THE Goldfields Giants ended the Cockburn Cougars run of nine straight matches on Sunday in Week 15 men's SBL action to keep their playoff hopes alive while the Lakeside Lightning and Rockingham Flames failed to lock away their finals positions.

The men's action on Friday night saw the Lakeside Lightning beat the Bethanie Stirling Senators 111-100 at Lakeside Recreation Centre and the Soprano Designs Cockburn Cougars defeated the Nags Head Tavern & Bistro Rockingham Flames 97-86 at Mike Barnett Sports Centre.

There were then six men's matches on Saturday night with the S & K Electrical Geraldton Buccaneers beating the Mandurah Magic 128-116 at Active West Stadium, the Silver Lake Resources Goldfields Giants defeating the Bethanie Stirling Senators 94-89 at Neils Hansen Basketball Centre and the Vorian Agency East Perth Eagles downing the Perth Redbacks 101-97 at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre.

The Perry Lakes Hawks also scored a big win over the Lakeside Lightning 107-54 at Bendat Basketball Centre, the Goodlife Homes Willetton Tigers beat the Kalamunda Eastern Suns 97-86 at Willetton Basketball Stadium and the Merriwa Tavern & Bistro Joondalup City Wolves defeating the Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers 106-81 at Joondalup Basketball Stadium.

There were two men's SBL matches on Sunday to close the round with the Silver Lake Resources Goldfields Giants beating the Soprano Designs Cockburn Cougars 108-100 at Wally Hagan Stadium and the Perry Lakes Hawks defeating the Kalamunda Eastern Suns 112-71 at Ray Owen Sports Centre.

Following Week 15 of the 2015 men's SBL season, the Merriwa Tavern & Bistro Joondalup City Wolves (18-3) sit on top of the standings ahead of the S & K Electrical Geraldton Buccaneers (17-3).

Those two teams are locked in a battle over the minor premiership with the Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers (13-6) remaining in third position followed by the fourth placed Soprano Designs Cockburn Cougars (14-7) with those also well clear of the chasing pack.

The Mandurah Magic (11-8) sit in fifth position ahead of the Goodlife Homes Willetton Tigers (11-9), Nags Head Tavern & Bistro Rockingham Flames (10-9) and Lakeside Lightning (9-11).

Just outside the top eight are the Silver Lake Resources Goldfields Giants (9-11) while further back are the Perry Lakes Hawks (7-12), Perth Redbacks (6-13), Bethanie Stirling Senators (6-13), Vorian Agency East Perth Eagles (5-14) and Kalamunda Eastern Suns (2-19).

There were again some staggering individual performances across the weekend led by the 50 points from Bennie Lewis for the Buccaneers while Lakeside's Tom Parkinson, Goldfields' Jacob Holmen, Willetton's Ephrem Davis and Joondalup's Kevin Davis were particularly impressive.

Starting on Friday night, Tom Parkinson had a massive night for the Lightning with 32 points and seven rebounds on the back of an outstanding shooting performance with 13-of-15 from the field and 2-of-3 from three-point territory.

Jordan Swing added 28 points, six rebounds and two blocks for Lakeside as well with Brad Jackson contributing 16 points, Jesse Dixon 11 and Jarrad Prue eight to go with 26 rebounds and five assists.

Cody Ellis again led the way for the Senators with 27 points, five assists and four rebounds with Kyle Lindbergh adding 19 points, 14 boards and five assists, and Josh Throns 17 points, four rebounds and two steals.

Najee Lane ended up top-scoring for the Cougars with 21 points, 15 rebounds and two steals while Eric Milam contributed 19 points and 11 boards, Gavin Field 19 points and eight rebounds, and Sheldon McIntyre 15 points, nine boards and four assists.

Cooper Land did all he could to try and get the Flames over the line with 21 points, 12 rebounds and five assists while Taylor Land finished with 15 points, seven assists, four boards and four steals.

Ryan Godfrey also contributed 13 points and nine rebounds for Rockingham, Andrew Bowman 12 points and six assists and Jarryd Griffin 10 points and six boards.

Then on Saturday night, Bennie Lewis had a stunning night for the Buccaneers finishing with 50 points, four assists and three rebounds on the back of shooting 16-of-33 from the field, 7-of-18 from three-point land and 11-of-12 from the free-throw line.

Carter Cook added 15 points and eight rebounds for Geraldton, Cory Cooperwood 13 points and 11 boards, Luke Wrensted 11 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and Mat Wundenberg nine points, eight boards and four assists.

Daniel Thomas also had 16 points and six assists off the bench while hitting a perfect 3-of-3 from downtown. Aaron Ralph also had 11 points and nine boards from the bench.

Paul Hafford top-scored for the Magic with 32 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists with Brendan Della contributing 22 points and six boards, Ben Smith 22 points and 14 rebounds, and Taylor Mullenax 20 points, eight boards, five blocked shots and three assists.

Once again it was the Giants' three stars who had big nights in the win led by Jacob Holmen finishing with 39 points and nine rebounds while shooting 17-of-28 from the field.

Jay Bowie contributed 20 points, 11 rebounds and three assists as well for Goldfields with Mathiang Muo adding 16 points and eight boards. Russell Hurst finished with six points, 10 rebounds and three assists off the bench.

Cody Ellis did all he could for the Senators with 27 points and 13 rebounds while shooting 10-of-18 from the floor.

Kyle Lindbergh added 16 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists for Stirling while Nikolas Iliadis finished with 11 points and four boards, Jonah Antonio 10 points and Josh Throns 10 points, six rebounds and three blocked shots.

Sunday Dech top-scored for the Eagles with 28 points, seven rebounds and three assists on the back of shooting 9-of-19 from the field, and 7-of-13 from three-point range.

Jamie Barnett added 18 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals for East Perth with Rhys Vague contributing 16 points and 10 boards, Joe-Alan Tupaea 15 points, five rebounds and five assists, and Brendan Dinardo 15 points, six boards, three assists and two steals.

Ray Turner top-scored for the Redbacks with 17 points and 10 rebounds with Dennis Tawhiti contributing 15 points and nine boards.

Marshall Nelson also had 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists, Raphiael Putney 12 points and 10 boards, Ben Smith 12 points, Joel Wagner 10 points, four rebounds and four assists, and Adam Johnston 10 points, four boards and four dimes.

Bryton Hobbs again led the way for the Hawks with 24 points, nine rebounds and four assists while shooting 9-of-24 from the floor, and 6-of-14 from three-point range.

Ryan Smith also had 21 points, six boards and four assists off the bench for Perry Lakes on the back of shooting 7-of-13 from the field, and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.

Mike Krumel contributed 12 points, seven rebounds and four assists as well for the Hawks with Rob Cassir adding nine points and seven assists, and Ben Purser eight points, six assists, four rebounds and three steals.

Jordan Swing was the only Lightning play to score in double-figures with 12 points while Luke Thomas added nine points and 14 rebounds, Tom Parkinson eight points and nine boards, and Jarrad Prue five points and 10 rebounds.

Ephrem Davis top-scored for the Tigers with 27 points and 15 rebounds while shooting 11-of-17 from the field.

Damien Scott contributed 18 points for Willetton with Mitch Clarke adding 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, Kyle Armour 15 points, five boards and five assists, and Andrew Black 12 points.

Lien Phillip top-scored for the Suns with 29 points and 15 rebounds with Jaarod Holmes adding 23 points and five boards, Kevin Anthony 16 points and Seva Chan 13 points, four assists and three rebounds.

Train Iliadis led the way for the Wolves with 25 points and nine rebounds while Kevin Davis contributed 24 points, 13 boards, six blocked shots and three assists while shooting 9-of-11 from the field.

Captain Seb Salinas also added 18 points, six assists and four rebounds with Damian Matacz finishing with 12 points and Louis Timms 11.

Tre Nichols top-scored for the Slammers with 26 points while Brian Voelkel added 18 points, 15 boards, five assists and two steals on the back of shooting 8-of-11 from the floor and 2-of-2 from three-point territory. Clive Weeden also added 13 points and five rebounds.

Finally on Sunday, Mathiang Muo top-scored for the Giants with 31 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two assists on the back of shooting 9-of-16 from the field.

Jay Bowie had another good game for Goldfields as well with 21 points, seven rebounds and seven assists with Jacob Holmen contributing 20 points, 13 boards and six assists, Shamus Ballantyne 14 points, eight assists and six boards, and Edin Zunic 11 points and eight rebounds.

Najee Lane top-scored for the Cougars with 25 points, seven rebounds, two steals and two assists with Gavin Field contributing 24 points, nine boards, seven assists and three steals, Eric Milam 22 points and 13 rebounds on the back of shooting 8-of-15 from the field.

Sheldon McIntyre also continued to work hard for Cockburn finishing with 13 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Bryton Hobbs was again the star for the Hawks with 30 points, three assists and three steals with Ryan O'Sullivan contributing 21 points off the bench.

Captain Ben Purser also added 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals for Perry Lakes in the win with Josh Garlepp contributing 13 points, eight rebounds and three assists, and Mike Krumel 11 points and five boards.

Lien Phillip top-scored for the Eastern Suns with 17 points, 15 rebounds and two assists with Seva Chan contributing 13 points, three boards and two assists. Jaarod Holmes also finished with nine points and seven rebounds.

FRIDAY MEN'S SBL MATCHES
Lakeside Lightning 111 defeated Bethanie Stirling Senators 100
Nags Head Tavern & Bistro Rockingham Flames 86 lost to Soprano Designs Cockburn Cougars 97

SATURDAY MEN'S SBL MATCHES
S & K Electrical Geraldton Buccaneers 128 defeated Mandurah Magic 116
Bethanie Stirling Senators 89 lost to Silver Lake Resources Goldfields Giants 94
Vorian Agency East Perth Eagles 101 defeated Perth Redbacks 97
Perry Lakes Hawks 107 defeated Lakeside Lightning 54
Goodlife Homes Willetton Tigers 97 defeated Kalamunda Eastern Suns 86
Merriwa Tavern & Bistro Joondalup City Wolves 106 defeated Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers 81

SUNDAY MEN'S SBL MATCHES
Soprano Designs Cockburn Cougars 100 lost to Silver Lake Resources Goldfields Giants 108
Kalamunda Eastern Suns 71 lost to Perry Lakes Hawks 112

Article by Chris Pike
Photo by Mick Cronin