Week 11 of the State Basketball League saw both the Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers Men and Women go down in disappointing losses to the Lakeside Lightning on Friday night.

Without Go for 2 and 5 Perth Lynx star Melissa Marsh The Tigers Women had a battle on their hands in front of a fiery Lightning home crowd. The Tigers came out blazing claiming an 11-0 lead in the first quarter with Kate Malpass and Courtney Hargreaves getting on the score sheet early.

After managing to claim a 5 point lead at the half, the game took a turn for the Tigers midway through the third with the Lightning nailing some big three-pointers to snatch the lead. Behind their loyal home crowd the 7th placed Lady Lightning out played the depleted Tigers outfit taking it out 66-58.

SBL PowerPlayer of the Week for Round 10 Natalie Young led the Lightning with 23 points and 9 rebounds. Ashley Gilmore and Courtney Hargreaves both continued their good form,  each with double-double performances in points and rebounds.

In the most anticipated game of the week, the full strength Tigers Men headed to Lakeside with the special words spoken from the coaching staff at practice in the back of their head. Fans packed Lakeside Recreation Centre, willing to stand to see the epic battle between the two cross town rivals.

Despite an early lead, the hopeful Tigers found themselves chasing the Lightning and went into the second half trailing by 16.

Well aware of their fading playoffs hopes, the Tigers Men left the change rooms steaming. Thanks to Robert Epps’ uncanny ability to score at will and Tiger prodigies Andrew Dunnell and Jacob Read hitting some big jump shots they spurred a comeback early in the third.

But the Lightning weathered the Tigers storm with class, with Luke Payne (31 points, 7 steals) displaying his shooting brilliance. Stretching the Tigers defence deep, the Lightning put up 36 threes (at 30%)  to claim victory comfortably 115-89.

Lakeside’s Jarrad Prue put on a rebounding clinic -  out rebounding the vertically superior Tigers with 21 rebounds and 22 points. For the Tigers, Robert Epps drained 6 of 8 threes for a massive 32 points and 10 rebounds.

With Both Willetton teams experiencing a rough weekend, Round 12 will showcase two must win games for the Tigers against the Wanneroo Wolves at Joondalup Basketball Stadium on Saturday night.

After a phenomenal start to the season, the Tigers Women have been up and down the last few weeks and find themselves clinging to the top three. With rumors up in the air about another strong addition to the lineup and the welcoming back of some key players the Tigers Women should get back to the form which boosted them to the top 2.

For the Tigers Men at 11th place, the season hangs by a thread. A finals campaign requires the Tigers to win almost all their remaining ten games. Their tough schedule continues in week 12 with a double header against the 3rd placed Wanneroo Wolves on Saturday night and the 2nd placed Geraldton Buccaneers on Sunday at home.

Sunday’s Men’s home game tips off at midday. Tickets at the door…

Article by Tim Friday (Willetton Tigers)