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AFTER the penultimate round in the Women’s SBL there remains five teams in the race for top four positions and nine teams who can still make the playoffs setting the stage for quite the dramatic final round of the 2019 season.

The six matches in the Round 19 of the Women’s SBL all had an impact on finals positions in one way or another starting with the Joondalup Wolves continuing their return to form with a 76-53 win against the Cockburn Cougars at HBF Arena.

The Willetton Tigers also kept their top four hopes alive with a win against the South West Slammers to the tune of 92-68 at Willetton Basketball Stadium.

The Rockingham Flames then sent a message of what they are capable of with a commanding 101-77 win against the shorthanded Warwick Senators at Warwick Stadium while the Lakeside Lightning stopped the Kalamunda Eastern Suns from locking in a playoff spot, winning 88-75 at Lakeside Recreation Centre.

Then on Saturday, the Mandurah Magic kept their hot form going beating the Perth Redbacks 89-79 while the Perry Lakes Hawks also sent a message defeating the Lakeside Lightning 84-56 at Bendat Basketball Centre.

ROUND 19 SPOTLIGHT | LADY HAWKS TOO BIG, STRONG FOR LIGHTNING
ROUND 19 SPOTLIGHT | FLAMES SHOW STRENGTH AGAINST SENATORS
ROUND 19 WOMEN’S SBL PREVIEW
MAGIC CLICKING AS THEY CHASE THIRD STRAIGHT GRAND FINAL
ROUND 18 WOMEN’S SBL RECAP
REDBACKS TO EMBRACE MANSFIELD’S OPALS CHANCE
NO TIGERS EXCUSES DESPITE BETTER THAN EXPECTED POSITION
YOUNG CRAWFORD PROVIDING COOL HEAD FOR FLAMES

Those results in Round 19 with one round remaining in the regular season leaves the Lakeside Lightning (16-5) still guaranteed of a second straight minor premiership.

But the Warwick Senators (14-7), Joondalup Wolves (14-7), Mandurah Magic (14-7) and Willetton Tigers (13-8) remain locked in a battle over top four positions.

The Perry Lakes Hawks (12-9) and Rockingham Flames (12-9) can’t finish in the top four or fall from a finals position while the Kalamunda Eastern Suns (10-11) and Perth Redbacks (9-12) are still fighting over eighth spot.

If Kalamunda beats Joondalup on Saturday night at HBF Arena then they are in no matter what the Redbacks do. But if the Eastern Suns lose and the Redbacks beat the Cockburn Cougars at Belmont Oasis on Friday, then the Redbacks will make it.

A win, or loss, for both teams in Round 20 and Kalamunda will make it and book in a rematch with Lakeside from last year’s semi finals.

The season of the South West Slammers (8-14) is over with the Cockburn Cougars (3-17) and East Perth Eagles (1-20) rounding out the standings.

WOMEN’S SBL ROUND 19

FRIDAY

CHAMBERS FRANKLYN JOONDALUP CITY WOLVES 76 defeated ROUND 1 FITNESS COCKBURN COUGARS 53

The Joondalup Wolves were looking to continue to regain their momentum heading towards finals at HBF Arena on Friday night and they did exactly that with a 23-point win over the Cockburn Cougars.

Having come through their mid-season slump of losing five straight matches and losing Kayla Steindl and Amy Kidner while bringing in Andee Ritter and Jasmine Martin, the Lady Wolfpack had won two straight coming into Friday clash a Cockburn team on a six-game losing slide.

But it was the Cougars who started the better and still went into quarter-time leading by five before the Wolves steadied a little and had scores all square by the main break at 31-apiece.

Joondalup then dominated the second half with 22 points to 16 in the third quarter, and 23 to six in the fourth to run out impressive 76-53 winners.

The result improves the Lady Wolfpack to a 14-7 record on the season to sit in third position with one final match to go next Saturday night at home to the Kalamunda Eastern Suns who could still need to win that to book in their own finals berth.

For Cockburn, it was a seventh consecutive defeat but they do remain a vastly more competitive outfit than 3-17 suggests with two games remaining next weekend against the Redbacks and Eagles.

The Wolves won despite being dominated on the boards too with Cockburn finishing with 56 rebounds to 39.

But the Cougars did have 23 turnovers from which the Wolfpack scored 19 points from while shooting wise, the Wolves went 27/76 from the field at 35 per cent and 11/34 at 32 per cent from downtown while the Cougars could only manage 22/65 at 33 per cent from the floor and 4/13 at 30 per cent from three.

Chelsea Belcher top scored for Joondalup off the bench and in just 19 minutes of court time with 14 points while Mikayla Pirini produced 13 points and four assists, and Andee Ritter 12 points, five assists and three steals.

Jasmine Martin added nine points and five rebounds, Isabelle Miotti seven points, three boards, three assists and two steals, and Amber Land seven points and 10 rebounds.

Cougars import Alina Hartmann produced a tremendous game with 24 points and eight rebounds while hitting 4/8 from deep. The rest of the team went 0/5 from three-point range.

Matilda Muir added 12 points, six rebounds and three assists, Jodee Sontay 10 points, 10 boards and three assists, and Vanessa Michael five points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three blocked shots.

WILLETTON TIGERS 92 defeated PRINT SYNC SOUTH WEST SLAMMERS 68

The Willetton Tigers kept their top four hopes alive in the Women’s SBL with a 24-point win over the South West Slammers at Willetton Basketball Stadium on Friday night.

The Tigers needed to win their remaining matches and hope other results fall their way to still end up in a top four position and they kept those hopes alive up against the Slammers on their home floor.

The Slammers were playing their last game of the season and with their full core of experienced players together for the first time in a while, they started strongly against the Tigers.

South West put up 25 points to lead by a point at quarter-time but Willetton responded with a big second term with 33 points of their own to take a 57-44 advantage into half-time.

The Tigers retained control through the second half to end up winning 92-68 and improve to a 13-8 record on the season. They remain in fifth position but could sneak into fourth with a win at home next Saturday against the Perry Lakes Hawks and if the Wolves lose to the Eastern Suns.

Meanwhile, it’s the end of the season for the Slammers and they finish on an 8-14 record.

There were times they looked a genuine playoff team and with two good imports in Makailah Dyer and Brittni Montgomery, and experienced trio Kate Fielding, Bianca Donovan and Courtney Bayliss, they have a good first five.

Then young players Ebony Bilcich, Cian Parsons, Beige Harris and Adele East, but they were likely missing that one or two extra player to cover the absences during the season to end up a playoff team.

Laina Snyder ensured she remains in MVP contention with another 27 points, nine rebounds and four assists for Willetton while Zoe Harper enjoyed the night against the team she won a championship with by delivering 15 points and 10 rebounds in just 17 minutes of court time.

Desiree Kelley added 13 points, five rebounds and three assists, Wendi Bibbins 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Emma Gandini nine points, five boards and three assists.

Bianca Donovan top-scored for the Slammers with 13 points while Beige Harris added 11 points, three rebounds and two steals, Adele East 10 points, six assists and five boards, Makailah Dyer 10 points and six assists, and Ebony Bilcich eight points.

BETHANIE WARWICK SENATORS 77 lost to CLASS 1 ORTHODONTICS ROCKINGHAM FLAMES 101

Still having the presence of Darcee Garbin alongside Maddie Allen and Christina Boag, and with Alex Ciabattoni knocking on the door of a triple-double saw the Rockingham Flames show what they are capable of against the Warwick Senators at Warwick Stadium on Friday night.

The Flames needed to win the game to officially lock in their playoff place while the Senators also needed to keep winning to stay second so there was plenty on the line for both sides coming into the contest at Warwick Stadium on Friday night.

After Warwick started brightly scoring the opening seven points, the Flames worked their way on top and they went on to score 28 of the last 40 points of the first quarter.

Rockingham then dominated the second period with 27 points to 12 to head into half-time leading 55-31.

It wasn’t just that the Flames’ defence was shutting down the Senators, it was forcing their shots to not only miss but their usually efficient shooters were missing by a long way and time after time not even getting close to hitting the rim.

It was quite the intimidating first half from the Flames and while the Senators did threaten a brief comeback in the third quarter, Rockingham pulled away further in the fourth term to end up winning by 24 points.

On top of pulling in the 57 rebounds, it was the inside game that was key for Rockingham as they shot 42/79 at 53 per cent from the field with 56 points in the paint. Their defence also saw the Senators go at 33 per cent from the floor on their 83 shot attempts.

The win improves Rockingham to a 12-9 record on the season having now won three straight ahead of playing Lakeside at home next Friday. Warwick is now 14-7 and finish their season away to Mandurah.

Maddie Allen was superb again for Rockingham producing another 24 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots on the back of shooting 12/16 from the floor.

Darcee Garbin also had 18 points and five rebounds, and Christina Boag 13 points and 14 boards.

Alex Ciabattoni then ran things well in the back court and only not playing an extra possession or two cost her a triple-double as she produced 21 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.

It was tough going for the Senators in the absence of the unavailable Tayla Hepburn and injured Bianca Villegas who was hobbling in a moon boot, but Samaria Howard battled hard with 22 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Stacey Barr finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists while Nicole Jorre De St Jorre contributed nine points and three boards, and Sam Roscoe six points, four steals, three rebounds and two assists.

LAKESIDE LIGHTNING 88 defeated KALAMUNDA EASTERN SUNS 75

Still having the presence of Darcee Garbin alongside Maddie Allen and Christina Boag, and with Alex Ciabattoni knocking on the door of a triple-double saw the Rockingham Flames show what they are capable of against the Warwick Senators at Warwick Stadium on Friday night.

The Flames needed to win the game to officially lock in their playoff place while the Senators also needed to keep winning to stay second so there was plenty on the line for both sides coming into the contest at Warwick Stadium on Friday night.

After Warwick started brightly scoring the opening seven points, the Flames worked their way on top and they went on to score 28 of the last 40 points of the first quarter.

Rockingham then dominated the second period with 27 points to 12 to head into half-time leading 55-31.

It wasn’t just that the Flames’ defence was shutting down the Senators, it was forcing their shots to not only miss but their usually efficient shooters were missing by a long way and time after time not even getting close to hitting the rim.

It was quite the intimidating first half from the Flames and while the Senators did threaten a brief comeback in the third quarter, Rockingham pulled away further in the fourth term to end up winning by 24 points.

On top of pulling in the 57 rebounds, it was the inside game that was key for Rockingham as they shot 42/79 at 53 per cent from the field with 56 points in the paint. Their defence also saw the Senators go at 33 per cent from the floor on their 83 shot attempts.

The win improves Rockingham to a 12-9 record on the season having now won three straight ahead of playing Lakeside at home next Friday. Warwick is now 14-7 and finish their season away to Mandurah.

Maddie Allen was superb again for Rockingham producing another 24 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots on the back of shooting 12/16 from the floor.

Darcee Garbin also had 18 points and five rebounds, and Christina Boag 13 points and 14 boards.

Alex Ciabattoni then ran things well in the back court and only not playing an extra possession or two cost her a triple-double as she produced 21 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.

It was tough going for the Senators in the absence of the unavailable Tayla Hepburn and injured Bianca Villegas who was hobbling in a moon boot, but Samaria Howard battled hard with 22 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Stacey Barr finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists while Nicole Jorre De St Jorre contributed nine points and three boards, and Sam Roscoe six points, four steals, three rebounds and two assists.

LAKESIDE LIGHTNING 88 defeated KALAMUNDA EASTERN SUNS 75

The Lakeside Lightning and Kalamunda Eastern Suns locked horns in a rematch of last year’s semi finals and it was again the defending champions prevailing by 13 points at Lakeside Recreation Centre.

The Friday night contest was an important one for both teams with the Lightning attempting to lock away a second straight regular season championship and the Eastern Suns also needing to win to potentially secure a playoff appearance.

Lakeside were coming off thumping wins of the Slammers and Eagles since a loss to the Lady Wolfpack, and started solidly at home to Kalamunda to lead by four points at quarter-time and eight points by half-time.

But the Eastern Suns came out firing in the third period erasing those bad memories of a horror show in the semi finals last year on the same floor in Game 1. They shot the lights out and put up 32 points for the quarter to head into three quarter-time leading 67-57.

However, the Lightning aren’t defending champions and top-of-the-table for nothing and they responded in the fourth period with 31 points to eight to come from behind to win 88-75.

The win improves Lakeside to a 16-4 record on the season in first place while the Eastern Suns are now 10-11 and clinging to eighth spot ahead of next Saturday clash with the Wolves at HBF Arena.

Ash Grant was tremendous for Lakeside with 26 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots while shooting 10/15 from the field.

Ellyce Ironmonger added 18 points and 13 rebounds with fellow big Hannah Stewart producing 16 points and six boards while Jess Van Schie contributed 10 points, seven assists and six boards, GeAnna Lualu-Summers 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, and Courtney Mansfield five points, nine assists and five rebounds despite 12 turnovers.

Katie Yohn did all she could to try and lift the Eastern Suns to the win with 25 points and 12 rebounds while Jennie Rintala added 16 points and nine boards, Lauren Jeffers 14 points, five rebounds and five assists, and Jewel Williams 11 points and six rebounds.

SATURDAY

TEXTURE WA PERTH REDBACKS 79 lost to CACHET HOMES MANDURAH MAGIC 89

The Mandurah Magic took their hot form with them on the road in the Women’s SBL on Saturday to beat the Perth Redbacks by 10 points and make the job all that harder of their opponents to take part in post-season action.

The two teams had met in the semi finals of last year with the Magic beating the Redbacks in two games despite being the lower-seeded team, but plenty has changed with both line-ups since then.

Mandurah entered Saturday afternoon’s game at Belmont Oasis on a seven-game winning run that saw them move into the top four and they kept that momentum going.

The Magic outscored the Redbacks 28-18 in the first quarter and then by half-time had extended their advantage to 53-39.

The Redbacks didn’t stop fighting in the second half but without Lauren Mansfield it was a step too far with the Magic winning 89-79 to make it eight wins in-a-row as they improved to a 14-7 record to sit in fourth position ahead one last regular season game next Saturday at home to the Warwick Senators.

The Redbacks now remain in ninth position at 9-12 having lost their last three and they have to beat the Cockburn Cougars on Friday night and then hope the Eastern Suns lose to the Wolves at HBF Arena on Saturday night in order to finish in eighth position.

New Mandurah import guard Taylor Brown was again impressive with 21 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists while Carly Boag continues to gather steam back from her knee reconstruction with 19 points, five boards, five assists and three steals.

Casey Mihovilovich continues to motor towards another playoff campaign too with 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists while captain and soon-to-be 200-gamer Emma Klasztorny contributed 11 points, nine rebounds and three assists.

Bree Klasztorny also contributed eight points, four rebounds and two assists off the bench.

Rosie Deegan delivered a tremendous performance for the Redbacks with 28 points, four rebounds and two assists but it will also be her last game of 2019.

Morgan Pullins delivered 13 points and 13 rebounds, Jess Jakens 12 points and four boards, Denielle Lipscombe seven points and four rebounds, and Alix Hayward seven points and four boards.

SCARBORO TOYOTA PERRY LAKES HAWKS 84 defeated LAKESIDE LIGHTNING 56

The inside size and strength and all-round depth of the Perry Lakes Hawks was again on show at Bendat Basketball Centre as they knocked off the league-leading defending champion Lakeside Lightning to the tune of 28 points.

Perry Lakes and Lakeside came into Saturday night’s battle as the past two champions in the Women’s SBL and having already played out a tight affair earlier this season with the Lightning winning by four points at home.

Lakeside came into the game still sitting in top spot with a 16-4 following Friday’s win against the Eastern Suns while the Lady Hawks were building some impressive momentum having won the last four games with Megan McKay’s presence upon return from college instrumental in that.

The Lightning actually got off to a flying start hitting the game’s first seven points and holding the Hawks scoreless for almost the opening four minutes of the contest until McKay got them on the back.

Once Perry Lakes did get going, they dominated the rest of the contest and by quarter-time, had turned that seven-point deficit into a four-point advantage.

The Hawks then pulled further away during the second period with 18 points to 11 to head into half-time with a 39-28 advantage over the reigning champions.

It was more of the same throughout the second half for Perry Lakes with 23 points to 18 in the third quarter, and 22 points to 10 in the fourth as they run out commanding 84-56 victors.

The win is a fifth straight for Perry Lakes who improve to 12-9 on the season ahead of one last regular season game on the road to the Willetton Tigers on Saturday.

Lakeside is now 16-5 ahead of finishing the regular season at home to the Rockingham Flames.

Megan McKay was again outstanding for Perry Lakes and that was while only playing 26 minutes. She produced 22 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two stelas on 10/15 shooting.

Nat Burton ensured the Hawks dominated inside also delivering 16 points and eight rebounds while Rebecca Benson was tremendous too with 19 points and nine assists while hitting 4/8 from three-point range.

Jamie Cherry finished with 10 points and eight assists for Perry Lakes with Nikita Martin adding seven points and four rebounds.

Ash Grant ended up top-scoring for Lakeside with 18 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots.

Ellyce Ironmonger also had 10 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals while GeAnna Lualu-Summers added seven points, three assists, two rebounds two steals.