Slammers' fortunes a fillip for the Flames

The Rockingham Flames will look to snap their 15-game losing streak when they face the South West Slammers in this weekend’s State Basketball fixture in Bunbury.

The penultimate match of the season represents a golden opportunity for Rockingham to return to the winners’ list with the Slammers losing their past 13 games.

The Flames travel to Bunbury on the back of consecutive losses to Mandurah and Perth in last weekend’s double-header.

Despite lowering their colours by 23 points against the Magic, Rockingham showed many positive signs.

Down 32-13 at quarter-time, Rockingham rallied in the second term to outscore Mandurah by eight points.

They remained largely competitive throughout the second half, but went down 106-83 at the Mike Barnett Sports Complex.

Percell Coles top-scored for Flames with 14 points, and was well supported by Jake Amos and James Booyer, who netted 12 each.

Mandurah’s Taylor Mullenax led all scorers with 36 points.

Rockingham’s young side proved little match for Perth in the second match of the weekend’s double-header in Belmont.

A slow start again cost the Flames in the early stages as Perth raced to a 31-16 lead at quarter-time.

Rockingham stemmed the flow of points in the second period, but still trailed by 14 points at half-time.

Led by Blake Bender’s 39 points, the Redbacks emerged comfortable winners, 124-83.

Amos was the Flames’ main avenue to the basket with 15 points, while Coles and Dayton Grogan combined for 25 points.

One pleasing aspect to emerge for coach Brad Samuelson was his side’s competitiveness in defence, with Perth only narrowly winning the rebound count 49-46.