The South West Slammers wrapped up their 2018 State Basketball League season campaign with one win and one loss in round 20.
Saturday night saw fans and club members reflect upon the highs and lows of the past few months.
Going into their clash with Kalamunda Eastern Suns at Eaton Recreation Centre, the Slammers women’s team needed a win to make the play-offs.
Right from the tip-off, Kalamunda captain Jennie Rintala (attaining a scorching double-double with 30 points and 13 rebounds) went on the attack.
She and Alexandra Ciabattoni – earning a double-double with 30 points and 12 rebounds – kept the Slammers on edge in the first quarter.
Kalamunda secured a 28 to 20 lead at the first change, but the home side was never too far behind.
Tayah Burrows – recently picked up as a development player by the Perth Lynx – showcased her remarkable skills once again.
She (15 points, seven rebounds), Charlotte van Kleef (16), and Courtney Bayliss (13) excelled in all four quarters.
Kalamunda held a 10-15 point lead during the second term, before the Slammers shrunk the gap to five close to half time.
The trio of Rintala, Ciabattoni, and Jewel Williams pushed Kalamunda’s lead back out to 10 during the third quarter, putting the visitors ahead 64 to 54 at the final change.
Destroying any chance of a come-from-behind Slammers’ win in the fourth, the visitors snatched up an 80 to 70 victory.
With their season well-and-truly over, the Slammers men’s team seeked to entertain the fans.
Boosted by Michael Lay (17 points, 10 assists) and Brandon Thompson (10), the Slammers ran circles around Kalamunda in the first term.
The home side’s balletic display featured a slew of lay-ups, long-range passes, and three-point attempts.
Looking to clinch two from two, Kalamunda launched a late-in-the-quarter comeback to level the scores at 31-all by quarter time.
Having starred for the side throughout the year, Slammer Travis Durnin capped off his season with a spectacular double-double featuring 45 points and 18 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Louis Timms (19 points, 10 rebounds) and Courtney Belger (15, 7/9 free throws) kept their side in the game.
After leading by 13 at the main break, the Slammers – aided by Durnin, Lay, and Sam Sopolinski (13) – secured a 26-point buffer at three-quarter time.
The Slammers’ 105 to 87 win brought their hit-and-miss season to a close.
The Slammers women’s team finished the regular season in ninth, while the men’s side placed 12th after 20 rounds.
Clive Weeden and Kate Fielding celebrated their 150th and 250th games for the Slammers respectively.
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