WALLAN’S dreams of getting into the Division One women’s Big V competition is over, following a 16-point loss to Gippsland United in the preliminary final on Saturday night.
The Panthers needed a strong start at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium if they were to be a good chance of progressing through to a grand final meeting with Keysborough, but it was not to be, with United scoring the first eight points of the contest.
That meant that the Panthers needed to battle back almost immediately, which they did with nine of the next 13 points. However, Gippsland settled back down and hit a late three to extend the margin to six points at the first change, 17-11.
Wallan desperately needed to hit shots if it were to close back into the contest, but this was not forthcoming. Instead, Gippsland went on a 18-5 run to almost put the game out of reach early in the second quarter, leading by as much as 19 points.
The Panthers stemmed the bleeding somewhat, but a tricky task was made more difficult with a 14-point deficit at the main break, 27-41.
Wallan had a productive third quarter in which it controlled much of the play and trimmed the margin down to nine points at one stage.
This was as close as the Panthers got, however, as it seemed Gippsland always had an answer with critical buckets down the stretch. It meant the Panthers could only cut the margin by two points in the third term, trailing 48-60 and needing some magic to get through to the grand final.
Unfortunately, Gippsland was the one to get on the front foot and deny the Panthers their dream and was far too good in taking an 80-64 victory.
Emmie Gardiner had a typically big game, scoring 21 points and grabbing 20 rebounds, while Ranika Guyton also stuffed the state sheet, finishing with 16 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and five steals.
Kendra Reukers also finished with 10 points, but Wallan didn’t quite have the scoring power that Gippsland possessed.
Both Wallan senior teams will remain in division two next season, hoping to emulate the Youth Men in taking glory for the club.
