THE Perth Redbacks, Lakeside Lightning, Mandurah Magic and Cockburn Cougars will all host Game 2 in their Women's SBL quarter-final match ups trying to force their series' to a decider this weekend against their higher ranked opponents.

The Joondalup Wolves, Rockingham Flames, Willetton Tigers and Perry Lakes Hawks all finished in the top four positions in the Women's SBL at the end of the regular season and went on to win their respective quarter-final Game 1 contests last weekend on their home floors.

Now the Game 2's will be held on the home court of the lower seeded teams and if they are able to beat their higher ranked opponents, they can force a deciding Game 3 back at the home venues of the top four teams.

Three of the four Game 2's will take place on Friday night with the Texture WA Perth Redbacks taking on the Orange Autos Rockingham Flames, the Lakeside Lightning hosting the Goodlife Homes Willetton Tigers and the Mandurah Magic playing the Perry Lakes Hawks.

Wins for the Redbacks, Lightning and Magic would then see the respective deciding Game 3 contests taking place on Saturday night at the homes of Rockingham, Willetton and Perry Lakes.

The remaining Game 2 will take place on Saturday night with the Lapa Brazilian BBQ Restaurant Cockburn Cougars playing the Merriwa Tavern & Bistro Joondalup City Wolves at Wally Hagan Stadium.

A win for the eighth seeded Cougars would then see a deciding Game 3 back at Joondalup Basketball Stadium on Sunday at midday.

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Starting on Friday night, the Redbacks host the Flames at Belmont with Perth needing the win to extend the series to a decider on Saturday.

The Flames have won the last two Women's championships and dominated last week's Game 1 beating Perth 90-66 in Rockingham on the back of a 25-point to 13 first quarter.

Ifunanya Ibekwe (22 points, 15 rebounds), Darcee Garbin (19 points, 14 boards), Sami Whitcomb (14 points, nine rebounds) and Jacinta Bourne (14 points, nine boards) all had big games for the Flames and if they do so again, it will be a long night for the Redbacks.

Jess Jakens and Gabby O'Sullivan both had 14 points last week for the Redbacks and Rebecca Benson nine while Lisa Wallbutton had seven points and seven rebounds. But Perth did miss the production and hard work inside of Ashley Gilmore and will need everyone to stand up to force a Game 3.

Then at Lakeside Recreation Centre, the Lightning need to find a way to turn around a 43-point loss last Friday night to the Tigers that saw Willetton pile on 53 points in the second while holding Lakeside to just 14.

It was a complete domination after half-time last Friday for Willetton and it was the Tigers' front court leading the way with Zoe Harper finishing with 23 points and nine rebounds, Louella Tomlinson 18 points, six boards and three blocks, and Emma Lobb nine points.

The Lightning had no answer for the size of those players but they will be looking to find a way for them to not take advantage of that this time around if they are to force a Game 3.

It wasn’t just the bigs for the Tigers who had a big impact either with Kate Malpass adding 17 points, eight assists and six rebounds, Desiree Kelley 12 points, six boards and three steals, Emma Gandini nine points and Lara Napier six points and 10 assists.

Tigers coach Simon Parker is hopeful that his team can continue their momentum from the second half last week despite the change of venue.

"There's not a lot different playing at Lakeside, but we want to be an anywhere, anytime type of team," Parker said.

"Willetton has good shooting rings but really all good shooters can shoot anywhere, and good post players can shoot anywhere so we are happy to go and play there now and try to finish the job."

Tia Ucich did have 13 points for the Lightning, Devanny King 11 points and eight rebounds and Ashleigh Grant 10 points and six boards, but Lakeside needs to find a way to get Alison Schwagmeyer to catch fire if they are to be a chance.

Lightning coach Craig Mansfield is taking the positive approach that Lakeside now has a home game to bounce back in on Friday and if they do that, anything can happen in a Game 3.

"I said to the girls after the game that the good news is that if this game was at Lakeside and we got beaten like that then we are in big, big trouble but they have won at home and now we have an opportunity to play at home," Mansfield said.

"There's no doubt we play better there but whether it's going to be enough to close the gap, we'll see. For us it's literally four quarters and one game, and after Friday night we are either relaxing or very quickly going through the cycle of getting ready for Game 3."

The Game 1 thriller took place last week at Bendat Basketball Centre with the Hawks just managing to prevail over the Magic by two points, and now Mandurah is looking to earn another chance at Perry Lakes on that floor by winning Game 2 on Friday at Mike Barnett Sports Complex.

The Hawks came from behind last Friday night to beat the Magic by the two points and it was Deanna Smith and Antonia Edmondson who were the stars.

Smith finished the night with 28 points, four steals and three rebounds while Edmondson nailed 20 points, eight rebounds and six assists with the veteran pair showing just how valuable recruits they are this year for Perry Lakes.

The Magic have a star veteran of their own in Casey Mihovilovich who did have 25 points and five assists last week, but for her team to win she'll look for more from Mandurah's imports. Last Friday Adijat Adams had just 10 points and five rebounds, and Annette Davis nine points and 12 boards.

Then on Saturday night, the Wolves look to advance straight to the semi finals in two games by playing the Cougars at Wally Hagan Stadium but with Candace Williams in the line-up, Cockburn always has a chance.

The Lady Wolfpack finished the regular season in first place and then won last week's Game 1 84-67 at Joondalup Basketball Stadium.

It was a strong performance by the Wolves with Nikita-Lee Martin top-scoring with 26 points with help from Amy Kidner (23 points, six rebounds, four assists), Klara Wischer (15 points, nine boards) and Ellyce Ironmonger (10 points, 11 rebounds, four assists).

If the Cougars are to be a chance Williams needs to have a monster game and she did have 28 points and 13 points last week. She will need to do that or more again and receive plenty of help from Cherridy Thornton, Taryn Priestly, Chelsea Evans and company to knock off the minor premiers.

GAME 2 WOMEN'S QUARTER FINAL MATCHES
FRIDAY
Texture WA Perth Redbacks v Orange Autos Rockingham Flames, Belmont Oasis Leisure Centre 6.30pm
Lakeside Lightning v Goodlife Homes Willetton Tigers, Lakeside Recreation Centre 7.30pm
Mandurah Magic v Perry Lakes Hawks, Mike Barnett Sports Complex 7.30pm

SATURDAY
Lapa Brazilian BBQ Restaurant Cockburn Cougars v Merriwa Tavern & Bistro Joondalup City Wolves, Wally Hagan Stadium 6pm

GAME 3 WOMEN'S QUARTER FINAL MATCHES (IF REQUIRED)
SATURDAY
Goodlife Homes Willetton Tigers v Lakeside Lightning, Willetton Basketball Stadium 6pm
Orange Autos Rockingham Flames v Texture WA Perth Redbacks, Mike Barnett Sports Complex 6.30pm
Perry Lakes Hawks v Mandurah Magic, Bendat Basketball Centre 7pm

SUNDAY
Merriwa Tavern & Bistro Joondalup City Wolves v Lapa Brazilian BBQ Restaurant Cockburn Cougars, Joondalup Basketball Stadium 12pm

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Sebpix Photography