Round 18 burst into life with the 11th placed East Perth Eagles edging out the 13th placed Slammers  101- 91 , at the Morley Sport and Rec. Centre. East Perth turned in a solid display to post win number 8 for the year, backing up with four consistent quarters. The Eagles shooting was superior to that of the Slammers, particularly from long range, managing to drive home 11 long range attempts. Their execution from the charity stripe was also pleasing, converting at 72% from the bonus. Wildcat Stephen Weigh was prolific for the Eagles with a game high 34 points, shooting an impressive 50% from beyond the arc. Ben Thompson was also important for the home team with 18 points and 6 assists. John Smith was the dominant player for the losing slammers roster with a  team high 24 points and 8 boards, but few of his teammates managed to have the same impact, with the next highest point scorer being Vincent James at 13.

Lakeside clinched a narrow away victory over the Cougars, 91- 84, to ensure that they just maintain top spot. The Lightning’s myriad of stars combined to play a part in the slender win, with key personnel contributing at various areas across the floor. Luke Payne was the high point man for the night, with 23 points as well as 6 assists.  Jason Faulknor did it at both ends to register a double- double, with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks. While Jarrad Prue was colossal at the defensive end, finishing with 8 points and 23 rebounds. Bryce Burch was the most proficient for the home team with a modest 14 points. Adam Becis went close to a triple- double with 17 points, 10 boards and 7 assists. Lakesides willingness to get the extra pass in the fourth ensured another victory, with a 28 point final quarter.

The battle of the bottom half of the ladder continued when 10th placed Willetton defeated the 12th placed Flames, 125- 116. The Tigers started and finished in a flurry posting 33 points in the first quarter and 39 in the fourth, on their way to win number 10 for the season. Robert Epps was his dominant self, with a game 35 points. Chris Christoferssen was damaging at both ends with 24 points, 22 rebounds and 4 blocks. Jacob Reed was also solid with 29 points and 7 assists. David Clarkson had a team high 30 points for the Flames, Joseph Harrell Jr and Ryan Godfrey both registered 17, while Rhett Della Maddalena poured in 22 points. Willetton’s dominance off the glass was telling, they out rebounded the Flames 54- 45 and were on song from the field, at 55% for the night.

The Goldfields Giants winning run continues to gather momentum, currently at five on the trot. They dispensed of the league leading Lightning 88- 78. Goldfields are now just one game behind the Lightening and top spot and have put together an impressive past month of basketball. The Giants made their intentions clear from the outset, with a 28- 16 opening quarter. They were also serviceable from 3 point land at 35%, in stark contrast to Lakeside who struggled at 18%. Shamus Ballantyne hit a game high 22 points for the Giants and was well supported by Ryan Hulme (18), Mark Heron (17) and Michael Haney and Alonzo Hird who both had 14 a piece, Hird also registered another double- double with 15 boards. Jason Faulknor was the main offensive weapon for Goldfields with 21 points, but ran into foul trouble, restricting him to 36 minutes. Luke Payne had a tidy 13 while Jarrad Prue snuck in for a double- double with his 10 points and 20 rebounds. Ultimately Lakeside shot themselves out of the game, managing only 35% for the night compared to Goldfields who finished up on 50% from the floor.

The Senators caused a boil over when they displaced 4th ranked Geraldton by a solitary point at Tip Top Stadium, 95- 94. The Senators 50 point second half was a major catalyst in the win, being number 11 for the season. The Bucs threatened to blow the game open in the first stanza, registering 31 points to 20. Edward Morris Jr continues to present himself as a powerful offensive force, registering an equal game high 34 points, as well as reeling in 12 boards and 2 steals. Chris Dodd was approaching triple- double territory, but finished with 17 points, 9 boards and 8 steals. Luke Meyer threatened to single- handedly drag the Bucs home, with an inspired double- double night, of 34 points, 11 boards and 5 blocks. Michael Le Blanc provided an additional avenue to the cup, with 28 points and 10 boards. Daniel Thomas chipped in with 20 in a losing outfit. The Senators dominance in the paint was a real telling point, they poured in 42 points to 28 and capitalised off second chance points with 20.

The Hawks posted win number 16 with victory over the Redbacks at Belmont Oasis, 124- 121. The Redbacks owned the contest for the first three quarters and looked to have the game on ice, but the Hawks pulled one out of the box with a sublime 40 point final quarter, ensuring that they firm to sixth position on the SBL ladder. Tom Garlepp rose above the pack to net a game high 33 points, shooting a perfect 4/4 from downtown, and grabbed 12 boards to register a double- double.  Daniel Hawkins joined the party with 31 points and 13 boards while Peter Crawford was valuable with 20 points. Aaron Christopher Lynch was dynamic for the Redbacks with a team high 32 points, as well as 10 boards. Jarrad Prior and Ryan Neil both netted 22. The Hawks long range shooting was impressive and largely kept them in the contest, connecting on 9 of 18, while the Perth franchise struggled at only 30%.

The Wolves accounted for the Slammers 98- 81at the Eaton Rec. Centre on Saturday night. The Wolf pack displayed consistent four quarter basketball to notch win number 16 and rise to fifth position on the ladder. Wanneroo really put the boots in during the second and third periods, piling on 27- 19 in the second and 24- 16 in the third. Jeffrey Dowdell again showed his class with a team high 26 points, as well as grabbing 11 boards. Greg Hire was pivotal with 25 points and Doug Gates hit 18. Vincent James played a lone hand at the offensive end for the Slammers with a game high 31 points. Luke Deighton was next best with 12. Ultimately Wanneroo were too good all over the court, they had a superior shooting percentage from general play and crashed the glass with ease to out rebound the Slammers. They were also damaging on second chance opportunities.

The Magic put up a spirited fight against the Cougars, but eventually conceded victory to the Cockburn franchise, 109- 105. The Magic shoot the ball at a good clip from all areas of the court, but really struggled in the rebounding department, surrendering 17 opportunities off the glass. Bryce Burch was the high point man with 24, Douglas Mclaughlin-Williams had 23 and Mark Jones had 17, as did Luke Callier who also registered a double- double with 12 boards. Kane Thompson hit a game high 26 points while Tom Remmerswaal was damaging for the Magic with 21 points, but ran into foul trouble late in the piece. Shaun Bennison and Ben Caporn both netted 18 a piece. Cockburn’s strong 38 point finished put them in good stead for win number 18 and a crack at the top two teams.

The Eastern Suns toppled the Flames 119- 113 at the Mike Barnett Sports Complex. The match had a similar flavour to that of the Magic- Cougars bout, where the Flames shot the ball better but were unable to enforce a presence on the glass, allowing the Suns an avenue to re-establish their game and go onto to claim victory. Adrian Majstrovich was sublime with 42 points and 16 boards to lead the Suns charge. Ben Smith chipped in with 18. Joseph Harrell Jr tried to match Majstrovich with his team high 33 point effort, but lacked support from key personnel. Trent Gerovich did well with 24 points in 31 minutes on court. For all the Flames dominance with the ball in hand, particularly their work in the paint, their inability to find the ball off the glass spelt disaster, registering their 17th loss for the season.

The Giants rich vein of form continued with the inform Hawks succumbing to the white hot Goldfields roster. Goldfields claimed a fairly comfortable victory, 108- 94. The Giants second half was impressive with a combined 57 point hall in the third and fourth periods. The Giants managed to contain the big names of the Hawks roster to quite nights, with Garlepp and Hawkins subdued by the constricting Giants defence. Goldfields offense ran like clockwork with 6 players managing double figures for points. Alonzo Hird was active at both ends the floor with another double- double, he finished with a game high 25 points, as well as 14 boards and 4 assists. Michael Haney was also potent with 24 points. Peter Crawford was among the points for the Hawks with 22, while Garlepp still managed to post a double- double despite the best efforts of the Giants, finishing with 19 points and 13 boards before fouling out.
WSBL

East Perth edged out the Slammers 57- 52, to open round 18 of the WSBL. Carly Wilson was instrumental in the win, hitting 20 points, grabbing 8 boards and dishing out 5 assists.

Lakeside claimed an away victory over the Cougars 62- 48. Natalie Young was the dominant player on court with a game high 25 points.

The Tigers firmed to second position with a 74- 64 victory over the Flames. Ashley Gilmore just missed on a triple- double outing, finishing with 25 points, 18 boards and 7 assists.

The Hawks maintained top spot with a big win over the Redbacks 92- 70. Deanna Smith’s blistering form continued with 35 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.

The Wolves claimed a rare away win over the Slammers 65- 59. Shani Amos was among the best for Wanneroo with 17 points and 7 rebounds.

Mandurah sealed a comfortable win over the Cougars 76- 59. Shelley Boston had 20 points and missed out on a double- double by a single rebound.

In the final match of the round the Flames had a narrow win over the Eastern Suns 69- 63. Kaye Tucker had a 20 point and 10 rebound double- double night.

Article by Cameron Wong (Perth Wildcats)