Cougars Secure Two Victories Across Big V Weekend
The McKinnon Cougars secured two victories across four Big V fixtures over the weekend, highlighted by a dominant 35-point win for the Championship Women and a thrilling three-point victory for the Championship Men.
The Youth Championship Women’s outstanding season came to an end following a 71-59 Preliminary Final defeat against the Kilsyth Cobras on Saturday night. Read the full Youth Women’s Preliminary Final recap here.
The Championship Women powered past Pakenham 99-64 on Saturday night, while the Championship Men fell agonisingly short against the Warriors by one point. The Men responded on Sunday, overcoming Bellarine 90-87 at GESAC.
SATURDAY
YOUTH WOMEN – McKinnon Cougars (59) defeated by Kilsyth Cobras (71)
The Youth Championship Women’s season came to an end following a 12-point Preliminary Final defeat against Kilsyth at Kilsyth Sports Centre.
Read the full Youth Women’s Preliminary Final recap here.
CHAMPIONSHIP WOMEN – McKinnon Cougars (99) defeated Pakenham Warriors (64)
The Championship Women produced an impressive all-round performance to defeat Pakenham by 35 points at Cardinia Life.
McKinnon established a five-point advantage in the opening quarter before taking complete control of the contest with a 32-point second period. The Cougars led by 19 points at halftime and continued to extend the margin throughout the second half.
McKinnon shot 46.2 per cent from the field, connected on 13 three-pointers and forced 18 steals in a dominant team performance.
Javyn Nicholson led the way with 32 points and 6 rebounds on 12-of-18 shooting, including six three-pointers. Maighan Hedge added 17 points and 3 steals, while Jennie Rintala contributed 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
Katherine Vaile finished with 11 points and 9 rebounds, while Amy Baum produced an outstanding all-round performance with 9 points, 10 assists and 4 steals. Annabel Fitter added 6 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals off the bench.
CHAMPIONSHIP MEN – McKinnon Cougars (84) defeated by Pakenham Warriors (85)
The Championship Men fell just short in a dramatic one-point contest against Pakenham.
McKinnon led by two points after the opening quarter before extending the margin to eight by halftime. Pakenham responded with a 27-point third quarter to reduce the deficit to one before edging ahead during a tense final period.
Josh McQueen led McKinnon with 24 points on an efficient 11-of-15 shooting, while Josh Uhr-Henry recorded a double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds, including eight offensive boards.
Michael Aminov provided 16 points off the bench, while Troyce Manassa added 14 points, 4 assists and 3 steals. Mitchell Barry contributed 9 points and a team-high 6 assists.
SUNDAY
CHAMPIONSHIP MEN – McKinnon Cougars (90) defeated Bellarine Storm (87)
The Championship Men responded strongly from Saturday’s narrow defeat, overcoming Bellarine by three points at GESAC.
The Cougars trailed by four points after the opening quarter before responding with 30 points in the second to level the scores at halftime. McKinnon then edged ahead during the third quarter and held firm down the stretch to secure the victory.
McKinnon shot 46.2 per cent from the field, controlled the rebounding battle 50-36 and committed just six turnovers across the contest.
Troyce Manassa led the Cougars with 20 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds, while Josh McQueen added 19 points and 6 rebounds. Josh Uhr-Henry finished with 14 points and 7 rebounds, with Angok Angok contributing 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting.
Mitchell Barry and Luke Lyngberg each recorded double-doubles. Barry finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists, while Lyngberg added 10 points, 11 rebounds and 2 assists off the bench.