THE Penrith Panthers senior men’s and women’s basketball teams wrapped up their 2026 Mitsubishi Motors NBL1 East season on the weekend with two road trips, playing the Sutherland Sharks on Friday night and the Illawarra Hawks on Sunday.

All three teams contesting the two women’s games were well out of playoff contention, the only prize at stake was finishing as high as possible on the competition ladder at the end of the season.

Sutherland dominated Friday night’s game from the outset, leading 31-18, 60-20 and 83-39 at the first three breaks, before cruising to a runaway 49-point win (104-55).

Sunday’s game followed a similar pattern, with Illawarra leading 31-16, 50-22 and 77-42 before also cruising to a 30-point win (95-65).

Sofia Hunt (19 points), Tatiana Beaumont (14) and Chloe Williams (14) were the best for the Panthers on Friday night, whilst Chanel Bastin (27 points), Hunt (15) and Beaumont (10 points/11 boards) were the best on Sunday.

The Penrith men faced the hardest test on paper, as both the Sharks and Hawks were headed to the playoffs, irrespective of the weekend’s results.

Sutherland led 22-15, 49-24 and 56-45 at the first three breaks, before winning 74-60.

Illawarra led 23-18, 51-36 and 74-61, before surging away to a 25-point win (101-76).

Noah Webb led the Panthers on Friday night with 12 points, ahead of Brodie Schwarzer 11.

Jett Hickson led the way on Sunday with 20 points / 12 boards, ahead of Simun Krpez 12 points, Jonah Pares 10 and Angus Ole 10.

The women’s playoff teams are: Norths Bears, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Bankstown Bruins, BA Centre of Excellence, Albury-Wodonga Bandits, Newcastle Hunters.

Former Panthers representatives Tahlia Tupaea (Bankstown) and Meg Jefferson (Newcastle) are sure to be key players for their respective teams in the playoff series.

The men’s playoff teams are: Norths Bears, Illawarra Hawks, Sutherland Sharks, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, BA Centre of Excellence, Maitland Mustangs.