This weekend proved to be a busy one for Illawarra's NBL1 contingent, with numerous strong performances being produced on the hardwood.
Staring up north and young gun Lachlan Dent took the court twice, playing in a double-header for his Brisbane Capitals.
On Friday night at Auchenflower Stadium, despite 20 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals from Dent, the Capitals went down 93-88 to Logan.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">Lachlan Dent gets crafty with the handle ??<br><br>Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/Nbl1North?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBL1North</a> live and free on <a href="https://t.co/NEk1I7BLMG">https://t.co/NEk1I7BLMG</a> and the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL1?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL1</a> App ??? <a href="https://t.co/et8HKGRjdC">pic.twitter.com/et8HKGRjdC</a></p>— NBL1 (@NBL1) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL1/status/1533337401677950978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></body></html>
Two days later, the Caps travelled to Rowland Cowan Stadium to take on Southern Districts.
Behind 21 points, five assists and two rebounds from Dent, Brisbane won 110-86, to improve to 3-4 this season.
Next weekend, in round seven, Brisbane again has a double-header, starting on Friday at Maroochydore Stadium against Sunshine Coast before backing up the next night against Gold Coast at Auchenflower Stadium.
This weekend also saw Isaac White return to action for Ipswich on Saturday, after a bye in round five.
The week off proved beneficial for White, who dropped 35 points, three rebounds and three assists, as the Force smashed Southern Districts 116-87 at JBS Stadium.
Next up for the Force is Mackay at JBS Stadium on Friday night.
<html><head></head><body><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en">Talk about a dynamic duo.<a href="https://twitter.com/CairnsTaipans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CairnsTaipans</a> forward Majok Deng (30 points) and NBL free agent Isaac White (35 points) went off for the Ipswich Force in <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBL1</a> North tonight ? <a href="https://t.co/z2ZOArhKPg">pic.twitter.com/z2ZOArhKPg</a></p>— The NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1533047774144385030?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></body></html>
New signing Wani Swaka Lo Buluk made his NBL1 debut for Rip City on Saturday against Rockhampton at Bravus Arena - helping his side prevail 103-76.
The 20-year-old tallied 15 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals in the win.
24 hours later, Swaka Lo Buluk and his USC outfit travelled to Mackay Basketball Stadium to face the Meteors.
Despite the wing adding two points and two rebounds, Rip City lost 99-83.
In round seven, Rip City will host Southern Districts at USC Sports Stadium from 7.30pm Saturday.
Hawks big man Sam Froling also made his first appearance in 2022 with his junior club Townsville.
Townsville StarFM Stadium, Froling produced 25 points, 14 rebounds, six assists and one block in the Heat's 103-84 loss to Gold Coast.
Next up for the Heat is Logan at Townsville StarFM Stadium on Saturday.
Illawarra guard Alex Mudronja didn't suit up for North Gold Coast in round six, due to a calf injury, as the Seahawks lost 87-75 to the Salties at Darwin Basketball Stadium.
Mudronja's next chance to return to the court against Rockhampton on Saturday at Runaway Bay Stadium.
From the NBL1 North competition to the NBL1 South competition, Illawarra recruit Deng Deng had a mixed weekend for Kilsyth.
Deng's round seven action started with an 89-66 loss to Diamond Valley at Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre, where the forward added 12 points and eight boards in the defeat.
His Cobras then rebounded at the Kilsyth Sports Centre against Sandringham 86-78, thanks to a double-double (21 points/14 rebounds) - as well as three assists, two blocks and one steal.
Kilsyth, who are 7-4 in 2022, next travel to The Ice House to battle Mount Gambier from 8pm on Saturday, June 18.
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Another 2022 NBL1 debutant this weekend was Emmett Naar, who lined up for Ringwood.
Against Bendigo on Saturday, Naar added 10 points, five rebounds and four assists in a 90-73 defeat before tallying 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists in the Hawks' 73-67 win against Eltham.
Finally, in NBL1 East, Hawks big man AJ Ogilvy chalked up four points, seven rebounds, three assists one steal and one block in Hills' 73-55 loss to North Sydney.
The Hornets next face Sutherland on June 18 at the Hills Basketball Stadium.
