The Oaklands Wolves claimed a vital 81-67 victory over the Essex Rebels at the Oaklands Sportszone.

Given that both the Oaklands Wolves and the Essex Rebels have clinched a place in the postseason, fighting for the highest seeding possible will be essential in their hopes to reach the Super League Basketball Women (SLBW) Playoff Final.

Essex had started the season in remarkable fashion, climbing to third position in the regular-season standings. However, in recent weeks, Oaklands have created pivotal momentum and have established themselves as one of the in-form teams in the championship — winning each of their last five matches (including Rebels victory).

In such an important stretch of the season, both teams could not afford to slip up and provide their opponent with crucial momentum.

Wolves fight back to defeat the Rebels

Despite the home team claiming victory, it would be the Rebels who snatched the initiative during the opening quarter of the game. Quinesha Lockett and Nat Chou would combine for 17 of Essex’s 27 points — creating a nine-point lead for their team.

Oaklands knew they had to improve their defensive efforts to contain a wildly versatile Rebels roster. They managed more than just solidifying their resolve; they enacted a fluid offensive game plan that their opponents failed to react to.

In the second period, the Wolves began to effectively stretch the floor while moving the ball with more intent. Shanice Beckford-Norton buried a crisp three-point attempt mid-way through the quarter, with Leslia Finau supplementing her efforts with three of her own shots from deep.

Much like the Oaklands we have become accustomed to watching, the team began to distribute the scoring evenly, and the Rebels struggled to decide on which attacking presence to guard. Danielle McCray (five), Beckford-Norton (three), Teresa Da Silva (seven), Devon Brookeshire (five), and Tayjanna McGhee-Pleasant (three) all contributed to the 15-point deficit that the Wolves had created.

Unfortunately for the Rebels, this gap the home team created was insurmountable, leaving both teams tied for third position with nine wins.

Oaklands and Essex are hot on the shoulder of the Caledonia Gladiators in second position, who sit just one win ahead of them.

The second seed would grant teams the opportunity to avoid the deadly Sheffield Hatters. Manoeuvring away from a matchup with the reigning SLB Cup champions will be essential in clinching a place in the SLBW Playoff Final.

It cannot be denied, we are in for a rollercoaster final few weeks of the regular-season campaign!