Pakenham teenager Mitch Zeunert continued his meteoric rise on Saturday night in Pakenham’s do-or-die finals win.
A development player with very limited Big V experience prior to 2025, injuries to Riley Browne (foot) and Ethan Small (ACL) opened the door for increased opportunity, which he has grasped.
Such has been his consistency and reliability that the 18-year-old was given a starting spot in a deep Pakenham lineup for a do-or-die final – and quickly proved he had earned the spot.
Zeunert knocked down six points, to go with two rebounds, an assist and a steal to play a decisive role in Pakenham’s brilliant first quarter.
He finished with 16 points, five rebounds and a block, shooting at 83 percent and converting all five of his free throws, with his late three arguably the match-sealer for Pakenham in its 79-63 win over Camberwell.
“Mitch always brings the energy for us,” captain Kaleb Beveridge said.
“We had a few injuries to our bigs at the start of the year and he’s stepped up and filled the role really well.”
Zeunert is second in the league for blocks (1.3 per game) in 2025, and also averages 13 points (third at Pakenham), and six rebounds (second at Pakenham) underlining how quickly he has risen to become a significant part of coach Braden Venning’s lineup.
His sureness with the ball and decision-making has also been lauded by a coach who preaches giving up a good shot for a great shot and playing without an ego.
Zeunert highlighted the belief that has been instilled in him to perform, which is reflected by a team-high field goal percentage of 54 per cent (minimum 50 shots).
“I had a chat to Braden at the start of the season and he said ‘we see you starting some games this season’ and I didn’t see that for myself looking at the roster,” Zeunert said.
“I have been lucky enough to get the opportunity from Braden and it’s done numbers on my confidence.
“Last year, I wouldn’t have been anywhere near the basketball player I am now but the extra opportunities I’ve gotten from getting these extra minutes and getting into the starting side has made me a better basketball player and I think it’s made me more mature as a basketballer and human being.
“Feeling like I have a role in a team that actually impacts the game has been huge and seeing us get somewhere this year has made me proud to be part of it.”
Having plied his trade in the Under-20s side last year alongside fellow Big V Youth League squad members Mason Fraser and Cooper Lanting, and with Venning as an assistant coach, has eased the transition into the Big V squad.
“It has been very easy to adapt into the playing group and find that role but transitioning to the faster pace and more physical play style has been challenging, especially on the physical front, given I don’t weigh a whole lot,” Zeunert said.
“I’ll keep taking advice from Brett and Braden and keep playing the game I play and I know the work I’ve put in will hold me in good stead.
“This is the best basketball season I’ve been part of and the best basketball team I’ve been on and it’s been the most fun I’ve had playing basketball in a long time.”
Zeunert’s Warriors will take on McKinnon on Saturday night at GESAC.
