Eagles hoping to soar up the ladder (Round 10 MSBL Preview)
Australian Central East Perth Eagles will be hoping to resurrect their men's State Basketball League finals hopes when they host Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks.
The Eagles are in 11th spot after nine rounds with just four wins from their first 12 games and must improve quickly to remain a realistic chance to make the top eight.
Even the addition of Perth Wildcats guard Drew Williamson wasn't enough for East Perth to avoid its fourth straight loss last week and that streak will continue unless his side performs much better on Saturday against the in-form Hawks, who are in the top four after winning their last five games.
Mandurah Magic will also be desperate to give their finals chances a major boost when they host Perth Redbacks.
The Magic are second last with a 4-8 record and to stay in touch with the eight they must beat Perth, which broke its four-game losing run last week and is in seventh spot.
Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers' four consecutive losses have seriously hurt their top eight hopes and they'll be keen to get back on track with an upset win against league leaders Lakeside Lightning.
Fellow country side SKILLED Goldfields Giants fell out of the top four with a pair of road defeats last week but are back at home to face ATD Stirling Senators on Saturday.
The Giants have only lost one of their six games in Kalgoorlie, but the eighth placed Senators should provide a tough match.
Rockingham Flames will be hoping to move back towards the top eight with an upset victory against top two side Cockburn Cougars on Friday in the first match of the year at Mike Barnett Sports Complex.
Scoreboard issues forced Rockingham to move its previous six home games away from the venue.
Kalamunda Eastern Suns slipped out of the top eight one week ago but could move back in with an upset victory over top four side Wanneroo Wolves.
The Wolves, who have won their last two, also face winless side Southwest Slammers in Bunbury on Friday.
Reigning champions Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers will be heavy favourites when they host the Slammers on Saturday.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Mick Cronin
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