Panthers Drop Both Games of Double-Header

by noelrr
27/05/2012

The Penrith Panthers Waratah Championship League (WCL) men's team has lost it's fifth and sixth consecutive games on the weekend, in Round Nine of the competition. Saturday night saw the Panthers fall 92-71 against this year's premiership favourites, the Northern Suburbs Bears, with the game played at the Northern Suburbs Indoor Sports Centre, Crows Nest. The Panthers returned home to host the Central Coast Crusaders on Sunday at the Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre and were once again on the receiving end, falling 96-88. Sydney Kings development players Tanner Kerry (35 points, 13 boards) and Jarrod Weeks (20 points, 5 boards, 6 assists, 2 steals) were the leading scorers for the Bears on Saturday night, ably supported by talented youngster Philip Chircu (11 points). American import Ben Ellsworth was the only player in double figures for the Panthers, finishing the game with 22 points. Panthers head coach Jeff Cooper said "Some of our players are finding it tough to adjust to the physicality at this level of basketball". Ellsworth started Sunday's game against the Crusaders in the same rich vein of form, leading the Panthers to a 24-23 lead at the end of the first quarter. Central coast strong-man Jason Taylor began to make an impact in the game during the second term, combining with outstanding junior Callum Jenkins and former WCL 'Player of the Year' Stefan Blaszczynski to guide the Crusaders to a 46-38 advantage at half time. Ellsworth fired back into scoring form during the third term, as the Panthers matched the visitors basket for basket to leave the Crusaders ahead 64-55 heading into 'money-time'. Taylor (Crusaders) and Ellsworth (Panthers) matched each other through the final term, as the Panthers made determined runs at the Crusaders lead before allowing errors to snuff out each respective challenge. "Transition baskets killed us in the last quarter" said a disappointed Cooper. "We were much improved on how we played against the Crusaders the first time and also much better than we played against Norths last night". The Panthers head south to Wollongong this Saturday night and despite the current six-game losing streak, will still start hot favourites to knock over the lethargic Hawks, who are in a major form slump. Penrith's losses have been against much stronger opposition and whilst the Hawks are struggling to put points on the board, the Panthers are still scoring credible numbers week after week with a far more effective offence. Central Coast Crusaders 92 (Stefan Blaszczynski 27 points, 10 boards, 5 assists; Jason Taylor 22 points; Callum Jenkins 21; Dane Hillman 10) def Penrith Panthers 86 (Ben Ellsworth 34 points; Sean Albert 13, Rob Crane 10)

PHOTO: Callum Jenkins pulls down an offensive rebound

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