West Finals | Buccs survive Tigers challenge

Featured image: @ArcticMoonPhotography

The Willetton Tigers might have already had one import gone home and the other was ejected, but they still put up a valiant effort before Josh Keyes ensured the Geraldton Buccaneers prevailed 78-74 to reach the NBL1 West preliminary final.

With Bryce Johnson having to return home after his scary hit and fall against the Lakeside back on June 26 and then with Taeshon Cherry ejected in the third quarter at Active West Stadium on Saturday night, they were right up against it.

They had won a preliminary final two years ago on the very same floor, though, and they were up for the fight and still gave themselves a chance at the death but couldn’t quite get a shot to fall with Geraldton doing enough to survive.

That sees the Buccaneers now head to Arena Joondalup on Sunday to take on the Joondalup Wolves in the preliminary final with the winner to advance to next Saturday night's Grand Final at RAC Arena.

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Geraldton did finish the regular season in top spot on the back of winning last year's championship but they were shocked last Saturday night on their home floor by their former hero Johny Narkle and the Cockburn Cougars.

They got to remain home on Friday night to host a Willetton team who finished fifth at 13-9 and then were too strong for the East Perth Eagles last Saturday at Willetton Basketball Stadium.

The two teams had met in each of the past two preliminary finals with the road team winning those encounters so Willetton weren’t daunted by the challenge up in Geraldton.

The Tigers then came out strongly with Damien Scott showing the way with 10 points in the first quarter of his 399th game and his team went into quarter-time leading 24-18.

Geraldton needed to dig deep because losing twice on their home floor to end their season would have been disastrous and they completed a 12-0 run in the second term to open up their own 11-point lead.

Josh Keyes was taking control of his match up with Taeshon Cherry and had 15 points by half-time while Cherry only had two points on 1/6 shooting for the Tigers.

But Zac Gattorna was up to 10 points for Willetton and Scott had 12 with five assists by half-time

Geraldton were leading 46-41 at the half but the Tigers remained up for the fight and even reclaimed the lead in the third when Cherry hit consecutive buckets and was starting to find his groove.

Later in the quarter Cherry converted a three-point play to bring Willetton back within a point too but his night would soon be over when his frustrations spilled over when he attempted to take a charge but the call didn’t go his way.

He had already received a technical late in the second quarter too so his night was over but it was Geraldton only clinging to a four-point lead at three quarter-time.

The Tigers were then back in front early in the fourth thanks a pair of huge triples from Gattorna back against the team he won a championship with in 2023.

Geraldton responded with the next 11 points with seven of those courtesy of Keyes and ultimately it was he who sealed the deal with a late basket too after the Tigers missed a whole string of opportunities to bring it back to a one possession game.

The Buccaneers can take a big sigh of relief to now take on the Wolves in Sunday's preliminary final with Josh Keyes showing his class with 28 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and two steals.

Verle Williams Jr also had 17 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals in what will be his last home game in Geraldton with Matt Norman adding 14 points, five boards and five assists.

Liam Hunt also had eight points, four rebounds, three blocks and two assists, Cooper Creek six points, 13 boards and three assists, and Devondrick Walker just the five points and three rebounds in 19 minutes.

It was a brave effort from the Tigers even if it's another tough finals exit for them to stomach with Zac Gattorna completing his successful return to play in 2026 with 21 points, six rebound and two blocks with 5/13 shooting from the outside.

Michael Vigor added 13 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals on 3/5 shooting from behind the arc, Damien Scott 13 points and nine assists in game No. 399, and Tom Gerovich nine points, 14 rebounds, five assists and two blocked shots.

NBL1 WEST 2026 SEASON | SEMI FINALS

GERALDTON BUCCANEERS 78 (Keyes 28, Williams 17, Norman 14)

WILLETTON TIGERS 74 (Gattorna 21, Vigor 13, Scott 13)