Two of the in-form teams in the men’s state basketball league will face off in week eighteen action when the Mandurah Magic host the East Perth Eagles on the backend of their double header weekend.

On Friday night the Magic will take on their neighbouring Rockingham Flames who are on a thirteen game losing streak, their big test however will be on Saturday against the Eagles.

The fourth placed Magic are in solid form on the back of three consecutive wins however the Eagles have moved to fifth place and are on a six game winning streak.

There will be plenty of big matchups with in-form big men Taylor Mullenax (Magic) and Tom Jervis (Eagles) needing to put in big performances for their teams.

Lakeside Lightning face a rare home double header when they face the struggling South West Slammers on Friday night and the Stirling Senators on Saturday.

The Lightning struggled against Mandurah last weekend without imports Luke Payne and Ben Beran who have both succumbed to injuries, however this weekend is a great opportunity for the team to get back in the winners circle.

On Friday night the Lightning are going up against the Slammers, Lakeside will be confident going into the match with the Slammers on an eleven game losing streak.

The Lightning then go on to face the Senators, whilst the Senators on a five game losing streak they are a danger side with the ability to cause an upset to an undermanned Lakeside.

Top of the ladder Wanneroo Wolves face the seventh place Perry Lakes Hawks on Saturday night with the Wolves looking for their 15th consecutive win.

Geraldton Buccaneers will be looking to keep their slim finals chances alive with a must win game at home against the third place Cockburn Cougars, the Cougars will be hungry for a win after last weekends loss.

The Goldfields Giants hit the road for the most important road trip of their season, they are tied with the Willetton Tigers for the last play-offs position and a successful weekend will leave them in a great position to make the top eight.

Saturday night they visit the South West to take on the Slammers in a game they will be expecting to win, whilst on Sunday they face a crucial game against the Willetton Tigers.

The Tigers are on a four game losing streak and will be desperate for a win, whilst a loss for either side could cause major problems in any tie breaker situation with just three weekends remaining in the regular season.

Willetton face Kalamunda Eastern Suns in the first leg of their double header on Saturday night with the Eastern Suns needing to win to keep any hope of finals alive.

Rockingham round out their weekend when they play the sixth place Perth Redbacks on Saturday night, the Redbacks looking to bounce back after losing four of their last five games with big man Michael Vigor out with a back injury.

Article by Hannah Coleman
Photo by Mick Cronin