The Country Basketball League, CBL, season has ended for Wallan Panthers after an 18-point loss to Myrtleford Saints on Sunday.
The Panthers led by four points at the end of the first quarter before the Saints shifted gears, reversing the lead heading into halftime up 43 to 39.
Out of halftime, the Panthers continued chasing the Saints but could not get back on top, going down 76 to 94.
Panther’s coach Scott Baillie said the game looked like it was going their way in the beginning.
“We had a game plan going into it and it worked quite well,” he said.
“It was just as the game went on it was tough.
“You hoped some of the players would step up like previous games but obviously the finals pressure does sometimes impact players. Just the word ‘finals’ sort of changes outlooks for some people.
“I think just as the game went on with that little bit of pressure Myrtleford put to us, we didn’t react quite well to it and weren’t able to make the adjustments that were needed so unfortunately they ended up coming away with the win.
“It was also one of those games where they just couldn’t miss a shot and unfortunately for us we just couldn’t buy a shot when needed throughout the game.
“Hats off to players like Ryan Phillippe and Luke Cairns. Those guys definitely stood up and did as much as they could defensively and offensive but unfortunately, Myrtleford got the jump on us at the end there.”
Myrtleford made the trip to Wallan with six players, vastly different to the Panthers bench of 12.
Key shooter Jalen Barker scored 30 points against the Panthers while Tyler Barker and Marcis La Spina shot 23 and 22 respectively.
“They went in with six, which I think was beneficial for them. They were relying on their main players and only giving those guys a break when needed,” Baillie said.
“They definitely came prepared and were ready to go, obviously walking away with the comfortable win by the end.”
Phillipe was leading scorer for Wallan with 29, while Cairns shot 16 points.
Phillipe finishes his season second highest CBL northeast league scorer with 261 points, while Luke Liesegang was fourth with 212.
“The guys that definitely stood up were Luke Cairns and Ryan Phillipe. The rest of the guys obviously did as much as they could when they stepped onto the court, but I think those two stood out a little bit more in my eyes,” Baillie said.
“Obviously their scoring efforts don’t take away from the defensive efforts of the rest of the group but it’s just that those guys consistently did what they needed to try and help the team as much as possible.”
With his first season as a senior coach wrapped up, Baillie said despite the frustrating result he enjoyed the season and was looking forward to taking on the Wallan Youth League men with a possibility of returning as CBL coach next season.
“Honestly, it was the group of guys that made it more enjoyable. They’re definitely a group that, if they wanted to stay together, would be something any coach would be happy to have,” he said.
“Just this group of guys and how well they carried themselves and how quickly they gelled as well – it was just a dream to have a group like that.”
Baillie said Leanne Anderson and team manager Shelly Thrum were also crucial to the season’s success.
“Those two were the first two to get into things and the group was very much appreciative of it and myself too, having those two there made it easier for me transitioning into my role with the senior side,” he said.
Myrtleford will play Benalla in this Saturday’s grand final in Shepparton.
