Panthers and Wildcats Battle for the "Spoon"

by noelrr
13/07/2012

Friday 13th has thrown good luck in the direction of the beleaguered Penrith Panthers senior men’s basketball team four Round 15 of the 2012 Waratah Championship League (WCL) competition. The Panthers have a double-header weekend, which includes an away game to the last-placed Parramatta Wildcats on Saturday night, followed by a home game against the powerful Newcastle Hunters on Sunday. Whilst the Panthers had been looking down the barrel of extending their losing streak to 14 games, breaking news from the Wildcats camp today will give the Penrith team a much-needed boost. New Zealand import Rangi Kennedy left the Wildcats program mid-week and his absence from general play could have a major impact on Parramatta’s ongoing fortunes this season. Panthers head coach Jeff Cooper is not paying too much attention to the departure of Kennedy, stating “We’re (Penrith) not going to pay too much attention to that news, given our luck this year”. “Situations like this usually end up with another player stepping up to fill the breach and the team often performing better” said Cooper. Penrith’s most recent games won’t necessarily give their supporters any confidence for this weekend, in spite of the weakened Parramatta line-up. As a result recent losses, Penrith is locked at the bottom of the competition ladder in a fierce battle with both the Wildcats and Sutherland Sharks, with each team anxious to avoid this year’s wooden spoon. The loser of this Saturday night’s game will move to prohibitive odds to take the competition’s most unwelcome prize. A win over the Wildcats on Sunday would however carry the Panthers into Sunday’s game against the playoff-bound Hunters with renewed confidence and that game could well turn into a contest. PHOTO: Penrith forward Louis Brandt weaves his way to the hoop – photo by Noel Rowsell

Report Post