Lakeside poised to strike in playoffs (Round 17 WSBL Wrap)
Lakeside Lightning are on the verge of securing a spot in the women's State Basketball League playoffs after beating Western Stainless Stirling Senators 86-56 in round 17 action.
The Lightning's crucial victory, combined with a pair of losses for top eight rivals Perth Redbacks, left them two wins clear in eighth spot with only two games to play.
But because the Redbacks hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the two teams, they can sneak into the finals if Lakeside loses its last two games and Perth wins both its remaining fixtures.
Such a turnaround seems unlikely though as the Redbacks finish off the season with games against top eight sides Glasscraft Wanneroo Wolves and Australian Central East Perth Eagles, especially since Perth suffered a shock 67-64 loss to bottom side Rockingham Flames this weekend.
Jacinta Bourne had 27 points to lead Rockingham past her former side for its second win of the season and hand Perth its second loss against a bottom two opponent from the past three weeks.
The Redbacks also lost 72-59 to Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks as Tanya Kelly (15 points) helped last year's runner-up keep its slim hopes of winning the minor premiership alive.
East Perth replaced Wanneroo in the top four after winning their battle 83-67.
Melissa Winfield and Danielle Devenny each had 16 points to help the Eagles to their fifth-straight win.
But the Wolves bounced back to thrash the struggling Southwest Slammers 99-54, with Rebecca Mercer top-scoring with 14 points.
Mandurah Magic broke a three-game losing streak and consolidated their spot in the top four thanks to a 79-62 win against the Kalamunda Eastern Suns.
Kalamunda had won its past three games, but Mandurah import Hailey Dunham had 23 points, eight rebounds and five steals to ensure that streak came to an end.
But the Suns recovered to thrash Western Stainless Stirling Senators 94-64 on Saturday. Stirling's two defeats in the round ended its slim finals hopes.
League leaders Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers cruised to a 91-41 thrashing on the back of a dominant effort from West Coast Waves centre Zoe Harper, who had 18 points and 12 rebounds.
The Tigers host Kalamunda on Tuesday to make up for a game postponed in late June.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Grant Lauterbach
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