By Russell Bennett
It was a Super Sunday of results for the Pakenham Warriors at Cardinia Life on the weekend with both their Big V Youth League men’s and women’s basketball sides once again showing they’re forces to be reckoned with in season 2018.
The women’s side is just a win off top spot on the ladder after a commanding 17-point win in the first of Sunday’s double-header clashes.
While Jill Appleton’s side controlled proceedings for much of the first half – with their constant defensive pressure a real standout – it was a trifecta of threes late in the second quarter that confirmed their dominance, as they entered the main break 20 points up, 47-27.
The Warriors continued to set the pace throughout the second half, ultimately winning 81-64 off the back of the stellar play of 19-year-old forward Beth Quadara (22 points 8 rebounds, and 5 assists), 15-year-old guard Rhiannon Gallagher (18 points and 4 steals), and star player Ellie Coutts (12 points on 4-5 from deep).
In the second of Sunday’s games, Cam Andre celebrated his 50-game Big V milestone for Pakenham in style as Simo Pajdic’s side defeated the Keysborough Cougars by eight points, 72-64.
The combination of the home side’s strangling defence and strong outside shooting proved particularly tough for the Cougars to handle early in the second half as they were down 51-33.
But despite a couple of defensive lapses from the Warriors throughout the remainder of the contest, they had the answers when they needed them most.
Ned Weideman was among the standouts for the home side with 20 points including four three pointers, while Lee Belton added 16 points – including four threes of his own.
On Saturday night, Pajdic’s side picked up their first win of the weekend with a stellar two-point victory over the Thoroughbreds in Melton, 64-62. Nathan Dodgson scored 17 for the visitors, while big man Matt Berkec finished with a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double.
The only downside of the weekend for the Warriors was a 26-point loss on Saturday night to Brent Russell’s Division 2 senior men’s side – again at Melton.
The visitors were comprehensively outplayed in the 105-79 defeat, due in large part to a stunning display from Emmanuel Malou. To say he was ‘lights out’ from the field is somewhat of an understatement, considering he drained 13 of 17 from the field in his 37-point outing.
Pakenham is currently third on the Division 2 Men’s ladder, sixth in Youth League 2 Men’s, and third in Youth League 2 Women’s.
