Warriors have strength in numbers

Tarryn Wilkin continues to do it at both ends of the court for the Warriors. 236624 Picture: ROB CAREW

By David Nagel

Pakenham Warriors have wasted no time in reasserting themselves as a genuine Big V Division One Women’s finals contender with a hard-fought 56-50 victory over Melbourne Uni on Saturday night.

There were signs of a little ring-rust for the Warriors early, but that’s totally understandable after spending 20 days on the sidelines since their last outing – an eight point win over Camberwell.

The Warriors trailed 14-15 at quarter time and trailed by two at the half (23-25), but gradually worked their way to the front with a professional performance in the latter stages of the contest.

Pakenham took a two goal lead at three-quarter time before banking the premiership points with a 16-12 final stanza.

The Warriors won despite an inaccurate night on the floor, shotting 26 per cent from the field – making 18 of 70 attempts – and cashing in on just four of 23 shots from outside the perimeter.

The Warriors won this game at the defensive end of the court with Sarah Slater pulling down eight defensive boards and receiving great support from Jacinta Maxwell, Tarryn Wilkin and Jess Finch, while Christine Stiglich and Caitlin Demczuk also chipped in with some crucial clutches.

Slater was the star of the show for the Warriors, snaring a 15-point, 13-rebound double-double, while Wilkin was equally important scoring 11 points on a night when scoring was made difficult for both teams.

The Warriors – who currently sit in second place – face a lengthy road trip this week when they hit the highway to take on eighth-placed Warrnambool at The Arc Sports Centre.

Pakenham’s Division Two Men’s team had fluctuating fortunes on the weekend with the Warriors playing a part in two absorbing games of basketball.

The Warriors looked magnificent in the first quarter of their Saturday night home game against Maccabi, leading 25-10 at the end of the first stanza.

But as good as the Warriors were early; they were just as bad in the second term with Maccabi scoring 30-15 to lock things away at 40 each at half time.

The visitors continued their ascendency in the third, leading by two at the final break and holding on to win by that slender margin – 76-74 – at the final buzzer.

Alistair Parker did his absolute best for the Warriors, securing a 17-point, 13-rebound double-double, while Josh Dow (17 points) also played a key role in the highly-entertaining first quarter.

The Warriors had plenty of time for soul-searching as they hit the road for a 2pm start against Wangaratta-North East at Benalla on Sunday.

The Warriors started slowly and looked set for a nasty weekend of results when they trailed 35-42 half-way through the contest.

But the Warriors produced one of their best quarters for the season, scoring 29 to 14, to take an eight-point lead into the final stanza.

The home side hit back hard, but that third quarter dominance saw the Warriors hang on for a nail-biting 79-77 win.

Parker was again magnificent for the Warriors with a 26-point, 11-rebound double-double, while Davey (13 points) and Dodgson (14) produced some fireworks when the chips were down in the third quarter.

The Warriors – currently in eighth place with a seven win 10 loss record – face another huge double header this weekend.

The Warriors travel to Bundoora on Saturday night to take on top-of-the-table RMIT before hosting sixth-placed Mildura in a high-noon shootout at Cardinia Life on Sunday.

Pakenham’s Youth League Two Men’s team remains in second place on the table after an 86-77 win over Bellarine.

The Warriors started shaky but sorted things out with a powerful display through the middle stages of the match.

Jackson Grey (21 points, 8 rebounds), Lauchlan Mark (18 points) and Dylan Jenkinson (13 points, 8 rebounds) were the main contributors to victory.

The Warriors face seventh-placed Western Port at 2pm this Sunday.

And the Pakenham Youth League Two Women’s team experienced the highs and lows of sport on the weekend – crushing Chelsea, 138-30 at Pakenham on Saturday night before falling 58-51 to Southern Peninsula on Sunday.

Alahna Arnason bagged out with a 30-point, 16-rebound double-double against Chelsea, with Katie Karajic Powell (14-points, 11 rebounds) also joining in the fun.

Despite Sunday’s loss the Warriors remain in top position and hit the road this Sunday to take on seventh-placed Wallan.