By RUSSELL BENNETT
VISITING Big V basketball outfit Melton iced its top-of-the-table clash with Pakenham at the free-throw line on Saturday night, but it was the sobering sight of local star Jeff Reid lying perfectly still on the bench, icing his knee that proved the coldest blow to Warriors fans.
The Warriors struggled with the early pace of the contest against the Thoroughbreds at Cardinia Life, but dragged themselves back through a combination of tough rebounding and smooth mid-range shooting.
Down by as many as 10 points in the third period, Reid – one of the premier two guards in Big V Division 2 and the league’s leading scorer – played a key role in bringing his side back from the brink.
He was on track for a double-double with 11 points and four rebounds at the half and continued his impressive all-around play into the third until, with around 3:20 on the clock, he went down writhing in pain and clutching his left knee at midcourt. Pakenham was only two points adrift after the next possession, but the floodgates soon opened for the Thoroughbreds, who proved just too big, and too strong.
Big man Martin Pietrykowski, the league’s leading rebounder, was everywhere for the visitors, finishing the game with a massive double-double – 20 points and 20 boards. His positioning, particularly on the offensive glass, was impeccable as the Thoroughbreds racked up the second-chance points.
Despite a patchy start to the game, the Warriors recovered to be just six points in arrears at the first change, 14-20. Bill Winder and Reid were both locked in from the field in the early going, while James Topp also showed promising early signs.
But the second quarter saw Melton’s playmakers begin to assert their class – a task made significantly easier by the absence of Warriors star Jay Ferriere.
Jason Christian penetrated with ease for Melton, finding driving lanes at will, while Jeff Crowe was on fire from the field.
The Thoroughbreds led by nine at the main break, 45-36, and looked set close the game out soon after.
But the Warriors came out with great resilience in the third and it wasn’t until Reid’s injury that the home side fell out of touch.
Pakenham got to within four points in the last quarter, 62-58, but Melton made their free throws when it counted – finishing with 21 from 31 at the charity stripe in a 76-62 win. By contrast, the Warriors only attempted nine foul shots.
Pakenham coach Ryan Rogers was pleased with his side’s effort, given the circumstances piling up against the group.
“Coming into the game, we lost Jay Ferriere who was brought in to lead the team as our court general,” Rogers said.
“We obviously prepared this week for not having him, but when you have – arguably – the best player in the league and favourite for MVP go down in the third quarter, I was just proud of the guys and how they were able to stick at it.
“They (Melton) were starting to tire with only seven guys, so we knew we would make a run, but it was a bit deflating for the group (seeing Reid go down).
“It was tough to get going again beyond that.”
The Warriors still sit atop the Division 2 ladder after Round 13 and will face the third-placed Keilor Thunder this Saturday night from 6pm at Cardinia Life.
