By RUSSELL BENNETT
IT’S often said that the good teams beat the opposition they’re supposed to beat, and also find a way to topple those above them.
And on Saturday night at Collingwood College, Jeff Reid’s Pakenham Warriors’ Big V basketball Division-2 men made a real statement against the hometown ‘All-Stars’ – emphatically beating them for the second time in less than a season, 83-64.
Collingwood, one of those sides the Warriors are expected to beat, was no match for the visiting Pakenham side that came out firing right from the outset – scoring 27 first quarter points and never looking back.
The Warriors are still missing starting point guard Jay Ferriere (hamstring) and captain Paul Phillips played on Saturday despite being hampered by an ankle injury, but young star Hayden Davey and import guard Darren Galloway showed their class.
Davey finished with 23 points, six rebounds and four steals, while Galloway was similarly aggressive with 20 points and four rebounds – as well as making 10 of his 11 free-throw attempts.
“The intent was great early on – we really took it up to them,” Reid said, acknowledging that he instructed his boys to take it strong to the hoop throughout the contest.
“We wanted to show that aggressive intent right from the start and to stamp our authority on the game,” he said.
“We showed we’re a 20-point better team, and we did the same last time against them.
“I was really happy we were up 20 at half-time but I was a little disappointed we didn’t make it a 30-plus point margin.”
But, overall, the Pakenham coach praised his side for its continual improvement and winning what was essentially a must-win clash against the All-Stars.
“Darren (Galloway) was unbelievable once again – he was super aggressive in taking it hard to the rim right from the start,” Reid said.
“He’s just so tough to guard when he’s like that and he’s a really good free-throw shooter too,” adding that Galloway capped off his night with a spectacular dunk.
“And H (Hayden) went about his business quietly again.
“I’m always trying to get more talk out of him but I don’t know if I’m ever going to get that.
“He just does his own thing and keeps flying under the radar.”
Phillips saw less than 20 minutes on court due to foul trouble, but Reid had it in his mind to rest his starters in the blowout regardless.
For the Warriors – with a 4-6 record from their 10 games so far – attention has already turned to this week’s home blockbuster against the second-placed Keysborough… the second part of the equation.
“We got bullied by them last time around – they showed a real physical presence and I’ve reminded the boys of that,” Reid said.
“We need to match their physicality this time.”
Reid said home-court advantage will be on the Warriors’ side this time around with a parochial home-crowd expected.
“It’d be great to knock a good team off at home and show we really belong,” Reid said.
“They tore us apart last time on the fast-break and we can’t afford to let that happen again.
“We need to be a bit smarter to not get caught flat-footed in that situation this time around.”
The Warriors’ Big V women, meanwhile, are still searching for their first victory after going down to the hometown Breakers in Mornington on Saturday night 85-49.
Natalie Bjelan was gallant in the Pakenham side’s defeat with 14 points and seven rebounds; while Mel Magdich finished with four points and 10 boards; Kylie Thomson 11 points, including two three-pointers; and Gemma Craven 10 points.
Pakenham’s Big V men will host Keysborough at ‘The Colosseum’ at Cardinia Life this Saturday evening from 7pm. The women’s side will host the curtain-raiser from 5pm against the Casey Cavaliers.
