By Trevor Jackson
JUST like the Lakers men, the Lakers women face Warrnambool in the Country Basketball League semi-final on Saturday.
After a tough season with roster changes every game, the Lakers came through in the final minor round to ensure they played post-season basketball.
However, in stark contrast to the men’s competition, the Warrnambool Mermaids sit top of the ladder and the Lakers in fourth place.
Warrnambool finished the season with an 8/2 win/loss record, while the Lakers ended the minor rounds at 5/5.
Head-to-head throughout the minor rounds yielded one win apiece after their two clashes.
In Round 8 the Lakers claimed the win by 11 points, with a consistent effort across the four quarters the key to the victory.
They took their chances in the third term for an 18-11 quarter to make it a tough prospect for the Mermaids to come from behind.
It was also a skinny roster, with just six players making the cross-border journey.
Of those, Tenielle Human showed plenty of form, with 18 points to lead all-comers.
Tara Bryant also contributed double figures, with 12 points to her name.
Round 12 saw a strong roster at the Icehouse, but the Lakers were simply unable to get the job done.
The visitors claimed the win by nine points, despite having just one player in double figures.
The Lakers were also quiet around the boards, with Emily Dawe shooting 14 points, while Human again popped up with 13.
If the women can take a full roster across the border, they could certainly cause an upset.
The Lakers certainly have the talent to get the job done but will need to be at their best without a home crowd for support.
A spot in the grand final is the reward for success this week, with the Lakers to then face either Portland Coasters or the Horsham Hornets.
