The Penrith Panthers Division One Men's team has kept their slim play-off hopes alive in the 2016 Waratah Youth League competition, thanks to a strong 82-66 win over second-placed Manly Warringah Sea Eagles on Sunday afternoon at the Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre (PVRSC).
The Panthers were unable to shake off the strong Sea Eagles in the first half, tied 21-21 at the end of the first quarter and were trailing 30-35 at half time.
Power forward Tom Lewer (Winmalee) rose to the occasion in the third quarter, leading the Panthers to 56-53 at the end of the term.
The home team saved their best form for the last quarter, shrugging off the Sea Eagles for an impressive 16-point win.
Sean Weekes led the Panthers with 17 points, ahead of Lewer 14, Adam Lulka (Springwood) 14, Shol Meshwang 9, Ben Zalac 9 and Bryden Albertyn 9.
The second-placed Penrith Women were strangely lethargic in their game against the third-placed Sea Eagles Women, trailing all game before falling 93-75.
In spite of the team getting together mid-week for their first full-strength session for over five weeks, that preparation failed to materialise against the Sea Eagles.
Manly Warringah led 26-18, 50-33, 71-53 at the end of the first three quarters respectively, before powering home for an 18-point win.
Emily Potts led the Panthers with 27 points, ahead of Rhiannon Pope 10, Dominika Offner (Springwood) 9 and Chloe Bloom 8.
Both Division One teams host the Newcastle Hunters on Saturday, with the men's game at noon and the women's game at 2pm.
The Men then play the Inner West Bulls in Ryde on Sunday, whilst the Women host the Hornsby Spiders at 1pm at the PVRSC.
There are seven Women's teams in contention for the play-offs and Penrith need to win at least one game to guarantee a play-off berth.
There are nine Men's teams still in contention and the Panthers need to not only win both of their remaining games but have other game results fall in their favour.
The Division Two Men were also in action against the Sea Eagles on Sunday and came from behind early in the game for a stirring 72-65 win, led by Joel Klein (15) and Ru Daniel (12).
