The men’s state basketball league regular season draws to a close this weekend with five teams vying for just two remaining play-off positions.

Willetton Tigers, Geraldton Buccaneers, Goldfields Giants, Perry Lakes Hawks and Kalamunda Eastern Suns will all be fighting for positions seven and eight when they hit the court this weekend in must-win games.

Last year’s grand finalists, Perry Lakes, face off against their semi-final rivals from last year, Lakeside Lightning, at the WA Basketball Centre.

The Hawks will be hoping the Lightning’s injury concerns to import Ben Beran and Luke Payne continue for another week as they look to ensure they don’t miss the finals for the first time since 1992.

Regional rivals Geraldton Buccaneers and Goldfields Giants were both shock omissions from last year’s finals race and both teams are in danger of missing out again as they prepare to host finals bound teams.

The Buccaneers have come back from the dead, winning their last four games, to put themselves in finals contention when they face a depleted Perth Redbacks line-up on Saturday.

For the Giants it will be a much harder test as they face the Mandurah Magic who will be pushing for a top four berth and will also be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s two point loss to the Wolves.

The Magic have two of the premier big men in the competition in Taylor Mullenax and Tom Remmerswaal and the Giants will have to keep both players under control if they are to have a shot at seeing action in August.

Willetton Tigers hit the road to take on the thirteenth place South West Slammers in Eaton on Saturday, a finals spot is up for grabs for the Tigers while the Slammers are looking to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon.

At the other end of the standings, the Wanneroo Wolves have secured the clubs first men’s minor premiership and the Lakeside Lightning have wrapped up second, however the remaining two top four spots are still up for grabs.

Fighting for the two remaining top four spots, and guaranteed quarter finals home court advantage, are Cockburn Cougars, East Perth Eagles and the Magic.

The Cougars are in the box seat as the only top eight team set to play a double header, however their first game is at home against the Wolves who are on a seventeen game winning streak.

On Saturday night the Cougars back up against the Kalamunda Eastern Suns, the only other team to play a double header, with the Eastern Suns still in the race for a play-off position.

East Perth Eagles currently sit in fourth position with eight consecutive wins next to their name, on Friday night they look to wrap up their top four position with a win against the Eastern Suns.

Bottom of the ladder Rockingham Flames host the twelfth place Stirling Senators on Saturday night, Rockingham will be looking for a win to avoid taking out this seasons wooden spoon.

Article by Hannah Coleman
Photo by Mick Cronin