JOSH Dyson and Ash Keen are schoolmates hoping to graduate from the Country Basketball League to Big V ranks.
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The Warrnambool College students, both 17, have joined Warrnambool Seahawks' roster for the CBL season which tips off this weekend.
MORE BASKETBALL: Guard back on the coast after overseas adventure
The south-west conference, which encompasses Portland and Terang, is a summer competition which leads into the statewide Big V.
Dyson and Keen are hoping to see court time when the Seahawks tackle Surfcoast (Saturday night) and the Coasters (Sunday) in a round one home double-header at the Arc.
The friends, who have known each other since year seven, are excited to team up.
They like to work in tandem - Dyson is a shooting guard and Keen a point guard.
"Ash can get to the ring every single time. He's faster than most people and stronger than most people as well," Dyson said.
"He helps create space for three pointers."
Keen said Dyson's accuracy from long-range would be a weapon for the Seahawks.
"He shoots really well, he's an absolute snipper," he said.
"You attack the ring and pass out to him at the the three (point line) and it's just a knock down every time."
The pair's classmate Malakye Cunningham had planned to play in the CBL before jetting to the USA for a basketball opportunity at BigTyme Sports Preparatory Academy in Texas.
He will leave on Boxing Day and complete his final year of high school overseas.
Dyson and Keen said Cunningham - the son of Seahawks legend Bobby - would excel.
"Malakye was good in every single (CBL) training and he has the potential to play most positions," he said.
"He is a really good shooter so that helps everyone and helps spread the floor.
"He's a hard worker as well and deserves everything he gets."
Keen was also full of praise for Cunningham, who already has Big V games to his credit.
"Malakye is a sniper as well and a great leader as well who encourages everyone," he said. "We're really proud of him."
Keen is learning from Big V-experienced guard Josh Dean who is training with the Seahawks.
It is not yet known if Dean will suit up in the CBL.
The Seahawks' games at at 7.30pm on Saturday night and 2pm Sunday.
The Mermaids will also start their season with the Arc.
They will play Surfcoast Lady Chargers at 5.30pm Saturday and Portland Coasters at 12pm on Sunday.
Seahawks: Mojwok Akoch, Jarra Blackney-Noter, Josh Dyson, Ash Keen, Daniel Kingsley, Adam Lawson, Matt Rea, James Mitchell, Riley Nicolson, Flynn Rowe, Dailin Toone, Ben Walters.
Mermaids: Leah Bartlett, Jordan Billington, Ava Bishop, Louise Brown, Meg Carlin, Georgia Gilmour, Cigi Lual, Molly McKinnon, Molly McLaren, Mia Mills, Paiyton Noonan, Katie O'Keefe, Sarah Perry, Emily Saffin, Matilda Sewell, Olivia Wolter.
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