By RUSSELL BENNETT
THE Pakenham Warriors men are a game inside the all-important top five of Big V basketball’s second division with just three games remaining before the finals begin.
Oakleigh got the jump on them in the battle of the Warriors at the Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre on Saturday night and took a 49-42 lead into the half before Pakenham rallied in impressive fashion – claiming a 10-point win, 91-81.
Big man Paul Phillips, versatile forward Sean Armstrong and star guard Darren Galloway all impressed for Jeff Reid’s side throughout the first half but Patrick Manifold (35 points and 9 rebounds) and Damian Prgomet (18 points, 11 boards and 2 blocks) were proving to be a real headache.
Hitting the boards with real aggression throughout the first half, Oakleigh’s bigs capitalised on a number of second-chance opportunities but Pakenham’s interior defense tightened right up to start the third quarter, cutting the deficit to three points with Phillips (15 points and 9 boards) making his man work on both ends.
Galloway (21 points, 3 steals and 7-8 from the free throw line) again displayed his awesome offensive repertoire, getting to the basket with real aggression as his outside shot just refused to drop.
But it was Pakenham’s trap defense that was particularly impressive – forcing their Oakleigh opponents into almost twice as many turnovers throughout the second half and restricting the home side to just nine points on 17 per cent shooting for the third quarter.
The opening stages of the fourth were a back and forth affair before Pakenham’s aggression and quick ball movement in transition proved the difference in crunch time.
Oakleigh made a mini-run but a timely three from Hayden Davey (15 points, 6 assists, and 4-4 from downtown) stretched Pakenham’s lead back out to five. He found his range from the outside late off some great dribble penetration from his team mates, while Armstrong (16 points, 10 boards, 2 steals and 3 assists) had an outstanding all-around game. Mike Godfrey (10 points) and Harry Van Dort (12) also finished in double figures in an impressive team display.
Pakenham’s Big V women, meanwhile, headed to Coburg on Saturday evening to face the Giants. They were outmatched from the early-going and ultimately fell 91-35 but Natalie Bjelan (11 points, 15 boards and 3 steals) continued to be a real shining light for the side.
Jeff Reid’s side will head to Bialik Stadium in Hawthorn East this Sunday afternoon to face off against the eighth-placed Maccabi Warriors from 2pm, while Pakenham’s women’s side has a bye.
