By Jonty Ralphsmith
Pakenham Warriors Youth League star Michael Johns has been named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in Big V Division Two competition.
Beating the likes of Keysborough’s Dylan Moore and Whittlesea’s Chase Page, Johns averaged more than 18 points, eight rebounds and three assists per game, as a play-maker that can break the game open for Pakenham.
At training, he is a player that coach Braden Venning can always rely upon to make others better.
“He’s been huge for us,” Venning said.
“His basketball IQ is off the charts.
“He’s a guy you can always back in to make the right plays at the right times.
“He knows when he needs to get a bucket himself or when to create for others.
“Defensively, he is a menace, he’s really long, he reads it really well.
“If the opportunity came along for him, he could be a very good player.”
Venning also received a league award – Coach of the Year – for guiding his team to the grand final.
“I encourage and try to put faith in the players to make the right decisions,“ he said.
“I put structures in place but it is about backing your boys to make the right decisions come game time.”
These accolades are the shiny toys that recognise a stellar season for the Pakenham youth basketball program.
Despite going down narrowly in each of the two grand final playoffs, it was only one short burst from the opposition each time that determined the result.
The youth basketball program is in a good spot, with the nucleus of the squad to stay together for next season, as Josh Norton is the only player that ages out.
The big-bodied Norton’s absence will demand some more size – particularly given it was already a list hole – but Pakenham has shown it can weaponise what is traditionally classified as a weakness.
With little exposure at any level of basketball prior to 2022, Cooper Lovelace and Tim Efunkanbi have recorded enormous growth during the season.
Venning also praised the seasons of Jared Small, who settled seamlessly into the squad, Dylan Jenkinson, who led the league in assists, and the ever-solid Jackson Grey.
The Warriors are hopeful a promotion to division one may be forthcoming, given they lost just two games all season outside the grand final playoffs.
