Hawks avoid Lightning strike (Saturday Night Wrap)
Lakeside Lightning's incredible men's State Basketball League winning streak is over after they lost 78-76 to Perry Lakes Hawks in game one of their semi-finals series.
The Lightning had won 18-straight matches before falling to the Hawks, who were led to victory by star import Anthony Lee (38 points).
The minor premiers must now win the final two games of the best-of-three series next weekend to advance to the Grand Final for the sixth time in seven years.
An eye injury to Lakeside's Luke Payne, which saw him off for the end of the second quarter and much of the third, helped the Hawks take control of the game and build a lead which they held onto despite a late scare.
Ben Purser helped Perry Lakes beat the Lightning for the second time this season with 14 points, while Payne top-scored for Lakeside with 27 points.
In the other semi-final series, Wanneroo Wolves are on the verge of making the Grand Final for the first time since 1993 after beating third seed Cockburn Cougars 104-95 in game one.
The Wolves haven't made the title decider since winning their only championship but will have two opportunities to wrap up the series at home next weekend.
Wanneroo trailed by eight points at one stage but overturned that difference thanks to John Vaudreuil (28 points), while Ty Harrelson had 27 points for Cockburn.
In women's action, defending champions Willetton are again on the verge of elimination after losing game one 74-68 to fourth seed Wanneroo Wolves.
The minor premiers also lost game one to Lakeside in the first round but survived to take the series and will have to repeat that against the Wolves, who were led to victory by Rebecca Mercer (19 points).
Jasmine Hooper had 17 points for the Tigers.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Travis Hayto (Outerbounds Photography)
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