The Townsville Flames have blitzed their way through the QABL Grand Final, collecting back-to-back State Championships and a massive 92-46 win.  The Flames raced away to a 21-7 lead at the first break, with Smith exerting her dominance early to have the Pirates on the back-foot from tip-off.  This speed continued all game with the Flames dominating the first three-quarters to create a margin that was too much of a challenge for the Pirates to rain in, before switching over to cruise mode in the final quarter.  The Pirates poor percentages from both the field (29.5%) and line (33.3%) kept them from really taking a chunk out of the defending National Champ’s.  The Flames have secured the home game in next weekend’s National Quarter Final, where the team will take on the Bankstown Bruins (Waratah Runner-up) with the hopes on winning and then heading to Melbourne the following weekend for a chance to defend their National crown.  While the Pirates will head to NSW to face a tougher opponent in the Waratah Champion (Sydney Comets).  Awards Winners announced at the Grand Final include-

QABL 2008 State Championship Women’s All League Team-

Kelly Wilson (Mackay Meteorettes); Rachael Flanagan (Townsville Flames);

Rebecca Haynes (Logan Thunder); Cherie Smith (Townsville Flames);

Brittany Davis (Logan Thunder)

QABL 2008 State Championship Women’s Stat Winners-
Leading Scorer (Kelly Wilson – 27.89ppg)
Leading Rebounder (Ezria Parsons – 15.53rpg)
Steals Leader (Shannon Proffit – 3.41spg)
Assists Leader (Megan Michael – 6.41apg)
Leading Shot Blocker (Lucinda Doughty – 1.94bpg)
Leading Field Goal % (Cherie Smith – 59.8%)
Leading Free Throw % (Kelly Wilson – 81.1%)
Leading 3 Point % (Rebecca Haynes – 44.2%)

QABL 2008 State Championship Women’s U23 Youth Player of the Year-
Amy Browne (Maroochydore Clippers)

***League MVP and Coach of the Year to be presented at the BQ Awards Dinner (Sat 6th Sept).