HAMILTON Basketball Association has reached the grand final stage of the summer 2023-24 season and both the men’s and women’s top divisions will see the top two teams on the ladder play-off for the titles after the preliminary finals on Wednesday night.

Women’s Division 1

THE Division 1 action got underway, as the women held sway on court one with Tigers pitted against St Marys Black.

Tigers began the quest for a place in the grand final with a three-point shot after only 42 seconds and then held off St Mary’s Black through to the half time buzzer, taking a 16-11 lead into the break.

The second half was a tighter affair, as both teams stiffened their defence, but the Tigers broke away to register a solid eight-point victory, 28-20.

Rhianne Lewis led the Tigers’ scoring with 15 points, while St Mary’s Black had Ruby Cleaver on target with 11 points.

The Tigers will meet ladder leader, St Mary’s Orange, in the grand final on Tuesday night.

Men’s Division 1

FOLLOWING the earlier game, the men took centre stage next, as second-placed St Mary’s Orange were matched against Minders in the preliminary final.

The teams traded early buckets, as the players worked their way into the game, but St Mary’s Orange found a scoring target in Deacon White, who led the side to a 24-13 half time lead.

The second half saw Minders attack more and the gap on the scoreboard started to close, but St Mary’s Orange ensured its place in the grand final with a 47-32 victory.

White finished with 20 points for the winners, while Josh Miller put up 11 points for Minders.