Eve Covey's basketball dream is to play in the WNBA just like her hero, Los Angeles Sparks power forward Candace Parker.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But in meantime the 11-year-old centre has represented the Warrnambool Mermaids under 12s at the National Junior Classic, held in Dandenong until Monday.
Warrnambool lost its first two encounters to Nunawading and Hawthorn at the nation's peak elite junior invitational tournament, but turned things around to finish the first day with a 54-29 win against Sydney Comets.
Covey said she was grateful for the opportunity to play under coaches Kate Sewell and Jess O'Connor.
"They told us to keep going and inspired us to put everything into that last game," she said.
The Mermaids then split their results on Sunday with a 51-27 victory over North Adelaide followed by a 37-29 loss to Casey.
But Covey's side has a chance to even the ledger in its final game on Monday against the Sydney-based North's Bears.
"It would be awesome to finish with a win because then our little country team would finish 11th in Australia," she said.
"The highlight of the tournament was that I got to spend time with my friends and play the game I love."
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.