IT was a mixed weekend for the Wallan Panthers as they sought to get their men’s and women’s seasons back on track.
Wallan’s women looked to even the ledger at 2-2 when they travelled to Mullum Mullum Stadium in Blackburn.
An incredible start from the Panthers saw Melissa Buckley score six of the first 10 points, while Emmie Gardiner added 10 points for the first term as the Panthers shot out to a 15-point lead at the first change, 27-12.
Seven of the first eight points of the second term meant that the Panthers increased their lead to a game-high 21 points.
But the Vikings would soon make the Panthers fight for every point.
A 16-7 run at the end of the term meant that the margin was reduced to 12 points at the main break, 41-29.
The Vikings made it a nervy start to the third term for the Panthers as they continued their good run to end the second term and started with a 13-2 run to reduce the margin to just one point at the halfway mark of the term.
Thankfully, Gardiner would go on a personal 9-0 run to make it a bit more comfortable for Wallan, and they went into the last term leading by eight, 55-47.
Both teams exchanged buckets in the final term as Wallan maintained their hold on the game and eventually took a 68-60 win.
Gardiner’s game was nothing short of incredible as she did what she pleased on both the offensive and defensive glass, scoring 23 points, but collecting a spellbinding 34 rebounds; while Ranika Guyton set aside shooting troubles to get others involved, finishing with 15 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Meantime, Wallan’s men were left to rue a second quarter fade-out as they went down to Mornington away from home.
A good start saw the men take a two-point lead at the close of play in the first term, leading 19-17.
However, Mornington took control of the second stanza and went on a big run to lead by as much as 14, before a William Stewart buzzer beater meant it was a 45-33 lead to the Breakers at the main break.
Wallan roared back into the game in the third quarter, reducing the margin to two points at the seven-minute mark of the term.
But Mornington had an answer to bring the margin back to six points at the final change, leading 65-59.
Try as they might, Wallan didn’t have enough in the tank to overhaul the Breakers, and despite going bucket for bucket, the Breakers proved too strong, winning 85-75.
Jayden O’Brien led all scorers off the bench with 20 points, while Stewart added 17, Trent Cousins 16 and Jon Bailey 14.
It was better news for Wallan in the youth league men’s competition, holding off a fierce fightback after leading by 22 points at half time to defeat Mornington 85-78.
Rhylee Leighton had a hot shooting night, taking a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Damon Anderson scored 16 points and Brody Thrum 15.
In the youth league women’s competition, Wallan were no match for Mornington as they fell to an 86-52 loss.
Olivia Sweet did what she could with 15 points, while Roisin Kerr had 11 and Gemma Kirkman 10, but they ultimately didn’t have the scoring power of the Breakers.
