Still the team to beat

challenge we are all up for.’’

The Sharks have been a muchimproved outfit since that second thrashing at home on May 19, winning seven of their next nine matches, with their two losses to the Hawke’s Bay Hawks.

Australian import Jarrad Weeks has been their headline performer with his deadly threepoint shooting, while the performances of Todd Blanchfield and Alex Pledger will also be key.

‘‘The Saints have set the standard all year,’’ Sharks coach Judd Flavell said.

‘‘In a competitive league, to go undefeated is an incredible effort. They are such a good all round side who make you pay for any lapse.’’

The Hawks take on the Canterbury Rams in the second semifinal tomorrow night.

They finished second with a 14-4 record, with one of those losses in the final game of the regular season when they rested their five starting players in an away match against the Southern Huskies. Two days before that, they scored a confidence-boosting 77-71 win over the Rams, but Hawks coach Zico Coronel wasn’t reading too much into that result.

‘‘If we’re to come close to our potential as a team and also to beat the Rams it will require a better performance than last week’s.’’

The Hawks are marginal outsiders for the semifinal due to the Rams holding home court advantage (the host venue of the final four is predetermined before seedings are known).

American Brandon Bowman leads the Hawks with his exciting style of play. The return from injury of compatriot EJ Singler is a boost for the Hawks, but his fitness levels might mean he is limited to an impact role.

Canterbury beat the Hawks 89-81 in their only encounter in the Garden City this season on May 2.

Australian Cameron Gliddon has been their star performer, finishing second in preliminary league MVP voting.

‘‘We were good in some areas and below our best in others in our last outing up in Napier,’’ Rams coach Mick Downer said.

‘‘We are looking forward to the rematch. Guarding the threepoint line, particularly the corner three is a key, as well as the uptempo ‘fire-away’ mindset the opposition bring.’’