By Jonty Ralphsmith
Senior Championship women, elimination final
Sunbury v Pakenham at Boardman Stadium, Saturday 10 August 7pm
Last two times they met (most recent first): Pakenham d Sunbury 83-78 at Boardman Stadium, Sunbury d Pakenham 80-62 at Cardinia Life
Season record
Sunbury (4th): 12-10
Pakenham (5th): 12-10
Formline:
Sunbury: LLWWW
Pakenham: WWLWW
Warriors to watch: Haille Nickerson (18 points, three assists per game), Briahna Whatman (14 points per game, 37% three point percentage), Erica Meyer (seven rebounds, two blocks per game)
In brief: Sunbury smashed Pakenham on the boards in their first clash of 2024, which Pakenham was able to somewhat neutralise in their most recent meeting. In each of their two meetings all five Sunbury starters have finished with at least 10 points, skipper Chloe Hildebrand leading the way for them with 18 points per game, fifth in the league.
Youth League 1 women, preliminary final
Pakenham v Albury Wodonga at Cardinia Life, Sunday 11 August 1pm
Last time they met: Albury Wodonga defeated Pakenham 72-59 at Cardinia Life,
Season record:
Pakenham (2nd): 16-6
Albury-Wodonga (4th): 13-9
Formline:
Pakenham: LLLWW
Albury-Wodonga: WWLW
Warriors to watch: Stella O’Loughlin (15 points, seven rebounds per game), Chloe Zielinski (13 points, 10 rebounds, one block per game), Chelsea Schreuder (nine rebounds, five assists per game)
In brief: Albury-Wodonga had momentum behind them when the teams last met while Pakenham was struggling with selection continuity in a game the Warriors missed simple layups. Expect a better version of the Warriors on Sunday, which they’ll hope will include stopping Molly Moylan, who averages 18 points per game and got hold of Pakenham last time, and was influential in the Bandits’ semi final win.
Youth League 2 men, preliminary final
Pakenham v Sunbury at Cardinia Life, Sunday 11 August, 3pm
Last time they met: Pakenham d Sunbury 77-69 at Boardman Stadium
Season record
Pakenham (1st): 22-0
Sunbury (3rd): 17-5
Formline
Pakenham: WWWWW
Sinbury: WWWLW
Warriors to watch: Kaleb Beveridge (15 points, nine rebounds per game), Aaron Small (11 points, three assists, two steals per game), Luke Rawiri (11 points, five rebounds per game)
In brief: Like Pakenham, Sunbury’s spread is quite strong, but they perhaps lack the depth the Warriors have, which was highlighted in the home and away meeting between the two sides.
