Wildcats clinch minor premiership

The Perth Wildcats have clinched the 2009/10 NBL minor premiership after a 92-73 win over fierce rivals Townsville Crocodiles at Challenge Stadium on Sunday.

Wildcats captain Shawn Redhage has been in up and down form, but returned to the starting line-up to lead his team to the victory with 32 points and 12-of-16 from the field.

The win secures Perth's first NBL minor premiership since 1995, home court advantage throughout the playoffs and an opportunity to become the first franchise to win five championships.

The 'Cats will play the Gold Coast Blaze in the semi-finals in what is sure to be a fierce encounter. The two teams have developed a strong rivalry this year and included wild scenes when the Blaze won in Perth and the Wildcats didn't appreciate Chris Goulding and James Harvey's celebration.

The Blaze won the season-series 3-1, but the Wildcats will host Games 1 at Challenge Stadium on Thursday. Gold Coast will host Game 2 on Tuesday February 23 and then if necessary Game 3 will be in Perth on Sunday February 28.

Townsville slipped to third with the loss and takes on the Wollongong Hawks with the first game at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Friday. Game 2 will be in Townsville on Wednesday February 24 and Game 3 in Wollongong on Saturday February 27. The Hawks won the season-series 3-1.

Redhage had plenty of support also from his team-mates with Kevin Lisch hitting 3-of-4 from beyond the arc to help him to 19 points. Luke Schenscher set the tone with eight first-quarter points and Martin Cattalini also scored 10 with two long range bombs.

It was a night where little went right for Townsville with 19 turnovers and foul trouble causing plenty of concern. Rolan Roberts picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter limiting him to 12 minutes and six points for the game.

Corey Williams didn't get the 'Valentine's Day Massacre' he was after scoring just seven points. Brad Williamson led Townsville with 14 points and four three-pointers, with Jeff Dowdell adding 14 points and Peter Crawford 12.

When Galen Young started ahead of Schenscher the 'Cats intentions to create a physical presence early was obvious and on the first three trips Townsville had down its end he manhandled Roberts down low.

Lisch hit an early three and Crawford answered for Townsville in what was a tight opening until the 'Cats got on a roll to open up a 15-8 advantage. Martin Cattalini hit a three to make it 18-10 before the Crocs managed to get back within two.

Perth finished the quarter on top thanks to a massive dunk and free-throw from Schenscher and a pair from the line from Brad Robbins to lead 26-19.

Crawford hit another three to start the second quarter, but it was all Perth for the next several minutes as Redhage hit nine of the team's first 11 points to help open up a 13-point advantage.

After a brief Crocs run the Wildcats then dominated up to half-time starting with a three to Young and then two straight to Lisch.

When Robbins added another three with 25 seconds to go Perth was threatening to tear the game apart just ahead of the main break. Lisch hit another lay-up with a few seconds to go after stealing off Crawford and the half-time lead was 20.

Roberts scored the visitors'