Pirates one win away from state final

THE South West Metro Pirates have booked a place in the Queensland Basketball League semi-finals in Rockhampton.

The Pirates progressed to the final four in convincing fashion, thrashing Maroochydore 126-95 in their quarter-final at the Hibiscus Sports Complex on Saturday night.

Steve Broom and Nathan Niesler had 23 points for the Pirates and Broom pulled in 10 rebounds.

Brendan Teys and Zac Carter both added 18 points.

The Pirates blew the Clippers away with a 41 point blitz in the fourth quarter and now face Mackay on Friday night in their semi-final in Rockhampton.

The Lady Pirates' season is over, after their 81 – 69 loss to the Brisbane Capitals in the quarter-finals.

Import Catherine Scanlon again led South West Metro with 21 points and 13 rebounds and Heidi Freeburn added 17 points.

Crista Ricketts scored 24 points for Brisbane.

The teams were locked on 40 points at half-time but the Capitals gained the upper hand when they held the Lady Pirates to 11 points in the third quarter.