THE Warriors women’s team last week played a great game for a well deserved win, the Under18 Girls were third and a late charge to the finals by the Under 20 Men continued.
With two rounds left in the junior season the Under 16 Boys were still on top of the ladder, as were the Under 14 Girls, while the Under 14 Boys were third following a good win at Eltham.
WOMEN
The Warriors led from start to finish to record their third win of the season 4834 over the Waverley Falcons (2).
Pakenham was up 3120 at halftime. The Warriors’ tight defence, with excellent blocking from tall forward Nyadol Nyuon and solid rebounding from Chelsea Black (nine points) and Natalie Sallai (eight points), forced the Falcons to shoot from long range and limited their opportunities.
Gemma Craven (12 points) and Sarah Foss (11 points) were in fine threepoint form, which helped to maintain the Warriors’ edge throughout.
UNDER 20 MEN
Against Keysborough Rhys Backman (seven points) and Dale Taylor (13 points) helped give the Warriors a 3315 halftime lead. In the second half the Cougars matched Pakenham, which won comfortably 6143.
Guard Sean Dixon (nine points) scored three triples while Karl Tirkkonen (15 points) and Jon Parkitny (12 points) played well. The Warriors were close to fifth place.
UNDER 16 BOYS GOLD
Playing Sandringham, the Warriors struggled to hold off the Sabres, who kept attacking all game. Pakenham gained an early break to lead 1813 at halftime. Springheeled Jacob D’Arcy (six points) was lively.
In the second half the Sabres got the lead back to one point before steals by guards Kris Devey and Cheyne Petitt made the game safe for the Warriors, who won 3730. The star for the night was centre Steve Marson (16 points), who scored 12 important points in the second half to ensure the win.
UNDER 14 GIRLS
The Warriors played Chelsea at home and after an entertaining warmup started the game with a flurry of goals. A pleasing aspect was the slick passing in offence. Solid defence by the Warriors contributed to a 283 lead at halftime.
After the break both sides took the offence and there was plenty of scoring by the Warriors. Quick passing by guards Amelia Aidone, Jacinta Rich, Claire Round and Alexandra West helped the team inside the key. Hannah Morgan and JamieLee Daraio were powerhouses under the basket, rarely missing their shots. The Warriors won 6519.
