Top-two finish in reach for Chargers

DESTINY is in the Chargers hands as they chase a double chance in the SEABL South Conference finals, but to finish minor premier they’ll need some assistance from their intrastate rivals.

Hobart split its road trip on the weekend, pushing threetime defending champions Mt Gambier on Friday night before going down 99-89, then comfortably accounting for Sandringham 98-83 on Saturday.

Anthony Stewart’s men are guaranteed at least one home final at the DEC — they can’t finish lower than third with two matches remaining — but to jump ahead of Ballarat into the top two they’ll need to defeat both Mt Gambier and Frankston next weekend.

The Pioneers have only lost two games all season, with Friday night’s home showdown shaping as an epic blockbuster.

If the Chargers can take care of both games, top spot in the South is then still a possibility if the North-West Thunder can defeat Dandenong on the road.

And if Hobart fails to improve it will host the Thunder in a mouth-watering elimination final in a fortnight.

The women could also steal home court advantage for a cutthroat classic against Launceston in a remarkable turn of events across the weekend.

Hobart brushed aside Sydney Uni on Saturday night 93-68, with Kathleen Scheer enhancing her MVP claims with a triple-double of 26 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists.

The Tornadoes crashed to both Ballarat and Bendigo, opening the door for the Chargers if they can defeat the Centre of Excellence and Frankston.

Should Launceston lose its last roster match on the road to South Conference leaders Dandenong, the Chargers will only need one victory to snatch hosting rights for the finals.