The Millicent Basketball Association will host the second round and finals of the 2009 Green Triangle Basketball League competitions this weekend. Five Mens teams and four Women’s teams will play each other during Saturday and Sunday morning to decide the rankings for the finals. The first and second placed teams will play off for the 2009 titles. The Women’s final will be played at 2 p.m. followed by the Men’s at 3.15 p.m.

The Lakers women were undefeated after the first round of matches played at Hamilton last month. Coach Sonya Knight predicts that reigning premier Portland is likely to present the strongest challenge in Millicent at the weekend, while Hamilton could again test the Lakers as reflected in the 4 point result at home. Meanwhile Millicent can be expected to be much stronger on their home court.

The Lakers women will be without inform junior Abby Loughhead but will be boosted in the “bigs” department with Sonia Bawden and Catherine Larkin lining up this weekend.

The Lakers Men will be looking to reverse the result against Hamilton on Saturday in preparation for the final. Coach Kym Hammond is expecting a much more consistent effort from his charges in their quest to retain the premiership and hence continue their dominance of Green Triangle. The team will miss the strike power of Kyle Howe-Tipene and Hammond will be looking for others to go up a gear in their offensive work to cover this loss.

Hamilton Men will start favourite for the Men’s title but one cannot under-rate the Lakers’ determination to retain the crown.

Lakers’ Program for the weekend:

 Saturday

4.30p.m. Women v Hamilton

5.45p.m. Men v Hamilton

7p.m.      Women v Millicent

8.15p.m. Men v Millicent

Sunday

9.45a.m. Men v Warrnambool

11a.m.    Women v Portland

12.15p.m. Men v Portland

2p.m. Women’s Grand Final First team v Second team

3.15p.m. Men’s Grand Final First team v Second team.