Cougars Split Opening Weekend Across Six Game Round
The McKinnon Cougars had a busy Big V weekend with six games across Saturday and Sunday, finishing with four wins from six outings.
The Youth Women and Youth Men opened the weekend at home on Saturday, while both Championship sides travelled to Bellarine and returned with valuable road wins. Sunday saw both youth teams hit the road, with the Youth Women splitting their double-header and the Youth Men doing the same.
SATURDAY
YOUTH WOMEN – McKinnon Cougars (111) defeated Geelong United (69)
The Youth Women opened the weekend in dominant fashion, pulling away late for a commanding 42-point home win over Geelong United at GESAC.
McKinnon were down by three at quarter time before taking control across in the second quarer, later finishing with a 42-point fourth quarter in one of the side’s most complete offensive performances of the season.
Arden Bailey led the way with 18 points and 7 rebounds, while Kayla Welsh added 15 points and 10 rebounds in a strong inside display. Eloise Leonard finished with 15 points, 5 steals and 3 assists, Maddison Carr added 14 points, and Zoe Johnson contributed 13 points and 9 rebounds as the Cougars produced a balanced scoring effort.
McKinnon knocked down 16 triples and dished 30 assists in a high-level team performance to open the weekend.
YOUTH MEN – McKinnon Cougars (83) defeated Blackburn Vikings (76) (OT)
The Youth Men were pushed all the way on Saturday night, holding off Blackburn in overtime to claim a hard-fought seven-point win at GESAC.
In a game that went back and forth throughout regulation, McKinnon lifted in the extra period to close out an important home result.
Oliver Mann was outstanding with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists, while Thomas D’Amelio added a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds. Viv Anderson-Francois provided 14 points and 2 blocks, Calvin Rama added 11 points, and Charlie Watts finished with 7 points, 7 rebounds and 3 blocks.
McKinnon found another gear in overtime, restricting Blackburn to just five points in the extra period to secure the win.
CHAMPIONSHIP WOMEN – McKinnon Cougars (94) defeated Bellarine Storm (72)
The Championship Women made it back-to-back wins with an impressive road performance, defeating Bellarine by 22 points on Saturday night.
After trailing by three at quarter time, the Cougars took control through the middle stages, outscoring the Storm 52–24 across the second and third quarters to take command of the contest.
Jennie Rintala was dominant with 27 points and 13 rebounds, while Amy Baum controlled the game with 17 points, 8 assists and 6 steals. Maighan Hedge added 16 points and 6 assists, and Katherine Vaile provided 16 points off the bench in another strong offensive outing.
McKinnon shot better than 54 per cent from the field and moved the ball well throughout, recording 20 assists in one of their most efficient performances of the season.
CHAMPIONSHIP MEN – McKinnon Cougars (85) defeated Bellarine Storm (75)
The Championship Men completed the Saturday sweep, producing a strong second-half performance to defeat Bellarine on the road.
Trailing by eight at quarter time, McKinnon responded with a 28-point second term to wrestle back control before closing the game out the game in the second halg
Kierell Green was immense with 20 points, 15 rebounds and 3 steals, while Troyce Manassa added 20 points on 9-of-16 shooting. Josh McQueen continued his strong start to the season with 17 points, Mitchell Barry added 12 points and 6 assists, and Josh Uhr-Henry contributed 11 points and 7 rebounds.
McKinnon shot 50 per cent from the floor and controlled the paint to complete a clean four-win Saturday.
SUNDAY
YOUTH WOMEN – McKinnon Cougars (72) lost to Kilsyth Cobras (90)
The Youth Women were unable to make it a perfect weekend, falling to Kilsyth on the road on Sunday afternoon.
McKinnon led by six at quarter time, but Kilsyth took control through the middle periods and the Cougars were unable to regain momentum late.
Eloise Leonard again led the way with 23 points, 5 assists and 3 steals, continuing her strong weekend form. Arden Bailey added 15 points and 5 rebounds, while Kayla Welsh contributed 8 points and 5 boards.
McKinnon competed strongly early, but Kilsyth’s second-quarter surge proved decisive as the Cobras took control of the contest.
YOUTH MEN – McKinnon Cougars (56) lost to Coburg Giants (90)
The Youth Men closed the weekend with a road loss to Coburg on Sunday afternoon.
McKinnon was forced to chase the game early after Coburg opened with a 30-point first quarter, and the Cougars were unable to recover despite a stronger second half.
Oliver Mann again battled hard with 10 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals, while Jake Ansell provided a spark off the bench with 10 points and 7 rebounds. Charlie Watts added 7 points and 6 boards.
Coburg’s fast start proved too much to overcome as McKinnon split the weekend at 1–1.