THE business end of the season begins tomorrow night for the Domino's Buccaneers in the first quarter final clash with Cockburn Cougars.

It will be the second time the two teams have faced each other in respective weeks and the finals are played over the best of three legs.

Last week at Tip Top, the Buccs brought an end to their five-game losing streak at the expense of the Cougars with a 107-88 victory. Michael Le Blanc produced one of his best on-court displays,  racking up 40 points in front of the Tip Top faithful.

The Buccs need him to be firing on all cylinders at the Wally Hagan Stadium tomorrow night if they are to take a win back to Tip Top on Saturday, August 1.

Le Blanc reckons victory over the Cougars will send a clear message to the other teams in the melting pot.

"This first game is important to keep up the momentum," said the American import.

"It's important to get a win set the tone, to come out and let each other and everyone else know that we're very serious about going all the way."

Buccs coach Ray Evans said he will be expecting his players to fight for every ball on the court tomorrow night. "We've got to play the game like it's a grand final and play every possession we have like it's the last possession of the game," said Evans.

"If we can go down there and get the win it will be a massive boost to come home and have two chances to wrap it up."

Le Blanc said though the Buccs are excited, they remain focused on the challenge ahead.

"Everyone's very excited and very fired up, yet focused. We know what we have to do it's just a matter of translating that into the game," he said.

Article by Tom Davis (Geraldton Guardian)
Photo by Garry Warner