Women’s side off to finals

It was a bag of mixed emotions for the Rockingham Flames on the weekend as the men’s team bowed out of the quarter finals, thanks to the Geraldton Buccaneers, while the women’s side continued their march to a third successive crown.

The two-time defending champions easily accounted for the Perth Redbacks 77-56 at the Belmont Leisure Centre on Friday night, while the Buccs downed a gallant Flames side 107-101 at Active West Stadium in Geraldton on Saturday night.

Little separated the two sides with the Buccs shooting 40 of 89 from the field at 44 per cent and 14 of 35 from the three while the Flames shot 40 of 91 from the floor and 9 of 31 from three.

However, 12 missed free throws from the Flames came back to haunt them after a solid start which saw them two points up at half-time. Rockingham’s Land brothers did everything they could to force a game three, with Cooper Land finishing with 35 points and nine rebounds.

Taylor Land had a stunning game as he ended up with 27 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals.

Ryan Godfrey chipped in with 15 points, three assists, three rebounds and two steals while Chudier Pal fought hard inside for 11 points and 14 rebounds, but missed five of his six free-throw attempts.

On Friday night Sami Whitcomb went to another level as she scored a stunning 18 points in the first quarter alone, to give the visitors a five-point lead at quarter time.

The lead was extended to 16 at half-time and 21 at the final buzzer as the Flames marched on to another semi-final series.

The Flames shot 28 of 66 at 42 per cent and 6 of 25 from the arc while Perth shot a disappointing 21 of 74 at 28 per cent from the floor and 5 of 19 from the three.

Whitcomb finished with 34 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and two blocks, with teammate Darcee Garbin also performing strongly with 14 points and 14 rebounds.

Ashlee Sidebottom also chipped in with 12 points and three boards while Ifunanya Ibekwe had 11 points and six rebounds. The women’s team advance to the semi-finals and will take to the floor again in a 2015 grand final rematch against the Willetton Tigers.