PAKENHAM Warriors had some exciting results in round four of basketball with the highlight being the performance of the women’s team, playing a thrilling tie against one of the competition leaders.
In the juniors there were also close results, Under 16 Girls Gold coming from behind at halftime for a great win while Under 16 Boys Gold won a close game in the final minute. The Under 14 Girls played positive basketball for a good win.
WOMEN
The Warriors held secondplaced Sunbury Jets to a draw at Pakenham stadium.
The Jets had experienced players and gradually built up a lead of eight points by threequarter time. But six points each by Liesl Holmes (eight) and Natalie Sallai (10) in the last quarter, plus solid defence by Chelsea Black (six points), Hayley Da Silva and Phillippa Antoniadou had the Warriors coming back.
The Warriors were five points down with a minute to go but Sarah Antoniadou (six points) used her speed to create scoring opportunities.
It was a good result for the Warriors in only their third full season of MMBL competition against one of the top two sides in Premier Division.
Scores: Pakenham 34 drew with Sunbury 34.
UNDER 20 MEN
The Warriors only had four fit players, Cheyne and Wes Pettit, Shane Hart and Justin Vaux to play an eightstrong team from Doncaster at home, while Sean Dixon, who was on crutches, made up the five to start the match.
The four Warriors ran and played their hearts out and at halftime were down 2536. All were exhausted at the end of the 40 minutes after their brilliant effort.
Scores: Doncaster 86 d Pakenham 54.
UNDER 16 GIRLS GOLD
Catching up with Southern Peninsula after a slow start, Pakenham worked hard and at halftime trailed but was still in the game 1316.
After a comeback attempt by Southern Peninsula, the Warriors eventually ran out winners by five with a great second half.
Scores: Pakenham 38 d Southern Peninsula 33.
UNDER 16 BLUE GIRLS
Pakenham played the ladder leader LaTrobe at home on Friday night. Although the Warriors worked hard to run their offence they found it difficult to penetrate and score. At halftime the Warriors trailed by 11.
LaTrobe’s strong defensive pressure the second half did not allow the Warriors the ability to make their baskets and stem the flow of LaTrobe. There were some strong plays throughout but LaTrobe proved to be too good and went on to win.
Scores: LaTrobe 43 d Pakenham 20.
UNDER 16 BOYS GOLD
Pakenham Gold played at Ringwood against Nunawading 4. Nunawading made a strong start, taking the early lead, but Pakenham fought back with eight points by James Bridgett and six points by Justin Smaluch. At halftime the scores were 18all.
In the second half Zach Money led the way offensively with 10 points and Blake Schrieber scored six and Pakenham established a 14point lead. To its credit Nunawading fought back to level the scores late in the game. Late goals by Chris Williams and Steven Luxford ensured Pakenham was able to hold on for a close win.
Scores: Pakenham 47 d Nunawading 44.
UNDER 16 BOYS BLUE
The Warriors hosted Camberwell and impressed with another hardfought win. Daniel Jeavons (10 points) ran the legs off the opposition and proved very hard to contain, especially on the fast break. Andrew Rigby found himself on the end of a Jake Heyen bullet pass and converted that to a high speed layup for two points.
Jackson Fromhold found the basket for eight points but his defensive play was outstanding as he shut down the opposing guards. The Warriors controlled the game with good disciplined team play and were able to respond to every challenge.
Scores: Pakenham 49 d Camberwell 36.
UNDER 14 GIRLS
Pakenham played McKinnon in a close contest. With Pakenham holding a threepoint buffer for most of the first half. Pakenham’s close defence did not allow McKinnon to get any easy baskets while Pakenham was able to score easy baskets from finding the open player in transition. At halftime Pakenham led by a point.
In the later stages of the second half Pakenham’s more intense defence, anchored by JosieLee Uniake, stopped any fast breaks and allowed the Warriors to run away with the game, scoring 29 points for the half to McKinnon’s 18.
Almost all players got on the scoresheet, Mikaela Foy scoring 12 points, Alice Barefoot six and Samara Griffiths five.
Scores: Pakenham 45 d McKinnon 33.
UNDER 14 BOYS
Pakenham played Chelsea at home and for the first 10 minutes the game was tight. In his second game Ashley Beck was strong, contributing four points for the half, Brendan Gillen scoring five and Joseph Sweeney two. Half way through the first half Lewis Vigliarolo came off injured and by half time Chelsea had sneaked away to a 2213 lead.
In the second half the game opened up, Chelsea skipping away to a handy lead. The Warriors tried hard with Sean Armstrong (12 points) playing strongly under the basket, scoring 10 points for the half. The Warriors went to the foul line seven times but only made four points. Adam Young scored four and Matt Jeavons two and Mark Nicosia brought the ball up the court quickly and finished with three points.
Scores: Chelsea 54 d Warriors 36.
