East Perth looking to end long wait against Hawks (WSBL Semi-Finals Week Two Preview)
Australian Central East Perth Eagles will be trying to qualify for the women's State Basketball League Grand Final for the first time when the semi-finals continue this weekend.
The Eagles won game one of their best-of-three match-up against second seed Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks 75-66 and have two chances to wrap up the series this weekend to advance to face either Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers or Glasscraft Wanneroo Wolves in the title decider.
But to advance to the Grand Final, East Perth must beat the Hawks in game two on Saturday or game three, if required, on Sunday at the WA Basketball Centre, where Perry Lakes has lost just three of its 12 matches this season.
The Eagles will be hoping West Coast Waves forward Samantha Norwood can continue the form which saw her finish game one with 30 points and 17 rebounds and lead her side past the Hawks.
But Perry Lakes has missed the Grand Final just three times since 1997 and has the edge over East Perth in experience.
The Hawks will need the likes of Tanya Kelly, Tegan Walker and Gabriella Clayton, who were all quiet in game one, to get back to their best to keep alive their hopes of winning their seventh championship.
In the other series, dual defending champions Willetton will have to overturn a 1-0 deficit to beat Wanneroo and advance to their sixth Grand Final in eight years.
But the Wolves proved with their 74-68 triumph in game one they'd be tough to beat at Willetton Basketball Stadium for game two on Friday and game three, if required, on Saturday.
Wanneroo guard Rebecca Mercer continued her impressive form by leading her side to victory with 19 points in game one and the Tigers will need to find a way to limit her production to advance.
And Willetton will also need to be much better at its three-point shooting, after making just one of 20 long range attempts in game one, to advance.
The Wolves will advance to the Grand Final for the first time since 1997 if they can take one of their two opportunities to wrap up the series.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Mick Cronin
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