With Northside needing to win their Round 14 match against Brisbane to secure a home quarter final, the Wizards star recruit Chris Goulding came up big when they needed him the most. Goulding finished the match with a game high 33 points, while also contributing 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block, to guide an under strength Wizards side to an 87-70 win and an all important home quarter finals. Goulding has had an injury plagued season, but when he has taken the court he has been one of the most dominant players in the league averaging a league high 30.5ppg. Since returning from injury in Round 11 Goulding has amassed a staggering 119 points in three games and if he brings that form kind of form into the Finals, the Wizards will be hard to stop.

Goulding is one of the brightest young talents in Australian Basketball, representing Australia in under-18s, under-19s and under-20s. In 2006 Goulding made his NBL debut for the Brisbane Bullets against the Townsville Crocodiles and was the recipient of the 2007/2008 Bullets Young Australian Player of the Year Award. Goulding was then signed by the Perth Wildcats for the 2008/09 season, but was quickly reunited with his former Bullets Coach (Joey Wright) at the Gold Coast Blaze in 2009.

Goulding had a strong first year for the Blaze and his exceptional form was rewarded with a place in the 2009 Boomers squad. In the 2010/11 season Goulding had his most productive season in the NBL to date, playing 28 games and averaging 11.6ppg, 2.9rpg and 1.5apg, with a season high 25 points against Townsville. Given his rapid improvement in the past few seasons it seems only a matter of time before Goulding could claim a regular spot in the Boomers squad.

Other outstanding performances in the final Round of the regular season came from, the Marlins Dwayne Vale who had 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists, as Cairns accounted for the travelling Mountaineers. Rashad Chase had a strong weekend for the Mountaineers in North Queensland averaging 17.5ppg and 12.5rpg, while James Legan fired against the Heat with 25 points. James Cripe was exceptional for the Power in their losses to Mackay and Bundaberg averaging 22ppg and 8.5ppg. Tim Coenraad (av. 27.5ppg & 11rpg) and Rhys Martin (av. 22ppg) ensured that Mackay will host this year’s Grand Final series, starring for the Meteors in their wins over Gladstone and Rocky. David Gurney’s exceptional form continued in Round 14 averaging 26.5ppg in the Rollers victories over Caboolture and Maroochydore. Tom Garlepp fought hard for the Capitals in their loss to Northside with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Willie Shackleford (24 points & 16 rebounds) Matt Hanson (22 points & 13 rebounds) and Kyle Keirnen (20 points & 7 assists) all made significant contributions in the Bulls win over CQ Rivals Gladstone. Ipswich’s Brad Williamson turned in on against Maroochydore, with 33 points, 12 rebounds and 2 assists, while Ryan Stolberg accumulated 20 points and 17 rebounds. Todd Blanchfield warmed up for this week’s quarter final with 22 points @ 64.3% in Townsville’s 29 point win over Toowoomba. South West finished their season on a high defeating the Force 98-83, with Zac Carter finishing the match with a sensational 32 points @ 66.7%, which included 6/8 from three point land. Finally, Zeke Meehl gave it his all for the Clippers in their loss to Gold Coast, finishing the match with 27 points.