Wildcats Off-Season Wrap | 5 August

The race for off-season silverware continues across Australia and New Zealand, with several Wildcats extending their seasons after a weekend of finals basketball.

Elijah Pepper helped guide the Wellington Saints into another NZNBL Grand Final, Cam Huefner and Tom Gerovich advanced in the NBL1 West Finals, James Whitt moved within one win of an NBL1 North championship, while David Okwera, Marley Sam and Tana Kopa wrapped up their campaigns after strong seasons.

Pepper fires Saints into another Grand Final

Elijah Pepper continued his outstanding postseason form, leading the Wellington Saints to back-to-back finals victories and a place in the NZNBL Grand Final.

Pepper opened the playoffs with 33 points, five rebounds and four assists in Wellington's elimination final win over the Otago Nuggets before producing another 32 points and seven rebounds in a dominant 43-point semi-final victory over the Auckland Tuatara.

The Wildcats guard was also recognised for his outstanding regular season with selection in the NZNBL All-Star Five, while Saints head coach and Wildcats assistant Aaron Young reached his fifth consecutive Grand Final. Wellington will now face the Southland Sharks on August 9 as it looks to defend last season's title.

Huefner advances as Perry Lakes eyes another upset

Cam Huefner produced another commanding performance to help Perry Lakes keep its season alive, finishing with 25 points and 20 rebounds in a 30-point elimination final victory over the Eastern Suns.

The Hawks now face Rockingham in Thursday night's semi-final, having defeated the Flames by 22 points during the regular season. Huefner starred in that matchup with 31 points and 12 rebounds, while another win would send Perry Lakes into Saturday's preliminary final against Cockburn for a place in the Grand Final.

The result brought an end to Marley Sam's breakout season with the Wildcats Development Player finishing with eight points, five rebounds, an assist and a steal after a campaign that included NBL1 West Men's Youth Player of the Year honours and selection in the Men's All-Second Team.

Gerovich progresses after Wildcats matchup

The Wildcat v Wildcat elimination final went the way of Tom Gerovich and the Willetton Tigers, who defeated David Okwera and the East Perth Eagles by 13 points.

Gerovich contributed 12 points, five rebounds and two assists as Willetton progressed to the next stage of the finals, while Okwera finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks in East Perth's final game of the season.

Whitt one win from title

James Whitt is through to the NBL1 North Grand Final after helping the Gold Coast Rollers to a convincing 36-point victory over the Logan Thunder.

Whitt finished just short of a triple-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and three steals as the Rollers booked a championship showdown with the Ipswich Force, who upset the previously unbeaten Cairns Marlins in the other semi-final.

Kopa's campaign ends in narrow defeat

Tana Kopa's first NBL1 South Finals appearance came to an end in a four-point loss to the Nunawading Spectres.

The Wildcats Development Player finished with 12 points, three rebounds and an assist as Keilor Thunder fell just short, capping another valuable season before linking up with the Wildcats for NBL27.

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