SEYMOUR Blasters and Wallan Panthers kicked off their respective 2022-23 Country Basketball League, CBL, seasons with mixed results at the weekend.
Both clubs had first round byes in the men’s and women’s north-east conference competitions, but hit the court in round two.
Seymour is the defending champion in both men’s and women’s divisions, and confirmed its status as a league powerhouse with a dominant 91-36 women’s win against Shepparton.
The Blasters effectively ended the contest before half time, taking a 45-16 lead into the long break.
Tayha Watkins led Seymour with 30 points, but United States college-bound Maddison Ford, 20, and Jade McLay, 14, rounded out a well-balanced score sheet for the visitors.
Seymour’s men did not play at the weekend after a Shepparton forfeit, but coach Craig Hockley said a third successive championship was in the team’s sights.
“We’ve got the same squad as last year, but we’ve added a couple of younger kids from the under 18 side and Jesse Brock from the under 16s to our development squad,” he said.
“We’re looking forward to the season starting with a home game against Albury on October 22. We’ll unfurl the flag from last year, and our aim is definitely to win another one this year.”
Wallan also returned to action on the weekend, with Ryan Philippe leading the Panthers’ men to a 67-47 win against Wodonga with 25 points.
Captain Luke Liesegang chipped in with 15 points of his own, with Riley McLay, 8, and Tom Roles, 6, playing supporting roles.
Wallan’s women got their campaign underway with a 38-57 loss to Wodonga, with Carley Cranston, 13 points, the only Panther to notch double digits, followed by Melissa Buckley, 9.
Wallan will make its season home debut this Saturday, with its women taking on Wangaratta at 6pm and the men facing the Warriors at 8pm at RB Robson Stadium.
