The 2008 State Basketball League season comes to a head this weekend when the Dubbo Rams women will be vying for the title.
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The Rams will meet Newcastle Hunters in the first semi-final at 11am on Saturday before Shoalhaven Tigers and Coffs Harbour Suns - two sides Dubbo has beaten this season - play the other semi-final at 5pm.
The two winners will play for the right to be crowned 2008 champions at 10.45am on Sunday.
The division one men will feature Central Coast Crusaders versus Macarthur Heat and defending champions Penrith Panthers against Grafton Vikings.
While Tamworth Thunderbolts were knocked out in the playoffs by Macarthur Heat, they boasted the top scorer for the competition, former Delroy High School student Chris Skilton, who scored 495 points at an average of 29.12 in 17 games.
Dubbo Rams men were knocked out in the first round of division two playoffs by Wagga Heat.
The Dubbo Rams are brimming with confidence ahead of this weekend’s women’s State Basketball League finals.
After putting the finishing touches on their preparations tonight, the girls will travel to the Central Coast tomorrow before taking on Newcastle Hunters in the semi-final at 11am on Saturday.
Should they be successful they will have to wait until the other semi-final between Shoalhaven Tigers and Coffs Harbour Suns at 5pm to find out their grand final opponent.
Then on Sunday at 10.45am the grand final will be decided at the Bridgecoast Stadium in Terrigal.
The Rams are yet to beat Newcastle this season but coach Phil Morrow said his side had every intention to be there on Sunday.
“We are at full strength and are coming off good wins against Goulburn, Shoalhaven and Coffs Harbour,” Morrow said.
“We haven’t beaten Newcastle yet but we fell into foul trouble and lost in the final minute down there and saved our worst game of the season to lose by nine when they came here.
“Shannon Mathes hasn’t played them yet and having her will definitely be beneficial.”
Morrow’s biggest concern was defending champions Shoalhaven and said they deservedly wore the favourites tag.
“Shoalhaven are a red hot side,” he said. “But we control our own destiny.
“We defend as a unit so if we can start to make a few baskets it will go a long way to victory.
“Claire Hargreaves has given solid leadership all the way, the team is full of talent and our strongest asset is our team spirit. The girls are prepared to do anything for each other.
“Hopefully we can go one better than the girls did two years ago.”
