Week sixteen of the men’s state basketball league see’s Goldfields Giants and Geraldton Buccaneers face off in the Goldfields in a fierce rivalry that could put an end to the playoff dreams of one team for the second season in a row.

The Giants sit in ninth place with an 8-12 record and have just released injured import Darnell Dialls and reactivated former import Michael Haney, however they have won just one of their past five games.

The Buccs sit in 12th and are on a two game winning streak, however they have played the bottom two sides at home, and will be desperate to pick up the win against rivals and fellow playoff hopefuls.

The battle at the top of the standings continues with the Lakeside Lightning and Wanneroo Wolves tied in first position, both teams have seven games to go and are on a combined 16 game winning streak.

Lakeside visit cross-town rivals Willetton Tigers on Saturday night, the Tigers dropped both games last week and will be looking to get back into the winners circle and halt the Lightning’s five game streak.

Wanneroo face a seemingly less intimidating weekend when they make the long trek down south to take on the thirteenth place South West Slammers.

The Slammers have lost their last nine games and the Wolves will be looking at this as an opportunity to boost their percentage heading into the finals and extend their eleven game streak.

Stirling Senators face a tough weekend as they take on two top four teams, they visit the fourth place Mandurah Magic on Friday night and then host the third place Cockburn Cougars on Saturday.

The Senators will have to be at their best against Mandurah, having won just two games on the road this year, while Cockburn are in strong form and have won four of their past five.

East Perth Eagles host the fifth place Perth Redbacks with the up and coming Eagles in solid form having won four of their last five games while the Redbacks remain on shaky ground.

Although Perth had a strong start to the season they have been inconsistent so far in the second half, having dropped out of the top four with a 4-4 record since round ten.

Rockingham Flames will have two shots to stop their ten game losing streak this weekend then they host the in-form Kalamunda Eastern Suns and then hit the road to take on the Perry Lakes Hawks.

Kalamunda are pushing for a finals spot on the back of impressive form from superstar import Lee Roberts who is averaging 22.7 points, 19.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.

Article by Hannah Coleman
Photo by Mick Cronin