Stirling looking to stop rise of the Hawks (MSBL Preview)
ATD Stirling Senators face a tough challenge to overturn a one-game deficit in their quarter-final series against Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks when the men's State Basketball League playoffs continue this weekend.
The fifth-placed Senators suffered a fadeout in the final quarter to lose game one of the best-of-three series 88-83 and must win twice on the road to advance to the semi-finals.
But the Hawks lost only four of their 13 games at home in the regular season and will be favourites to wrap up the series with a win in game two at the WA Basketball Centre on Saturday night, or game three, if required, on Sunday.
Star Stirling import Lee Roberts must improve on his nine points from game one to give his side any chance, while Perry Lakes will be looking to continue the momentum which has seen it win three-straight games.
Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers must upset second seed Wanneroo Wolves twice to keep alive their hopes of winning back-to-back titles.
The Tigers, who are without Perth Wildcats duo Matt Knight and Cam Tovey throughout the playoffs, lost game one by 11 points.
Wanneroo won 10 of its 13 games at Joondalup Basketball Centre in the regular season, including a 64-point thrashing of Willetton in June, and should wrap up the series.
Australian Central East Perth Eagles will need to end Lakeside Lightning's stunning form to turn around their series.
Ben Beran's 52 points saw minor premiers Lakeside win game one 110-91, which was their 17th-straight victory.
The Lightning haven't lost at home all season and will start as heavy favourites to advance to the semi-finals, with East Perth's only hope if Perth Wildcats guard Drew Williamson can improve on his game one performance.
Third seed Cockburn Cougars won the first game of their series against Perth Redbacks 104-98 and should wrap up the series at Wally Hagan Stadium in game two on Saturday or game three on Sunday.
The Redbacks will be without Australian Boomers forward Jesse Wagstaff, while former Sydney Kings guard Joel Wagner will almost certainly miss with an ankle injury, making their task of turning around the series even harder.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Mick Cronin
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