Suns, Wolves close in on decider (Women's SF Wrap)
KALAMUNDA and Wanneroo are now just one win away from a women's SBL grand final appearance after Game 1 semi-final victories over South West and Rockingham on Saturday night.
The Kalamunda Eastern Suns went one-nil up in its series with the Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers with a 69-53 victory at Eaton Recreation Centre on Saturday night with the Wanneroo Wolves also beating the Rockingham Flames 89-76 at Joondalup Basketball Stadium.
That means that the Suns, after finishing in fifth position at the end of the regular season, need just one win from a potential two games at Ray Owen Sports Centre this weekend with the Wolves, who finished third, needing just one win at Mike Barnett Sports Complex to also advance.
Kalamunda came into its semi-final series against South West having beaten Lakeside two-nil in the quarter finals and continued on that strong form on Saturday night at home to the Slammers.
South West might have finished the regular season in eighth position, but the defending women's SBL champions shocked the minor premiers Willetton Tigers in the quarter finals setting up a fascinating semi-final battle with the Suns.
However, it was Kalamunda who drew first blood winning by 16 points on Saturday while restricting the Slammers to shooting just 18-of-65 from the field at 28 per cent.
Kalamunda broke away from South West in the third quarter scoring 17 points to just seven to set up the eventual 16-point victory.
Game 2 will now take place on Saturday night at Ray Owen Sports Centre in Kalamunda with the Suns a chance to advance to the grand final or if the Slammers win, Game 3 will be played at the same venue at midday on Sunday.
Wanneroo was sitting on top of the SBL standings for much of the regular season before dropping down to third, but the Wolves beat the Stirling Senators two-nil in a quarter-final match-up while the Flames had little trouble advancing against the Cockburn Cougars after coming into the finals in second position.
With Willetton having lost in the opening round, the Wolves and Flames are the two highest-ranked teams left in the competition and it was Wanneroo who got the jump on Saturday night with an 89-76 victory at Joondalup Basketball Stadium.
That means that the Wolves take a one-nil lead with them as the series heads to Rockingham's Mike Barnett Sports Complex for Game 2 on Friday night and then if the Flames win, Game 3 will be on Saturday night to determine which team advances to the grand final for 2013.
There were some outstanding individual performers on Saturday night as well with Nikita-Lee Martin finishing 25 points, nine rebounds and three assists for Wanneroo while Shani Amos added 21 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals.
Kaye Tucker led the way for the Flames with 21 points while Darcee Garbin had 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Jennie Rintala top-scored for Kalamunda with 14 points to go with seven rebounds while Kimberly Sitzmann had 23 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and two assists for the Slammers.
Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Serene Maisey (PandaSnap Photography)
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.