BEN Beran not only is hoping to win his first SBL championship for the Lakeside Lightning in tonight's Grand Final but also to send out inspirational coach Andy Stewart on a winning note.

Lakeside has been a strong SBL men's side every year that Beran has played since arriving at the club with four minor premierships and two Grand Final appearances since winning the title in 2009, but he has been unable to win a championship and is hoping that changes tonight.

The Lightning have dominated the entire 2013 campaign finishing the regular season five games clear on top of the standings before also winning quarter and semi-final match-ups with two-nil victories over both the Perth Redbacks and East Perth Eagles.

That sees Lakeside entering tonight's SBL Grand Final against the Wanneroo Wolves as warm favourites, but Beran will certainly be taking nothing for granted having already lost in two championship deciders in his time with the Lightning.

Beran himself has been a strong player ever since arriving at Lakeside, but the 28-year-old South Dakota graduate is having his career-best season in 2013 averaging 25.4 points and 9.3 rebounds while shooting at 46.7 per cent from the field and 36.4 from three-point territory.

He has particularly enjoyed playing Wanneroo in 2013 averaging 33.5 points a game in the 55-point Round 7 win and Round 20 three-point victory.

He has been pleased with his own form and to tick off some individual goals, but he knows it will count for little in the end unless they come away with the championship.

"It has been kind of a long wait over the last three years to get back here so I'm thankful that we can be in this position again to try to get a title," Beran said.

"I really do think this has been my best season I've been here. The season is not over yet and we have one more game left, but I am really thankful for the season I've had.

"The last couple of years have been really down with injuries and all that kind of stuff, so I'm thankful for the season I've had so far.

"I set myself goals before the season started to rebound better and take care of the ball better, and be able to score a little bit more and all those came through so that was a plus in my book."

One major change for Lakeside has been with the departure of Luke Payne, but Justin Cecil has done well helping to step in to fill his shoes and Beran has certainly enjoyed what he's brought to the club.

"Justin has had a good year and it's been good getting to know him, and having him on staff here," he said.

"He's a great guy and a good guy to get along with. It's great to have a young guy straight out of college like that and it's been fun having him part of our team."

Lakeside was rarely tested during the playoffs with their toughest game likely being the last regular season match against Wanneroo with the Lightning now entering the Grand Final on an 11-game winning streak.

However, Beran isn’t in the slightest concerned heading into the championship decider not having too many hard contests along the way.

"We have had a problem with injuries the last couple of years heading into the finals so we are just glad to get through the first and second round healthy to make it into the Grand Final, so that was good," Beran said.

"We had three tough games leading up to the second game against East Perth and we've won a lot of tough and close games late in the season. It was kind of nice as a club to have a bit of an easier game in that last game and it was a nice way to finish off our season at home."

Article by Chris Pike