WALLAN had a mixed opening night of finals action in the Big V competition, with the Youth League men taking a strong win, while the senior women will need to make use of its double chance after going down in a thriller to Gippsland United.
The Youth League men opened proceedings with a clash against Albury Wodonga, and it was the Panthers who got out to a good start, leading 20-19 at the opening change.
In a game which had plenty of momentum swings, the Bandits were able to get into the lead in the opening stages of the second quarter, but the Panthers always seemed to have a response.
In particular, it was Luke Cairns and Kaleb Graham who were leading the charge for the Panthers, as they shot out to an eight-point lead late in the second quarter.
Albury Wodonga closed the gap to five points by the main break, but there was still strong belief within RB Robson Stadium that it was the Panthers’ night, leading 37-32.
The third quarter was the premiership quarter for the Panthers, and a 16-5 run in the final stages of the term meant that the Panthers were on the precipice of continuing their finals run, leading 61-44 at the final change.
The Panthers continued on their merry way in the final term, and lead by as much as 29 points late in the piece, before easing to a 22-point win, 82-60.
Cairns’ three-level scoring was too much for the Bandits, with his 29 points showcasing an even spread of points from inside the paint and from three-point land. Graham finished with 20 points and eight rebounds in an excellent two-way performance, while Damon Anderson controlled the rock with 14 points, seven assists and five rebounds.
The women’s team lives to fight another day, but a late second-half comeback fell desperately short as they fell to Gippsland United by just three points.
Early scoring was a struggle for the Panthers, scoring just 10 points in the first quarter as they trailed by seven points.
It appeared that it was going to be United’s night in the second term as they scored 32 points to 21 in the second term to leave Wallan’s home-court advantage hanging by a thread, trailing 31-49.
However, the Panthers had an almighty comeback in them, and it was the third quarter where they played arguably their best defence of the season.
Wallan allowed just one bucket from Gippsland, while scoring 19 points itself, as the last quarter became one that would be hotly contested, with Wallan getting the home fans roaring again, trailing 50-52 at the final change.
The last quarter was bucket for bucket, but Wallan, unfortunately, just couldn’t quite hit the front, with Gippsland having a response for every bucket the Panthers were scoring.
In the end, it was a 64-61 win from Gippsland United, which leaves Wallan needing to make use of its second chance at home on Sunday against Blackburn as its season goes on the line in the first semi-final.
Ranika Guyton scored 18 points, while Ruby Pantisano added 11 and Melissa Buckley 10. Maddison O’Nial and Molly Young stood up in the rebounding stakes in the absence of Emmie Gardiner, taking 14 and 11 respectively on the night.
