A BOOST in under 18 team entries has pleased Warrnambool Seaside Junior Basketball Classic organisers.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Tournament co-ordinator Jenna Osborne said the boys’ and girls’ sections in that age group had attracted strong numbers for this weekend’s competition, shaking off a downward trend in the process.
The classic, in its 24th year, will cater for 81 teams, including 15 Warrnambool outfits, across two days.
“Numbers are up on last year, which is terrific,” she said. “It’s always nice to hit the 80 barrier.
“It works out that we have 124 games throughout the weekend and we always get good support from other local associations like Portland, Colac, Terang and Hamilton.
“The under 14 boys and under 14 girls have got huge numbers this year which is great, especially as the last couple of years the girls’ numbers have been a little down so it’s nice to see them flourish again.
“Also, in the under 18s in the last couple of years in the boys and girls we’ve only run one division.
“But we’ve got eight under 18 girls’ and nine under 18 boys’ teams (this year) so we’ve been able to split them which is good.”
Warrnambool junior squad co-ordinator Tim Rantall said the host association had a number of teams which would push for titles.
The Seahawks’ under 18 division one boys, under 16 division one boys and under 16 division two boys all won their grand finals in Millicent last weekend.
Their division two under 18 boys’ and the under 12 boys’ sides were runners-up in their respective grades.
Rantall expects those teams to build on that form at the classic.
“The under 18 boys are a very strong group and are looking to have a successful year, with their Vic Country championships coming up in February,” he said.
“Lachie Rhook, who played a couple of games for the (Big V) Seahawks this year is in the side and Oliver Bidmade and Tanna Blackney-Noter, who made the Vic Country development side, are in there.
“It is also great to go out and see new under 12 boys and girls playing and enjoying basketball.”
The carnival will run games on nine courts across five venues tomorrow and Sunday.