By Jonty Ralphsmith
Pakenham’s senior men went one from two on the weekend, following a 96-82 loss to McKinnon as part of Saturday night’s double header at Cardinia Life, with a 93-90 win to kick off Sunday’s triple header.
McKinnon punished a clumsy Pakenham in the first game of the weekend, with the visitors scoring nine points directly from steals, the Warriors turning it over when it mattered.
Joe Davis scored 22 points to go with eight rebounds, his leadership and overseas experience having been critical in helping his teammates adapt to state championship level in 2024.
“He knows how to calm people down and communicate while the game is going so we definitely look to him at those times and Tiras as well – having that international knowledge helps,” coach Rob Roberts said.
A similar issue arose on Sunday, with seven third quarter turnovers allowing Keysborough back into the game after leading by 14 at halftime.
“We proved yesterday in the second game of a double header against top four sides that we definitely have the fitness and depth, we just have to limit the turnovers,” Roberts noted.
“None of our guys have played this level and we’re coming up against more experienced teams and the game is faster.
“Our guys have got the skill and knowledge – it’s just the experience at this level we lack but if we keep getting games into them, this team will be unstoppable in the future.”
While aware of the lingering issue, defeating a top four side in effectively a do-or-die clash provided plenty of gratification.
Tiras Morton and Cody Fredrickson powered the Warriors to victory, firing 46 points between them including seven in the last three minutes as Keysborough threatened to come from behind.
“I’ve always said effort outweighs skill and Cody and Tiras went to another level,” Roberts said.
“The pace of the ball was too quick for Keysy and their level made it easier for our guys to go with them.”
Sunday’s 3pm match will be Davis’ last match at Cardinia Life, following three years of wonderful service from the Canadian import.
It will also be 150-game veteran Elias Kafrouni’s last home game, while there is also uncertainty about whether Morton will return.
The Warriors need to win both its games on the weekend, against eighth-placed Bellarine and first-placed Wyndham, to qualify for finals, but the prospect of a home final is out of the equation.
Should the Warriors win one game, they will be reliant on other results going their way.
Pakenham lost both of its clashes earlier in the season against those teams, with three opponents scoring 20 or more points in each game, but Roberts says Pakenham is aware of the challenge.
“Bellarine had a couple of players who took us off guard but I think we’re definitely a lot stronger now than we were then,” Roberts said.
“Against Wydham, we were four points down with four minutes to go and then went into a heap again with turnovers, and that was Tiras’ first game.
“We’re comfortable we match up well against Wyndham and have a fair bit in the tank against them.”
Pakenham’s senior women sit in a similar position ahead of Sunday’s clash with first-placed Wyndham, which sits 19-1 in 2024.
The Warriors must defeat top-placed Wyndham to secure a finals spot, or rely on fourth-placed Sherbrooke defeating sixth-placed Sunbury.
It follows a deceivingly comfortable 73-68 victory over McKinnon.
The Warriors’ starters all contributed strongly to give them a 22-point lead at halftime before the coach gave extended exposure to some emerging talent.
The desperate McKinnon closed to within five with just over a minute to go before a clutch layup from Haille Nickerson, who finished the night with 18 points, absolutely secured the victory.
