A CHANCE to play against seasoned performers is preparing Warrnambool Seahawks teenager Jay Rantall for the Basketball Australia under 18 championships.
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Rantall, 15, will travel with the Matt Alexander-coached outfit to Sunbury on Saturday night after impressing in his Big V debut.
The Vic Country representative, who will compete against the nation’s best in his age group in Townsville next month, saw court time in the Seahawks’ round one win at the Arc.
“He did quite well last week and ran the point well for 10 minutes,” Alexander said.
“He had five points, so that’s a good debut for a 15-year-old.”
Alexander hopes second-year import Xavier Johnson-Blount, who dominated as a shooting guard in the season-opener with 38 points and 18 rebounds, will take his red-hot form in against Sunbury.
“He is more relaxed and is picking and choosing when to be explosive,” he said.
“X didn’t play the one, he played the two and he was shooting the ball so well and we wanted to feed him and be aggressive.
“But it could change this week – he could be a playmaker because he’s got that ability as well.”
Alexander wants point guard Josh Dean to impact the scoreboard too after a disciplined defensive effort against Melbourne University Black in his 100th senior game for the club.
Impact player Dion Smith will also be called upon against the Lanard Copeland-coached Jets.
Smith intended to move to Melbourne but recommitted to the Seahawks three weeks out from the season after deciding to remain in Warrnambool.
James Mitchell is the only injury concern for the Seahawks after jarring his knee at training on Thursday night.
A strengthened Warrnambool Mermaids will play Craigieburn Eagles in their first road game since reforming.
Former championship-winning guard Holly Greene and ex-US college player Maddy White will suit up after missing the Mermaids’ confidence-boosting come-from-behind round one win.