The South Pac Magic will play Varsity next week to determine who it faces.
That came as Ajax beat the Magic 67-62 in the match between the top two seeds as the Dunedin women’s club basketball playoffs began on Tuesday night.
Varsity beat Falcons Kavanagh 65-58 in the elimination game between the third- and fourth-placed sides.
Ajax had to withstand a rampant third quarter comeback to maintain its unbeaten season.
It led 39-24 at halftime, piling on a 26-9 second quarter.
Defensively it smothered the Magic, which struggled with key players in foul trouble.
Offensively, Ajax got production from a variety of players.
While it leaned heavily on Zoe Richards (12 points) through the regular season — she scored 36.2% of its points in her nine games — that spread became far more even.
Olivia O’Neill (10 points) was key through that second quarter, while sisters Nicole and Aleisha Ruske had 14 each.
However, that flipped after halftime.
The Magic held Ajax to six third-quarter points, while adding 20 itself to come within one at 45-44.
Both Te Araroa Sopoaga (15 points) and Lisa Wallbutton (13 points) were key through that stretch, while Natalie Visger (19 points) continued to show her class throughout.
But it could not pull ahead, as a handful of key plays in the fourth quarter from Nicole Ruske opened a 55-48 gap.
Ajax threatened to derail itself as it picked up two quick technical fouls.
However, the Magic was unable to capitalise at the free-throw line and Ajax executed down the stretch to hold on.
In the late game, Varsity held a narrow lead over Kavanagh most of the way.
Holly McCleery (13 points) hit three three-pointers to help Varsity to a 34-28 halftime buffer.
It extended that by another three at the final break as Alana Wouters added eight points in a big third quarter.
Kavanagh continued to stay in touch, duo Annabelle Ring (18 points) and Dre Whaanga (14 points) both key contributors.
Both stepped up down the stretch, alongside Ring’s younger sister Laura, as Kavanagh threatened a late comeback although it ultimately proved too much.
