Be Active Perth Wheelcats v Sydney Metro Blues- Bendat Basketball Centre
7.00pm Saturday 16^th April and
11.00am Sunday 17^th April

The Wheelcats will be pleased with their opening round, going 3-1 across the weekend with their only loss coming against Kilsyth.

Averaging a triple-double in four games, Shaun Norris (31.8 points, 11.3 rebounds and 11.3 assists) was the Player of the Week but he was ably helped on court by the likes of Kim Robins and Amber Merritt who also averaged double-figures in scoring.

Sydney were unable to pull out a win in Round 1, losing by an average margin of 31 points. However, their most competitive performance came against Perth which will give them confidence heading into this weekend.

In that previous clash, the visitors matched the Wheelcats on the boards and in assists but six more turnovers proved costly.

The Blues did attempt ten more free-throws thanks to Darren Skuse and Clarence McCarthy-Grogan and they must continue to attack the basket this weekend while Skuse will look for help on the glass from Richard Engles and Anderson Parker as they look to diminish the influence of Norris and Robins.

 

Red Dust Heelers v Kilsyth Cobras- Shepparton Sports Stadium
7.00pm Saturday 16^th April and
11.00am Sunday 17^th April

Sitting fourth and first on the ladder respectively, this weekend will see another two replays of the 2015 Grand Final after these teams already met on opening night.

Kilsyth sit atop the ladder with a 3-1 record as their only slip-up came against Wollongong in a one-point loss. Tristan Knowles was almost unstoppable, averaging 28.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 10.3 assists in four games while Dan Del Toso also proved his offensive worth with 16.8 points per game on 52% shooting.

Red Dust are 2-2 thanks to wins over the Spinning Bullets and Sydney which followed losses to Kilsyth and Wollongong.

In that defeat at the hands of the Cobras, the Heelers more than doubled their opposition in the turnover count while they also shot 0-7 from downtown.

Brad Ness performed well with 12 points and 11 rebounds but will need to pick up his defence alongside Rob Pike and Adam Deans in order to slow down Knowles.

The hosts will also be keen to utilize Jannik Blair as he plays his final games before returning to the University of Alabama to complete his studies.

Shawn Russell creates a headache for the Heelers though while Brian Carminati also proved his worth last weekend for the Cobras and that depth should see the defending champions over the line this round.