After dropping six consecutive games between Rounds 14 and 18, the Kalamunda Eastern Suns were on the brink of missing the WSBL play-offs altogether. The Suns are now two games away from a maiden club Grand Final appearance after completing a clean-sweep of the Lakeside Lightning, 71-60, in Game Two of the Quarter Final series.

Jennie Rintala was the stand-out performer with 22 points and 13 rebounds, veteran Sass Knox was sensational with 16 rebounds and Rachel Mueggenborg had 15 points to go with 6 rebounds and 3 steals.  The Suns controlled, like in Game 1, the rebound count, outrebounding the home team 50-38 and were dominant inside the paint scoring almost half their points, 34, compared to the Lightning’s 16.

One of the losses on the streak was a tough 59-77 defeat at Lakeside Recreation Centre, less than a month ago, so a good start was crucial for the Suns. That script was adhered to perfectly as the win was set-up with a fantastic first quarter, in which the Suns were able to establish a 16 point lead, 24-8, on the back of a massive 17-1 run to close out the first. The Lightning only managed 3 field goals for the entire quarter and the Suns pulled down 19 rebounds.

"We had a great week’s preparation and made some adjustments from game one.  We anticipated them double teaming more frequently in various situations and were able to prepare for that, also we did a much better job defending the high on-ball screen.  I was super happy with our focus from and our start, execution and effort the first quarter was brilliant.  The best quarter of basketball we have played this season." said Suns Coach, Craig Mansfield.

The margin was out to as high as 21 in the second, but some late fast breaks for Lakeside reduced the margin to 15 at the half, 36-21. The lead again ballooned out to 20 with the third quarter winding down, though the Suns headed for home at the last break with a 12 point lead 55-43. Jennie Rintala was big in the third with 7 points, 4 rebounds and a block. 

The teams traded baskets for the first half of the final quarter though the Lightning were able to bring the margin back to just 7 points with less than a minute to play. With a vocal travelling Suns crowd, which outnumbered the home spectators, behind them, the Suns were able to close the game out and controlled possession. Captain Ajay Jones, returning after several games on the sideline with a knee injury, knocked down two free throws to end any chance of a comeback.

The Suns now have home court advantage in the best of three semi-final series against last year’s Champions, the South West Slammers.

Coach Mansfield was upbeat when asked about facing the Slammers. "Bunbury will present a big challenge for us in the next round, as the defending champs they have been there before and know what it takes.  They beat us last time we played in Bunbury, so we will review as much film as possible, work hard at training and try our best to perform in Bunbury for game one.  Hopefully a little taste of finals success will spur the girls on for the next series, we understand it takes 5 wins for this season to be a complete success" Mansfield said.

"The turnout of Suns people to support us was fun and it definitely helped the girls push through and get over the line.  Hopefully they keep coming and supporting us for as long as the season continues."

The Slammers finished the regular season in the final playoff spot, eighth position, but showed that the playoffs are a different scenario as they coolly eliminated the first placed Willetton Tigers with a  clean sweep.

The season series between these teams is split at 1-1 with the home team having prevailed on both occasions.

The Suns will make their third WSBL appearance in a semi-final series, looking to advance to the Grand Final for the first time in club history. The schedule for the semi-final series will be released shortly, though the Slammers will host the first game of the series at Eaton Recreation Centre, with Game Two, and Three if required, will be played at the Furnace.

Article by Steve Trajeski
Photo by Sue Theuniessen