By Colin MacGillivray
WALLAN’S division two men were delivered a reality check in a 28-point loss to Sherbrooke – their first of the Big V basketball season.
The Panthers had been undefeated through the first four rounds of the season but struggled from the outset against the Suns, scoring only six points in the first quarter and trailing by 32 points at the final change.
With the result beyond doubt, the benches of both sides received extended playing time in the last term of the 51-79 loss.
The normally dominant trio of Arcaim Lallemand, Tyler Best and Tom O’Connor was held to a collective 23 points, and the Panthers were outrebounded 61-49.
Wallan’s starting guard tandem of Dominic Bruno and Lincoln Stewart fared little better connecting on only three of their combined 15 field goal attempts.
Keenan Gorski top scored for the Panthers with 15 points off the bench, although he required 18 shots to do so on a night when the visitors converted at only 26 per cent from the field.
Simon Lokan led the Suns to victory with a massive 17-point, 18-rebound double-double, while Christian Solderholm added 20 points and nine rebounds.
The Panthers will attempt to bounce back from the performance on Sunday, when they host Melton at RB Robson Stadium at 3pm.
The teams met in round one, Wallan emerging with a tough 87-81 win.
Also in action this weekend will be Wallan’s division two women, who were handed a walkover win against Mornington in round five.
The Panthers will play Surf Coast at Wurdi Baierr Stadium at 1pm on Sunday.
The youth league division two men will return from a bye, also set host Melton in a 1pm curtain-raiser to the men’s game on Sunday.
