The Tigers are actually aiming for back-to-back titles, having taking out the crown last season with an undefeated season and record breaking final win over Coffs Harbour by 55 points.

And to win successive titles the Tigers will again have to overcome the Suns.

They will face them in the semi-final showdown on Saturday at 5pm.

The Tigers advanced to the 2008 State League finals weekend three weeks ago with a convincing 37-point win over the Wagga Blaze and have been anxiously waiting for the final games to be played to see who they will be playing in the semi-finals.

Dubbo, who also beat the Tigers, giving the locals their only loss in the past two seasons, could well be the dark horse of the finals play-offs.

They also upset the first placed team in Pool A meaning the Tigers will face the Suns, while the Rams will meet the Newcastle Hunters at 11am in the other semi.

Although head coach Scott Balsar is quietly confident about the rematch he is also wary of what can happen in finals basketball.

“Anything can happen in finals basketball, it brings the best and worst out of all teams involved,” he said.

“Coffs is a good team and will have fire in their bellies after last year’s defeat so we have to come out and play hard, stick to the game plan and get the job done.”

Balsar will be calling on his senior crew to lead the way, especially his senior leadership group that consists of skipper Sandra Ozolins, three-time championship guard Simone Gibbs, former WNBL championship player Kelly Hannett and championship power forward Nicole Faulks, alongside dynamic guard, Kate Denyer, who leads by example on the floor.

“All of these players have been here before and know what it takes to win the big games,” he said.

And then there is youngster Kelsey Gardner who has filled the big shoes left after a season ending knee injury to star point guard Kerrianne Floyd.

“Kelsey has been just superb, for someone so young she has stepped up and filled the big gap left by losing Kerrianne,” he said.

Balsar is also looking for his bench to rise to the level and take the game to new heights.

Razz Muir and Rachel Stanton will both play vital roles in the final series as will 14-year-old Kate Bellamy, who has been outstanding since she joined the team midway through the season.

“Everyone right down to our last player will have a role in some shape or form,” he said.

“The likes of Maddison Hanlon, Jaimi Lee Gibbs and Kelly Hunter who all have seen limited minutes throughout our regular season will be called upon to keep the Tigers rolling forward.”

• A full preview will appear in Friday’s South Coast Register