Tigers face tough test (Women's Preview)
Fourth seeded Perth hosts Willetton Friday night, with games two and three (if required) in the best-of-three series at Willetton next weekend.
Third seed Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks meets Glasscraft Wanneroo Wolves in the other semi-final.
Top side Willetton is on a 10-game winning streak and has lost only twice on the road all season, but Perth has won six of its last seven and was an impressive 8-3 at home in the regular season.
The Tigers were one of the three sides to win at Perth this year, with a 61-52 win on the last day of the home-and-away season.
Both sides swept their quarter-finals series’, with Willetton overcoming Lakeside and the Redbacks knocking off East Perth.
Perth came from behind at three-quarter-time in its clinching game against the Eagles to win 61-58, led by Marita Payne (23 points), while fellow centre Zoe Harper (26 points, 10 rebounds) led Willetton to its 79-69 win in game two.
Power forward Brooke Hiddlestone is Perth’s other main offensive outlet, while the Tigers rely on guards Melissa Marsh and Kate Malpass for scoring.
Fresh off its upset of second seed Rockingham, seventh placed Wanneroo must beat Perry Lakes at home in game one to remain a realistic chance of making the Grand Final on August 20.
Wanneroo showed it can match it with anyone by beating the Flames in three games, but winning twice at Perry Lakes would be nearly an impossible task, meaning the Wolves need to win game one.
Front court duo Ainsleigh Sanders and Alex Kerr were Wanneroo’s main scoring threats against the Flames, but guard Rebecca Mercer is averaging 17.4 points per game for the year and is also dangerous.
Perry Lakes came from behind to beat Mandurah 68-62 in game two, led by Tegan Walker (17 points).
The Hawks had 25 turnovers in that game and will be keen to reduce that, but will be favoured to take the series regardless.
Click here to read the full game by game previews.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Travis Hayto (Outerbounds Photography)
Don't forget the Basketball WA Pre-Sale for Grand Final tickets ends 5:00pm Sunday August 8. Click here to purcahse tickets using the code word "BWA".
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