The Chemist King Mount Gambier Lakers have both secured spots in the 2022/23 CBL South West men and women’s grand final.

The women’s team faced tough competition in the Warrnambool Mermaids.

Paiyton Noonan and Dakota Crichton were standouts for the Mermaids, with Noonan being dangerous on the 3-point line.

The Mermaids stayed in touch on the scoreboard all night, clawing back any lead the Lakers established.

The 4th quarter was the most intense with the match tied in the last minute of the game.

Two free throws from Sophie Miles sealed the game for the Lakers to take a two point win over the Mermaids 48-46.

Sarah Ritter made the top 10 players in the South West division, racking up 17 points, followed by Mikaela Horrigan 10, Miles 9, Keryl Ousey 8 and Emily Dawe 4.

The Lakers will now play the Millicent Magic in the grand final on Saturday.

The men took the court by storm against the Horsham Hornets and were fearless on the court, playing smart basketball.

Horsham had proved a tough team for Mount Gambier to beat all season, going down to the Hornets twice previously.

It was obvious coach Kane De Wit had done his homework on the opposition in the lead up to the match.

Shaun Lock dominated in the second half, proving unstoppable on the court.

Nelson Forbes joined the court in the last two minutes of play and the crowd erupted into cheers when he scored his two points.

The Lakers men dominated on the court throughout the night to take the game 97-70.

The men will face off against the Ararat Redbacks in the grand final, to be played at the Warrnambool Stadium on Saturday.

The women take the court at 5.30pm SA time and the men at 7.30pm.

Ticket information is available on the Basketball Mount Gambier Facebook page.