The host association won six deciders at the two-day event in a positive sign for its future. 

Five Seahawks sides — under 12 division one, under 14 division one, under 16 division one, under 18 division one and under 18 division two — won their respective age groups.

The Mermaids’ under 16 division two side was the only host team to win a girls’ grand final.

The team of Sarah Zanos, Georgia McCullagh, Lauren Zanker, Ruby Moloney, Molly McKinnon, Charlotte Lenehan, Faith Bruce, Juina Lual and Ella Thornton won its four qualifying games to book its spot in the decider.

Coach Allan McCullagh said it was the players’ first tournament win as a group.

They defeated Terang 31-17 in the grand final.

“The team has been together for the last couple of seasons and are on the improve, which is good for girls basketball,” McCullagh said.

“They were pretty keen to win one and we’ve got to build on that now.

“We’ve got Geelong in a fortnight for a tournament and then we’ll have a break until January next year.”

McCullagh, who thanked team manager Louise Hannigan for her support, said Warrnambool’s strength throughout the tournament was its teamwork.

Tournament co-ordinator Jenna Osborne said there was a good spread of winners at the carnival, which attracted 81 teams.

Koroit belied its small base to claim two titles — the under 12 boys’ division two crown and under 14 boys’ division two A honour.

“It was good to see nearly all associations get teams into a grand final,” Osborne said.

“We had eight teams in grand finals and won six.

“A couple of Warrnambool teams only missed finals by a couple of points, so they were really competitive, which was great.”

Osborne said the Country Basketball League games between Warrnambool and Horsham on Saturday night were well supported.

“It was great to link with the CBL,” she said. 

“They got good crowds for both the men’s and women’s matches so it created a good atmosphere and we were able to link junior and senior basketball.”