Final round before finals sees Olympians and Trades tune up and Pumas searching for answers

The final regular round for the women’s basketball season came to a close on Monday evening as Olympians and Trades warmed up for finals with wins.

While the top four were already secured, Trades and Pumas were locked on points with similar percentages in a fight for third place.

But Olympians put Pumas to the sword in the early match to confine them to fourth place in a 64-34 victory.

Pumas have struggled against the top two all season but they were well below their best to be trailing by more than 15 points inside the first half.

They looked like a team sleepwalking into finals with plenty of lax passes and defensive errors as Olympians grabbed control of the match.

Sharnee Williamson was burning them on the wings with her bursts of explosive pace as Gemma Dix once again topped the score sheet with shots from deep.

The Pumas looked all at sea with only a three-pointer from Jaimee Rich right on the half-time buzzer giving them something to hang their hats on as they trailed 34-18.

Pumas continued to make poor decisions in their passing as Olympians kept up the pressure.

They were dealt a blow when Dix got her ankle accidentally stood on three mins into the second half, forcing her off the court for treatment.

The Pumas did find some more of the ball but their shots weren’t dropping. They were often forced wide and had to try to shoot from almost behind the backboard as Olympians controlled the centre space.

Sienna Forsyth added some respectability to the performance with 11 points and showed her off her sharp shooting skills once again while Rich also chipped in with 11.

But Dix, who returned with ankle strapping, led the way with 19 points including five three-pointers as Williamson picked up 15 and Kyliee MacDonald 14.

They eased home to victory, while the Pumas recorded their lowest score of the season, leaving them plenty to think about heading into next week’s eliminator.

In the later game, Trades took on Chapman Valley who were hoping to sign off their difficult season with a win but were denied 57-47.

Trades made the far stronger start hitting the scoreboard first and then able to continually edge away from the Warriors who were showing plenty of grit but unable to convert their opportunities regularly enough.

Still without Kayley King, Trades had no real power forward but had an even spread of attacking options able to pass their way to the basket.

Lilli Worth continued her good form with seven first-half points but Trades had eight players hit the scoreboard in the first half as they led 35-21.

It was much the same in the second half though Warriors did improve with Belle Fisher joining Worth on 12 points.

But Trades’ lead was never threatened as Abbi Baynes had her best game with 11 points along with Mikala Van Niftrik with Jessica Guidice-Nairn supporting with 10.

They will face Pumas in the elimination final next Monday while Olympians will play Stateside in the qualifier for the chance to earn direct entry into the grand final.