After a lot of effort from a lot of people the South West Metro Pirates successfully hosted its inaugural QBL Preseason Blitz!
The competition was run with men's and women's divisions, with QBL teams from Toowoomba (Mountaineers) and Sunshine Coast (Rip) plus perennial grand finalists from the SBL, the Runaway Bay Seahawks. In a format where teams get points for winning a quarter and a bonus point for winning the game, it allows coaches an opportunity to experiment with rotations and combinations. A team can still loose a game but receive more points than the opposing team. The new QBL kids on the block, the Sunshine Coast Rip, proved they are worthy of their inclusion into the QBL after taking the game up to the Pirates in their last game. The Rip jumped out to a large lead early on with some sharp shooting and a spectacular alley-oop play from star recruit Lance Hurdle. Lance was recruited to play in the NBL for the Woolongong Hawks in 2013 before he tore an ACL. Now fully recovered he is going to be a highlight reel for the local news up on the Sunny coast on a weekly basis. The Rip eased up and let its younger players gain some valuable court time in the second half which saw the Pirate's head home with a wet sail and get the win. The Rip visit the "Ship" in Round 3 on Saturday 14th May in what will be a great match up.
The Toowoomba Mountaineers were without star recruit and ex NBL Gold Coast Blaze import Erron Maxey who was bed ridden with a virus. and did not participate in any games over the Blitz. As QBL pool rivals neither team was willing to show all their cards ahead of next weekends opening night clash at the "Ship" on Saturday 30th April.
The Pirate women welcomed their import Sidney Parsons this week and after only one training with the team showed her professionalism in being able to help out her young team mates through plays on the court. The second import and last years league leading shot blocker will not arrive in time for the first game after her team made it through to the grand final in Germany.
Games start at 3.00pm with the SBL men and women followed by the QBL at 5.30pm and the men at 7.30pm. Tickets are available at the door $10 or you can get your discounted season pass here.
