![ON TRACK: Warrnambool Mermaids player Nicole Gynes could return to for the Country Basketball League final series. Picture: Anthony Brady ON TRACK: Warrnambool Mermaids player Nicole Gynes could return to for the Country Basketball League final series. Picture: Anthony Brady](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/fdcx/doc77pgwi05gdvwb6ws5bb.jpg/r0_848_4955_3303_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
WARRNAMBOOL Mermaids coach Katie O'Keefe is confident experienced guard Nicole Gynes will return from injury to face Horsham Hornets in Saturday night's Country Basketball League semi-final.
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The Mermaids, which finished atop the ladder with 10 wins and two losses, will host the fourth-placed Hornets at St Joseph's Primary School with the winner assured a grand final spot.
O'Keefe said Gynes, who sustained an achilles injury before Christmas, was "aiming to be in the squad". But the Mermaids will be without teenagers Ash Evans (injury) and Juina Lual (unavailable).
"Ash played in the Bendigo tournament (on the weekend) and went to the hospital with concussion," O'Keefe said.
"She is out for two weeks unless signed off (by a doctor) earlier."
O'Keefe said the Mermaids' mix of experience and youth had proven a winning combination.
"I put a team together of older heads and I knew the team would get the job done," she said.
"I think the juniors - the 16, 17 and 18 year olds - have surpassed everything. They've come out shining, had great seasons and it's made it a little bit more rewarding."
Warrnambool defeated Horsham twice in the regular season but its away match sent a scare through the camp.
"I took a team that was too big, too tall and they are young and fast," O'Keefe said.
![SUCCESS: The winning Warrnambool Seahawks' under 12 division one boys' team. SUCCESS: The winning Warrnambool Seahawks' under 12 division one boys' team.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/justine.mc%40fairfaxmedia.com.au/43f73be0-2f1c-42d9-8519-e28696925672.jpeg/r0_662_1242_1562_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Meanwhile, five Warrnambool teams claimed victory at the Bendigo junior classic, including two division one rosters.
George Stevens (16 points) and Harry McGorm (14) top-scored in the Seahawks' 56-45 under 16 division one grand final win against Ballarat Miners.
![WINNERS: Warrnambool Seahawks' successful under 16 division one boys' team. WINNERS: Warrnambool Seahawks' successful under 16 division one boys' team.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/justine.mc%40fairfaxmedia.com.au/ed94368c-83f9-4208-825e-9f34c9c5f3a9.jpeg/r0_644_1242_1544_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The Seahawks defeated the Miners 58-51 in the under 12 division one decider, with Mali Lual draining 23 points.
The Seahawks also won the under 16 division two and three grand finals and took out the under 14 division three title.
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