Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Latrobe Local News

Pacers Win First Game For Season 2006

The Latrobe City Pacers had a grueling road trip to Melbourne on the weekend, playing Eltham on Saturday night following up on the Sunday with a game against a fresh Waverley side.

By Gippsland Latrobe Basketball Inc - 10th April 2006 - Back to News

The Latrobe City Pacers had a grueling road trip to Melbourne on the weekend, playing Eltham on Saturday night following up on the Sunday with a game against a fresh Waverley side in the second round of the 2006 Australian Basketball Association Season.

After a disappointing lost to the Melbourne Tigers in front of a big crowd at Traralgon the Pacers were keen to make amends and turned it on at Eltham to win their first game of the season by 13 points. The first quarter saw Pacers Vashon Weaver, Joe Hooks and Jeff Reid scoring at will for Pacers. While Damon Lowery, John Lister and Joel Seach tried to hard to keep Eltham in the game

Pacers kept up the defensive intensity in the second quarter putting Eltham off their game stopping Lowery from getting into the game.

The half-time break saw the Pacers up by 12 points, playing great team basketball and working well both ends of the court. Pacers 54 leading Eltham 42 with Vashon Weaver 15 points, and Joe Hooks 14 points the top scorers for the Pacers while John Lister had 12 points for Eltham.

Eltham hit back in the third quarter and took advantage of the Pacers in foul trouble with Pacers big men Joe Hooks on 5 fouls and Paul Phillips on 4 fouls. Pacers were able to withstand the pressure up the court and maintain their 12-point buffer at three quarter time.

The last quarter saw Pacers blow the lead out to 17 points before a great fight back by Eltham saw the Pacers lead dwindle away and Eltham take the lead by 2 points late in the final quarter. The lead then seesawed back and forth until Pacers Coach Dean Vickerman called a time out and composed the team. The players went back onto the court and took control of the game eventually winning by 13 points. The final score 117 to 104 with top scorers for the Pacers including Vashon Weaver 28 points and 13 rebounds, Joe Hooks 28 points, Liam Norton 23 points and Jeff Reid with 18 points. Best for the Eltham were John Lister with 21 points, Adam Moore with 19 and Damon Lowry contributing 18 points.

On Sunday, the Pacers were keen to continue their performance of the night before, however they were up against a fresh Waverley, who didn’t play on the Saturday night. This was a telling factor in the result of the game, combined with being without star forward Nick Masunda due to a bout of the flu.

Former Pacers player Stuart Leech, now playing for Waverley took control of the first quarter shooting 9 points and James Anderson shot 7, while for Pacers Jeff Reid had 7 points and Liam Norton 9 points. Pacers down in the first quarter by 6, with Waverley 27 points and Pacers 21 points.

The second quarter became a hard low scoring defensive game with both teams turning over the ball when the pressure came on. At half time Pacers were still down by 7 points, with Waverley 43 points and Pacers 36 points. Jeff Reid top score for Pacers with 13 pints while Waverley’s Dallas Wilson had 11 points.

The third quarter saw Pacers cut back the deficit through Vashon Weaver, Liam Norton and Nazza O’Brien before Waverley fought back and took control again. The third quarter finished with a successive three pointers by Jeff Reid followed up by one from Dallas Wilson of Waverley. Pacers took the lead back going into the three quarter break with a one-point lead.

Pacers 61points and Waverley 60 points Jeff Reid on 20 points, Liam Norton on 16 points and Nazza O’Brien on 10 points while for Waverley James Anderson had 17 points and Dallas Wilson 14 Points.

The last quarter saw the teams evenly matched for half of the quarter before Waverley took control half way through the quarter and eventually won the game by 9 points.

Waverley 84 points beating Pacers 75 points.

Top scorers for Pacers were Jeff Reid 20 points, Liam Norton 18 points, Nazza O’Brien 15 points and Big Joe Hooks 11 points, while for Waverley James Anderson 24 points, Stuart Leech 17 points Dallas Wilson 14 points and Andrew Knowles shot 6 points and pulled in 24 rebounds

The Pacers next game is an away game at Ringwood on 15^th April 2003 at 8.15pm, followed by a home game at Moe on the 22^nd April 2006, hosting a very strong Sandringham Sabres. Tip off is at 8pm.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Bass Coast wins National AustStab Award for sustainable road recycling and innovative rehabilitation
  Bass Coast Shire Council won the 2025 AustStab Award for Excellence for pioneering road recycling methods, cutting emissions by 85%, truck movements by 80%, and delivering faster, more sustainable, durable roads with less disruption.
• Latrobe City Council endorsed applications for the 2026/2027 Black Spot Program, targeting high-risk crash sites across the shire
  Latrobe City Council has applied for the 2026/2027 Black Spot Program, proposing safety upgrades at Traralgon, Morwell, and Newborough crash sites. Successful projects will involve community consultation during the design phase.
• Latrobe City launches investment campaign showcasing strength, innovation, and opportunities across Gippsland
  Latrobe City Council launched an investment campaign showcasing business strength, innovation, and opportunities positioning itself as Gippsland's hub for growth, transformation, and future industries.
• Latrobe City Council seeks community feedback on the future of Moe Gardens Caravan Park as lease nears end
  Latrobe City Council is inviting community feedback on the future of Moe Gardens Caravan Park, with the current operator's lease expiring in May 2026 under Crown Land Leasing Policy requirements for open and impartial processes.
• Latrobe City Council endorses submissions on Hazelwood and Yallourn declared mine rehabilitation plans
  Latrobe City Council has endorsed submissions on Hazelwood and Yallourn mine rehabilitation plans, promoting sustainable restoration, strong coordination, environmental accountability, community benefits, and long-term regional resilience.
• Latrobe City Council endorses community engagement on draft financial, asset, and road management plans
  Council endorsed community engagement on key draft plans, including the Financial, Asset, and Road Management Plans, ensuring alignment with the Community Vision, Council Plan, and long-term strategic planning framework.
• Allan Labor government backs First Nations athletes in Eastern Victoria with new sports grants
  The Allan Labor government has announced over $67,000 in Aboriginal Sport Participation Grants, supporting First Nations athletes in Eastern Victoria with travel, uniforms, and equipment to compete locally and nationally.
• Forge Theatre's school holiday season brings classic tales, comedy chaos and heartfelt community spirit to East Gippsland
  The Forge Theatre's school holiday season features The Velveteen Rabbit, Polite Mammals, and The Heartbreak Choir, offering family fun, comedy, and heartfelt community spirit with something for everyone to enjoy.
• Latrobe Valley households to cut energy bills with efficient electric heat pump hot water system upgrades
  Latrobe Valley households can cut energy bills by $330 annually with efficient heat pump hot water systems, thanks to the Allan Labor government's SEC one stop shop pilot expansion.
• Latrobe Valley's new 100MW big battery boosts energy reliability, cuts power bills, and supports Victoria's renewable transition
  A 100MW Latrobe Valley big battery has officially opened, boosting energy reliability, cutting power bills, and supporting Victoria's renewable transition, helping achieve government storage targets while delivering affordable electricity.
• Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club track redevelopment a "big win for people power," says Martin Cameron
  Racing will resume at Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club after Glenview Park track redevelopment, hailed by Martin Cameron as a "big win for people power" following community and trainer advocacy.
• Baw Baw Shire Council invites community to join Biodiversity Blitz and help shape first nature plan from 1-30 September 2025
  Baw Baw Shire Council invites residents to celebrate Biodiversity Month by joining the Biodiversity Blitz, recording local species, attending walk-and-talk events, and contributing ideas to shape the region's first Nature Plan.
• AFL investigating alleged racism at Omeo District grand final following online video reports
  AFL is investigating alleged racism at the Omeo District grand final after online videos surfaced. MP Tim Bull condemned the behaviour, stressing racism is unacceptable and must never be tolerated in community sport.
• Have your say on the draft Roadside and Footpath Trading Policy balance road access, submit by 28 September 2025
  Baw Baw Shire Council invites feedback on its Draft Roadside and Footpath Trading Policy, aiming to balance vibrant business activity with safe pedestrian access. Consultation runs 29 August - 28 September on Baw Baw Connect.
• Baw Baw Shire Council secures funding for four key road safety projects through TAC and federal Blackspot Programs
  Baw Baw Shire Council secured TAC and Federal Blackspot funding for four key road safety projects in Warragul and Drouin, targeting high-risk areas with upgrades to improve safety for all road users.