Both Wallan and Seymour Mens’ teams carried their potential in round six of the Country Basketball League (CBL) at the weekend.
After a triple-digit performance from the Seymour Blasters in round five, the side returned to the court for another home game, this time facing the Albury Cougars on Saturday afternoon.
Seymour’s Patrick Green opened the scoring with a three pointer, which was swiftly answered by Albury in the remaining minutes of the quarter, giving three points to the side.
A strong team effort saw Seymour’s Thomas O’Connor keep the pace going with a crucial two-point score, while teammates Patrick Green and Jack Murphy added to the tally, bringing the total to 12.
With only two fouls committed by each team in the first quarter, the score was closely contested at 24–18, with the Blasters holding the advantage.
After a strong start from both teams, the Blasters continued to rack up two-pointers, while the Cougars were limited on the scoring line throughout the second quarter.
The Blasters were on top of scoring, only allowing the Cougars to produce nine points overall, and 10 points in the third quarter.
Both sides scored a matching 13-points in the last quarter, but the Blasters eventually took the winning position, 71–50.
In Wallan, the Panthers were well-rested and prepared to take on the Shepparton Gators on Sunday after a bye in round five.
The first two quarters provided a strong start for Wallan, finishing the first quarter with a six-point lead that extended to an 11-point lead by the end of the second quarter.
Shepparton mounted a comeback in the next quarter, matching Wallan’s scoring efforts with a contribution of 24 points.
It was a tough match, but Wallan held strong, finishing with a well-earned victory of 80–58.
Wallan coach Scott Baillie praised both teams’ efforts during the match.
“I was feeling surprised how well Shepparton came out of the gates compared to last time we played, so hats off to them,” he said.
“Rhylee Leighton definitely started to show the form that he’s been in lately, not only for obviously our up-and-coming VJBL side, but also stepping up into the seniors and continuing that form that he had from our youth league last season.
“Obviously your normal standouts like Ryan Philippe and even Dion Stacey definitely stepped up and did their part as well.
“Then a couple of extra players like Lachlan Lombardo stepped up and did his bit with his form that he’s always carrying, and his energy he brings to the team, along with even Brody Thrum.”
With only one loss so far this season, Baillie said the team had come together well.
“We’ve got goals set for the season—and a bit of an upset start at the start of the season —but we’ve started to find the form that we need to carry through, and the mentality of the group, it’s actually quite good at the moment.
“They’re switched on, ready to go, and wanting to take on every team that’s in front of them.”
Wallan will travel for a double-header this weekend in round seven, starting with a match against the Albury Cougars, and then its neighbours the Wodonga Wolves on Sunday.
The Seymour Blasters will take on the Mansfield Eagles on Saturday afternoon.
Women
Wallan Panthers Women pushed through in round six, walking away with a two-point win.
The Shepparton Gators were just one point behind the Panthers in the first quarter, but after a strong team effort, the Panthers dominated with a 14-point lead at the end of the second quarter.
But once the third quarter started to play out, the Gators picked up their form, forcing Wallan to work harder to maintain their lead. In a dramatic turn of events, the Gators outperformed the Panthers in the third quarter, finishing just six points behind.
It was up to Wallan to regroup and refocus, to play the game back in their court.
Shepparton briefly took the lead in the fourth quarter, but Wallan quickly regained control with a crucial two-pointer from Maddison Delbridge, followed by a one-pointer from Madison Tinetti that put Wallan back in front, 58-60.
Wallan will travel in round seven to face the Albury Cougars on Saturday, and the Wodonga Wolves on Sunday.
