Giants out, Redbacks in playoffs (Round 18 MSBL Wrap)
For the first time in men's State Basketball League history, there will be no country teams in the playoffs after SKILLED Goldfields Giants' finals hopes ended in round 18.
The Giants came into the penultimate round needing to win both their games and for Perth Redbacks to lose to Wanneroo Wolves to keep their hopes of an eighth-straight finals appearance alive.
But the Redbacks overturned a late deficit to beat Wanneroo 103-99, which guaranteed Perth the final top eight spot.
Wildcats star Jesse Wagstaff had 29 points and 16 rebounds to lead Perth to the vital victory, while Greg Hire had 23 points and 22 rebounds for Wanneroo, which was already guaranteed to finish second.
Meanwhile, the Giants beat the struggling Mandurah Magic 92-84, thanks to Darnell Dialls' 20 points, before losing 95-89 to defending champions Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers.
But the Tigers' top four hopes were dealt a significant blow by their 104-92 loss to Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks, and the defeat came at a huge cost.
Wildcats centre Matt Knight played just four minutes in his first game in a month for Willetton before he re-injured his calf, which will rule him out for at least three weeks, including the upcoming Australian Boomers camp and Stankovic Cup.
The Hawks suffered a shock 109-92 loss to Rockingham Flames, who were led by Carlin Hughes (25 points) in his final game.
Australian Central East Perth Eagles ensured their place in the finals and continued their impressive form with victories against Kalamunda Eastern Suns and Southwest Slammers.
The Eagles thrashed the Suns 130-81, which ended Kalamunda's finals hopes, before continuing Southwest's winless season with a 111-81 victory.
Cockburn Cougars ensured their spot in the top four by beating the Slammers 120-105 and Kalamunda in a 107-106 thriller.
ATD Stirling Senators warmed up for the finals with a hard-fought 100-94 win against Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers, led by Michael Jones (34 points).
And minor premiers Lakeside Lightning survived a massive scare to extend their winning streak to 15 games with a 113-111 win against 12th-placed Mandurah.
Luke Payne top-scored for Lakeside with 32 points.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Travis Anderson (Andmedia/Sports Vision)
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