Redbacks need to bite back (Round 13 MSBL Wrap)
A pair of heartbreaking round 13 losses have left the Perth Redbacks in serious danger of missing the men's State Basketball League finals for the first time since 2008.
Despite the outstanding performances of Wildcats star Jesse Wagstaff, who combined for 57 points and 24 rebounds in Perth's two games, the Redbacks lost 102-96 to Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers and 112-108 to Australian Central East Perth Eagles.
The results left last year's semi-finalists struggling in 10th spot and needing a vastly improved run to finish the season to avoid ending their streak of two-consecutive playoff appearances.
East Perth took Perth's spot in the top eight with their win against the Redbacks, as import Corey Easley (28 points) led the Eagles to their fourth victory from their past five games.
And Wildcats big man Matt Knight had 26 points and 14 rebounds to lead defending champions Willetton to their win against heated rivals Perth.
The Tigers also beat ATD Stirling Senators 124-117 in overtime, led by Robert Kampman (42 points), to continue the northern suburbs side's miserable weekend.
Stirling had won its past three coming into the round but its loss to Willetton and shock 97-91 defeat to Mandurah Magic all but ended its top four hopes. Ben Smith (31 points and 14 rebounds) led Mandurah to a win which saw it climb out of the bottom two.
SKILLED Goldfields Giants' horror run continued with a 100-81 home loss to Kalamunda Eastern Suns.
The seventh-placed Giants' fourth loss from their past five games left them barely holding onto a finals spot, with the ninth-placed Suns now just one win behind.
Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers' ever-fading finals hopes were dealt another blow with a 84-77 loss to top two side Cockburn Cougars.
Wildcats captain Brad Robbins had six points in his Wanneroo Wolves debut to help his side stay in third spot with a 91-64 win against Rockingham Flames, who slumped to 13th place.
Elsewhere, league leaders Lakeside Lightning beat Mandurah 113-80 to extend their winning streak to seven games and Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks maintained their good form with a 115-60 thrashing of winless side Southwest Slammers.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Marg Prior
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