Testing time for Slammers

The Collie Crane Hire South West Slammers women’s side has been dealt a blow ahead of their clash with Lakeside tomorrow evening — an ankle injury will keep import Kim Sitzman out of the contest.

Sitzman hobbled from the court early in the second half of the Slammer’s last-gasp triumph over Perry Lakes at the weekend.

She played just 22 minutes of the dramatic clash, which the Slammers won when Kara Hargreaves sunk free throws on the final buzzer.

The escape mission was the South West side’s second in as many weeks.

They also hung on to defeat Wanneroo the previous week by just four points in a nail-biting encounter at the Eaton Recreation Centre.

Sitzman joined the Slammers midway through the season after initial American signing Rachelle Kloke was injured.

She has been a dominant force in the competition averaging more than 19 points per game.

Coach Darren Austin confirmed Sitzman would miss this weekend’s contest.

Having Sitzman on the sidelines will compound a late season injury cloud that hangs over several members of the Slammers roster.

Valerie Ogoke (ankle), Donelle Wallam (knee), Bianca Donovan (illness) and Ellie Deighton (knee) will all have to be managed ahead of the Slammers’ maiden play-offs assault.

The headaches come at a critical time for the South West side, who are two wins clear ontheWSBLtable with a game in hand.

But a minor premiership is not yet a certainty — the Slammers must play fellow title contenders Willetton, Kalamunda and East Perth before the end of the home-and-away season.

Austin said it was important for the Slammers to finish in the top two and lock in home play-offs fixtures.

‘‘It could be taken out of my hands a little bit if we have injuries to key players, but if we can get through that’s great,’’ he said.

‘‘We’d certainly like to have everyone up and going but unfortunately we don’t. Hopefully the local girls keep stepping up like they have done all year and we can claim that top spot.’’

The Slammers men’s side will clash with Lakeside in Perth on Friday night, before taking on Goldfields at the Eaton Recreation Centre on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the WA Country Under 16s side had a tough day on the court at the National Championships in Tamworth yesterday, when they recorded three losses.

In their first game against NSW Country, WA Country were blown away in the second half and lost 78-2.

They went down to New Zealand 95-38 in their second game with Bunbury’s Jayden Pearce (18 rebounds) a standout.

WA also lost to ACT in the afternoon game 71-35.

WA Country Under 16s girls chances of progressing in the tournament were dashed when they went down to Tasmania 57-36 yesterday.