REPLAY BASKETBALL: U16 Boys- Brisbane Capitals v GC Waves
Scroll down to see today's schedule, and replays of previous games from the day.
FINAL DAY SCHEDULE
8am: Division 2 - GC Breakers v Brisbane Capitals Silver
9.30am: Division 1 - Rockhampton Rockets v USC Rip
11am: Division 2 Bronze Medal Game - SC Phoenix Teal v SWM Pirates Purple
12.30pm: Division 2 Grand Final - Ipswich Force v Gladstone Power
2pm: Division 1 Grand Final - Cairns Marlins v Northside Wizards
3.45pm: Division 1 Bronze Medal Game - Brisbane Capitals v GC Waves
GAME ONE | Gold Coast Waves v Brisbane Capitals
Gold Coast Waves have beaten Brisbane Capital 82-66 in the first game of the day.
Watch the replay:
GAME TWO | Rockhampton Rockets v USC Rip
Rockhampton Rocket have beaten USC Rip 95-94.
Watch the replay:
GAME THREE | SC Phoenix v SWM Pirates
The Pirates have won the Division 2 bronze medal game against Sunshine Coast Phoenix 81-75.
Watch the replay:
GAME FOUR | Ipswich Force v Gladstone Power
Ipswich Force take home the Division 2 grand final win against Gladstone Power 84-57.
Watch the replay:
GAME FIVE | Cairns Marlins v Northside Wizards
EARLIER | A new champion will be crowned today as the Northside Wizards and Cairns Marlins battle it out to win a trophy for their club on the final day of the Basketball Queensland State Championships for under-16 boys.
With last year's champions, the Gold Coast Waves, eliminated in the semi-final yesterday both the Wizards and the Marlins have a golden opportunity to win it all.
Both teams boast some of the best talent in the country and have set-up an exciting championship game with both clubs coming into the grand final on the back of red hot performances in the semi-final.
See both team's runs to the grand final.
DAY 3: WATCH REPLAYS & WRAP OF GIRLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS SEMI-FINALS
DAY 3: WATCH REPLAYS & WRAP OF BOYS STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS SEMI-FINALS
DAY ONE OF BASKETBALL QLD STATE U14 BOYS CHAMPIONSHIPS TIPS-OFF
NORTHSIDE WIZARDS
Game 1 v Rockhampton Rockets: 90-79 win
Game 2 v Mackay Meteors: 115-77 win
Game 3 v Logan Thunder: 86-79 loss
Game 4 v Gold Coast: 74-65 win
Game 5 v SD Spartans: 99-91 win
Semi-Final v Brisbane Capitals: 107-75 win
Following two dominant wins to start their tournament, the state championships were looking bright for the Northside Wizards.
But then disaster struck as the Wizards were upset during the pool stages by the Logan Thunder and were in danger of missing the semi-finals.
However, coach Luke Patrick said it may have been the kick his team needed.
The Wizards rebounded to beat fellow powerhouse, the Gold Coast and then Spartans to make yesterday's semi-final, where they absolutely destroyed the Capitals and looked desperate to win a championship.
Northside now have a championship within their sights.
"It has been a tough week in a strong pool." Patrick said.
"On multiple occasions, our lack of intensity has meant we've had to dig our way out of a deficit.
"Dropping a pool game was a reality check for the boys who have fighting tough since."
Patrick said today's clash with Cairns was going to be an interesting challenge with contrasting styles set to take the court.
"We are hoping our depth helps us get over the line," he said.
The Wizards have been led by dominant big man Joshua Hughes with more than 17 points per game as well as Beau Miles, who has averaged more than 16 points per contest.
CAIRNS MARLINS
Game 1 v NGC Seahawks: 93-38 win
Game 2 v USC Rip: 80-60 win
Game 3 v SWM Pirates: 81-72 win
Game 4 v Brisbane Capitals: 80-68 win
Semi-Final v GC Waves: 75-68 win
Probably the smallest team which made the semi-finals stage, the Cairns Marlins make up for what they lack in size with effort and heart.
And it showed as they came back from a 16-point deficit to beat the defending champions Gold Coast to book their spot in today's championship game.
The Marlins weren't challenged much during the pool stages but took a while to get going against the Gold Coast but as they have all tournament, dynamic duo Jaylen Pitman and Tyson Crees led Cairns back from the brink to earn one of the biggest upsets of the season.
Pitman (28 points per game) and Crees (16 points per game) have been impressive all tournament, carrying the load offensively for the Marlins but the team's role players have also stepped up in crucial situations to give themselves a chance of winning a title.
"The same as all the other teams, we've had a very disrupted year due to COVID but I could not be any prouder of the hard work they have done when we were able to get back to it," Marlins coach Geoff Benson said.
"As a quite small association I think a huge part of our success so far is that we genuinely enjoy each other's company and have built a very strong culture and show up for each other over an over again.
"Although we are a very young team, we have quite a bit of experience with nine out of 10 of our players previously playing in gold medal games so they know the drill when we go away on trips.
"We play hard, form long lasting mateships and will do anything to help each other succeed."
Benson said his team would need every bit of that culture and mateship in the final against Northside.
"Our match up tomorrow with the Wizards will be super tough, they have a very talented team and quite a bit of size on us," he said.
"So even though we have been undefeated so far I feel we will be the underdogs going in to this match up but with grit and determination my boys have shown this week anything is possible."
FINAL DAY SCHEDULE
8am: Division 2 - GC Breakers v Brisbane Capitals Silver
9.30am: Division 1 - Rockhampton Rockets v USC Rip
11am: Division 2 Bronze Medal Game - SC Phoenix Teal v SWM Pirates Purple
12.30pm: Division 2 Grand Final - Ipswich Force v Gladstone Power
2pm: Division 1 Grand Final - Cairns Marlins v Northside Wizards
3.45pm: Division 1 Bronze Medal Game - Brisbane Capitals v GC Waves
Originally published as LIVE: Boys Basketball Qld u16 State Championships finals
