By Hayley Wildes
Big V finals basketball action tipped off at Cardinia Life on Saturday night with a massive double-header for the Pakenham Warriors.
The Youth League 1 women – after finishing second on the ladder – earned themselves a home final and a double chance, which they’ll need after losing to the Frankston Blues, 69-57.
The Warriors were unable to get their offensive game flowing, scoring just 38 points through the first three quarters. The Blues’ defence was stifling, forcing the Warriors into an uncharacteristically high amount of turnovers (32), and leading to fastbreak baskets at the other end.
Pakenham will be looking to get some more production out of its bench going forward as the Warriors were outscored 35-19 in that facet of the game.
Despite the loss, Ellie Coutts (19 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals) was the game’s leading scorer and Sarah Thomson was a constant threat in the low post.
It was a very different story for the Youth league 2 men, who took on the Mornington Breakers. The Warriors came out on a mission in the first quarter, leading 10-0 after three minutes of play.
Pakenham held a 10-point advantage at the first break and Ned Weideman was in ominous form early with seven points in the first quarter.
Tyrone Tonkin was inserted into the game at the start of the second quarter and immediately caught fire from deep. He hit four triples in a stunning four-minute stretch of play, helping the Warriors to a 45-28 lead at the main break.
The Breakers fought back in the second half, but the game was never really in doubt at the Warriors claimed the win, 82-69. Every time Mornington looked like going on a run, Pakenham had the answers as Tom Greer (21 points, 14 rebounds, 4 steals) and Weideman (16 points, 10 rebounds) led the way.
Tonkin’s three-point party saw him finish with 15 points (five triples) in a standout performance off the bench.
Round 2 of the finals will see the Youth League 2 men hit the road to face the Collingwood All Stars on Saturday night with a spot in the grand final up for grabs. The All Stars finished the season in second place with an identical record to Pakenham; 18-6.
This game has the potential to be a battle of epic proportions. When these two teams met in Round 17, the Warriors came were victorious in a thriller, 80-79.
The Youth League 2 women will seek vengeance at Cardinia Life on Saturday night from 6pm against the Whittlesea Pacers. The Pacers had an impressive Round 1 finals win against Blackburn and will be full of confidence. The two teams met twice during the regular season and Pakenham claimed wins on both occasions, including a massive win at home in Round 11, 83-51.
