This weekend the Domino’s Pizza Buccaneers face the mammoth task of defeating Lakeside Lightning twice to secure a spot in the State Basketball League grand final.

Last Saturday night at home the Buccs were defeated convincingly 97-81.

Lakeside has been formidable this year, winning 13 out of 15 games at home.

The possible return of Lakeside sharp-shooters, Luke Payne and Brad Jackson, will put more pressure on the Buccs.

If the Buccs are to win tomorrow night — and force the semi-final to a third game showdown on Sunday — coach Ray Evans needs his imports to step up.

Last week Luke Meyer and Michael Le Blanc accumulated a mere 22 between them — well below their best, according to Evans.

“Micheal and Luke looked tired and didn’t really play at the level they are capable of,” Evans said.

Evans said his players were hesitant to pull the trigger at Tip Top last week but are eager to try and swing the pendulum back in their favour tomorrow night.

“The guys are disappointed because they didn’t play to the standard they have been playing at,” he said.

“They’re keen to go down there and prove everyone wrong and make amends for last week.”

Buccs’ veteran Greg Brown said Lakeside Recreation Centre was a tricky venue, but believed the Buccs still stood a chance of grabbing its first grand final crown since 2000.

“It’s a tough venue to play at, but saying that we nearly won there last time even though we had a terrible start,” Brown said.

“If we win Saturday it’s one-all and then it’s anyone’s game.

“The biggest problem we had last week was our shooting percentage. We just hope we shoot a lot better and if we can it opens up the court a lot more.”

Article by Tom Davis
Picture by Garry Warner