Supporters at the Wallan Panthers women Big V game at the Jungle on Saturday were treated to a nail biter, with the game against Southern Peninsula remaining tight from the jump.
Wallan trailed at the end of the first quarter 15 to 19 with the lead seesawing throughout.
A layup by Wallan’s Kylah Collins in the second quarter tied the game with just over a minute remaining by made free throws in the final seconds put Southern Peninsula up by two heading into halftime.
The Panthers amped up play in the third quarter to head into the final quarter up by five.
Olivia Dalmau makes a layup to tie the game at 32 apiece with nine minutes remaining in the third quarter.
In the fourth the Sharks took a one-point led with three consecutive baskets by Jade Odom.
The game continued going basket for basket and as Southern Peninsula drew the game with 23 seconds to go fans were on the edge of their seats wondering who would be on top when the buzzer sounded.
Out of a Wallan timeout Melissa Buckley scored putting the Panthers ahead.
Missed free throws from both sides kept the game tight before Odom was fouled with three seconds remaining sending the visitors to the line for clutch free throws.
Missing both the Sharks got an offensive rebound but could not finish leaving Wallan to take the win 66 to 64.
Collins finished with 25 points, 15 rebounds, two assists and five steals while Olivia Dalmau had 15 points, six rebounds, seven assists and one steal.
Kylah Collins hits a three pointer to put the Panthers ahead by one with eight minutes remaining in the third quarter.
On Sunday the Panthers made the trek to Altona where they lost to the Gators 74 to 50.
Altona got off to a strong start, leading 16 to eight at the end of the first quarter.
Wallan brought it back to within four points but the Gators continued pulling ahead to hold an 11-point lead at halftime.
Despite being the lowest scoring quarter for both sides, Altona jumped out to a 16-point lead which it maintained to the final buzzer.
Collins and Dalmau backed up their efforts from the night before with 18 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and three steals, and 13 points, four rebounds, three assists and one block respectively.
The women have a bye this weekend before playing Collingwood at Collingwood on April 6.
Men
The Wallan men had a 24-point loss to Southern Peninsula in Saturday’s game.
Wallan’s Jeremiah D’Souza was locked in during the opening minutes of the first quarter making three consecutive three pointers.
The Sharks took the lead with five minutes remaining in the first quarter and were able to maintain it till the end of the quarter to lead 16 to 11.
Made free throws by Wallan’s Trent Cousins brought the game back to within two points with just under seven minutes remaining in the second quarter by the Sharks continued to lead at halftime.
Trent Cousins steps-through and finishes the layup to bring the Panthers to within eight points with three minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Southern Peninsula continued to contain Wallan with a strong second half before taking the win 89 to 65.
Wallan’s lead scorers were Cousins and Dominic Bruno with 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists and one steal, and 12 points, two rebounds, three assists and one steal respectively.
Trent Cousins makes a basket off a jump shot from a spin move in the post.
D’Souza finished the game with 11 points and three rebounds while big man Adam Gatt was strong under the boards having 11 rebounds.
The men are back in action on April 6 travelling to Mornington to play the Breakers.
