Youth League Panthers Bag Double-Header

by noelrr
16/07/2012

Penrith’s Youth League Men’s team had two much-needed victories over the weekend, in Round Fifteen of the 2012 Waratah Youth League Basketball competition. The Panthers defeat the Hornsby Spiders 92-83 on Sundasy afternoon at the Dartford Road Indoor Sports Centre (Brickpit), then backed up on Sunday to grab a narrow 88-79 win over the Newcastle Hunters at the Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre. The lack of a genuine big-man could have made a telling impact on Saturday but Panthers head coach Steve Sardi said “We (Penrith) made adjustments, conscious we needed to stay in contention for sixth spot on the competition ladder”. “Our young guns made a slow start, scoring just 13 points to Hornsby’s 20 in the first quarter but by the half time break, we had hit the lead 43-39”. “Our defensive efforts kept us in the game” said Sardi “and I was especially happy to see both Curtleigh and Beau make good contributions to the team”. “It was concerning when James Beckett went down with an ankle injury in the third, leaving us to play the rest of the game with only six players but we got the win”. Penrith Panthers 92 (Ben Wagenfeller 28 points, Ben Kearins 24, Curtleigh Albertyn 17, Beau Williams 14) def Hornsby Spiders 83 The Panthers welcomed big-man Luke Griffith back into the roster for Sunday’s game but coach Sardi said “You could feel the tension prior to the game, as both teams needed to win to stay in contention for sixth spot on the ladder (and a playoff berth)”. “All of the Penrith Players lifted and at the end of the first quarter, there was very little separating the two teams” said Sardi. Penrith held a slender 23-19 lead at the first break and 48-43 at half time, before the Hunters changed tactics and began attacking the Panthers in the paint. The Hunters managed to claw back to within two points at the final break in play but the Panthers responded to the challenge, increasing their defensive pressure on the visitors and eventually grinding out a 9-point win. Coach Sardi said “(Assistant coach) Chris (Albert) and I were ecstatic to come away this weekend with two wins”. “It was great to see the players step up and make a difference, both defensively and offensively”. “It’s amazing when the team plays together and never give up, no matter what anyone throws at you”. “I am so proud of all the guy’s efforts this weekend, especially against the bigger Newcastle team”. Penrith Panthers 88 (Ben Kearins 26 points, Ben Wagenfeller 20, Curtleigh Albertyn 17, Luke Griffith 11) PHOTO: Curtleigh Albertyn scores with a reverse lay-up against the Hunters - photo by Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)

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