By Jonty Ralphsmith
Despite 31 points from Canadian-import Joe Davis, the Pakenham Warriors went down to Mornington in overtime, 84-92, on Sunday afternoon.
It was a close contest all day at Cardinia Life, with the margin a point at quarter time and several lead changes throughout.
Pakenham went into three-quarter-time down by three points, but led by five multiple times in the last stanza, yet were never able to finish Mornington off.
After Mornington had held the lead for the last three minutes of the contest, Davis made a three-point jump shot with two seconds left on the clock to send the game into overtime but from there Mornington wrested the momentum, winning overtime 16-8.
Other contributors for Pakenham were Alistair Parker (16 points) and Trent Lee (11 points).
The Warriors’ men are currently on top of the ladder with a 5-2 record and will take on the Surf Coast on Sunday at 2pm.
Pakenham’s youth league men’s side won both their weekend games, beating Sunbury by two points on Saturday, backing that up with a 33-point win on the road against Maccabi.
The Warriors lost three of their four quarters against Sunbury but a 21-14 second quarter was enough to see them over the line.
They started slowly against Maccabi the following day, going into the first break ten points down before a 60-24 second-half blitz blew the margin out considerably.
Michael Johns scored 46 points across the weekend and Jared Small contributed with 31.
The youth men are one of two undefeated team after five rounds, sitting atop the ladder and will next take on Bellarine on the road on Sunday at 2pm.
Pakenham’s Championship Women’s team had a great rod victory over Chelsea on Saturday night.
The Warriors won all four quarters, but blew the game apart in the second quarter with 30-21 onslaught.
Haille Nickerson led the scoring for the warriors with 22 points and was ably supported by Rhiannon Gallagher (16 points) and Deanna Joliffe (12 points).
Tarryn Wilkin also crashed the boards, pulling in 13 rebounds, including 12 at the defensive end of the court.
And Pakenham’s Youth League One Women’s team suffered a double-overtime loss to Camberwell at Cardinia Life on Saturday.
Alahna Arnason (19 points, 11 rebounds) was the pick of the Warriors girls, with a double-double, while Louise Karajic (15 points), Tyla Scorah (16 points) and Cate Zemunik (13) also contributed to the close loss.
Next weekend the women, currently third on the ladder with four wins and two losses, will take on Wyndham at 6.30pm on Saturday night at Eagle Stadium and the youth women will take on McKinnon at Cardinia Life on Saturday 1 May at noon.
