The Australian Central East Perth Eagles have defeated the Total Connection Perry Lakes Hawks 78 – 57 in game two of their semi final series to book themselves a showdown against defending champions the Willetton Tigers in this year’s WSBL Grand Final.

The Eagles defeated second seed Perry Lakes 2-0 in the best-of-three series to advance to their first Grand Final and continue their amazing form, which has seen them win 13 of their past 14 games.

“It was a tough game and I’m proud of the girls,” Eagles coach Anthony Fletcher said.

Samantha Norwood continued her tremendous form for East Perth, leading it to victory with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Kate Fielding provided solid support with 17 points.

Rosie Tobin was gallant in defeat for the Hawks with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Both sides started tentatively with Christine Boyd making the first shot of the game with two and a half minutes elapsed from the clock to give the Hawks the opening advantage. The Eagles found their groove and took the lead on the back of some tough work by game one hero Norwood who scored seven of the Eagles first 11 points. The Hawks looked dangerous when they ran the ball with Tobin getting on the end of a quick four points but the Eagles extended their lead thanks to some amazing long range shooting by Fielding who went four from four from long range in the last five minutes of the quarter to see the Eagles leading 25 – 15 at the first break.

The second quarter started out all Hawks as they ran the floor and spread the scoring load on a 10 – 2 run to cut the Eagles lead to 2 points midway through the term. The Eagles regrouped after a quick time out, tightened up on their defence and went on to keep the Hawks scoreless for the remainder of the quarter while they increased their lead and on a massive half court buzzer beater from Nicole Jorre De St Jorre that hit nothing but net and sent the Eagles bench into a frenzy went into the long break leading 37 – 25.

Chelsea Boyanich led the Hawks into the break with six points while Tobin had four points and six rebounds in what was an even spread of contributors for the Hawks.

The Eagles were lead by the hot hand of Fielding who went into the break with 17 points and Norwood who had tallied 11 points to go with her nine rebounds.

The Hawks used the half time break to consolidate and came out to start the second half with a flurry and with just over two minutes remaining in the quarter had eaten away the Eagles 12 point half time lead and had the game tied up at 44 apiece. The Eagles however stood resolute and through accurate free throw shooting and some savvy defence managed to regain the lead and went into the final break up 54 – 44.

The fourth quarter was all Eagles as they continued their march to the grand final in an emphatic style and went on to run away 21 point victors.

Fletcher was overwhelmed as his team created history by finally breaking the club’s long Grand Final drought.

“The girls will celebrate tonight no doubt but it’s back to business at training on Tuesday,” he said.

“We’re up against Willetton next week, we’ve beaten them twice this season but this is the Grand Final and Willetton are a tough side and defending champions, we have to go into the game showing them some respect.”

Dannielle Devenny lit up the score board in the second half to finish with 11 points and 10 rebounds in support of Norwood and Fielding, while Jorre De St Jorre finished the night with 15 points and six assists.

Tanya Kelly played hard for her eight points and 10 rebounds for the Hawks while Tegan Walker tallied nine points to go with Boyd’s 8 rebounds.

Article by Leigh Dalton at the WA Basketball Centre
Photo by Mick Cronin

Follow the SBL on Facebook