O’Flynn, 18, took up the sport three years ago after his Brauer College classmates encouraged him to move from lunchtime basketballer to domestic competition teammate.

A year later he was playing representative games at under 18 level.

Then the Country Basketball League (CBL)came calling, giving him a chance to expand his game knowledge against seasoned performers as a member of Warrnambool Seahawks’ development-focused roster.

Now he’s eyeing the Big V competition — a men’s division one debut and regular youth under 23 spot his main focuses for 2015.

“I will try and sneak a couple of games in the Big V side and hopefully stay there and if not I will keep my individual improvement going so it can help with the transition,” O’Flynn said.

“It’s (the introduction of a youth team) good for the future of basketball. It’s sort of like reserves and seniors football.”

But before the winter season starts O’Flynn wants to end his second CBL campaign on a high. He will suit up for Warrnambool Seahawks in a south-west conference away semi-final against Horsham Hornets tonight.

The 189-centimetre guard hopes to carry on the consistent form which has helped him to an average of 7.4 points across his 12 matches.

“It’s much improved on last year, that’s for sure,” O’Flynn said of his efforts.

“(Coaches) Shane (Smith) and John (Wormald) have worked on a few things with me.”

O’Flynn said his overall game had benefitted from better defensive performance.

“We’ve worked on one-on-one defence and being able to step in and help others if they need helping out,” he said. “I let the offence come from working hard on defence.”

O’Flynn said “team chemistry” would help the Seahawks, who will go in as underdogs against the ladder-leading Hornets.

“They will be a tough side, especially at home, but if we stick to our principles and go inside to our bigs we know we’ve got that over them.”

Basketball is now O’Flynn’s number one sporting priority.

Meanwhile, Warrnambool Mermaids will host Portland Coasters in their CBL south-west conference semi-final at St Joseph’s Primary School tonight.

Tip-off is at 7pm.