WESTERN Port Steelers Youth League 2 men are finals bound but suffered a hiccup on Sunday, losing to Blackburn by nine points at Knox Basketball Stadium.
The Steelers, coached by Kenny Brunner, are third on the ladder, a win and percentage behind Blackburn.
After trailing by four points at half-time, the Steelers trimmed the margin back to two points by the final change but Blackburn responded in the final term, scoring 14-7.
The Steelers' Kade Marra led his side's scoring with 16 points and Daniel Cumming scored 11. Sean Hogenbirk recorded 12 rebounds. Blackburn was led well by Nick Walker.
The Steelers division 2 men's team suffered its fifth successive loss in a humbling 69-57 encounter against Craigieburn.
Dalton Willshire scored 19 points to be the Steelers' best while Luke Bennett and Ben Adams battled hard against the odds.
The Steelers women blew a 15-point half-time lead to lose 67-44 to Blackburn, continuing their disappointing habit of fadeouts.
The Steelers scored just 14 points in the second half while Blackburn piled on 52. Keira Beswick was the Steelers' best with 18 points and 14 rebounds.