Warrnambool Mermaids coach Peter Davis sat courtside at The Arc, while wife Margie and daughters Katie, Suzie and Jenny suited up for the Pinkies.

However majority ruled at the final whistle, when the Davis women celebrated a comfortable 48-29 win over the Mermaids.

Despite the family rivalry, Pinkies coach Margie said the game was played in good spirits.

“It was just a bit of fun competition — we had a great time,” she said.

“The quality of the game was great, but we just had more experience in the end.”

While the Pinkies set a fast pace in the opening 20 minutes, the Mermaids were able to meet the challenge.

Former Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) player Larissa Anderson looked threatening under the Pinkies’ hoop with three early points.

But Warrnambool’s Amy Wormald was quick to respond and opened the Mermaids’ account with two points.

Peter said it was a tight first half.

“(The Pinkies) came out very strong at the start,” he explained.

“But we managed to stay with them in the first half.”

The Mermaids only trailed by one point at the main change, 19-18, but the Pinkies regrouped and pulled away with the match.

“That was when I came on,” Margie joked of her side’s sudden acceleration.

Husband Peter said the Mermaids struggled to compete with the Pinkies’ wealth of game experience.

“(The Pinkies) just made their break and kept at it,” he said.

“They have at least three ex-WNBL players, and in the end they were just too good.”

The three-day tournament was the first hit-out for the new-look Mermaids, who are yet to secure a team for the coming Big V season.

A core group of players is set to be confirmed in the next three weeks.

“This tournament was great preparation for the season, and showed me how everything is going to fit in,” he said.

“But I’m still trying to put the team together and work out what the team needs for the season.”

In the men’s A grade final yesterday, the Ballarat Miners held off a determined Victorian under 20 side to win 32-31.

Adam McSwain was best under the hoop for the Miners shooting eight points, while Shaun Bruce top scored for the junior state side with 11.

The A reserve men’s final saw Flying Horse triumph over Betstar 57-38, while LCA (47) was too good for 10 Years (40) in the B grade.

Kaos (56) toppled Pink Ladies (42) in the B grade women’s final, and East Preston (58) triumphed over Roulettes (28) in the masters.