Hawks, Slammers secure playoff spots, knockout Eagles (Week 19 Women's SBL Wrap)

THE eight women's playoff teams are now settled after Round 19 of the 2015 SBL season with the South West Slammers and Perry Lakes Hawks securing their spots, but the minor premiership is still yet to be decided.

The East Perth Eagles have been in tremendous form to finish the season, but they had the bye in Week 19 and saw their hopes of slipping into the top eight taken away with the Slammers beating the Kalamunda Eastern Suns, and the Hawks defeating the Mandurah Magic.

While the teams that will make up the playoffs are decided, places inside the top eight aren’t yet set and that includes the minor premiership that will be decided this weekend between the Rockingham Flames and Willetton Tigers when they do battle at Willetton on Saturday night.

The three women's matches on Friday night saw the Merriwa Tavern & Bistro Joondalup City Wolves beat the Lakeside Lightning 74-44 at Lakeside Recreation Centre, the Orange Autos Rockingham Flames defeat the Mandurah Magic 84-68 at Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre, and the Goodlife Homes Willetton Tigers down the Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers 76-52 at Eaton Recreation Centre.

There were three women's matches on Saturday night with the Perry Lakes Hawks defeating the Mandurah Magic 65-44 at Bendat Basketball Centre, the Perth Redbacks beating the Stirling Senators 85-78 at Warwick Leisure Centre and the Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers downing the Kalamunda Eastern Suns 96-73 at Ray Owen Sports Centre.

The Week 19 results leave the Orange Autos Rockingham Flames (20-1) remaining on top of the standings ahead of the Goodlife Homes Willetton Tigers (19-2), Merriwa Tavern & Bistro Joondalup City Wolves (17-4) and Mandurah Magic (14-7).

The Kalamunda Eastern Suns (12-9), Perry Lakes Hawks (9-12), Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers (9-12) and Soprano Designs Cockburn Cougars (9-12) then make up the rest of the top eight positions.

The Schweigen East Perth Eagles (8-13) and Perth Redbacks (5-16) both have one game remaining in their seasons while the year is over for the Stirling Senators (4-18) and Lakeside Lightning (1-21).

There were again some strong individual performances across the weekend as well starting on Friday night with Rebecca Mercer again leading from the front for the Wolves with 18 points shooting 8-of-14 from the field.

Nikita-Lee Martin added 15 points and six rebounds as well for the Lady Wolfpack with Antonia Edmondson contributing 13 points, seven boards and four assists, Ellyce Ironmonger nine points, four rebounds and three assists, and Chelsea Burns eight points, 11 boards, eight assists and four steals.

Courtney Byrnes fought hard for the Lightning to end up top-scoring with 17 points, four steals, three rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots while Ashleigh Grant contributed 14 points, five boards and four blocks.

Sami Whitcomb continued her stunning recent form for the Flames with another 28 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Jacinta Bourne added 14 points, 11 boards, five steals and three assists for Rockingham while Darcee Garbin marked her return with 13 points and eight rebounds.

Talisia Bourne also contributed 10 points and three assists for the Flames with Tarsha Fletcher adding eight points and five rebounds.

Ashlee Sidebottom top-scored for the Magic with 16 points, three rebounds and two assists with Emma Klasztorny contributing 13 points and 11 boards, Rachel Halleen 13 points and Casey Mihovilovich 11 points, eight assists, six rebounds and four steals.

Kate Malpass led the way for the Tigers finishing with 23 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and two assists while Louella Tomlinson contributed 20 points, 11 boards, five blocked shots, two assists and two steals shooting 8-of-13 from the field, and 2-of-3 from both beyond the arc and from the charity stripe.

Emma Gandini also contributed 13 points and six rebounds for Willetton with Ebony Antonio adding 10 points, four boards and four assists, and Zoe Harper eight points and nine rebounds.

Patricia Bright was the only player for the Slammers scoring in double-figures finishing with 14 points and nine rebounds in the loss.

Then on Saturday night, Lauren Jeffers top-scored for the Hawks with 16 points, seven assists and four rebounds while shooting 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.

Megan McKay added 13 points and 11 rebounds off the bench while Sarah Donovan contributed nine points, nine boards and three assists, Danika Pisconeri eight points and eight rebounds, and Kassi Conditt seven points, eight boards, three blocks, two steals and two assists.

Ashlee Sidebottom ended up top-scoring for the Magic with 12 points and six rebounds with Emma Klasztorny adding 10 points and 11 boards.

Gaby Clayton led the way for the Redbacks off the bench with 24 points, six rebounds and four assists while hitting 9-of-20 from the field and 4-of-8 from three-point territory.

Jess Jakens contributed 21 points, 10 rebounds and four assists as well for Perth while Alix Hayward finished with 15 points and six boards, and Lauren Hall 12 points and eight rebounds.

Deonica McCormick led the way for the Slammers with 24 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, four steals and three blocked shots while shooting 10-of-13 from the field.

Patricia Bright added 19 points, six boards and three assists for South West with Bianca Donovan contributing 12 points and six assists, Kelly Bastow 12 points and Kate Fielding six points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocked shots.

Jessie Edwards top-scored for the Eastern Suns with 23 points and 13 rebounds while Abbey Duinker added 19 points, eight boards, three assists and two steals, and Rebecca Motroni 15 points and five assists, and Natalia Soli'ai nine points, eight rebounds and five assists.

FRIDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Lakeside Lightning 44 lost to Merriwa Tavern & Bistro Joondalup City Wolves 74
Mandurah Magic 68 lost to Orange Autos Rockingham Flames 84
Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers 52 lost to Goodlife Homes Willetton Tigers 76

SATURDAY WOMEN'S SBL MATCHES
Perry Lakes Hawks 65 defeated Mandurah Magic 44
Stirling Senators 78 lost to Perth Redbacks 85
Kalamunda Eastern Suns 73 lost to Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers 96

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Mick Cronin




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