THE penultimate week of the Hamilton Basketball Association (HBA) season is drawing to a close with senior preliminary finals played on Wednesday night, filling the second grand final spot ahead of next week’s season deciders.

Women’s Division 1-2

Sportscene Minders d. Tigers

TIGERS faced Sportscene Minders for a spot in the decider in the division one match-up.

Minders finished the season in third position, two points behind second-placed Tigers, but both teams were evenly matched on the court going into the preliminary final.

It was a steady start from both teams, with the momentum shifting at different times, but it was Minders which eventually found itself ahead when it mattered most, going on to claim a 57-48 victory.

Paige Kissel put up 16 points for the winners, while 13 points from Jedah Huf offered strong support.

Tigers’ top-scorer was Karoraina Karatau-Keightley with 16, while Isabella Johnson finished the game with 13.

Minders Blue d. Crocodiles

IN the division two clash, it was Minders Blue taking on Crocodiles in what shaped up to be an intriguing battle between two teams desperate to progress through to the grand final.

The two teams struggled to make the most of their scoring chances at times, as the defensive nature of the game was evident throughout.

Both teams could still grab victory in the final minutes, as the game went down to the wire, but it was Minders Blue which held on to win, 28-25, at the final buzzer.

Tahlia Wormald was the key player for the winners, putting up 12 points including a three-pointer, while Jasmine Smyth, Maddison Cotten and Meegan Pepper all chipped in with four points each to see the team home.

Clare McKay led Crocodiles’ scoring with 10 points, while Chloe Uebergang added five in support.

Men’s Division 1

Minders White d. Minders Blue

IT was a Minders derby in the division one preliminary final, as fourth-placed White took on second-placed Blue.

Both teams had plenty of chances to capitalize on turnovers and fast breaks, but it was White who owned the key moments of the contest.

Blue tried to stick with its opponent on the scoreboard, but White eventually edged clear and went on to win, 72-54.

Aaron Glare was Blue’s standout, finishing the game with 18 points, while Joshua Soawyer and Marcus Rhook each contributed 11 points for the team.

Josh Miller’s 23 points was a huge effort and was critical to White getting over the line, while Angus Noske put up 21 in support to help his team progress through to the grand final.

Grand finals

THE HBA grand finals are locked in and will be played on Tuesday night.

The division one men’s grand final will be between St Mary’s Orange and Minders White.

The division one women’s decider will be between St Mary’s and Sportscene Minders, while the division two final will be between Monivae and Minders Blue.

The men’s division 2A decider will include Barber Boys and Minders White, while the 2B final will be between Tigers Black and Tigers Gold.

The women’s division three final will see Minders White and Tigers Orange face-off, while the division four finale includes Minders and Storm.

The men’s division three decider will be between Redbacks and St Mary’s, while the division four clash includes Crocodiles and Storm.