Warriors hit top form

The Pakenham Warriors begin their playoff campaign this weekend. 142358 Picture: RUSSELL BENNETT

By RUSSELL BENNETT

THE Pakenham Warriors Big V basketball Division 2 men hit their best form at exactly the right stage of the season with a dominant 122-63 beat-down of Oakleigh in The Battle of the Warriors at The Colosseum at Cardinia Life on Sunday afternoon.
Jeff Reid’s men put in a clinical display for their biggest win of the season and their impressive form has come at the right time – with the playoffs beginning this weekend.
Pakenham shot out of the gates early with a 9-2 burst – its excellent shot selection, intensity and defensive pressure setting the tone for the rest of the clash.
Darren Galloway (27 points, 6 boards, 3 steals and 6 assists) again led the way – showcasing his superb array of offensive skills both inside the paint and out, while backcourt running mate Mike Godfrey (13 points) played a stifling brand of pressure defence.
Pakenham led 23-13 after the first quarter, forcing Oakleigh to commit as many turnovers as it had shot attempts (12).
While the Warriors continued to push the tempo in the second quarter, Oakleigh struggled to even move the ball in transition without turning it over.
With a 59-26 lead at half-time, Pakenham had the game all but sewn up but, promisingly for Reid, the side refused to relent in the second half – comfortably outscoring Oakleigh in every quarter of the game.
Pakenham led the points off turnovers count 24-4 at half-time, which painted the picture of the game.
In addition to Galloway, another five Pakenham players finished in double-figures scoring.
Hayden Davey was again outstanding on both ends with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals while Harry Van Dort (13 points and 4 steals) and Darrell Morgan and Duk Makuei (12 points apiece) proved far too much for the Oakleigh defence to handle.
Pakenham captain Paul Phillips (9 points and 9 boards) finished with another near double-double, with his passing back out of the post to open shooters a real standout.
“Our pressure was really good, but we were playing smart basketball,” Reid said after the game.
“We weren’t fouling too much and we knew they pretty much only had one guy who could handle the ball.
“We knew if we got it out of his hands, their kids don’t really stand up to pressure and make great decisions.
“It was an awesome team effort to put up 122 points in a 40-minute game.”
Pakenham shot the ball at nearly 50 per cent from the field while holding Oakleigh to just 1-10 from beyond the arc.
Pat Manifold (29 points, 18 rebounds) was the only Oakleigh player to finish in double figures.
Meanwhile, in a positive sign for their upcoming second season, Pakenham’s Big V Division 2 women’s side led Blackburn 31-29 at the half before ultimately falling 73-52.
Though the result means Pakenham went through the season winless, the efforts of Kylie Thomson (13 points), Mel Magdich, Gemma Craven (11 points) and the under-sized Vanessa Westh (7 points, 13 boards and 2 steals) would have to put a smile on the face of head coach Darren Thomas.
Jeff Reid’s side will enter this week’s game against Coburg full of confidence. The Warriors will look to continue their strong momentum against the Giants at the Coburg Basketball Stadium in an elimination final from 8.30pm this Saturday.