finishing top four if other results fall our way so we want to play some good ball and keep building on what we have been doing. “The Marlins play hard. “It is always tough playing Cairns and we will look to use our size as an advantage.”

Young, now with the Brisbane Bullets in the NBL, spent one season with the Marlins and is enjoying working under 15-season NBL point guard Derek Rucker at Logan.

“He has a lot of feedback on efficiency ratings and how other guys are tracking around the league,” Young said.

“He has a pretty good feel for the players in the league.”

Young has been one of the most consistent big men in the QBL this season, averaging almost 23 points and 10 rebounds a night and shooting at over 50 per cent.

The Marlins host the Thunder from 8.30pm on Friday.