Rockhampton Cyclones v Gladstone Power, Fri 7th Aug @ 8pm (Hegvold Stadium)-

This stand alone Friday night Quarter Final will be a cracker.  The Cyclones managed to scrape thru their Round 15 double-header with 2 wins to secure the rights to host this game and they’ll need all the advantages they can get.  The last time these two teams met it was all the Power as they cruised to a 93-75 win in Round 12.  The Power combo of Natalie Hurst and Jessica Bibby are on-top of 5 of the 8 stat awards this year which is a real domination from a team that went 2 and 16 in ’08.  The Cyclones have adapted well to the loss of Abby Bishop with Haynes and Rush in-form, but this void is not something that can be easily filled.  The Power showed their true colours on Sunday on the Gold Coast where everything they touched turned to gold including an impressive 6 of 8 three’s from Hurst.  The Power will have a good following at Hegvold Stadium and are hungry to put Gladstone on the map as a basketball town. 

Caboolture Suns v Maroochydore Clippers, Sat 8th Aug @ 6:30pm (Caloundra Indoor Stadium)-

The Caboolture Suns have won 7 of their last 9 games and are red hot.  They have gone 1 and 1 to the Maroochy Clippers this year but their preparation leading into this game has been flawless.  Traci Edwards collected back-to-back Player of the Week recognition and when she combines with Simone Grant this team really gets moving.  This game is a replay of the 2008 Quarter Final where the Suns won 69-54 before being demolished in the Semi Final 29-84 by the National Champ’s Townsville Flames.  A win here will see them fly to Townsville next weekend to try their hand in the big smoke.  The Maroochydore Clippers are not a team to be sneezed at.  Amy Brown brings US College experience to the table while Kirsty Dallas is a true leader of the game.  Kristina Innemee has developed well over the last few years and can produce big numbers at either end so expect a close match.  Clippers saw a Grand Final in 2007 and would love to go one better in ’09. 

South West Metro Pirates v Gold Coast Gliders, Sat 8th Aug @ 3pm (Hibiscus Sports Complex)-

The South West Metro Pirates are in position for another great finish to the year.  They have never won a Championship but their ’08 season has been their best in history as they played off in a National Quarter Final going down to the Sydney Comets (44-69).  Alot of work stands between them and a Championship though.  The team is a mix of aussie-born and bred local talent and imported strength.  Player of the Week Catherine Scanlon should assist Erin Brady to lead this team to victory but don’t expect the Gliders to go down as easy as they did to Gladstone last week.  The team has been built from the ground up and they only carry a small but dedicated roster.  A Quarter Final berth is already a step up from their ’08 finish and anymore from here on our is only cream on the cake.  This afternoon Quarter Final kicks off a night of high tension, high drama and quality basketball all over the state.