MIA League basketball
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IT MAY in effect be a dead rubber, but there is plenty for the Leeton Eagles to play for in the final round of the MIA League tomorrow night.
Although the women's team is out of finals contention no matter the result, the players still have pride to play for in a bid to get their first win for the comeptition.
Meanwhile, the men are in the (unlikely) position of fighting for a finals berth if they can down undefeated the Griffith at the Leeton Indoor Stadium.
The Eagles Chicks have been so close in all their games that they know a win is potentially around the corner and with the Demons coming off a loss last week to Narrandera, senior player Clare Vant said victory is posisble.
"It would just be nice to get one win for a bit of pride," Vant said.
"We nearly got all of them, we lost to Narrandera by one point and Griffith by about five points.
"It's is definitely do-able. We have a bit more of an advantage on our home court."
The Eagles should be full strength for their final home game.
With such a short rep season and so little opportunity for senior women's basketball, Vant has been happy with the way her side has progressed this year.
"We've played pretty well considering this is the only time we play basketball," she said.
"I know Griffith has been training for a while and Narrandera plays rep.
"It is not as if we've played bad, we're just not able to finish it off."
The men face a mammoth task of downing a Griffith side bent on taking out the 2014 title.
Coach Brendan Sims said it may be a short season, but it has felt long this year.
"That will be a nice challenge for the boys," he said.
"All year we have not been focused on the result. I have been more focused on how the boys have gone about playing
"We have learned some hard lessons."
Leeton has at time been dominated in defence, offence, effort and physicality.
"It comes with being a young team," Sims said.
"You just can't throw boys in against veteran men and expect them to rise to the challenge.
"But I'm happy with how they've challenged all year."
The inclusion of Jason Vant (knee) for the final game will be a game-day decision, but he is unlikely to take to the court, while Luke Howe and Kabe Stockton are also unavailable.
"They're some pretty hefty outs," Sims said.
"We've been getting smaller and smaller through the year. We will need to work hard as a group on the rebounding side of the game.
"The boys have improved their understanding of how to play with a bit of structure.
"It is a matter of putting it in the hoop now. Missed shots will cost you.
"If we have a few guys catch fire, it will be very helpful for the younger players."
There were also under 14s and 16s games scheduled for boys and girls before the open games, but they had not been confirmed at the time of going to press. Sims is also coaching the 16s boys team.
"All year it has been about developing younger guys so basketball can keen functioning for the future," he said.
"Having the 14s and 16s in the MIA League consistently would do that. It gives them something to aim for.
"Kids need a pathway. Western Junior League is a short season and there aren't too any sports like basketball where it is inside and not affected by weather."