Wallan Panthers went 2-0 in their Big V doubleheader against Mornington Breakers, with the women winning 62-55 to open proceedings and the men following up with a 104-78 victory.
The Panthers women improved their record to 4-3 with the win and are now sixth in division two.
Wallan coach Warren Taylor said the win could be a turning point after a disrupted start to the season.
“To have a bad start to that one and have the girls dig down and pull out a win against a team that’s beat us, I couldn’t be prouder of the team and coaching staff,” he said.
Wallan was under the pump early, giving up 21-10 in the first period before fighting back to close the gap to two points at half time on the back of a 13-2 run in the second quarter.
The Panthers carried their momentum through the break and took the lead early in the third with a 22-8 quarter pushing the margin to 12 points.
Mornington started a comeback in the final term and came within three points late before clutch free throws from Jayda Hunter and Gemma Jackson sealed the win.
Jackson had 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists in the win while Rebecca Romeo was key inside with 14 points and pulling down 15 boards.
“The two free throws Jayda hit to put us up five were huge late,” Taylor said.
“Rebecca was outstanding. It was her best game for us by far. She’s coming from a much higher level and I think it’s taken her a bit of time to find some rhythm.”
The Panthers men didn’t have nearly as tough a time, taking the lead early in the first period and never looking back.
In a high-scoring game, Wallan and Mornington traded buckets early before the Panthers took a 12 point lead into half time.
A 27-14 third period push the Panthers’ lead out to 22 points and 12-4 run to open the fourth blew the lead out to 32 points until Mornington came back in junk time.
The Panthers scored well from outside, shooting 17-51 (.333) from deep and capitalised on Breakers mistakes for 28 points from Mornington turnovers.
Leigh Saffin was big, dropping 34 points with three rebounds and four assists while import Trace Cureton had 21 points, eight rebounds and three assists.