An understrength Perth Redbacks’ men’s State Basketball League team lost the second of their three-game quarter-final series to the Cockburn Cougars 93 to 130.

They are now out of the finals having been beaten in two straight games.

The Redbacks’ team could not overcome the major absences Jesse Wagstaff due to commitments with the Australian Boomers side and Sydney Kings National Basketball League team point-guard Joel Wagner due to an ankle injury.

Centre Michael Vigor played strongly for the Redbacks scoring 30 while bringing down six rebounds.

Power-forward Daniel Maddox was their next highest scorer with 15, while forward Adrian Majstrovich had 12 and nine rebounds.

Point guard Jarrad Jackson played solidly with nine points and six rebounds while veteran shooting guard Ryan Neill scored 10.

Cockburn’s centre and US import Ty Harrelson was the stand-out player of the game with 50 along with two assists and three steals, while fellow US import Stanley Ocitti had 27 along with 12 rebounds.

Cockburn now advance to the semi-finals where they will meet the Wanneroo Wolves.

The other semi-final will be played between Lakeside Lightning and the Perry Lakes Hawks.

The Redbacks’ men’s team ends the season in sixth place in the 14-team competition having won 15 wins and 13 losses, including the two quarter-final series games.

In summarising their season, Redbacks’ coach David Harris said,

“This year we haven’t suited up our full team at all due to injuries and player absences.

“Despite this we’ve been punched well above our weight, as demonstrated by the fact that we ended up the regular season with only one win less than last year.

“Credit has got to go to our junior group of players and their rapid development, which augers well for next year and into the future,” he said.

REDBACKS’ MEDIA