Lakeside face another stern test of their title credentials this weekend with a difficult double-header in round nine of the Men’s State Basketball League.

The Lightning are one of eight teams playing double-headers this week, but Andy Stewart’s men will be the only side to play both games against teams who will go into their fixtures fresh.

Both of Lakeside’s opponents – Perth and Cockburn – have just one game this weekend.

The Lightning open the round away to the Redbacks on Friday night before hosting the reigning champion Cougars on Saturday.

Perth lost a close one to Mandurah by a solitary point last week but had won their previous four games to charge into the upper echelon of the ladder.

Cockburn started the season 1-8 but have found form with wins over Goldfields and Stirling over the past two weeks to move back into play-off contention.

Perry Lakes and East Perth are still the two leading challengers to Lakeside nearing the halfway point of the season.

The Eagles host Mandurah on Friday, while the Hawks travel north to take on Geraldton on Saturday.

Willetton will look to cement their spot in the top-eight on Friday at home to struggling Kalamunda, who won their first game of the season in round seven before being brought back to earth by South West last week.

Wanneroo travel to Rockingham on Friday before backing up against Willetton on Saturday.

Elsewhere on Saturday, South West take on Goldfields, Mandurah host Stirling and Kalamunda entertain Perth.

Stirling meet Goldfields on Sunday as the Giants round out a road trip.

 

Article by Shayne Hope

Photo by Helen Theoharakis (Hoop Shots): Justin Cecil slams it home for Lakeside.