THREE has become one for Basketball Geelong’s Big V teams.

While the Lady Cats were ruled out of the playoffs several weeks ago, they were joined by Geelong’s Big V Youth League (2) team on a dramatic last weekend of the season.

That leaves only the senior men to contest the Big V Division One playoffs, going into the finals as serious championship contenders behind first-placed Sherbrooke Suns.

The Geelong men wrapped up their excellent regular-season with a 107-88 home win over Hawthorn Magic at The Arena on Saturday night.

In a game that was tight and tough for most of the four quarters, Geelong relied on big man Seb Loader (24 points, 17 rebounds) for a big performance in the paint.

But Geelong also got excellent efforts from starting guards Paul Hutchison (20 points, five assists), Ben Suchanek (19 points, 10 rebounds, five assists) and Keith Harrison (17 points).

It was a good win for Geelong as it came off back-to-back losses, regrouped well and covered the absence of forward Chris Brown, who is overseas.

Having finished second on the ladder, Geelong (15-5) plays first-placed Sherbrooke (19-1) in a qualifying final on the road this Saturday night before hosting a preliminary final on August 9.

The Big Youth League (2) men’s season ended with a victory but the bitter disappointment of missing the playoffs.

After beating Werribee, 120-86, at The Arena on Saturday night, Geelong had to wait on the result of Hume City’s road game against Bendigo on Sunday.

In an upset, Hume City beat Bendigo, 88-81, to clinch the sixth and last playoff spot, relegating Geelong to seventh.

Captain Steven Wiasak (33 points, 10 rebounds) played another monster game for Geelong, while Brett Seljak (24 points, 13 rebounds) finished the season on a high.