BASKETBALL: The men's Superleague season reaches its climax this weekend as four teams battle it out for the title at the Mardyke Arena in Cork.

"The finals format represents a new departure, which is part of an overall strategy to improve the standard, viability and visibility of the Superleague," said a Basketball Ireland statement yesterday.

"The new conference system has proved very successful, with all teams retaining interest to the dying days of the campaign."

Most importantly, there is a regional balance to the four sides in the semi-finals. There may be two Kerry outfits, the Killarney Lakers and Southern Conference champions the Tralee Tigers, but the Northern section is represented by Killester and Star of the Sea (Belfast) .

The Tigers play Star, who knocked out cup winners UCC Demons. They bring down an experienced team spearheaded by fit-again John Leahy.

The Tralee side's revival has been the talking point of the year. Just a year ago Rus Bradburd's men had the worst record in Ireland, but they finished this regular season with 16 wins and four losses.

In the second semi-final, Northern Conference champions Killester play the Killarney Lakers. Keith Friel will be Killester's key man.

Both games take place on Saturday, with the final the following day.

In the woman's final on Sunday, also at the Mardyke, the Waterford Wildcats will try to stop UL/Aughinish completing the double-double.

They couldn't do it in the Cup final last month, but were missing their best player, American Nicole Conway.

Also, Lisa Palmer and Grainne Dwyer have been improving all year.

Whether it will be enough to stop Jillian Aherne and Michaele Aspell is another matter entirely.

Saturday: Men's Superleague semi-finals - Tralee Tigers v Star of the Sea, 3pm. Killester v Killarney Lakers, 8pm.

Sunday: Women's Superleague final, UL/Aughinish v Waterford Wildcats, 1.30pm Men's Superleague final, 3.30pm.