Lakers men enter semi-final showdown as favourites

Kyle Tipene Dsc 506620191207crop  TBW Newsgroup
READY FOR ACTION: Kyle Tipene will return to the Mount Gambier Lakers' lineup for a Country Basketball League do-or-die semi-clash tomorrow night against Colac Kookas at the Icehouse. Picture: TREVOR JACKSON

Kyle Tipene Dsc 5066 TBW Newsgroup
READY FOR ACTION: Kyle Tipene will return to the Mount Gambier Lakers’ lineup for a Country Basketball League do-or-die semi-clash tomorrow night against Colac Kookas at the Icehouse.
Picture: TREVOR JACKSON

MOUNT Gambier Lakers men are in the box seat to advance through to the Country Basketball League grand final showdown, with a semi-final clash against Colac Kookas tomorrow night.

In their previous clash this season the Lakers were comfortable victors over the Kookas to the tune of 26 points at the Bluewater Leisure Centre.

This time the two face off at the Icehouse, but playoffs are a different ball game and the Lakers will need to bring their best on their home court to ensure an upset does not occur.

The Kookas had a mixed run into the playoffs, with three losses in their last five outings, while the Lakers have been undefeated since round 10.

In the last clash between the two sides Kyle Tipene led from the point guard position to finish the night with 37 points.

Tipene has been in ominous form and was rested last weekend, with other commitments keeping him from the floor.

He will come in refreshed and ready to set the court alight.

Simon Berkefeld compliments Tipene’s game and the pair control the floor, setting up opportunities inside for the likes of Lachie Hunter and Sam Stafford.

In fact the Lakers boast one of the best rosters in the competition, with any player able to start on the floor.

Colac has its own players capable of scoring, with Jordan Lingard contributing 31 points in their last encounter, while Matthew Lloyd was also impressive with 21.

Lakers coach Matt Berkefeld said he has a full side to pick from, which is an ominous sign for the visitors.

However, he said he is not taking the game lightly and considers Colac to have some of the best players in the league.

“We will go in confident, but we know they have a couple of genuine star players we need to keep an eye on,” he said.

“The bulk of their points come from their bigger guys, so it will be a big challenge for Braiden Ousey and Lachie Hunter initially and Sam Stafford will have a big job as well.

“Their guards can all shoot as well, so how we play defence will be really important.”

However, Berkefeld believes his side can exploit the size of the Kookas around the basket, with a fast-running, free-flowing style of basketball.

“Because they are a really big side we want to use our pace and athleticism to our advantage,” he said.

“I think the winner of the game will be the side that gets the game played on their terms.

“They will want a real physical, scrappy game and we want a fast-paced up-and-down contest.

“I think it will be really important to establish that early.”

Berkefeld has plenty of options at his fingertips, with one of the best benches in the competition.

The starting five will include his brother Simon, along with Tipene to establish the flow of the game.

Those coming off the bench have also played a major role this season, with no lack of firepower when the starters have been rested.

While Berkefeld is wary of the visitors, it is hard to see the Kookas staying with Mount Gambier for the full four quarters.

At the end of the season back-to-back championships is a reality for the Lakers if they reach the grand final and in a do-or-die semi-final scenario there is no room for complacency.

But that is something Berkefeld is not thinking too much about.

“We are really making a conscious effort not to get ahead of ourselves,” he said.

“It is tempting to think about the final prize at the end of it all, but at the same time this Colac team has some of the best players in the competition and if we do not take care of that, we will not be doing anything next weekend.”

The game tips off at 8pm following the Lakers v Millicent Magic women’s clash.