The Penrith Panthers Youth League Men's team opened their 2016 campaign over the weekend, competing alongside seven rival associations in the Sydney City Youth League Invitational Tournament.
It would be a fair return for the Panthers from the weekend, defeating the Newcastle Hunters 76-66 on Saturday and the Maitland Mustangs 68-59 on Sunday.
Those two wins were split by a 74-48 loss to the towering Blacktown Storm team on Saturday, which featured a 210cm (7') 18-year old rookie in Deng Acuoth.
The Storm and Sydney City Comets were the two dominant teams on Saturday and fittingly met in the last game of the tournament on Sunday for bragging rights.
The Comets would take full advantage of playing on their home court, winning a hard-fought game 62-58.
Penrith fielded two players from the Blue Mountains district on the weekend, with Mark Isichei (Springwood) and Tom Lewer (Winmalee) both playing big roles.
Adam Lulka (Blaxland) and Tim Kirkwood (Faulconbridge) were both unavailable for the tournament but will strengthen the squad significantly upon their return.
Blacktown Storm 74 (Junior Madut 18 points, Deng Acuoth 16, Simeon Murray 14) def Penrith Panthers 48 (Sean Weekes 11 points)
Penrith Panthers 76 (Sean Weekes 19 points, Mark Isichei 15) def Newcastle Hunters 66
Penrith Panthers 68 (Corey Wright 11, Bryce Field 10) def Maitland Mustangs 59
