Title favourites Rockingham can expect a stern challenge from fourth-placed Kalamunda when the two teams meet in round 10 of the Women’s State Basketball League on Saturday night.

The Flames were beaten by South West in last year’s grand final and started the new season with a disappointing 0-2 record.

But they have since won eight straight to storm to the top of the ladder and claim outright favouritism to win their maiden WSBL title.

Kalamunda are in good form, having won their past three games to draw level with early-season leaders Wanneroo, who sit in third place with a 7-3 record.

The Suns can leapfrog the Wolves and Willetton to move as high as second if they beat Rockingham and other results fall their way.

Willetton have played an extra game and have the bye in a shortened round-10 fixture, while Wanneroo visit play-off hopefuls Mandurah, who bounced back into form last week.

The Magic kept their play-offs dreams alive with wins over struggling East Perth and Stirling after losing their previous six games.

Mandurah, who currently occupy ninth spot on the ladder, are chasing the likes of sixth-placed Cockburn and eighth-placed Perth, who meet at Wally Hagan Stadium on Saturday.

Stirling have lost five of their past six games and enter round 10 knowing the task won’t get any easier when they entertain reigning champions South West at Warwick Leisure Centre.

The Slammers have lost two of their past three games and are in danger of dropping out of the top eight if they fall to the Senators.

Round 10 begins on Friday night when Perry Lakes host Lakeside in a standalone fixture at the WA Basketball Centre.

The WSBL game will act as the curtain-raiser for the top-of-the-table men’s clash between the same two clubs.

Article by Shayne Hope
Photo by Serene Maisey