At the final buzzer at Cardinia Life on Saturday, Cal McNiff narrowly came out on top against Sale 42-40 in round six of the Country Basketball League (CBL).
Pakenham as a team recorded one of the biggest wins in the club’s history, dismantling the Sonics by an unbelievable margin of 114 points, 154-40.
The result was fuelled in the first quarter when the Warriors piled on the first 22 points of the game to lead 35-10 at the first-term intermission.
The Warriors continued to fire on all cylinders, rolling Sale in the second to take the period 46-7 and hold a halftime buffer of 81-17.
Pakenham showed absolutely no mercy as the difference climbed to triple figures midway through the last, with the final scoreline proving to be a percentage booster and some.
McNiff’s scoring repertoire was on full display, as only seven of his 42 came from the free throw line and he hit just one three.
His ability to get down the lane and finish through contact has been a massive highlight for the Warriors’ CBL campaign so far.
Mitch Zeunert was also extremely busy inside the arc, with the talented big man knocking down 16 two-point field goals on his way to 36 points.
Five other Pakenham players were in double figures as Linden Moon added 15, Cody Fredrickson scored 14, Cooper Lanting and Luke Rawiri provided 12 and Jackson Grey contributed 10.
After six rounds, the Warriors are 5-0 with by far the league’s best percentage of over 182 percent.
The remaining three rounds will be a test of endurance and depth as Pakenham has three straight double-headers on the fixture.
The Warriors women had a bye in round five and will resume action this week against the winless Bairnsdale.
