Lakeside Lightning and Perry Lakes Hawks meet in a blockbuster top-of-the-table clash to tip-off round 10 of the Men’s State Basketball League on Friday night.

A week after fighting off challenges from play-offs bound Perth and reigning champions Cockburn in a gruelling double-header, Lakeside will again be forced to defend their billing as the league’s top dogs against an accomplished opponent.

The Lightning have won their past five games to establish themselves as the SBL’s hottest team, but will no doubt face a big test against the Hawks on the big stage at the WA Basketball Centre.

A big crowd is expected to attend, with the game scheduled as a standalone Friday contest on a shortened fixture card in week 10.

Perry Lakes coach Shawn Dennis will be on-hand to lead his team despite getting married the next day.

Saturday sees fourth meet fifth as Mandurah host Wanneroo after both sides returned to the winners’ circle last week.

Seventh-placed Willetton will be keen to preserve their place in the top eight when they host Geraldton, who sit just one rung below the Tigers on the ladder.

Goldfields enjoyed a pair of solid road victories last week and will need all the confidence they gained from those results when they host third-placed East Perth.

American import Markhuri Sanders-Frison put together a pair of dominant performances for the Giants last week and the University of California product will need to be at his best against the Eagles.

Cockburn’s charge towards the top eight was halted by Lakeside last week and they face another big test at home to sixth-placed Perth, while South West will be out to extend Stirling’s miserable six-game slide.

Kalamunda sit in last place and have won just one game all season, but will fancy their chances away to second-from-bottom Rockingham.

Australian Boomers centre and NBA prospect Luke Nevill has been in fine form for the Suns since arriving last month and shapes as the key to their chances of upsetting the Flames.

Article by Shayne Hope
Photo by Clare Chappell