AFTER a difficult month which saw the Magic women lose four of the last five games, the side will be hoping they can hit form when it matters when they play their first final in three years.
Mandurah women’s coach Randy Miegel said despite not winning many games recently the side had been building.
“Even though we’ve lost a few we’ve had quite a good preparation for the finals,” he said.
“We’ve played all the top teams over the last month.”
The Magic take on Lakeside Lightning in their quarter final match with game one on Saturday at the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre at 6pm.
Lakeside finished second on the ladder losing three games for the season and posed a difficult match-up for the Magic.
The Lightning have defeated the Magic in both of their games this season, the first in round 10 at their home court by 25 points.
The Magic led by six points at the end of the first term but that lead turned into a five-point deficit by half time which grew to 25 points by the final whistle, 86-61.
Hailey Dunham top scored for the Magic with 20 points.
The Lightning had five players get in double figures; Courtney Burns led the way with 20.
The second time the sides met was earlier this month with the Magic fairing far better.
The Magic were in the game at three-quarter time, trailing by just two points however the Magic were unable to capitalise on scoring opportunities in the last term to fall 11 points short, 69-58. The Magic shot at just 21 per cent from inside the arc and 18 per cent from three-point range in the last period compared to the Lightning’s 50 per cent from inside.
Dunham again top scored for the Magic with 20 points and Casey Mihovilovich chipped in with 16 points.
Kari Pickens top scored for the Lightning with 26 points with Krystal Stoneking hitting 17 points.
Miegel said the team would try a few different things against the Lightning this time around.
“We’re going to work on the defensive stuff; we will try a few different things at training and see how it works,” he said.
Miegel said another positive was the fitness of the group.
“We have everyone back pretty healthy now, they all have two or three games under their belt,” he said.
“I think we’re a really good chance [to win].”
Miegel said only Gemma Thomas was under an injury cloud after breaking her toe.
“We’re not sure if she will get up,” he sdaid.
The Magic play Lakeside Lightning at home at 6pm on Saturday.
Miegel encouraged as many supporters to get down the centre as possible on Saturday.
“It will go a long way in helping us win the game,” he said.
The Magic play Lakeside Lightning in game two at the Lakeside Recreation Centre at 6.30pm on August 8.
Game three will be played at the same venue the following night at 6pm if required.
