The Rockingham Flames Men and Women played host to the Willetton Tigers in round nine of the State Basketball League this past weekend at the Hot House.
 
The Lady Flames returned home looking to make amends for last weekends first defeat as they matched up against the third placed Tigers who boast two national league players in Kate Malpass and Ashley Gilmore.

With the game scheduled to tip-off at 6:00pm some technical issues delayed the game 45 minutes and upon commencement the Lady Flames started a little flat and struggled to find the basket landing 6-19 from the field for the quarter.

In the second neither team was willing to budge as the inside targets for both teams faced off with Tucker and Gilmore doing the damage for their respective clubs, but the Tigers took a 47-37 lead into halftime.

The third saw both teams struggle to find the hoop with any regularity but the Flames were able to string 17 points for the term while the Tigers took 14 more shots for the quarter yet only managed 14 points as the Flames closed the gap to seven going into the last.

Lady Flames Coach Ryan Petrik urged his charges to come out running which they did and with Tucker doing it at both ends to ignite the Flames, as they soared into the lead and never looked back claiming an 81-75 win improving their record to 8-1. 

Kaye Tucker came through with her best game of the season notching up 31 points, 8rebs & 4stls with great support from Gail Eikhoudt (11pts) and Sherelle Johnson who narrowly missed out on a triple double with 10pts, 10asts and 6rebs. 

Now to the Men, who have been putting in some gallant performances of recent times without being able to shift home a win.

The team went into the game without new American Trey Clarkson who hadnt received his immigration clearance prior to the game but on a positive note Ryan Godfrey was back in town along with Rhett Della who made his long awaited debut in Flames colours after recovering from off-season ankle surgery.

The first quarter was a very even affair as both teams traded baskets before the visitors took a slender three point advantage into the first change with the size of new import Chris Christoffersen (220cm) and major advantage in the middle.

In the second term the Flames upped the ante registering 34 points for the quarter while restricting the visitors to 30 and taking a one point lead into the main break behind some great team defence with Moore, Griffin and Rhett Della the instigators.

As the third began neither team could grab the upper hand but with captain Travis Moore leaving the floor in the early stages with an injury to his hand it was up to the Flames supporting cast to keep the intensity at both ends of the floor.

With 12 minutes remaining and the Flames still holding a one point lead Trent Gerovich came out shooting, nailing three straight bombs but at the other end it was the import pair of Christoffersen and Epps who came through in the clutch to grab a 103-90 victory for the Tigers in a very even contest.

The Flames had six players finish with double figure points headed by Ryan Godfrey (15), Trent Gerovich (14), Aaron Colley (14), Jarryd Griffin (13), Travis Moore (12) and Rhett Della (10).

This weekend will see both teams on the road at Lakeside on Friday night before the men return home to face Geraldton on Saturday. The game will tip-off at 7:30pm with Trey Clarkson expected to make his home debut.

Article by Ryan Rogers (Rockingham Basketball & Recreation Association)