By Jonty Ralphsmith
Pakenham’s youth men’s outfit scored wins in both its games on the weekend to top the ladder two rounds in to the 2024 season.
Braden Venning’s side backed up an 84-68 Saturday night win over Mornington with a 141-76 smashing of Chelsea on Sunday.
The game against Mornington was a defensive masterclass, while Sunday’s huge win marked the best offensive output the coach has been part of.
Closing down reigning All-Star Five player Matthew Wolfe was key to stopping Mornington, with the emerging talent kept to just six points and five rebounds for the game.
“We put a lot of effort into him and the collective buy in to keep showing him bodies was crucial,” Venning said.
“Jackson Grey did a fantastic job and to have 19 points himself as well was outstanding – he lit it up from deep.”
The game was effectively over at halftime, with the Warriors’ grit keeping the hosts to just 20 points at the main break, opening up a 25-point lead.
The visitors experimented in the second half, which saw Mornington trim the lead, but they never seriously threatened.
Ethan Small sunk five threes in a high-scoring last quarter to cap off a strong showing for Pakenham.
Small’s shooting was again on-song the following day, scoring five of eight, as Pakenham annihilated Chelsea.
Overall, Pakenham scored 18 threes compared to their opponents’ 10, while nabbing 19 steals to Chelsea’s five in a complete performance.
“It was just one of those games where everything we did worked; they followed every direction flawlessly, they shot really well from deep,” Venning said.
Luke Rawiri led the scoring with 23 points off the bench to go with five steals, Kaleb Beveridge was immense with 13 points, 14 rebounds and, for the second consecutive week, a crowd-pleasing dunk, while the three Small brothers scored 52 points between them.
Chelsea threatened Pakenham at times in a high-scoring first quarter, but the Warriors still went in to the break with a 16-point lead, and extended that to 26 points at the half.
The benchmark came in the third quarter, which Pakenham won 42-12.
“We increased the defensive pressure and had multiple steals in their back court for layups in that third quarter,” the coach said.
“It was a real statement game that tells the league that we mean business and we’re coming for it.
“It will put a target on our backs, but we relish that because it’s where we’ll grow and learn the most.
“We’re only scratching the surface – we have a lot more room to grow so it should be a fun season.”
The women also had a positive result, winning 80-58 against Albury-Wodonga Bandits, opening up a big lead early, going in at the half up 39-20.
The strength of Chloe Zielinski and Chelsea Schreuder was on show, as they scored 12 points each and combined for a whopping 30 rebounds – including a collective 13 offensive rebounds.
After missing last week, the class of the rising Hayley Letts off the bench was on display.
She didn’t start any of the quarters on court, but made an immediate impact late in each of the four quarters, finishing with 17 points and six rebounds.
