Panthers U14 players and siblings.  Photo supplied by Jeff Cooper.

THE Penrith Panthers Under 14 Girls representative basketball team has returned home from the Australian U14 Club Championships in Perth (WA), richer for the experience but without a title.

The young Panthers suffered a crushing 73-31 loss to the eventual Silver Medallists Bulleen Boomers in their first game, then endured a heart-breaking 44-42 loss to the Forestville Eagles, which would effectively see them drop to the Shield (2nd tier) division. Jaeda Petterson also suffered an ACL injury, leaving the Panthers without a key member of the team for the remainder of the tournament.

A record of four wins / four losses for the week, to finish in 19th place overall, is a fair summary of their campaign, which ended positively with a 61-51 win over the West Adelaide Bearcats, in their final game of the tournament.

“A lack of consistency was our primary issue,” said head coach Jeff Cooper. “Four of the girls will remain in U14’s in 2026 and they’re keen to go further following their experience in Perth.”

Bulleen Boomers 73-31 loss, Forestville Eagles 44-42 loss, Darwin Cyclones 78-26 win, West Adelaide Bearcats 58-42 win, Canberra 34-30 win, North Gold Coast Seahawks 54-33 loss, Illawarra Hawks 54-32 loss, West Adelaide Bearcats 61-51 win.

Rainne Acuna and Ashley Edwards were the leading point scorers in Perth, finishing with 101 and 58 respectively.

Rainne was also voted as the season’s ‘Most Valuable Player’ for Penrith in the NSW Junior Premier League (JPL) by the players and coaching staff, Jaeda Petterson ‘Best Defensive Player’ and Ruby Gleeson-Frater ‘Most Improved Player’.

The Panthers 2026 Under 14 Girls team will also play in the NSW Junior Premier League.