WALLAN’S women’s team is full steam ahead in preparation of another finals appearance, winning its final game of the season to secure second on the ladder, while the men fell agonisingly short of finishing their home and away campaign with a victory.
The Panthers’ women needed to pull out every trick in the book to recover from a slow start against Blackburn on Saturday night but were able to eventually secure a key win against a Vikings team who will play finals alongside them.
The Panthers were ambushed early on, with Blackburn scoring 21 points to 14 in the first term to open up a seven-point lead.
However, Wallan slowly but surely got themselves back into the contest, scoring 16 points to 12 in the second term to reduce the margin to three points at the main break, 30-33.
Wallan powered their way into the lead during the third term, and it was the work of Ranika Guyton and Kendra Reukers that allowed the Panthers to score at will, adding 23 points to 17 for the term to turn for home leading 53-50.
Big shots from Guyton, Melissa Buckley and Ruby Pantisano allowed the Panthers to take a five-point victory, 70-65.
Guyton scored 24 points, while Reukers was also super-efficient off the bench, scoring 17 points.
Wallan’s men will unfortunately finish on the bottom of the ladder, but not after an almighty scrap with Southern Peninsula.
The Panthers were determined to finish the season on a high and were off to a good start after the first period when they led by three points, 17-14.
The Sharks hit back in what would turn out to be a see-sawing game, and stole the lead going into half time, scoring 22 points to 18 to give themselves a 36-35 advantage.
However, Wallan again made their move in the third quarter, and with Jon Bailey putting in a supreme offensive performance, was able to turn for home with its noses in front, leading 52-50.
Both teams threw everything towards getting the victory, but it was the Sharks who managed to steal a march right at the end, with Daniel Munns scoring from a layup with four seconds to go.
Bailey attempted to hit a three to give the Panthers the win, but it was to no avail, and the Panthers fell 69-67.
Despite the result, Bailey was sensational, scoring 27 points, collecting eight rebounds and five blocks. Trent Cousins had a double-double off the bench with 10 points and 11 boards.
The Panthers will have two teams represented in the finals, with the senior women joined by the youth league men, with both teams finishing second on the table.
