Reigning Women’s SBL champions South West Slammers get their title defence underway this weekend when they take on unlucky first-round losers Perry Lakes at the WA Basketball Centre on Saturday.

The Slammers had a bye in round one, but will be looking to stamp their authority on the competition with an impressive showing against the Hawks, who lost their opening two games of the season in a double-header in round one.

With WA basketball legend and new Perry Lakes coach CJ Jackson taking the reins, the Hawks were unlucky to lose close games against Kalamunda (two points) and Mandurah (three points) last week.

Willetton will be out to continue their strong start to the season on Saturday when they take on Perth Redbacks, who had a first-round bye.

The Tigers leapt to the top of the ladder last week with a dominating showing against Rockingham, limiting the Flames to just 42 points.

Antonia Edmondson led the scoring but it was the team’s supreme defence that got the job done and should also pose problems for the Redbacks.

Kalamunda and Lakeside will hope the poor showings by teams in double-headers last weekend were not an ominous sign of things to come.

The unbeaten Eastern Suns and Lightning meet at Ray Owen Sports Centre on Friday before playing games against Stirling and Mandurah respectively over the weekend.

Last week, Perry Lakes and Stirling dropped both games in their double-headers, but at least one of Kalamunda and Lakeside are certain to break the trend in round two.

East Perth will be looking to bounce back from a first-up defeat to Cockburn when they host Wanneroo on Saturday. The Wolves enjoyed a win in round one and will hope to continue their solid start.

Cockburn and Rockingham both have the bye and will return to action in round three.

Photo by Helen Theoharakis (Hoop Shots)