Tigers fall behind again (WSBL Finals Week Three Wrap)
Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers will have to overturn a one-nil series deficit once again to advance to the women's State Basketball League Grand Final for the fourth-straight year.
The minor premiers lost game one of their best-of-three semi-finals series against Glasscraft Wanneroo Wolves 74-68 and must win both games next weekend to move on to face Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks or Australian Central East Perth Eagles in the Grand Final.
But having to overcome a one-nil deficit is familiar territory for the Tigers, who lost the first game against Lakeside in the quarter-finals but recovered to win the series and also fell to Perth in game one of last year's semi-finals but won the next two games.
Wanneroo led by just one point with only five minutes to go but held Willetton to just six points after that to take control of the game.
Rebecca Mercer continued her impressive form for the Wolves with 19 points, while Ainsleigh Sanders and Shani Amos each had 12 points and nine rebounds.
Jasmine Hooper top-scored for the dual defending champions with 17 points, while Melissa Marsh added 16.
In the other series, East Perth is just one win away from reaching the Grand Final for the first time after beating Perry Lakes 75-66.
West Coast Waves forward Samantha Norwood continued her stellar form for the Eagles, finishing with 30 points and 17 rebounds to guide her side to its 12th win from its past 13 matches. Kate Fielding was East Perth's next best with 14 points.
East Perth led at every change but the Hawks stayed with them for most of the game and even led with only eight minutes left.
But the Eagles took control of the game with a 20-8 run which ensured their victory and handed Perry Lakes its first loss of the playoffs.
Christine Boyd was once again impressive with 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Hawks, who have made three of the past four Grand Finals and 10 of the past 13.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Darren Speedie (Vision Inspired Photography)
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