By RUSSELL BENNETT
THE Pakenham Warriors Big V men’s basketball team has started its 2016 playoff campaign with a mighty bang – a 26-point demolition of Coburg in their qualifying final at The Colosseum at Cardinia Life last Saturday night. Score: 87-61.
One of the most satisfying aspects for the Warriors was that the result turned the tables on the elimination final between the two sides in Coburg last season, when the Giants squashed them, 97-84.
Coach Jeff Reid described last season, shortly after its conclusion, as the waste of a great opportunity but it’s clear to see that this year’s crop of Warriors was never going to make the same mistake.
They earned the double chance off a second-placed finish on the ladder with a 13-5 win-loss record from their 18 home-and-away games – which included two nail-biting victories over the Giants.
But the Warriors went into Saturday night’s fixture undermanned – with big man import Kenneth Hall out with a serious achilles issue, and Craig Drew and Savin Lopez not having logged enough regular-season court time to qualify for the playoffs.
This year’s Warriors side is a largely different one to that which lost to the Giants last year, but captain Paul Phillips is one – along with Reid – who carries vivid memories of the side’s ill-fated 2015 campaign.
He started with a real focus on getting established in the low post early and often, while Hayden Davey – another returnee from last year – was making an early impact on both ends of the floor.
Mweemba Maluma was Coburg’s biggest shining light in last year’s final, and he looked dangerous again early in this one, but the likes of Trent Lee, Josh Smith, Mike Godfrey and Hayden Clydesdale made life particularly difficult for the Giants’ backcourt all night.
Coburg was within just two points at quarter time, thanks to Mat Rigoni (10 points, 8 boards) and Jordan Harding (20 points, 10 boards, 4 assists) but Pakenham displayed a steely focus at both ends of the floor that the likes of 17-year-old forward Dylan Larkin (8 points, 9 boards) personified.
The 195-centimetre forward was working at a distinct bodyweight disadvantage in the low block; but instead of that bothering him, it only seemed to spur him on.
While Josh Smith (17 points, 9 assists) had his offensive game going from midrange early, it was a trio of threes from Ben Gaze (16 points, 6 boards, 4 assists, 3 steals) in the second quarter that put the dagger through the heart of the visitors. Pakenham led 47-36 at the main break, and refused to relent for the remainder of the clash, conceding just 25 points over the final two quarters combined.
The Warriors applied non-stop physical and mental pressure to the Giants all game (through the likes of Lee and Godfrey), and it wore them down through a series of uncharacteristic turnovers, frustration fouls, and tech fouls. Even their coach Dylan Theis wasn’t immune.
“We learned a bit from that game last year – Paul (Phillips) and H. (Davey), the guys who played on that team,” Reid said.
“I’ve been thinking about it since last year. It’s hurt me, so it’s really nice to get that one back.
“But I don’t think the boys need any more motivation when they know what they have to do.
“I didn’t say anything motivational in the change rooms – the boys just came out, they were ready, and they were switched on.”
In the other playoff game with local significance, the Warriors’ Youth League Division 2 men’s side lost by eight points, 78-70, to Corio Bay at the Geelong Basketball and Netball Centre in the first of their three-game semi-final series on Saturday night. The next two games will both be at Cardinia Life – this Saturday from 5pm, and Sunday from 2pm.
Reid’s Big V men will head to Hillview Stadium in Rosebud to take on Western Port in the first semi-final this Saturday night from 8pm.
