PAKENHAM Warriors’ men’s team put on a fine display at home to defeat the strong Melbourne University lineup while the women’s team had a bye.
In junior competition most sides had a win, the Under 16 Girls Gold side coming from behind to finish well while the Under 14 Boys also finished strongly.
The Under 14 Girls followed instructions well after halftime while the Under 20 Men made good use of their height.
MEN
The Warriors played Melbourne University 2.
Pakenham started quickly before University hit back and was two points in front at quartertime.
Pakenham played well in the second quarter to put the Warriors up 3129 at halftime.
In the third quarter Pakenham pulled out all stops and took a 5138 lead.
University regrouped and played a hard game in the final quarter, but the Warriors steadied and ran out convincing winners.
Leon Stapley shot brilliantly all night, scoring 32 points for the game including eight threepoint shots, Daniel Stow scored 16 points while Tim Hendrix (11 points) worked solidly under the basket.
Scores: Pakenham 63 d Melbourne University 53.
UNDER 20 MEN
Playing Coburg, the Warriors welcomed back Sean Dixon from injury and James Bridgett again filled in for the team.
On the back of strong work by centre Tim Hendrikx Pakenham started well and at halftime held a 2417 lead.
The Warriors played a strong game and with great teamwork secured the win.
Cheyne Pettit, Sean Dixon and Shane Hart (six points) played well getting the ball up the court to big Tim Hendrikx (23 points), Ian Mewburn (eight) and Wes Pettit (eight).
Scores: Pakenham 53 d Coburg 44.
UNDER 18 GIRLS
Against Hawthorn it was a close first half, the visiting Warriors going up 2017 at the break.
In the second half Hawthorn was able to pull away to win.
Sarah Hockey (11 points) dragged in some big rebounds, as did Genevieve Abbott.
Melissa Bowey scored eight firsthalf points and Ashleigh Matkovic scored five.
Scores: Hawthorn 42 d Pakenham 27.
UNDER 16 GIRLS (1)
In the first half the Warriors found it tough to score against a bigger Cranbourne lineup in a lowscoring first half and the Comets led 159 at quartertime.
Warriors picked up the momentum to take the lead in the second half.
The Warriors picked up momentum with more convincing ball skills and team work in the second half to take the lead strong rebounds by Ella Coleman and intercept by Jacinta Rich encourage the team to victory.
Scores: Pakenham 39 d Cranbourne 32.
UNDER 16 BOYS GOLD
Pakenham played the top side Mornington.
Pakenham made a strong start, led by Steven Luxford with accurate shooting giving for nine firsthalf points. James Bridgett also managed nine points, while Zach Money and Justin Smaluch each contributed four points.
Goals by Blake Schrieber, Nathan Page and Tom Lorimer saw Pakenham go in at halfleading 3225.
In the second half Pakenham continued its attacking game, led by Justin Smaluch with 10 points.
The Breakers adopted a zone defence to try to slow down Pakenham’s scoring.
This tactic worked briefly until Bridgett fired in three threepointers.
Luxford continued his accurate shooting with another threepoint shot to keep the pressure on Mornington and goals by Money and Lorimer gave Pakenham a solid winning margin.
Scores: Pakenham 64 d Mornington 48.
UNDER 16 BOYS BLUE
The Warriors started slowly and were down 06 against Diamond Valley before Jackson Fromhold’s inspiring display to lead the Warriors back to victory from behind over the accomplished Diamond Valley team. Fromhold again set the defensive standard but also attacked the basket consistently to keep the Warriors in the game.
Jason Budge was virtually unstoppable at the offensive end and his return to form at the foul line, coupled with strong and persistent efforts by Jake Heylen, helped the Warriors peg back a 10point deficit to trail 1920 at halftime.
The second half was a tight struggle with both teams going point for point.
Andrew Rigby broke the trend with some good defensive rebounds and Josh Dawson capitalised on some good steals to edge the Warriors in front.
Finally Dale O’Callaghan cut loose and put the game out of Diamond Valley’s reach and steered the Warriors home.
Scores: Pakenham 51 d Diamond Valley 44.
UNDER 14 GIRLS
Pakenham started well and jumped to an early lead against Camberwell 3 by using their height advantage, and led 8 to zero early in the first half before Camberwell were able to settle down and get some fast breaks to go in at the half 10 point each.
For the first 10 minutes of the second half Meagan Wallace, Madielyn Dunstan and Samara Griffiths made telling steals and turned these into points on the board, giving Pakenham a 2310 lead.
Pakenham were able to maintain a margin until the end.
Scores: Pakenham 34 d Camberwell 26.
UNDER 14 BOYS
Pakenham played Melbourne Tigers and the game was tight and defensive in the first half.
Brendan Gillen scored eight points for the half and Sean Armstrong six.
At halftime Pakenham led 1918.
After the eightminute mark of the second half Pakenham had skipped away to a handy lead.
Sean Armstrong scored 18 points for the game and Mark Nicosia 11 with gritty work. Pakenham ran away with the game with good teamwork.
Scores: Pakenham 52 d Melbourne 34.
