By David Nagel
Pakenham’s bright start to the Big V Division 1 women’s basketball season has been dulled somewhat after the Warriors suffered back-to-back losses on the weekend.
Simo Pajdic’s team now sits with a two-and two record after going down 61-44 on the road to Chelsea on Saturday night, before suffering a home-court defeat at the hands of Mildura – 87-76 – at high-noon on Sunday.
The clash against Chelsea was highly-anticipated with both teams taking an unblemished record into the contest.
Chelsea started the better, taking a five-point lead to the first break and extending to seven at half time. The visitors then consolidated their early dominance with a 15-7 third stanza to snuff out any hopes of a Warriors’ revival.
Sarah-Rae Slater was a solid contributor for the Warriors with a 10-point, 11 rebound double-double, while Tarryn Wilkin scored 11 points including four-from-four from the stripe.
The Warriors then had a Sunday sleep-in against the visiting Mildura, conceding an early nine-point lead and being behind the eight-ball from there.
Mildura, looking for its first win of the season, stretched its lead through the middle stages of the match before the Warriors showed some late fight.
Keeley Patterson (24 points) and Caitlin Demczuk (15 points) battled gamely for the home side while Wilkin put a fine performance together with a 12 point, 10 rebound double-double.
Pakenham’s Division 2 men’s team, riding high after last week’s clutch win over Craigieburn, was brought back to earth with a thud with a thumping 110-70 loss to RMIT.
The visiting RMIT team ran riot in the first quarter, leading 30-13 at the first break. Things gradually got worse for the Warriors and if not for a stylish 23-point, 12 rebound double-double from Nathan Dodgson – things could have got out of control.
The Warriors had no answers to RMIT’s full-court dominance, with the visitors remaining undefeated after three rounds.
There was brighter news to report from the Pakenham Youth 2 League men’s team, who survived a dual threat from Melton to land a 100-91 victory at Cardinia Life on Saturday night.
Melton’s twin towers, Weet Mamuor (34 points, 17 rebounds) and Deng Nuer (23 points, 14 rebounds), struck regular blows, but the Warriors’ depth shined through.
Lauchlan Mark was hugely influential with 29 points and was well supported by Matt Stevens 13, Jake Barnard 12 and Jackson Grey 10.
And Pakenham’s Youth League 2 women’s team continued its hot start to the season with a 71-60 victory over Albury/Wodonga on Sunday.
Scores were locked at half time before the foot down in the third quarter, scoring 19-11 to lay the foundations of victory.
Alahna Arnason was the star of the show with 22 points and 13 rebounds, while the defensive rebounding of Beth Quadara was another round-three highlight.
The young Warriors remain undefeated after three rounds.
