Jarrod Balcombe made a huge statement in the SBL on Saturday night that he's a force to be reckoned with leading the People's Choice Eagles to a thumping win over the previously on fire Perry Lakes Hawks.

The former Perth Wildcats development player had a career night at the WA Basketball Centre, a venue he is obviously familiar with from his hours spent practicing there, and finished with a massive 44 points on the back of 20-of-27 shooting from the field. He also had eight rebounds.

His performance was a huge reason as to why the Eagles beat the Hawks 106-78 even though Perry Lakes was without Ben Purser and Rob Cassir due to commitments at the Wildcats' MVP Ball on Saturday night.

As well as Balcombe's 44 points, Tom Jervis added in 18 points and 12 rebounds with Michael Jones scoring 10 points as well. Drew Williamson had nine points, eight assists and five rebounds.

Adrian Majstrovich continued his big weekend with 25 points and 14 rebounds for the Hawks with Corey Easley adding 23 points and eight boards. Michael Lay also had 11 points and seven rebounds.

The Mandurah Magic beat the Michael Vigor, Joel Wagner-less BOQ Perth Redbacks 95-94 at Belmont Oasis with Taylor Mullenax scoring 27 points and 12 rebounds for the Magic. Rhett Della Maddalena hit 24 points and 10 boards with Taylor Land scoring 23 points to go with seven rebounds.

Justin Brown had a huge night for the Redbacks finishing with 21 points and 21 rebounds. Jarrad Prior scored 20 points in his 200th SBL appearance with Adam Johnston adding 19 points, Bennie Lewis 14 and Dennis Tawhiti 13.

The Lakeside Lightning beat the Silver Lake Resources Goldfields Giants 108-81 at Neils Hansen Basketball Stadium with Ben Berran finishing with 30 points and 12 rebounds. Justin Cecil also had 24 points and 10 boards for the Lightning with Jarrad Prue adding 13 points and 16 boards.

Dwayne Radcliffe scored 17 points for the Giants with Markhuri Sanders-Frison adding 11 points and 13 rebounds. Matthew Leske, Russell Hurst and Lordan Franich all hitting 10 points.

The Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers then also beat the undermanned Australian Belt Scrapers Wanneroo Wolves at Joondalup Basketball Stadium with a 95-76 victory.

Carter Cook scored 31 points for the Buccaneers with Daniel Thomas adding 19 points, Aaron Ralph 12, Matt Wunderberg 12 (14 rebounds) and Rob Kampman 11 to go with 12 boards.

The Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers lost at home on Friday to the Redbacks but bounced back on Saturday with a 98-90 victory over the Kalamunda Eastern Suns at Ray Owen Sports Centre.

Clive Weeden scored 22 points and had seven rebounds for the Slammers with Jamahr Warren throwing in 26 points and nine boards as well. Wade Hitchcock added 18 points and Ty Harrelson 14 points and 13 assists.

Giant centre Luke Nevill continued his outstanding form for the Suns with another 35 points and 11 rebounds on the back of 16-of-25 shooting from the field. Ben Smith added 14 pints, Joel Questel 13 and Louis Timms 12.

The defending champion Cockburn Cougars finally got a win on the board to improve to a 3-8 record with a 113-103 victory over the Stirling Senators at Wally Hagan Stadium.

Despite the absence of Gavin Field and Damien Scott, Brian Carlwell came up huge for the Cougars with 38 points and 14 rebounds with David Reichel also superb with 35 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Alex Prince had 18 points and Grant Davey 10.

Jordan Wild scored 31 points for the Senators with Josh Throns adding 19, Caleb Davis 15, Nikolas Iliadis 13, Sean Gilmore 11 and Ryan Woodbury 10. Iliadis also had 11 assists.

Meanwhile in women's action, the Perth Redbacks bounced back from a loss to South West on Friday with a 57-44 victory over the Mandurah Magic.

Marita Payne had a big game for the Redbacks with 19 points and 18 rebounds with Jessica Jakens adding 11 points and Gabby O'Sullivan 10. Ashlee Sidebottom top-scored for the Magic with 17 points with Casey Mihovilovich adding 10.

The Kalamunda Eastern Suns beat the South West Slammers 79-76 despite a 31-point final quarter from the visitors.

Adrienne Jones hit 16 points for the Suns with Chelsea Armstrong adding 13 points and Jennie Rintala 13 as well. Kimberly Sitzmann had a huge game with 37 points and 11 rebounds for the Slammers with Zoe Harper contributing 14 points and eight boards.

The Stirling Senators lost to Perry Lakes on Friday but bounced back on Saturday with an 86-72 victory over the Cockburn Cougars.

Taylor Lilley hit four three-pointers on her way to 24 points for the Senators to go with five rebounds and four assists. Tegan Walker added 16 points, Amber Land 15 points and 12 boards, Kelly Ellis 11 points and Fiona Madden 10.

Stephanie Jones had 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Cougars with Emma Pass and Kate Fielding both scoring 16 points, and Taryn Priestly 12.

The Perry Lakes Hawks made it a two-win weekend beating the East Perth Eagles comfortably 60-39 on Saturday night.

Natalie Burton had 15 points and seven rebounds for the Hawks with Rosie Tobin contributing 14 points and seven boards and Kate Anthony 12. Nicole Jorre St Jorre had 13 points for the Eagles with Danielle Lipscombe adding 11.

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Mick Cronin