Dennis’ Computers Townsville Flames v Gladstone Power - Saturday 21 July, in Gladstone
The Power fought their way to the top of the ladder last week, defeating fellow league powerhouse Mackay. Gladstone guard Natalie Hurst earned her third Player of the Week title for the season for her triple-double performance in the win against Mackay, and no doubt she’ll be aiming for a similar game against Townsville this week. The Flames are sitting on three wins in a row, after securing a comfortable win at home against the Maroochydore Clippers. With Gladstone expected to be at full strength and out to continue their winning run, it’ll be tough going for Townsville to pull out a win, particularly on the road. The Flames will look to last week’s top performers in Letitia Ward, Lisa Braunberger and Aroon Edgar to hit the ground running to shut down Gladstone’s danger trio of Bibby, Hurst and Haynes, particularly at the perimeter, and their line-up has been boosted further with the addition of WNBL Canberra Capitals player Hannah Bowley. Gladstone took the spoils the last time these teams met, with a convincing 100-63 point win in Townsville in Round 7, but the Flames were without key player Braunberger. With Gladstone, Mackay and Rockhampton occupying the top three spots on the ladder, Townsville’s finals chances are unlikely but that won’t stop them from bringing their best game to the court.

Dennis’ Computers Townsville Flames v Rockhampton Cyclones- Sunday 22 July, in Rockhampton
The Flames hit the court again after facing Gladstone on Saturday, and have another tough fight on their hands against second-placed Rockhampton. Both Rocky and Townsville enjoyed large-margin wins last week, the Cyclones defeating Northside and Brisbane, while Townsville had their third win in a row with a win over the Clippers. It’s the first time the teams have faced each other this season, and with Rocky sitting on eight wins in a row, no doubt they’ll be keen to continue their form and secure this win in a bid to get into top-billing on the ladder and improve their chances of a home final. Flames players will go up against their Townsville WNBL team-mates Shanavia Dowdell and Nicole Romeo, so Townsville will need to use the inside knowledge of the pair’s on-court movements in order to shut them down. The Flames will need to push their players, particularly their top shooters in Edgar, Braunberger, Kayla and Letitia Ward and the Froling sisters, to their maximum output in order to match up to the Cyclones, and defending within the paint against Rocky’s bigs will be a key component if they’re to overcome Rockhampton. Townsville have the odds against them, but with them out to add another win to their streak they’re likely to leave nothing on the court in this one.

Townsville McDonald’s Heat v Gladstone Power - Saturday 21 July, In Gladstone
With Townsville ending their losing streak last week against Maroochydore, they’ll be looking to continue the positive trend when they take on Gladstone. The Power sit second-last on the ladder, sustaining a big loss at the hands of Mackay last week. Townsville’s finals chances are on a knife-edge, with Cairns ahead by just one win coming into Round 10, so the Heat will need to secure this match and Sunday’s clash with Rockhampton in order to sure up their chance at a finals berth. They were buoyed last week with the return of key players Chris Cedar, Todd Blanchfield and Mitch Norton, and will need all three to be in-form to ensure a win over a Gladstone side who can hold their own. Power import Zach Silverman shot 26 points last week, and can prove deadly when backed up by team-mates Todd Meyerding, Kevin Gaines and Illiwa Baldwin—who all have the ability to put up big points. It was a close encounter last time these teams went head-to-head in Round 7, with the Power winning by just three points. Both teams had their star players for the Round 7 clash and with the teams being quite evenly matched in terms of field goal percentages and rebounds, it was the free throw shooting that proved costly for the Heat - making only 12/23 compared with Gladstone’s 25/28. The Heat are unlikely to let this chance pass them by and will look to make every basket count at the line and start their central Queensland road trip with a win.

Townsville McDonald’s Heat v Rockhampton Rockets - Sunday 22 July, 2pm, in Rockhampton
The Rockets are flying high after taking two wins last week against Northside and Brisbane, and remain at second spot on the ladder. They’re facing off against a fired-up Townsville side, who know their finals chances are slim with Cairns sitting between them, Rockhampton and Mackay on top of the ladder. With this the second game this weekend for the Heat, after taking on Gladstone on Saturday night, the pressure is on for them to lock up both matches in order to have a chance at the finals. They’ll face a tough opposition in Rockhampton, with the side dominating the field so far this season, and looking as strong championship contenders. It’s the first time the teams have hit the court together this season, and Townsville will need to come out all guns blazing in an effort to shut down Rockhampton’s key trio of Travis Reed, Ryan McDade and Brad Williamson, all holding the ability to put big points up on the board. With Townsville’s Norton, Rees, Cedar and Blanchfield also able to pull big numbers, this could be a close match if the Heat fire up and don’t leave anything on the court in the battle to get into the finals.