The Perth Redbacks’ Men’s State Basketball League team was beaten 85 to 110 by the Sun City Buccaneers in Geraldton.

This sees them end the qualifying rounds in sixth-place in the 14-team competition with 15 wins and 11 losses.

They will now be playing the third-placed Cockburn Cougars in the quarter-final stage of the playoffs.

Shooting guard Jarrad Prior was the Redbacks’ highest scorer against the Buccaneers with 22 along with five rebounds, two steals and two assists while point-guard Jake Whately was the next highest scorer with 17.

Forward Blake Bender scored 16 and had 10 rebounds and point-guard Joel Wagner had 15 along with seven assists and six rebounds.

Although disappointed with the loss, Redbacks’ coach David Harris was pleased his players got through the game without any further injuries in the approach to the playoffs.

Harris lauded the efforts of 18-year old rookies Jamieson Lewis and Ben Ellis, who he said played the best games of their careers to date.

“Overall, though, we need to see a much better defensive effort to make an impact in the play-offs,” he said.

The Redbacks’ Women’s team had a bye this week and have also ended the season in sixth place in the 12-team competition with 13 wins and nine losses.

They will be meeting the third-placed Bunbury Slammers in the quarter final playoff round.

The quarter final stage of the playoffs is played in a best of three format over two weekends.

The first of the games are this Saturday at the Belmont Oasis Leisure and Aquatic Centre.

The women’s game between the Redbacks and Slammers starts at 6PM, while the men’s game between the Redbacks and Cougars tips off at 8PM.

Article by Redbacks Media
Photo by Marg Prior