THE Portland Coasters will be playing for the chance to compete in a home title-decider this year, after it was announced the Country Basketball League’s grand finals will be played at Portland Basketball Stadium next month.

The Coasters women’s dreams of claiming back-to-back South West premierships would be made all the sweeter if they were able to claim the win in front of their home fans.

With four rounds remaining before the post-season action kicks off, both sides look to have strong claims to make this year’s finals series as the women’s side sit top of the table and the men’s side in third.

Portland Basketball Association president Marlene Punton said the association is “excited to host the CBL grand finals after winning the tender.”

“As an association we have put a lot of resources into CBL, with excellent coaches who oversee a transition of junior players who join their senior counterparts to produce some classy basketball,” she said.

“One of the best aspects of hosting the event on December 14 will be that our junior players will get the chance to see high level, exciting finals basketball.

“The juniors always make up a fun-loving boisterous section of the crowd at CBL games – so the grand final should be lots of fun for them.

“We have a great team of volunteers led by CBL co-ordinator Geordie Cook who will be very busy in the run up to hosting the event.

“He has already organised a team of about 20 volunteers who will assist him on the day, but it will be all hands on deck for the event.”

The only thing that could make the announcement any sweeter for Portland would be for both local teams to be competing on the day.

“We’d love to host a home grand final with our own teams competing – only time will tell,” Punton said.

“It’s been a long trek to Horsham who have hosted grand finals for the past few years.

“Both our CBL teams are playing well and have been attracting big crowds – it was a full house again on Saturday night.”

CBL League Manager Sarah Szczykulski said she was “so excited about the venues that will be on show for the grand finals this year.”

“For Portland to have the chance to host a grand final to bring the community together - it is such an exciting time of year and with Christmas too, we can't wait to see the communities celebrating in such numbers,” she said.

Coasters women coach Rebel Noter said he and his side would be gunning to avoid any away finals by locking in top spot in the coming weeks.

“Getting those wins, especially on the road are really crucial if we want to be playing finals on our home court,” he said following his team’s two wins in round six.

“We’re really aiming to be playing finals in front of our home supporters, and we know the men are still aiming for the chance to play at home as well which would be great.”