THE highlight of last week’s basketball action was the playing comeback of longretired Warriors head coach Jack Vanstone. The women’s team was jumped in the first quarter and couldn’t make up the difference. The Under 14 Girls played well to seal another win while the Under 20 Men were big winners and the Under 14 Boys responded well to a challenge.
MEN
To play Melbourne University at Doncaster only four players arrived. Hastily white shorts were found from lost property and head coach Jack Vanstone was in his first game for the Warriors for many years.
University is a tough side but Bill Winder, Adam Connelly, Sean Dixon and Daniel Stow responded magnificently to challenge and by halftime the Warriors had done well to be down 3437.
In the second half the efforts of the Warriors were outstanding. Winder continued to play the bigman role and Stow’s hot hand from the threepoint line helped keep the Warriors in the game. Pakenham finally went down in a thriller 5957. Against talented and far younger opposition Vanstone played a competitive game and might nearly have recovered.
WOMEN
The Warriors were burnt by Whittlesea in the first quarter at Eltham High School and trailed 922 at the first break. Whittlesea was determined to make amends for their loss to the Warriors earlier in the season and was never headed despite some determined passages of play by the Warriors, going on to win 5741. Poor scoring percentages again hurt the Warriors, but Natalie Sallai scored 13 points and Gemma Craven 10.
UNDER 20 MEN
The Warriors had an even first half against Camberwell, being just ahead 2320 at the break, but Sean Dixon with five points and Dale Taylor (eight) needed to be active to keep the Warriors in front. In the second half the Warriors were able to spread the scoring and Rhyce Backman scored three triples. The Warriors were able to run all over Camberwell in the second half to win 6040, Taylor topscoring with 20 points.
UNDER 16 BOYS GOLD
At Westernport the game was scrappy early, neither team being able to find the basket and plenty of fouls being called. By halftime Pakenham was ahead 1613 with centre Steve Marson playing strongly, making important baskets from the line. In the second half the Steelers were able to control the last 10 minutes to win 3731. Gavin Pauline was aggressive on the boards before fouling out while Kris Devey made some good shots and Cheyne Petitt was solid in getting the ball up the court.
UNDER 16 BOYS BLUE
The Warriors played Healesville at home. The first half started a tight battle, both sides finding scoring difficult until late, when Pakenham allowed Healesville to make a break with numerous unanswered baskets and take a 2712 lead at half time.
In the second half Pakenham worked hard to reduce the deficit. James Bridgett was effective in offence, scoring 16 points in the second half and 23 for the game. Steven Luxford and Zach Money made some strong drives to the basket, each scoring six points. This was not enough however, as the taller and stronger Healesville won comfortably 6442.
UNDER 14 GIRLS
Hosting Diamond Valley on Friday night, the Warriors took until the middle of the first half to settle down but at halftime led 1510. Hannah Morgan took control in the centre and scored 19 points. Jacinta Rich was in great form and cleanly took the ball from the opposition many times. Amelia Aidone, Lauren Brown and Maddie Smethurst were worthy contributers, featuring in many assists. Warriors finished with a 3520 win.
UNDER 14 BOYS
The Warriors came away from Westernport with a good win despite missing two big players. James Dobson (11 points) played well but again failed to see the game out due to foul trouble. The Warriors had a slow start but by halftime were in front 2016. Dale O’Callaghan topscored with 16 points and proved more than a handful for the Steelers . The honous for the shot of the night goes to Jackson Fromhold for a threepointer in the first half. The Warriors won 4639.
