The Penrith Basketball Association's three youth league teams endured a horror round, losing three games at home and one on the road to complete a dismal round 10.
The one saving grace occured at the Northern Beaches Indoor Sports Centre on Sunday, with the division one women defeating the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 64-61.
But Saturday proved disastrous, with both division one Penrith teams missing key players either to injury or other commitments.
The women were without the services of leading scorer Emily Potts and fell 69-51 to the Central Coast Crusaders, effectively handing their opponents top spot on the competition ladder.
Ella Tofaeono was the only player in double figures, finishing with 22 points.
The division one men also faced the Crusaders and were missing Adam Lulka – who was at the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence - Tom Lewer and Bryce Field, all regular members of the starting five.
The Panthers were faced with the task of grabbing a consolation win but in spite of a solid start, fell 75-62.
Sean Weekes led the Panthers with 25 points.
The division two men were competitive early against the Hornsby Spiders but lost control of the game in the second half, falling 80-73.
Marshal Ndebele and Joel Klein led the Panthers with 17 apiece.
Both division one teams were on the road to the Northern Beaches on Sunday, with the men falling 72-69 and the women winning 64-61.
Bryden Albertyn finished with 23 points, ahead of Weekes 16 and Isichei 16.
All three Penrith teams are on the road this weekend, with the women at Minto against the South West Sydney Razorbacks and the division one men at Moss Vale against the Magic, with both games to be played on Saturday. The division two men play the Hills District Hornets at Castle Hill on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Penrith Youth League forward Marshal Ndebele has signed to play with Barstow, a junior college in the US. Ndebele hopes to eventually go to a division 1 program after two years at the junior college.
