It was a tough weekend for Wallan, with its women’s and men’s sides losing both their matches in the BV Country Basketball League.
After having a bye last week, the Panthers women’s side faced Shepparton on Saturday night in the north-east division.
The Panthers were on the back foot from before the game started, missing Megan Marasco and Rosie Renton.
This impacted the Panthers outside shooting and rebounding.
It was a psychical game with a total of 56 fouls called, which resulted with a lot of action at the free throw line.
Alex Darby made the most of her chances from the free throw line, shooting 12-from-15 from the line, scoring a team high 16 points.
Panthers coach Warren Taylor said the 75-57 loss wasn’t a pretty game with lots of turnovers.
The difference between the two sides was Shelby Britton who hit five three-pointers on the way to 31 points.
The Panthers weekend didn’t get an easier as they faced Bendigo.
Taylor said he was happy that the team could stick with Bendigo for the first two and a half quarters in the 86-49 loss.
“They are really good. A young, fast and talented side which I think is 20 points better than anyone in the league at this stage.”
Gemma Jackson top scored for the Panthers with 11 points and Tracy Tuesley scored 10.
Jayda Hunter was also a standout.
The men’s side also remains winless after losses to Shepparton and Bendigo.
On Saturday night, Shepparton’s Matt Barlett was the difference between the two teams in the Panthers’ 89-71 loss.
Barlett finished with 30 points including six three-pointers.
For the Panthers, Jaak Ponsford had 23 points and played above his size, while former Craigieburn player Daniel Stavrinou scored 16 points.
On Sunday, the Panthers led for most of the match against Bendigo before being overrun in the last couple of minutes in the game, losing 71-65.
Bendigo played its best lineup in the dying minutes of the game and that proved to be telling as they converted turnovers into points.
Jaak Ponsford top scored with 17 points, with Kane Molloy shooting 16 points while point guard Stavrinou lead the team well.
