IT was a mixed opening to the Big V season for Wallan, with two losses for the men’s team, but a big victory away from home for the women looking for a chance to bring a long-awaited premiership.
Wallan’s first trip was on Saturday night to Mornington, with the Panthers’ women tipping off first.
A dominant display in the last quarter helped the Panthers blow the margin out significantly over the Breakers, with a 26-5 last quarter turning a 20-point three-quarter-time lead into a 87-46 rout.
Returning point guard Ranika Guyton picked off where she left off from last season with a dominant display, getting to her spots with ease and shooting 12 of 21 to finish with 32 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Captain Emmie Gardiner again looks to be a walking double-double this season, owning the paint to finish with 19 points on nine of 15 shooting, while also collecting 12 boards, three assists, two steals and three blocks as she briefly flirted with a rare 5×5.
Mornington’s men were too strong for the Panthers in the following game, winning every quarter to take a 95-64 victory.
The Panthers struggled greatly to make its shots, shooting 23 of 67 across the night, while Mornington’s ability to draw fouls was also telling with 44 free throw attempts to 20 as the Breakers muscled their way into the paint.
Luke Cairns led all scorers for the Panthers, finishing with 14 points while shooting four of seven from three-point land, while Jayden O’Brien scored 13 points and Rhylee Leighton 10.
The men’s team returned on Sunday to host Mildura in its opening home game of the season, but despite the Jungle having the Panthers’ back, it was not to be as the Heat proved too strong, winning 120-77 and again winning every quarter.
Despite a promising first half, the Heat was able to overwhelm the Panthers as the game wore on.
Nathan Aikman had a good outing, finishing with 18 points, while O’Brien had 16, Cairns 12 and captain Lachlan Lombardo having 11.
Wallan’s youth league women were sadly no match for Surfcoast, losing 105-37 on Saturday afternoon.
Olivia Sweet led all scorers with 11 points for the Panthers, while Maleah Munokoa scored 10.
The youth league men had a good battle with Altona, but the Gators shot away in the last quarter to win 88-78 after leading by one at the last change.
Leighton had an incredibly efficient afternoon to finish with 25 points on 11 of 17 shooting, while collecting seven boards, while Kaleb Graham had a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Wallan will host Shepparton and Sherbrooke respectively in Big V action on Saturday night.