THE Willetton Tigers have the chance to show they belong in the championship discussion taking on the Joondalup Wolves on Friday night in Week 17 of the Men's SBL but that's one of just 10 crucial contests for the weekend.

The Goodlife Homes Willetton Tigers have soared to third position with a 15-6 record having beaten the Geraldton Buccaneers, Perth Redbacks and indeed the Merriwa Tavern & Bistro Joondalup City Wolves in recent weeks.

Back in Week 14, it was a spiteful contest between Willetton and Joondalup at Willetton Basketball Stadium with the Tigers coming from behind to take out the six-point victory.

Now they do battle again three weeks later this Friday night at Joondalup Basketball Stadium with the Tigers needing to win to remain a chance of finishing in a top two position.

The Wolves come into the clash at 17-4 and they really made a statement last weekend beating the Kalamunda Eastern Suns by 68 points and the East Perth Eagles by 20 after losing to the Tigers and Stirling Senators the previous two Friday nights.

Joondalup will also be celebrating the 150th appearance of Greg Hire which will see him earn unrestricted status.

But the Tigers have been in some stunning form including a road win over the Buccs and when they get out and run, they can put up a lot of points in no time.

It all points to one of the games of the season and with plenty at stake. A win for the Wolves and they all but guarantee a top two finish and can still finish first. A win for the Tigers and they are just one win behind the Wolfpack and are a real chance of a top two spot.

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There are three other matches on Friday night with the Lapa Brazilian Cockburn Cougars hosting the Print Sync South West Slammers, the Kalamunda Eastern Suns playing the Lakeside Lightning and the Mandurah Magic facing the Vorian Agency East Perth Eagles.

The Cougars need to beat the Slammers at Wally Hagan Stadium to stay at least a game clear on top with the Eagles in a must-win situation against the Magic to keep their playoff hopes alive and the Lightning and Suns fighting over their fifth wins respectively of the season.

It's then a monster night on Saturday with the Silver Lake Resources Goldfields Giants hosting the Nags Head Tavern Rockingham Flames. Goldfields must win to be any hope of the playoffs currently sitting 10th at 7-14 while the Flames can keep their top four chances alive with a win.

The S&K Electrical Geraldton Buccaneers also host the Perry Lakes Hawks. The Buccs lost to the Tigers at Active West Stadium last Saturday night and they don't lose twice at home very often.

But the Hawks returned to the winner's list last Sunday beating the Slammers by 22 points as they got back into eighth spot and the only way they can remain there is by winning in Geraldton.

Coach Charles Nix is looking forward to the trip and the challenge.

"We can't think of a better time to have a trip like this. It's an opportunity for us to get away as a group while our backs are against the wall. We are looking forward to it and we understand the challenge that lays ahead," Nix said.

"They are an extremely tough team at home and they don't lose too many there so for them to come off a dropped game to Willetton we will have to be at our absolute best.

"But we feel we understand the way they play and that we have a lot of threats they need to be concerned about. If we go out and stay focused and determined, I feel like we can really push them and upset them."

Also on Saturday night, the Print Sync South West Slammers play the Kalamunda Eastern Suns, the Bethanie Stirling Senators tackle the Lapa Brazilian BBQ Restaurant Cockburn Cougars, the Mandurah Magic face the Merriwa Tavern & Bistro Joondalup City Wolves and the Lakeside Lightning host the Texture WA Perth Redbacks.

The Senators are looking to bounce back from a loss to the Eagles last Saturday but it won't be easy against the league-leading Cougars while the Magic's hopes of upsetting the Wolfpack won't be helped with the Wolves celebrating the 350th SBL appearance of captain Seb Salinas.

Mandurah coach Jason Kyle is under no illusion as to the challenge of this weekend's double-header against the Eagles and Wolves, but hopes his team finds a way to compete well.

"East Perth are a good side and Joondalup when they play their brand of basketball I still think they are the best overall team in the league," Kyle said.

"They are a quality unit. We have a really tough weekend ahead and we will need to work really hard to at least get one win, which would be good."

The Redbacks were without Michael Vigor and Joel Wagner last Friday night, but still managed to beat the Magic by 24 points and coach Nik Lackovic is hoping for another strong performance against the Lightning but he certainly isn’t taking them lightly.

"I've got so much respect for Daniel Alexander. I spent some time with him over at the combine and I know what he's capable of doing with his individual talent," Lackovic said.

"Obviously they haven’t clicked as a group yet but we respect their ability and their talent, and we know we have to stick to our team rules and core values.

"If we do that then hopefully the result falls in our favour but this league is one where you can't have possessions or quarters off at any stage to give anyone any kind of encouragement to stay in games. That will be something we focus on as we prepare and get ready for Lakeside."

Meanwhile, Lightning coach Sam Oatman again was understandably frustrated with a 13th consecutive loss last Saturday night in Kalgoorlie but is hoping for a big effort this weekend starting Friday against the Eastern Suns, and then Saturday against the Redbacks.

"Overall, I was pleased with my team’s effort (against the Giants). We played well enough to win. Sometimes it comes down to making shots, and unfortunately we didn’t do that. Manigault was really good, and we didn’t have anyone who could contain him," Oatman said.

"They (Suns) ended their losing streak at our place earlier in the year, so we’re hoping to return the favour. Coach Clarke has them playing hard and with a lot of confidence, so we better bring it. It’s going to come down to who wants it more.

"They’ve (Redbacks) won 10 of their last 12 for a reason. Coach Lackovic has done a great job getting them to play hard and together. The bottom line is we better be ready to play."

WEEK 17 MEN'S SBL FIXTURES
FRIDAY
Lapa Brazilian BBQ Restaurant Cockburn Cougars v Print Sync South West Slammers, Wally Hagan Stadium 8.30pm
Kalamunda Eastern Suns v Lakeside Lightning, Ray Owen Recreation Centre 8.30pm
Merriwa Tavern & Bistro Joondalup City Wolves v Goodlife Homes Willetton Tigers, Joondalup Basketball Stadium 8.30pm
Mandurah Magic v Vorian Agency East Perth Eagles, Mike Barnett Sports Complex 8.30pm

SATURDAY
S&K Electrical Geraldton Buccaneers v Perry Lakes Hawks, Active West Stadium 7.30pm
Silver Lake Resources Goldfields Giants v Nags Head Tavern & Bistro Rockingham Flames, Niels Hansen Basketball Stadium 7.30pm
Lakeside Lightning v Texture WA Perth Redbacks, Lakeside Recreation Centre 8pm
Bethanie Stirling Senators v Lapa Brazilian BBQ Restaurant Cockburn Cougars, Warwick Stadium 8pm
Print Sync South West Slammers v Kalamunda Eastern Suns, Eaton Recreation Centre 8pm
Mandurah Magic v Merriwa Tavern & Bistro Joondalup City Wolves, Mike Barnett Sports Complex 8.30pm

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Serene-Elise Photography