CBL finals are back this time for the North East and South West conferences!!!
The Semi-Finals are set to tip off this weekend with eight teams ready to battle it out. Below are previews of each semi-final, including the results from the last time these teams met, and which players to watch out for:
North East Women
Semi-Final 1 – Seymour Blasters vs Albury Cougars
Saturday 4 February 5:30pm at Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre
For our first semi-final of the weekend, we see second-place Seymour take on third-place Albury. Both teams share a similar win-loss record this season with the Blasters going one win better for an 8-3 record. The Blasters will look to continue their offensive output with conference top scorer, Tayha Watkins (26.8ppg) leading the charge. For the Cougars, they’ll look at the McCowans (Jade, Aleira, Kijana) who all have averaged solid numbers this season.
This matchup is sure to bring fireworks on Saturday night. Can the Blasters get it done and put themselves in Grand Finals for a chance to go back-to-back champs? Or is going to be the Cougar's year? You can’t miss this game!
Semi-Final 2 – Wodonga Lady Wolves vs Wallan Panthers
Saturday 4 February 6:00pm at Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre
In the second North East Women semi-final, top-of-the-ladder Wodonga will battle it out with four-place Wallan. The Lady Wolves have been almost perfect this season only dropping one game in Round 5. Star players like Rachel Jeffery and Stacey Browne will hope to continue the Lady Wolves winning ways. Standing in their way this weekend is the always-tough, Wallan Panthers.
The Panthers will look to bring the fight to the Lady Wolves on Saturday through offensive weapons like Carly Cranston and Ruby Pantisano. Can they knock-off the Championship favourites? Tune in this Saturday…
North East Men
Semi-Final 1 – Seymour Blasters vs Wallan Panthers
Saturday 4 February 7:30pm at Seymour Sports and Aquatic Centre
Over to the North East Men and it’s the undefeated Seymour Blasters hosting the always dangerous, Wallan Panthers. Seymour has been on fire this season going a flawless 14-0, winning all games by double-digits. They’re on the hunt for a third straight championship banner in 2023. But, looking to spoil the party is the four-placed Panthers.
The Panthers have been a strong team in the North East Men this season. They have amassed a 9-5 record and are very solid on both sides of the court. In Round 16, they lost to the Blasters by only 10 points, which was Seymour's closest game all season. Saturday's matchup is sure to be a David vs Goliath battle…you don’t want to miss this one.
Semi-Final 2 – Benalla Breakers vs Myrtleford Saints
Saturday 4 February 8:00pm at Benalla Indoor Recreation Centre
For our second North East Men semi-final, second-place Benalla will host third-place Myrtleford. Only one game separates both teams with the Breakers going 10-4 to the Saint's 9-5 record for the season. They’ve played each other twice with the Breakers drawing first blood in Round 2 and the Saints bouncing back in Round 12.
Both teams can score the ball well. The Breakers Eric Miraflores has been a scoring-machine this season and will look to continue that hot form on Saturday night. The Saints Tyler Barker, Ryley Bouker, and Kobe Shewry have all been in the CBL top scorers list throughout the season. These two teams are about as evenly matched as it gets…who is going to punch their ticket to the big dance?
South West Women
Semi-Final 1 – Millicent Magic vs Portland Coasters
Saturday 4 February 4:30pm at Bern Bruning Basketball Stadium
We move down to the South West and for our first semi-final in the Women’s conference, we have Millicent taking on Portland. It’s first versus fourth and for the Magic, they’re hoping to continue their winning record against the Coasters. Both teams have played each other twice during the season with the Magic winning both games comfortably. Georgia and Emily Winter have played huge roles in Millicent's success this season. Both players have been staples on the top scorer's list and will look to bring that offensive prowess on Saturday night.
However, the Coasters are peaking at the right time of the season. The team is currently on a four-game winning streak with no signs of slowing down. Tanielle Knight has been Portland’s best player this season and she’ll look to will her team to victory this week. Can they get over the Magic hurdle?
Semi-Final 2 – Mt Gambier Lakers vs Warrnambool Mermaids
Saturday 4 February 6:30pm at Bern Bruning Basketball Stadium
Mt Gambier will host Warrnambool in our second South West Women semi-final for the weekend. The Lakers have gotten the better of the Mermaids on the two occasions they’ve met during the season, with Round 4 only having four points in it at the final buzzer. Sarah Ritter will be the player to watch for the Lakers, she’s had a solid season from an offensive standpoint and will look to turn it up for Saturday's game. But, the Mermaids have a few offensive weapons of their own.
Paiyton Noonan has been a 3-point sniper this season knocking down 29 triples for the Mermaids. She’ll look to resume that hot shooting form against the Lakers this weekend. This matchup is shaping up to be a must-watch.
South West Men
Semi-Final 1 – Ararat Redbacks vs Millicent Magic
Saturday 4 February 7:00pm at Ararat Fitness and Leisure Centre
Onto the South West Men and it’s the Ararat Redbacks playing host to the Millicent Magic. The Redbacks have been a powerhouse all season, led by the outstanding scoring efforts from Zac Dunmore. Dunmore has scored an eye-watering 479 points in just 15 games for Ararat, which averages out to 31.9ppg. He’s been a one-man wrecking crew for the Redbacks, and the question is can the Magic contain him?
Well, the good news for the Magic is that they’ve already beaten them back in Round 7. Ararat did eventually even the score getting the win in Round 15, so this game is a toss-up. The Magic has a nice scoring duo in the likes of Kade Bradley and Jack Haggett, but will it be enough to take them all the way to Grand Final?
Semi-Final 2 – Mt Gambier Lakers vs Horsham Hornets
Saturday 4 February 8:30pm at Bern Bruning Basketball Stadium
It’s second versus third with Mt Gambier having the hosting honours against Horsham. The Lakers have been dangerous this season only losing three games and tallying the most total points scored (1570pts). The trio of Simon Berkefeld, Ben Young, and Kane de Wit have all been consistent scoring threats for the Lakers this season. It makes them a hard team to lock up with so many options to get points on the board. However, it’s hard to count the Hornets out when they have already beaten the Lakers twice during the season.
Yes, in two very close games in Round 9 and Round 15, Horsham got the better of Mt Gambier. Leading the charge to make it three in a row will be Hornets star, Austin Mckenzie. Austin has been very impressive during the season averaging 25ppg and will look to continue his great form this weekend. This game is sure to be fireworks and we cannot wait!
