The Logan Thunder Women have claimed the NBL1 North title against all the odds. Facing off against the undefeated Southern Districts Spartans, the only team to defeat the Thunder all season, it was always going to be an up hill climb. Throw in that the whole best of three finals series was to be played at the Spartan’s home stadium and the task looked even more daunting.
It all began on Friday night where the crowd piled into stadium. Quickly it became apparent however that even though this was a Spartans home game, the Thunder fans seemed to outnumber or at least out yell the Spartans faithful. If anyone had ever questioned the term “Thunder Family” that is emblazened across the Thunder supporter gear, they had those questions answered Friday night. The crowd was so loud in fact that the Spartans DJ kept turning the music up every time a Thunder chat got going.
The Thunder Family (Stephen Schulz Photography)
On the court the Thunder got to work, leading from pillar to post in this game however the powerful Spartans lineup always stayed within striking distance. Both teams are littered with WNBL level talent and it showed with the high quality basketball being played.
The Spartans seemed to key in on Thunder superstar Mikaela Reuf who had finished the season strongly picking up the Thunder MVP and Top 5 in the NBL1. However the problem with a team like the Thunder is that you cannot focus everything on just one player. Chevannah Paalvast showed that she was ready for the finals with a 20 point outing. Mikeala Cann, who is a legend in Logan Thunder circles, put in the hard yards. Cann played every minute of the game, she did not sub out once, on her way to an astounding 21 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals.
As she stood at the free throw line the chants of “MVP” could be heard suburbs away as the Thunder Family let her know how important she is to them. Logan walked away with game one of the series 75 – 71.
Mikaela Cann – NBL1 North Finals MVP (Stephen Schulz Photography)
Saturday night rolled around and there was a real sense from the Spartans faithful that Friday night was merely a hiccup on the way to their inevitable title. This sentiment was not shared by the Thunder team or fans as they once again piled into the stadium.
Led by the Thunder men’s team who had been at their post season party and were sufficiently lubricated upon their arrival. The Spartan women came out firing however and took the lead from the start. In a mirror image of Friday night’s game however, the Thunder kept it close and stayed in the fight. When Mikaela Reuf fouled out however you saw the Spartan fans perk up thinking that without their dominant US import the Thunder might drop away. But once again the depth of the Thunder shone through with Cassie Carrol, a former Spartan herself, stepping up with 14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks. Once again Chev Paalvast was there for her team with 13 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks. The moment came as the clock ran down and Paalvast hit a 3 pointer to tie the game.
Without hyperbole, this may go down as the biggest shot hit in Thunder history. Then with 2 seconds remaining a foul was committed on Mikaela Cann sending her to the line for the chance to take the lead for the Thunder. As both shots at the line went in the Thunder crowd were on their feet. However, 2 seconds is an eternity in basketball and the Thunder still needed to defend one last shot.
The inbound pass came in, the shot went up… and Paalvast went “Not today!” grabbing it out of the air and flinging it into the rafters as the hooter sounded signalling a Thunder victory. As the fans rushed the floor and the players hugged each other, the sense of family was strong. Mikaela Cann walked away with an incredibly deserving Finals MVP award and the Thunder walked away victors 63 – 61.
Paalvast with the win (Stephen Schulz Photography)
Mitch Young, General Manager of Logan Basketball says “The 2021 inaugural NBL1 North Championship is our second state championship in 2 years for our Bendigo Bank Logan Thunder Women. The championship is special for our program and further validates our female pathway with the majority of the team being made up of former Logan Thunder Junior players. Logan Basketball now has what is regarded as the best female Basketball program in Queensland from U12’s through to Senior Women.”
The Logan Thunder (Stephen Schulz Photography)
Next season another banner will hang from the rafters, the details of this game will be forgotten by some. But for the Thunder Family that were there that night, they will hold those memories for a lifetime.
