THE Rockingham Flames and Lakeside Lightning women, and Geraldton Buccaneers and East Perth Eagles men are all one win away from SBL grand final appearances for 2014 after winning their semi-final Game 1 matches on Saturday night.

The women's Game 1 semi-final matches on Saturday night saw the Orange Autos Rockingham Flames defeat the Kalamunda Eastern Suns 95-88 at Ray Owen Sports Centre while the Lakeside Lightning beat the Joondalup Wolves 80-77 at Joondalup Basketball Stadium.

The men's Game 1 semi-final matches then saw the Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers beat the Lakeside Lightning 108-102 at Lakeside Recreation Centre and the Vorian Agency East Perth Eagles down the Perth Redbacks 106-98 at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre.

The Flames have dominated the women's season winning their first 17 matches and having just two losses heading into the playoffs and now they are one victory at home next weekend away from making the grand final following Saturday's seven-point road win over the Eastern Suns.

Jacinta Bourne was one of the stars of the night for Rockingham finishing with 30 points, seven rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocked shots on the back of hitting 7-of-12 from three-point territory.

Samantha Whitcomb had a strong game as well for the Flames with 27 points, 10 rebounds and four assists with Darcee Garbin contributing 20 points and 12 boards. Kaye Tucker contributed nine points and six rebounds as well.

Jennie Rintala tried hard for the Eastern Suns with 22 points and seven rebounds while Melissa Moyle added 22 points and six boards.

Alison Schwagmeyer finished with 14 points, six assists and five rebounds for the Suns with Jessie Edwards contributing 13 points.

The Lightning women recorded their 12th straight victory on Saturday night but only just with a three-point thrilling win over the defending champion Wolves.

While the game went right down to the wire, the Lady Wolfpack face a huge ask to get back to the grand final in 2014 needing to win twice next weekend at Lakeside Recreation Centre where the Lightning are yet to lose once in all of this year.

On Saturday night, Kari Pickens was the star of the game for the Lightning with 26 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists and three steals on the back of shooting 9-of-18 from the floor, and 5-of-6 from downtown.

Krystal Stoneking also had a strong impact for Lakeside finishing with 19 points and five rebounds with Emily Fielding contributing 10 points and seven boards.

Chelsea Burns led the way for the Wolves with 20 points, 10 rebounds and five assists while Ellyce Ironmonger finishing with 16 points and nine boards, and Shani Amos 13 points, six rebounds and six assists.

The minor premier Buccaneers took a one-nil lead in their semi-final series against the defending champion Lightning thanks to a six-point win on the road on Saturday night.

That means that the Buccs now need to win just one of potentially two matches next weekend at home to qualify for the grand final. If the Lightning wish to make it back to the grand final to defend their championship they must win both games in Geraldton now next weekend.

In Game 1 on Saturday night, the Buccaneers took control of the contest in the third quarter outscoring the Lightning 33 points to 19 to then eventually end up holding on to win by six points.

Carter Cook top-scored for the Buccaneers on the night with 32 points, nine rebounds and four assists while shooting a supremely efficient 13-of-19 from the field.

Bennie Lewis also had a terrific night for the Buccs with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists while shooting 8-of-14 from two-point range but 0-of-6 from three-point land and 12-of-16 from the free-throw line.

Aaron Ralph scored another 19 points to go with 10 rebounds and two blocked shots for Geraldton while Matt Wundenberg added 12 points and 13 rebounds, and Jerrah Young 12 points and seven boards.

Brad Tinsley did all he could for the Lightning with 41 points and seven assists on the back of shooting 17-of-28 from the floor.

Brad Jackson also finished with 17 points for Lakeside with Jarrad Prue contributing 14 points and 20 boards, and Chris Sofoulis 14 points, five rebounds and four assists.

The Redbacks came into their semi-final series with the Eagles in hot form with an eight-game winning streak, but the Eagles have struck form at the right part of the year and took a one-nil series lead after winning at home on Saturday night by eight points.

That means that Perth has to win both matches next weekend to qualify for the grand final, but with Belmont Oasis unavailable both encounters are scheduled for the neutral venue of the WA Basketball Centre.

The Eagles got off to a hot start leading 67-52 at half-time against the Redbacks and despite scoring just 13 points in the first half, ended up winning by the eight points to take a series lead.

Kyle Armour top-scored for the Eagles with 23 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals with Tom Jervis adding 22 points, 14 boards, five assists and four blocked shots.

Joe-Alan Tupaea was also instrumental in East Perth's win with 16 points and five assists while Mathiang Muo added 13 points and Drew Williamson 12.

Lee Roberts tried hard for the Redbacks finishing with 21 points and 15 rebounds while Stan Okoye, his import partner, added 20 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots.

Jarrad Prior also scored 17 points for Perth while Marshall Nelson contributed 13 points and Joel Wagner 12 to go with 10 assists.

SATURDAY WOMEN'S SEMI FINAL GAME 1 SBL MATCHES
Kalamunda Eastern Suns 88 lost to Orange Autos Rockingham Flames 95
Joondalup Wolves 77 lost to Lakeside Lightning 80

SATURDAY MEN'S SEMI FINAL GAME 1 SBL MATCHES
Lakeside Lightning 102 lost to Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers 108
Vorian Agency East Perth Eagles 106 defeated Perth Redbacks 98

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Serene Elise Photography