By Lachlan Onions
THE Mount Gambier Lakers and Millicent Magic women will go head-to-head tonight at the Icehouse for Round 8 of the Country Basketball League.
Both sides have won all four games this season and hold the top two positions on the ladder.
This blockbuster clash will likely be a prelude for finals as both sides have been a class above in most games this year.
The Lakers won their Round 7 clash against the Surfcoast Chargers in emphatic fashion with a 43-point dismantling at the Icehouse.
Sarah Ritter led the way for Mount Gambier last time out with 22 points.
Ritter has scored the second-most points out of any player this year with 82.
The Lakers will also look to Mikaela Horrigan, Sophie Miles and Olivia Wormald, who have all made important contributions this season.
Millicent also heads into this game off the back of a comprehensive victory as it defeated the Chargers by 71 points last weekend.
Georgia Winter was the standout performer for the Magic with 36 points including six three-pointers.
Georgia Winter also leads the competition for points scored with 89, while Millicent’s Emily Winter is not far behind with 80 points.
Alana Berkefeld, Poppy Venn and Jasmin Howe will all likely have an impact in tonight’s game as the Magic boasts unrivalled depth.
Howe has scored 57 points in three games this season but the Lakers will be well-aware of her ability as she has proven to be a key player at NBL1 level.
Venn will look to keep her good form rolling as she enters this clash off the back of a 29-point haul against Surfcoast in a display which saw her hit five three-pointer, while Berkefeld scored 37 points across two games in the double-header in Round 6.
This is a clash not to be missed as the two undefeated sides battle it out in the battle between the two South East sides.
Despite home-court advantage favouring the Lakers, the Magic’s depth will prove too much and will claim bragging rights over their local rivals.
