Coast teams up for crack at state title
THE Queensland under-18 state championships are starting to heat up with pool play almost finished.
The under-18 Division 1 has three Gold Coast teams performing well, with both girls teams undefeated – Gold Coast Waves (4-0) and North Gold Coast Seahawks (4-0).
Both teams still have one more pool game to play today but will be in the semi-finals tomorrow with a possible match-up in the semis or grand final.
The Seahawks had their hardest test of the tournament yesterday with a big comeback against a favoured Logan Thunder team.
The Seahawks came from 13 points down to roll over the Logan team in the second half on the back of outstanding play from Lily Dart and Katie Deeble.
This win will secure top spot in their pool and give the Seahawks girls some serious momentum into the finals. The Gold Coast Waves girls had a solid performance yesterday but will have an extremely tough game against Townsville Flames, who won the under-16 state championships two years ago.
The Gold Coast Waves girls team, who will make it through to the semi-finals regardless, have all players performing well.
In the Division 1 boys competition, the Gold Coast Waves have secured a semifinal berth with one game remaining against Brisbane today.
Both teams are undefeated and will go through to the semi-final from their pool.
In the other pool, Southern Districts Spartans look to be the team to beat.
South West Metro Pirates and Logan Thunder are in the hunt as well.
The Gold Coast Waves have played a high-octane game.
Preston Legassick (26.75) and Lloyd McVeigh (26.5) are the top two pointscorers in the competition and have been pouring shots in from deep all tournament.
Lloyd’s older brother Jack
McVeigh plays for the Adelaide 36ers, while Preston’s father was a Gold Coast NBL legend.
Hopefully the two boys keep looking for each other and Gold Coast can make the final on Sunday.
It’s been a great job by the Gold Coast to have three teams already qualified by the end of day two for the semifinals.
More than 70 teams are competing at the Gold Coast Sport and Leisure Centre.
Why not get down there this weekend to see the best young players in the state.