The Ringwood Lady Hawks had two fantastic games on the weekend.

On Saturday night they travelled to Eltham to battle their old rivals, the Wildcats. In the first quarter, the Wildcats were on top. The Hawks trailed for most of the quarter but scored a goal with seconds to go to hit the lead.

Ringwood dominated the second quarter, their defence was impassable. The Hawks’ outscored their opponents 22 - 11, including a 15-0 run to start the term. The lead was 13 points at half time.

In the third, the Wildcats clawed their way back into the game thanks to some three point shooting from Chelsie Schweers and Vanessa Panousis.

The game was tense in the final quarter as the teams went goal for goal. Ringwood’s dominance close to the basket would prove to be the difference. They outscored Eltham 50 - 24 from inside the key and had 14 more rebounds. A couple of great threes by Cassidy Mihalko and Kate Spillane helped to keep the margin in double digits. Ringwood ran out winners by 11 points - 85 to 74.

Ringwood’s top scorers were Megan Mullings (22 points, 12 rebounds 3 blocks), Danni Bone (20 points 7 assists) and Cassidy Mihalko (16 points, 8 rebounds).

Eltham’s top scorers were Chelsea Schweers (26 points) and Vanessa Panousis (19 points and 6 assists).

Ringwood’s Megan Mullings said the major factor in their away win was “… our lock up defense and going to our strengths. We tried to isolate their posts and play them one on one. The biggest key was our team staying together. We were supporting each other and focusing on us winning the game.”

On a foggy and chilly Sunday afternoon the Hawks hosted the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence (COE) at the Rings.

COE scored two easy baskets before Ringwood’s defence shut them down. Ringwood then went on a 15 to 0 run to lead by 11 points at the first break.

It felt like Ringwood would continue to extend their lead but COE fought back hard. In a physical game, COE outscored the Hawks by 8 points in the second quarter and 7 points in the third to take a four point lead into the final quarter.

Ringwood then showed why they are one of the top five teams in the league. Both their defensive and offensive intensity lifted, lead by Cassidy Mihalko with 10 clutch points. Ringwood finished with a 75 to 64 win.

Ringwood’s three stars from the Eltham clash - Cassidy Mihalko (22 points, 6 rebounds) Megan Mullings (17 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks) and Danni Bone (20 points, 5 assists) again led the team’s performance.

Lily Scanlon (16 points) and Agnes Emma-Nnopu (15 points, 11 rebounds) were the top scorers for the Centre of Excellence.

At the end of the round, Hawks now sit fourth on the ladder with 11 wins and 4 losses for the season.

Report by Emma Hastings Under 12’s 2.

Watch a replay of the women's Sunday win here.