WALLAN has a home grand final in the Big V division 2 women’s competition, taking a sensational win over Blackburn after answering every challenge on Saturday night, leaving the Jungle ready to rock at RB Robson Stadium.
The Panthers will play Surfcoast this weekend, with details yet to be confirmed at the time of production.
On Saturday night at Mullum Mullum Basketball Stadium, it was the start that made plenty of differences for the Panthers as they quietened the crowd early on.
The Panthers scored 12 of the first 13 points to take control right from the outset, and although Blackburn did close to within three points later on in the term, the Panthers, through Ranika Guyton and Hayley Munro, finished the quarter strongly to lead 23-13 at the end of the first change.
Blackburn made a move in the second quarter, but every time it seemed the Vikings were ready to take control, Guyton would step up time and time again, while the rebounding of Emmie Gardiner was also causing trouble for the Vikings, particularly on the offensive end which generated second-chance points for the Panthers.
Still, Blackburn won the quarter, and it was a 41-38 lead to the Panthers at the main break.
Midway through the third quarter, the Vikings hit the front for the first time, but again, as it looked like they assumed control, Guyton and Gardiner picked up where they left off, quickly giving the Panthers back control of the game.
Three big free throws after Kody West-Linnett was fouled late in the term helped significantly, with the Panthers leading by five points with one quarter to play, 58-53.
Gardiner started the final term as strong as ever, grabbing two offensive rebounds before tipping in a bucket to extend the lead to seven.
With three minutes left, the margin was just one point, but a big block from Guyton, coupled with a driving layup, helped settle nerves, before Munro sunk two big free throws.
Carley Cranston finished the game off with a bucket to leave Wallan in raptures, winning 74-67 and progressing through to the decider.
Guyton was huge – 28 points on 10-23 shooting, efficiency at the free-throw line when it was needed, and three steals.
Gardiner picked up another double-double with 14 points and 24 rebounds – 11 of them offensive – while Munro also collected a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards.
The Panthers will play Surfcoast after the Chargers beat minor premier Chelsea 80-69, leaving a battle between third and fourth for the right to go up to division 1.
In the two teams’ last meeting in round 17, Surfcoast won by 25, but at RB Robson in round 4 and 8, Wallan won by five points and four points respectively.
