Gilbert Throws Down Trip-Dub
Tagged in: Kiwis Abroad
Former Tall Fern Adrianne Gilbert became the second Kiwi to record a triple-double in the Australia Basketball Association (ABA) leagues this winter.
Following on the heels of Shannon Proffit’s triple-double two weeks ago, Gilbert had 10 points (4/8 FG, 0/1 3pt, 2/3 FT), 12 rebounds and 11 assists in 35 minutes in the final regular season round of the Waratah League.
Gilbert’s stat-line, which also included two blocks, helped her Bankstown Bruins complete an undefeated 14-0 regular season with a 77-48 win over the Hornsby Spiders, heading into the playoffs.
Speaking of playoffs, Gemma Kerr had five points (2/6 FG, 1/3 3pt), four rebounds and two steals in 22 minutes as the Kilsyth Lady Cobras upset the Launceston Tornadoes 69-57 in the first round of the South East Australia Basketball League (SEABL) playoffs.
The minor semifinal win booked the Lady Cobras a match-up with the Bendigo Lady Braves in the preliminary final on Saturday, with a spot in the women’s championship game against the Nunawading Spectres at stake.
In the Queensland Australia Basketball League (QABL), Tall Blacks triallist Callum Baynes posted 17 points (6/9 FG, 1/1 3pt, 4/6 FT), five rebounds and a steal in 19 minutes and former Nelson Giant Rowan Gray had nine points (4/14 FG, 1/2 FT), six rebounds, two assists and a steal in 21 minutes as the defending champion Cairns Marlins clung to their playoff lives last week.
The 118-78 romp over the winless Maroochydore Clippers, with Zeke Meehl scored four points (1/2 FG, 2/4 FT), two rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes, kept the Marlins top-four hopes alive.
Cairns will need to win their final round double-header this weekend against the competition-leading Rockhampton Rockets and Gladstone Port City Power, and hope the Brisbane Capitals and Northside Wizards slip up.
Otago Nuggets guard Shaun Tilby and his Gold Coast Goannas saw their playoff hopes disappear in round 15.
Tilby had 20 points (10/14 FG, 0/2 FT), 10 rebounds and six assists in 43 minutes in a 118-95 win over Zane Meehl’s Mackay Meteors, and 13 points (6/11 FG, 0/1 3pt, 1/2 FT), five rebounds, four assists and three steals in 37 minutes in a 103-88 loss to the 15-2 Rockets.
Meehl had 26 points (10/17 FG, 3/6 3pt, 3/3 FT), two rebounds, three assists and a steal in 36 minutes for Mackay.
Proffit produced another monster double-double with 14 points (3/6 FG, 3/5 3pt, 5/8 FT), 14 rebounds, two steals and an assist in 38 minutes in the Maroochydore Clippers 86-84 loss to the Cairns Dolphins. She followed with eight points (3/7 FG, 1/3 3pt, 1/2 FT), six rebounds, two assists and a steal in 28 minutes in a 122-49 blow-out loss to the undefeated Townsville Flames.
Out West, former Tall Fern Jess Spinner produced a season-high 20 points (6/12 FG, 4/7 3pt, 4/5 FT), six rebounds, four assists and two steals in 28 minutes in the Wanneroo Wolves 86-76 win over the Geraldton Buccaneers in the Western Australia State Basketball League (SBL).
Spinner could only manage a point (0/1 FG, 0/1 3pt, 1/2 FT), two rebounds, two steal, an assist and block in 17 minutes in a 67-50 loss to the Mandurah Magic in round 18. The Wolves have secured their top-eight berth win one week remaining in the regular season.
