Hawks looking to swoop again (Round 4 men's preview)
Perry Lakes will be trying to continue its surprisingly strong start to the men's State Basketball League season when it hosts Wanneroo Wolves in Saturday's Grand Final rematch.
The Hawks lost many of the key players that fell heartbreakingly short of last season's championship, most notably star import Anthony Lee, but have still impressed in the first three rounds to sit fourth with a 3-1 record.
But the Wolves have been even better, beating some top teams while winning their first four games of the season before Willetton surprisingly ended their unbeaten run last Saturday.
Wanneroo will be desperate for the win as it needs to keep pace with unbeaten league leaders Lakeside, which takes on Stirling Senators on Thursday night.
Last week's seven point triumph at Geraldton was the only time the Lightning have won by less than 10 this season, but they could face a test against a Senators side which convincingly won twice last week.
Goldfields Giants will be looking to get a stuttering campaign back on track when they make the long trip to face their heated rivals Geraldton.
The Giants have lost their past three games but the Buccaneers, who also missed the playoffs last season, have made a decent 2-2 start despite the absence of an import for the first part of the campaign.
South West Slammers will be desperate to move on from last week's humiliating 37 point loss to Stirling with a better showing in a tough doubleheader against Mandurah and Perth.
The Magic host their southern rivals on Thursday, looking for a win which could see them climb back into the top eight, before Perth makes the trip to Bunbury on Saturday looking to continue its strong start.
Willetton caused one of the upsets of the season by beating Wanneroo and will be hoping to continue that momentum with wins against local rivals Cockburn and winless bottom side Rockingham.
Like the Flames, East Perth will be trying to break its duck but will start underdogs against the Kalamunda Eastern Suns, who notched an impressive round three win at Goldfields.
All games will be played on Thursday or Saturday due to the Good Friday holiday.
Article by Jacob Kagi
Photo by Helen Theoharakis (Hoop Shots)
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