Rollers Claim NBL1 North Men’s Title
The Gold Coast Rollers had to survive 40 points from Lamar Patterson but still scored another 120 themselves to secure the NBL1 North championship for 2026.
Lamar Patterson put up 40 points and gave the Ipswich Force a real shot of forcing the NBL1 North Grand Final to a Game 3 but the Gold Coast Rollers just had too many weapons to win the championship after prevailing 120-116.
The Grand Final series got underway on Friday night at The Southport School with Gold Coast flexing their muscles in a dominant display winning 118-85 to be one win away from a second championship in the past five years under coach Anthony Petrie.
It backs up the 2022 championship that Gold Coast won as they get some revenge on Ipswich for the 2023 series loss to them with Jensen Bradtke shining with 28 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks ahead of joining Melbourne United in NBL27.
Preston Le Gassick also had 23 points, seven assists, six rebounds and two steals ahead of joining the New Zealand Breakers in NBL27 while James Whitt will be at the Perth Wildcats and had 22 points, seven assists and three steals.
