The Perth Redbacks’ Women’s and Men’s State Basketball League teams both secured places in the finals starting in two weeks’ time after their home-game wins against the Stirling Senators.

The Redbacks’ men won 94 to 82 in a tough Friday-night encounter that saw the lead change 20 times.

Forward Blake Bender was their top-scorer with 29 along with 20 rebounds, three steals and four assists.

Point guard Joel Wagner scored 27 and had five assists and two steals while centre Shaun Bennison had 14.

The Redbacks’ men then lost their Saturday-night away game against the Willetton Tigers 56 to 91.

Bender was again their top-scorer with 15 and 15 rebounds while point-guard Jake Whately scored nine and power-forward Jamie Somers seven.

With just one game left in the qualifying rounds the Redbacks’ men cannot be displaced from their current sixth position in the 14-team competition with 14 wins and 11 losses.

The score in the Redbacks’ Women’s team win against the Senators was 59 to 54.

Redbacks’ power-forward Jessica Jakens was their top scorer with 15 and 11 rebounds.

Point-guard Monique Kickett scored eight while shooting guard Stephanie Sauter also scored eight and had two steals.

The Redbacks’ Women then lost their following game against the Tigers 57 to 85.

Redbacks’ power-forward Brooke Hiddlestone and point-guard Desiree’ Delcoure both scored 10 while Jakens had eight.

The Redbacks’ women have now played all their qualifying round games due to a bye next week and have ended up with 13 wins and nine losses.

They are presently in sixth position in the 12-team competition but could drop down to seventh position depending upon the outcome of next week’s games.

The Redbacks’ men’s team’s play their last qualifying round game against the Geraldton Buccaneers in Geraldton on Saturday with tip-off at 7.30PM.

Photo:
Redbacks’ Blake Bender (white top 22) and Jamieson Lewis (white top 14) try to stop the Tigers’ Alex Prince (blue top) from getting a shot away.

Redbacks’ Media