Pink-Out Round Sees Cougars Split Big V Weekend At GESAC
The McKinnon Cougars hosted their annual Pink-Out Round across the weekend at GESAC, raising funds and awareness for Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) while the club’s Big V teams battled through four games across Saturday and Sunday.
The Championship Women recorded a dominant victory on Saturday night, while three other contests went down to the wire in tightly fought battles across the weekend.
SATURDAY
CHAMPIONSHIP WOMEN – McKinnon Cougars (107) defeated Sunbury Jets (48)
The Championship Women produced one of their most dominant performances of the season on Saturday night, defeating the Sunbury Jets by 59 points at GESAC.
McKinnon controlled the contest from the opening quarter, building a 16-point lead at quarter time before continuing to extend the margin throughout the night.
Javyn Nicholson starred in another impressive performance with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks on 64 per cent shooting, continuing her strong start since arriving at the club.
Katherine Vaile also impressed with 17 points and 7 rebounds, shooting 63 per cent from the field, while Sarae Beveridge added 17 points with five made three-pointers.
Jennie Rintala contributed 12 points and 5 rebounds, while Romy Price and Annabel Fitter both added 10 points each in a strong team offensive display.
Amy Baum controlled the tempo superbly with 9 assists and 5 rebounds, while Eloise Leonard added 8 points, 6 rebounds and 4 steals.
McKinnon finished with 25 assists as a team while knocking down 16 triples in a dominant offensive performance.
CHAMPIONSHIP MEN – McKinnon Cougars (80) defeated Sunbury Jets (64)
The Championship Men also secured an important home victory on Saturday night, defeating Sunbury by 16 points at GESAC.
After leading by nine at quarter time, the Cougars maintained control throughout the contest before pulling away again late in the fourth quarter.
Kierell Green delivered a dominant inside performance with 23 points and 20 rebounds, controlling the paint on both ends of the floor.
Troyce Manassa added 17 points and 7 assists, while Josh Uhr-Henry provided strong production off the bench with 16 points and 9 rebounds.
Josh McQueen contributed 10 points, while Mitchell Barry added 6 points, 6 assists and 3 steals in a well-rounded performance.
SUNDAY
YOUTH WOMEN – McKinnon Cougars (80) defeated by Diamond Valley Eagles (82)
The Youth Women were edged out by just two points in a thrilling Sunday afternoon contest against Diamond Valley at GESAC.
McKinnon led by one point at halftime before the visitors narrowly held on late in a game that featured multiple lead changes across the second half.
Arden Bailey continued her strong form with 24 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 50 per cent from the field in another standout offensive display.
Holly Miller added 15 points and 5 rebounds, while Kayla Welsh contributed 12 points and 3 rebounds.
Eloise Leonard finished with 11 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, while Keira Price added 7 points and 2 rebounds off the bench.
Despite a late opportunity, the Cougars were unable to find the final score in the closing stages.
YOUTH MEN – McKinnon Cougars (79) defeated by Coburg Giants (83)
The Youth Men also fell in a close battle on Sunday afternoon, going down to Coburg by four points at GESAC.
McKinnon trailed by 12 points at halftime before producing a strong second-half fightback, cutting the margin to a single possession late in the game.
Oliver Mann led the way with 24 points and 6 rebounds, continuing his strong recent form for the Cougars.
Charlie Watts contributed 10 points and 9 rebounds, while Viv Anderson-Francois added 8 points and 4 assists.
Calvin Rama and Thomas D’Amelio both finished with 7 points, while Oliver Ledger added 6 points and 7 rebounds.
But McKinnon were ultimately unable to complete the comeback after closing the margin to a single possession late in the game.