By David Nagel
A fast-finishing Pakenham has kept its perfect Big V Division 1 women’s basketball record intact with the Warriors recording a 14-point victory over Craigieburn at Cardinia Life on Saturday.
With scores locked at 48 at the final break, the Warriors turned up the turbos with a stunning 18-4 final quarter to emerge victorious, 66-52.
Both teams began brightly in a high-scoring start to the contest, before an increase in defensive pressure saw scores diminish through the second and third terms. The Warriors took their stopping power to new levels in the final term, with a combined 15 defensive rebounds from Tarryn Wilkin (8) and Steph Pal (7) making life tough for the visitors.
Simo Pajdic’s team has stars at both ends of the court, with Taylor Jones now the league-leading scorer after an impressive 27-point display. Jones did damage from all areas of the court, with laser-like accuracy from the stripe.
The Warriors have a busy weekend ahead, with a 6pm road-trip to Chelsea on Saturday before reacquainting themselves with their home court against Mildura at high-noon on Sunday.
Pakenham’s men’s Division 2 team took inspiration from the women’s victory, with a similar last-quarter surge seeing the Warriors home in a one-point thriller, 65-64.
The Warriors were comprehensively outplayed in the opening stanza, trailing 13-24 and were still seven points in arrears heading in to the final term. But a rousing 17-9 finish saw the Warriors salute for their first victory of the season.
Alistair Parker was superb for the home team with a 23-point, 12-rebound double-double, while Jake Spruhan dominated the defensive boards with 15 rebounds.
The Warriors, who had their colours lowered by Maccabi on Sunday, take a 1-2 record into Saturday night’s home clash against RMIT.
In Youth League 2 Men’s, a slow start saw Pakenham behind the eight-ball with the Warriors eventually lowering their colours, 74-55, against Maccabi.
Noah Rosham (20 points and 8 boards) and Idan Shamis (19 and 5) showed promising signs for the Warriors who trailed 40-23 at the main break before an improved second-half performance.
And Pakenham’s Youth League 2 women’s team continued its dominant start to the season with a crushing 70-38 victory over Blackburn.
Beth Quadara (11 points, 8 rebounds), Caitlin Demczuk (14 points) and Tyla Scorah (9 boards) were all important for the Warriors, but Alahna Arnason stood out with a 16-point, 10 rebound double-double.
