IT wasn’t the ideal tune-up for a historic Big V play-off campaign: a road-trip to Warrnambool to face the hapless and winless Seahawks in a meaningless encounter.
But the Dandenong Rangers got the job done in fine style, winning 131-80 in a dominant display of team basketball.
Dwayne Campbell stepped in for resting point guard Mick Wheeler, dropping 25 points to complement the usual contributions of Ash Cannan (26 points, 15 rebounds), Brent Hobba (25, 19) and Vince Inglima (22).
Hobba and Cannan monstered the Seahawks in the paint, leading to a 61-35 advantage in the rebound count.
Campbell and Jeremy Kirtley provided the perimeter punch, connecting on four three-pointers apiece in a tandem long-range assault.
With their seventh 40-plus point win of the year, the Rangers closed the book on another successful regular season.
Now the real stuff begins.
After finishing in top spot, the Rangers will host second-placed Melbourne in Saturday night’s one-off qualifying final at Stud Road.
The Tigers have won their past 16 games, including a five-point victory over Dandenong in June.
Not surprisingly, Rangers coach Warren Dawson rates Melbourne as a major threat to Dandenong’s Big V three-peat attempt.
“They’ve got the longest winning streak in the league, so they’re a legitimate title contender,” he said.
“We know we’ve got a battle on our hands, because they’ve potentially got five NBL players they’re going to throw out on the court.
“If we don’t come to play, chances are they’ll steal home court advantage from us.”
Last time the teams met, the Tiger frontline of Adrien Sturt, Daniel Johnson and Tommy Greer had the better of Dandenong’s big three, so Dawson is expecting an emphatic response from his star trio.
“It’s easily the biggest challenge our big three have had. It’s a real test of character for them.”
Still, the Melbourne backcourt duo of Daryl Corletto and Matt O’Hea has the potential to explode on any given night.
It is a mouth-watering prospect for basketball fans, as the all-conquering Rangers put their home court advantage on the line against perhaps the most gifted starting line-up the Big V league has seen.
Meanwhile, in the Championship Women’s division, the Rangers will face Waverley in a three-game semi-final series after accounting for Bulleen 75-59 on Sunday.
Star forward Faith Probst was in fine touch, scoring 24 points from nine-of-14 shooting, while Mel Colcott chipped in with 11 points and Demelza Waixel with 11 boards.
Despite finishing the season with the same win-loss ratio as Waverley, the Rangers were elevated to a second-spot finish after sweeping their regular season series against the Falcons.
All that meant was Dandenong earned the right to host the series decider – if it is required – next Sunday.
After a mediocre start to the year, the Rangers have won 11 of their past 14 games, inflicting three of Waverley’s six losses along the way.
Michael Davies’ charges undoubtedly have the measure of the Falcons, so they will be favoured to progress to the grand final against either reigning champion Hume City or fourth-placed Melbourne.
The women’s game will begin at 8.15pm at Waverley Stadium on Saturday night, while the Rangers men will do battle from 8pm at Stud Road.
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