By Russell Bennett
The Pakenham Warriors have slid to fifth on the Big V basketball Division 2 men’s standings after their 11-point loss at home to the Coburg Giants at ‘The Colosseum’ at Cardinia Life on Sunday afternoon, 91-80.
Fresh off losses in two of their past three games, including a one-point nail-biter in overtime to Wallan 99-98, the Warriors were hell-bent on turning the tables against the Giants.
They took a narrow lead into quarter-time and extended that slightly heading into the main break but they came out sluggishly in the third – outscored 26 points to 15 for the quarter.
On the back foot heading into the last, Brent Russell’s men were unable to reverse the slide – particularly given the performance of Giants skipper Jordan Harding.
The athletic big man finished with 27 points on 11 of 19 from the field to go along with 7 boards and 5 assists.
Though the Warriors at one stage led by eight points, they battled for consistency on both ends of the floor.
Big man Josh Bjelan was a real shining light for the home side though, particularly given the absence of twin tower Brad Bridgewater, and he shouldered the bulk of the scoring load with 28 points (12 of 17 from the field), 6 boards and 3 assists.
Versatile forward James Topp was again particularly efficient from the field, finishing with 15 points on 6-8 shooting, while guard Nick Ross was the other Warriors player to finish in double figures with 13 points – including a pair of threes.
For the Giants, their size and activity on the glass ultimately proved a real difference-maker.
The news was much better for Simo Pajdic’s Youth League Division 2 men, however, as the ladder-leaders picked up a pair of big wins – firstly away to the Melton Thoroughbreds on Saturday night, and then at home against the Western Port Steelers on Sunday afternoon.
The Warriors started with a blaze of glory against the Thoroughbreds, leading 31-18 at quarter time and continuing to put the foot down throughout the second – setting up a big margin en route to a 27-point thumping, 109-82.
In a particularly even team performance across the board, Lee Belton led the way with 18 points on 7-14 from the field while Tom Greer was super productive in his 20 minutes on court – finishing with 12 points, 6 boards, and 5 assists.
Big men Lewis Newman (12 points), Matt Berkec (11 boards), and Michael Jok (12 points, 11 boards, and 3 steals) also made their presence felt while guard Tyrone Tonkin also netted 16 points.
Pleasingly for the Warriors, they kept their momentum going on Sunday to snare a 22-point win over the Steelers, 88-66, which was spurred on by a blistering 33-15 final quarter. Newman (15 points, 10 boards), Berkec (12 points, 11 boards, 3 blocks) and Dean (12 points) again shone while Aaron Miles also chimed in with 13 points.
Finally, Pakenham’s Youth League Division 2 women’s team also picked up a crucial win – taking down the Sherbrooke Suns by six points, 76-70.
Sam Neil finished with an eye-catching triple-double (12 points, 10 boards, and a whopping 13 steals), while Rhiannon Gallagher finished with 15 points and 6 steals and Tyla Scorah added 14 points and six boards of her own.
With the result, Pakenham currently sits fourth on the ladder with 11 wins and 7 losses.
