Wallan Panthers suffered a first up loss to the Big V women’s division 2 season, losing to North East Bushrangers.
It wasn’t a pretty game with both sides struggling to hit their shots, and the game could have quite easily gone either way.
It was the Bushrangers, who led by as much as nine points, who came out on top, winning 58-52.
Gemma Jackson top scored for the Panthers with 13 points, while Emmie O’Nial chipped in with 10 points, as the Panthers shot at just 27 per cent for the game.
Speaking before the game, Panthers coach Warren Taylor said they had looked to add some more depth to the squad this season.
The Panthers, in their first Big V season made the grand final series, falling short against a dominant Warrnambool Mermaids side.
“The girls are up and about and you can see just how much the grand final loss is driving these girls,” Taylor said.
“They are fired up and want to do well so its exciting that after a long pre season we are finally about to hit the court.”
Tessa Ramsay is the big signing for the Panthers, bringing lots of experience to the side.
Ramsay joins the Panthers after a four year college career, after a stellar junior career with the Bullen Boomers.
“An 183cm forward, Tessa has also played extensively for Bulleen in both Youth Championship and State Championship women for many years,” Taylor said.
“Her size and athleticism will fill a much needed gap from the 2017 Panthers lineup.”
Alex Darby, who was part of the Sunbury Jets state championship title winning side last season joins the Panthers.
Darby played with the Panthers in their first Country Basketball League season in 2015-16. A number of the Panthers’ Big V squad were also a part of that team.
Belinda Mascitti returns to basketball after some time off and is another player who has state championship division experience.
Nikita McDonald also returning after some time off and rookie centre Che Williams round out the new players.
Taylor said the new players along with the exisiting players sets up a strong squad for this season.
He said several players had been part of their CBL team which made the grand final, and they had shown great improvement.
“Returning are a solid core of captain Jayda Hunter, Gemma Jackson, Sarah Scott and Emmie O’Nial.
“Emmie has been really impressive over the summer.
“Megan and Karina Marasco, and Sage Dickinson round out the squad.
“Tessa, Alex and all the new faces have fit in like they’ve been here forever and while replacing players like Jacinta Scott, Haylee Cooper-Maclean and Sarah Mellington will never be easy, I really feel we have added some strings to the bow with this group.”
