Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers coach Ray Evans said finishing second is not the first thing on his mind this weekend.

Geraldton finish their SBL season on Saturday night at Activewest Stadium against Rockingham Flames.

A win could see the Buccs finish in second position if Perry Lakes Hawks lose one of their two games against Perth Redbacks or Cockburn Cougars.

Third is the lowest Geraldton can finish, but would still earn them home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

The Hawks hold the tie breaker over the Buccs, meaning if both sides win their matches this weekend, Perry Lakes jump back into second position.

Evans said that would be great reward for the season the team has put together.

“Second spot would be important in the second round of the playoffs because we would get home court advantage again,” he said.

“I think that is looking too far ahead though, we just want the home court advantage in the first round.

“We will not be looking too closely at what Perry Lakes do this weekend, we will just focus on how we want to play.”

Evans admitted the camp already has one eye on the finals series.

The Buccaneers could face East Perth, Perth, Mandurah or South West in the first round depending on results this weekend.

“It does make it a little tougher to plan for the playoffs not knowing who we will play until late Saturday night,” he said.

“But when I say we are planning for the first round, it is more about how we want to play, not so much about the opposition.”

Geraldton enter the final game of the season in good form following two road wins last weekend without import Robert Kampman.

Fellow import Carter Cook scored 71 points over two games and Daniel Thomas netted 40 points in the win over Perth Redbacks last Saturday.

Article by Taylor Courtland (Geraldton Guardian)
Photo by Mick Cronin