Oaklands Wolves face B. Braun Sheffield Hatters in the SLB Cup Final on Sunday as they look to avenge their Betty Codona Trophy heartbreak.

The SLB Cup Final is days away and the Oaklands Wolves will be desperate to not tragically fall at the final hurdle for a second time this season.

Oaklands squandered their opportunity to lift the Betty Codona Trophy as they were defeated by Caledonia Gladiators in dramatic fashion.

Caledonia sank three late free-throws late in the game to take the lead. The Wolves swiftly moved the ball up the court but agonisingly missed a three-point attempt to take the game into overtime, resulting in the Gladiators lifting the trophy.

Head coach Lee Ryan will be praying that his sides remarkable season does not come crashing down in extraordinary fashion and they finish the year with an empty trophy cabinet.

However, the side based in St Albans will be optimistic that their key players can carry them over the finish line this time around – Sam Ashby being the prime candidate.

Ashby has been nothing short of remarkable for Oaklands Wolves since her arrival in the off-season – averaging 15 points per game in the regular season and scoring 22 vital points in the SLB Cup Semi-Final.

The 23 year-old guard displayed her defensive capabilities in the Semi-Final as she recorded two steals and one block.

Nevertheless, Sheffield have their own star-players who are more than capable of breaking Oaklands’ fans heart for a second time in a matter of months.

Tyia Singleton will be eager to show spectators her ability to dominate on the biggest occasions.

Singleton will undoubtedly be in the MVP conversation come the end of the regular season as she continues to grow in stature with every performance – scoring 23 points and grabbing 8 rebounds in her most recent outing against Manchester Basketball.

Turnovers key to victory

Forcing turnovers will be key if Oaklands wish to be crowned champions when the final buzzer sounds as Sheffield will look to command the battle of the boards.

Danielle McCray, Oaklands Wolves forward, will look to set the tempo in the defensive phase of the game with her tireless hustle as she averages 2.5 steals per game.

Fans can expect a quick transition offense if Lee Ryan’s team can force the Hatters into turning the ball over.

No matter what game plan the Wolves have drawn up, they cannot afford to have another runner-up medal dangling from their necks for a second time.

Psychology is an important aspect in modern day sport. To lose another final could have a catastrophic effect in their bid to be crowned Super League Basketball champions come the end of the year.

Super League Basketball Women fans should strap themselves in as this SLB Cup Final promises to be an electric spectacle.