By Justin Schwarze
Pakenham Warriors Championship Women got their season off to the perfect start, doing the double with two wins in the opening round double-header.
Elli Gibson now takes the lead position on the sideline, as previously announced coach Jonothan Goodman has left to explore an opportunity in New Zealand.
Gibson has already made an impact, implementing a brilliant gameplan that was instrumental in her side’s two victories.
Pakenham’s season home opener was against McKinnon at Cardinia Life.
Ebony Sans couldn’t be stopped early, scoring nine of the Warriors’ first 13, utilizing a mix of jumpers and drives to the basket.
Youth League standout Stella O’Loughlin was dominant in the first half with a pair of breakaway steals and clever shot creating leading her to scoring all 16 of her points before halftime.
In the second quarter, Pakenham rode O’Loughlin’s offensive surge to outscore the Cougars 29-18, widening the margin to 12 at the main break.
The Warriors didn’t miss a beat out of the huddle, with new signing Grace Graham taking over with the ball in her hands.
The hosts continued to feed the hot hand, as Graham’s ability to create space for her jumpers was on full display, connecting on a pair of triples.
The Warriors coasted in the fourth to cruise to a 90-69 win to enter their names into the winner’s column for the first time this season.
“I’m extremely lucky with the depth that I’ve got this season, I’ve got a combination of experienced players and youth girls coming through,” coach Gibson said.
“I’ve got players willing to play any position at any time on the court which makes us really tough to guard, which is why I think we can get multiple double digit scorers per game.
“They want to learn and improve as individuals and a collective and I’m just fortunate to be a coach of some really great athletes that will do whatever it takes to win.”
Gibson instructed her team to apply full court pressure, hounding the McKinnon ball handlers and making life difficult for the Cougars to transition into offensive sets.
The Warriors forced 25 turnovers, including multiple steals from inbounds in the back court that led to easy points.
“Just looking at the girls on the roster, we’re quite quick and not overly tall at this point, so I think we should utilize our strength,” Gibson said.
“Our strengths are our ability to run and gun and put pressure on the opposition.”
Graham finished with a double-double in her first game lacing up for the Warriors, recording 18 points and 10 rebounds.
The second game was another complete team defensive performance, holding Hume City on the road to just 46 points on abysmal 21 percent shooting.
The final scoreline was 70-46, marking a 2-0 start for Pakenham.
“It was a similar gameplan with our tenacious defensive effort and our run and gun offensive style, but they were quite tall so we did change it up a little bit into a zone and some pressing and some man to man,” Gibson said of the Hume City matchup.
“We wanted to bring that unpredictability to the game as well.”
Graham was stellar on the other end posting a game-high 21 points.
Kailey Neave also had a big impact, hauling in eight boards with her 14 points.
“We are extremely lucky to have Grace,” Gibson admitted.
“She is one of the kindest people I’ve ever come across, she’s a great leader and she’s come into this squad and she’s fit right into our group and our personnel.
“She’s been an absolute blessing to coach, she works so hard trying to develop her game and she’s just willing to learn and take on anything I give to her.”
In round 2, the Warriors will pay a visit to 2024 runners up Bulleen.
