Week 16 of the State Basketball League saw a double header for both the Southlands Boulevarde Willetton Tigers Men and Women who faced the Australian Central East Perth Eagles on Friday night followed by the Carpet Court Southwest Slammers on Saturday Night.

The Tigers Women were set to confront a much improved Eagles lineup from the one they met in Week 3 -  including two reliable imports surrounded by an array of Australian talent including recently acquired Australian Opal squad member Carly Wilson.

Star Tiger Ashley Gilmore came out firing with 10 points before the half while Eagle guard Elizabeth Zezan found her range from beyond the arc early, knocking down three triples. The Tigers left for the change rooms at the long break trailing by 6.

It was the sheer offensive fire power of the Eagles that held off the hopeful Tigers in the second half. Back to back late three pointers from guard Jo Stear couldn’t save the Tigers who went down 52-65.

Carly Wilson was flying high for the Eagles in the second half and finished with an impressive 20 points and 10 rebounds. Forward Ashley Gilmore was first class for the Tigers posting a 15 point, 18 rebound performance.

On Saturday, the Tigers Women bounced back from Friday’s defeat, downing and eleventh placed Southwest Slammers outfit 90-54.

In front of the home crowd, Gilmore posted sensational triple double numbers with 13 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists and 6 steals. Guards Kate Malpass and Taryn Priestly were dominant combining for 41 points.

The Tigers Men also experienced a mixed weekend in their challenge to make the top eight.

The Eagles, without the aid of Perth Wildcat Stephen Weigh due to Australian Boomers duties led the Tigers from the get go. Eagle’s sharp shooter Nathan Friend was hot, draining five threes including a big 4 point play.

The Tigers Men showed signs of a comeback returning from the halftime break pursuing a 7 point margin but not even a record breaking 34 rebounds, 9 blocks and 16 points from 7 feet 2 inch import Chris Christofferson could spark the Tigers who went down 91-101.

Experiencing a crushing defeat at the hands of the Eagles, Saturday night’s match with the Slammers was expected to be a block-buster with a loss to end the Tigers post season hopes.

Mismatch issues from Christofferson and some impressive fast break basketball from youngster Jacob Reed meant the Tigers had the Slammers by 11 at the half.

Stretching the game out to 25 in the third quarter, the Tigers cruised past the struggling Slammers in a high scoring affair 131-109.

Energetic American import Vincent James was big for the Slammers hustling his way to 28 points and 9 rebounds while Christofferson had another huge haul with 30 points and 22 rebounds.

Despite their inconsistency the Tigers Men have managed to claw their way to eighth place on the MSBL standings. But fierce competition from the bottom eight means they will have to display a memorable finish to the season against two title contenders to have a post season campaign.

The Tigers Men will have to dig deep for something special to get over their neighbours and arch rivals the Cockburn Cougars this Saturday night at Cockburn.

They will be hoping the successful return of prodigy point guard Kosta Ilic who had 19 points and 5 assists on his comeback from a shoulder injury on Friday night can provide them with the flare to keep them in the finals mix.

The Tigers Women will also come up against the Cougars in their second last game before the finals commence. They’ll be keen to finish the regular season on a winning streak and give themselves the best chance possible of a 2nd place finish.

Article by Tim Friday
Photo by June Hallday