Eagles dare to dream (Men's semi-final preview)
East Perth will be looking to go one step closer to their first even men’s State Basketball League grand final when they host the defending champions Wanneroo Wolves in game one of their best-of-three semi-final series on Saturday.
The fourth placed Eagles are underdogs going into the series taking on the minor premiers, however they will enjoy home court advantage in the all-important game one on Saturday night.
Wanneroo will be confident going into the game, having won the teams two encounters during the regular season 110-91 in round seven and 78-77 in round 14.
However the Wolves will have to complete their season without head coach Ben Ettridge who will be at the London Paralympic games in his role as the head coach of the Australian Rollers men’s wheelchair basketball team.
They still have plenty of experience in their side with Wildcats forward Greg Hire, league veteran Damian Matacz, import Jordan Wild and 2010 most improved player Seb Salinas.
The Eagles have their own concerns with dynamic forward Jarrod Balcombe out of action with an ankle injury, leaving a big hole in their starting line-up.
East Perth will still have plenty of firepower in former Wildcat Drew Williamson, big man Tom Jervis and point-guard Joe-Alan Tupaea who has won four championships and appeared in seven grand finals.
In the other semi-final the Cockburn Cougars will tackle the Lakeside Lightning in game one at home, the Cougars enter the series having not made the grand final since 2003.
Lakeside will be looking for solid performances from their big three of Luke Payne (22 points a game), Ben Beran (19 points a game) and Jarrad Prue (11 points, 19 rebounds a game).
The Cougars will have to do a good job defensively on 2009 men’s grand final MVP Luke Payne, the guard finished with 30 points and nine rebounds the last time the two sides met.
However Cockburn have their own stars in imports Brian Carlwell (21 points, 13 rebounds a game) and Jeremiah Wilson (24 points, 13 rebounds a game).
Lakeside will head into the series with some confidence having won the sides two regular season encounters 92-82 in round six and 84-83 in round 15.
The Kickz101 Men’s State Basketball League Grand Final is on Saturday 1 September at the WA Basketball Centre, tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster, click here to purchase online.
Article by Hannah Coleman
Photo by Mick Cronin
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