NBL1 West 2023: Swansong for Slammers women against Tigers as winless 2023 campaign looms

Both the South West Slammers and Willetton Tigers women’s teams are playing for very different reasons on Friday night at the Eaton Recreation Centre. While the home side will be playing for pride and attempting to avoid a 0-20 season, the Tigers, who are second on the table, have plenty at stake heading into the clash. Leading third-placed Joondalup Wolves on percentage, a convincing victory by Simon Parker’s side would likely be enough to secure a top-two finish and ensure home court advantage heading into the finals, which begin next week. The Wolves, who are also in action on Friday night against fellow finals-bound side Perry Lakes, appear to have a more difficult assignment ahead of them, in terms of winning convincingly. Friday night’s final game will be another opportunity for Slammers youngsters Alexis Donovan and Grace Adams, who both played well during last weekend’s double header, to soak up valuable court time ahead of the upcoming Bunbury Senior Basketball League competition, which begins in October. The match will tip off at 8.30pm, directly after the men’s game, instead of its usual 6.30pm timeslot on a Friday night. It is understood due to Willetton’s home game at noon on Saturday against the Geraldton Buccaneers — the only NBL1 West club without a women’s team — a decision was made to bring the Slammers-Tigers men’s game forward in order to give the Tigers players enough time to travel home and prepare for the following day. Scouting report Women: (Tigers) League position: 2nd. Last round: defeated Mandurah Magic 81-69; top performer - Alex Sharp (19 points - 7/15 field goal attempts, 1/5 three-point attempts, 2/2 free throw attempts, 18 rebounds, six assists, three steals, two blocks).