Mixed results for Warriors

Warragul Warriors men suffered their first loss of the season in Country Basketball League on Sunday, going down to the Maffra Eagles 91-59.

With the team missing Mike Santo and Ambu Uliando having a quiet day, it was Michael Bridgman and Dwain Scott who led the scoring with 12 points apiece, while Murray Myers chipped in with 11 points in a tough day at the office for the Warriors.

Blake Gallatly and Sam Whelan were damaging for the Eagles, each shooting 21 points, while Andrew Quirk and Marcus Cope each shot 15 points as the Eagles pulled away to a comfortable victory.

The Warriors were in the match early, drawing level at the first change and within three points at the half. Maffra got going in the third term to establish a 12-point buffer at the final change and went away with it in the last, scoring a comfortable 32-point victory.

Earlier, the Warriors maintained their unbeaten status with a hard-fought win over Sale Sonics on Saturday night.

Santo top scored with 24 points, while Uliando, Sam Flanders (13 points apiece) and Calvin Rees (10 points) chipped in to see the Warriors hold on. Billy Hughes (25 points including five three-pointers) and Mem Bektas (16 points) shot well for the Sonics, but the Warriors held on to win by nine points, 78-69.

Santo started proceedings with a three-pointer as the Warriors created an early buffer, but the Sonics were quick to hit back and take a three-point lead into the first change. The match was nip and tuck throughout, with the Sonics establishing a small buffer before the Warriors levelled the scores late in the third.

A late run of consecutive scores in the final term established a small buffer for the Warriors, who managed to hold on.

The Warriors had comfortably accounted for Korumburra Wildcats in round 11, winning 102-75.

Lauchie Thomas was the first to score, putting a three-pointer on the board for the Wildcats before the Warriors worked to a comfortable lead.

Murray Myers scored two three pointers in the first term as the Warriors led by eight points.

The Warriors were never headed from that point, with a three pointer to Sam Flanders extending the lead to 16.

The Warriors were able to score regularly in the early stages of the third term to extend the margin beyond 30, and from there were able to keep the Wildcats at bay. Liam Axford scored a late three-pointer for the Warriors.

Meanwhile, the Warriors women put in a competitive effort at the weekend to square the ledger at one win and one loss.

The Warriors defeated the Sonics 74-58 on Saturday night, before running the Maffra Eagles to seven points on Sunday, going down 39-32.

Peta Rhodes (22), Jaz Ferguson (16) and Kylie Mullen (10) led the scoring as the Warriors comfortably accounted for the Sonics.

The Sonics got an early break but a threepointer to Rhodes early in the second helped the Warriors work into the contest. The Warriors pulled away in the final term in what had been a tight contest.

Only Maffra’s Jazmin Allman could reach double figures in Sunday’s match, which ultimately proved the difference.

Rhodes led the scoring for the Warriors with nine points, but all players contributed to keeping the Eagles honest. The Warriors led early in the low scoring affair, before the Eagles worked their way back into the contest in the second term.

The Warriors women went down to the Korumburra Wildcats 54-29 in round 11.

While each player scored, the Warriors had no match for the firepower of Jamie Lee Jeffs, who scored 21 points to ultimately prove the difference.

Ferguson and Emi Black each shot a three pointer for the Warriors.

The Warriors will make the long trip to face Bairnsdale on Saturday night before hosting Moe on Sunday afternoon.

While the women will miss finals, they will look to finish their season strongly and lock in a fifth-placed finish.

Still clear at the top of the ladder, the Warriors men will look to respond from Sunday’s loss.