The even contest tipped the Hornets way thanks to their accuracy. Despite taking the same number of shots, the Western Stars 38 per cent from the field could not match the Hornets’ 52 per cent.

Hills’ Katie Hill led all scorers with 21 points, supported by veteran Liesl Tesch who bagged a 19 point, 12 rebound double. Cobi Crispin scored a team high 18 points and 10 rebounds for Perth.

The Western Stars mounted a comeback in the third quarter, outscoring the Hornets 20-10 but they could not get any closer and Hills ran out 17 points winners.

[Box Score]

Hornets 66 (Katie Hill 21, Liesl Tesch 19, Sarah Stewart 10, Stephanie Van Leeuwen 10) bt
Western Stars 49 (Cobi Crispin 18, Amber Merritt 12, CAlre Burzynski 6, Eileen Pedrossa-Parson 6)

Earlier the Victorian Dandenong Rangers held off the Goudkamp Gladiators 61-52 to take third place.

The 18-11 second quarter to the Rangers proved the difference.

Ranger Leanne Del Toso was the standout with 29 points and an outstanding 25 rebounds. Tina McKenzie added 18 points in support while Kylie Gauci scored a team high 23 points for the Gladiators, also posting eight assists and five steals while Lisa Edmonds grabbed a double double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

[Box Score]

Rangers 61 (Leanne Del Toso 29, Tina McKenzie 18, Amanda Carter 10) bt
Gladiators 52 (Kylie Gauci 23, Lisa Edmonds 10, Rebekah Meoli 8)

The WNWBL award winners were also announced at the Grand Final with Beijing Paralympians dominating the list.

---

Hills Hornets v Perth Western Stars WNWBL Grand Final - Sunday

The Perth Western Stars will join the Hills Hornets in the WNWBL Grand Final after they trounced the Victorian Dandenong Rangers 71-41 at Sydney Uni Sports and Aquatic Centre on Saturday night.

Gliders Cobi Crispin and Amber Merritt upped their efforts from the Semi Finals on Saturday morning by posting 29 and 26 points apiece. Both finished the game with a double-double; Crispin adding 10 assists and Merritt bagging 10 rebounds.

After establishing just a four point lead at the first break the Western Stars overwhelmed the Rangers in the second and third quarters to forge an unbeatable 55-27 lead at the final break.

The loss relegated the Rangers to the third place playoff with the Goudkamp Gladiators at 11.00am on Sunday.

Follow the rest of the finals with LIVE STATS or at the venue – Sydney Uni Sports and Aquatic Centre.

Third place playoff: 11.00am Sunday September 6 – Goudkamp Gladiators v Victorian Dandenong Rangers

Grand Final: 1.00pm Sunday September 6 – Hills Hornets v Perth Western Stars.

[Box Score]

Perth 71 (Cobi Crispin 29, Amber Merritt 26, Eileen Pedrossa-Parson 6) bt
Dandenong 41 (Tina McKenzie 18, Leanne Del Toso 9, Amanda Carter 6, Melanie Domaschenz 6)

---

Hills Hornets into WNWBL Grand Final

The Hills Hornets were the first to secure their place in the Women’s National Basketball League Grand Final by defeating the Perth Western Stars 64-55 at Sydney Uni Sports and Aquatic Centre today.

Beijing Paralympian Sarah Stewart led the way with 26 points for the Hornets, supported by fellow Gliders Katie Hill with 20 points and Liesl Tesch with 11. Young duo Amber Merritt and Cobi Crispin battled hard for the Western Stars for 20 and 19 points apiece but a 20-14 final quarter ensured the Hornets held on for the win and a place in tomorrow’s decider.

Perth must now defeat the Victorian Dandenong Rangers in the Preliminary Final at 7.00pm tonight to secure a Grand Final berth.

The Rangers topped the Goudkamp Gladiators 81-42 in their semi final to advance to the Preliminary Final.

Glider Leanne Del Toso posted a monster 31 points, 19 rebound double-double to lead the Rangers to victory.

Dandenong were on top from the start with a 24-13 first quarter, and an 18-point game from Gladiators guard Kylie Gauci could not reign in the margin.

Follow the rest of the finals with LIVE STATS or at the venue – Sydney Uni Sports and Aquatic Centre.

Preliminary Final: 7.00pm Saturday September 5 - Victorian Dandenong Rangers v Perth Western Stars

Third place playoff: 11.00am Sunday September 6 – Goudkamp Gladiators v Loser Preliminary Final

Grand Final: 1.00pm Sunday September 6 – Hills Hornets v Winner Preliminary Final.

Hills Hornets v Perth Western Stars [Box Score]

Hornets 64 (Sarah Stewart 26, Katie Hill 20, Liesl Tesch 11) def
Western Stars 55 (Amber Merritt 20, Cobi Crispin 19, Eileen Pedrossa-Parson 8)

Victorian Dandenong Rangers v Goudkamp Gladiators [Box Score]

Rangers 81 (Leanne Del Toso 31, Tina McKenzie 22, Amanda Carter 15) def
Gladiators 42 (Kylie Gauci 18, Lisa Edmonds 8, Jane Sachs 8)

WNWBL champions will be crowned this weekend 

The Women's National Wheelchair Basketball League 2009 season culminates this weekend in Sydney.

The finals tip off at Sydney Uni Sports and Aquatic Centre at 10.00am on Saturday AEST.

The Finals Series is bound to be a thrilling affair with only two competition points separating three of the four teams.

Perth Western Stars and Hills Hornets both hold 35 points with a 10 win, one loss record but the Western Stars have the edge on points differential to take the minor premier honours.

The Victorian Dandenong Rangers are not far behind with nine wins and six losses to finish the regular season in third place with 33 points. Goudkamp Gladiators boast just one win after the regular season but have the ability to upset any of the teams; they defeated league-leaders Perth 69-52 in Round 3 for their sole victory.

The full schedule is below and you can also follow the games with LIVE STATS.

Photo courtesy of Rev William A Stewart