BASKETBALL Mount Gambier will maintain its strong representation in 2018, with a large contingent of junior Lakers selected in the SA Country teams competing in the Australian Country Junior Basketball Cup and the Southern Cross Challenge, along with coaches and officials.
The annual national Country Cup is in its 32nd year and will be played in Albury and Wodonga from January 16-20, while the Challenge is held in the State Basketball Centre, South Wantirna, Victoria from January 19-22.
The cup provides an important segment in the identification pathway for talented junior basketballers, coaches and officials from the country regions of SA, Victoria and NSW, along with players and coaches from New Zealand and Tasmania.
The challenge is the beginning of the high-performance program for identified players, coaches and officials.
The Under 14, 16 and 18 players will travel to Albury to compete in the Country Cup while the Under 15’s go to Melbourne for the Southern Cross Challenge.
Roger Hammond is State Manager for the SA Country contingent travelling to Albury for the Country Cup.
Bryan Green and Dan Stratford continue their roles of team coaches at the Country Cup, with Green in charge of the Under 18 Girls Magpies and Stratford the Under 16 Girls Magpies.
Lauren Ross is manager for the Sharks Under 14 Girls, being coached by Glenn Mathieson.
Mount Gambier Basketball development manager Matt Sutton will have his first experience of SA Country basketball when he takes on the role of mentor coach for the Under 15 Boys’ teams competing in the Southern Cross Challenge.
Mount Gambier Junior Lakers Selections
Under 18 men and women: Jordyn Adams, Kerryl Ousey, Madisyn Freeman, Emily Close, Bella Stratford, Malok Makuer and Mitch Hunter.
Under 16 boys and girls: Claire Hunter, Jordan Freeman, Emily Dawe, Mikaela Horrigan, Sandra Nulty, Oscar Adams, Jaidyn Lawrence, Ollie Thomson, Lewis Stratford and Josh McGregor.
Under 15 boys and girls: Tara Bryant, Jake Walker and Josh Holmes.
Under 14 boys and girls: Alyssa Duncan, Rori Perryman, Lochlan Thiele, Billy Barton, Ben Young, Alex Lillecrapp, Joel Bryant and Zach Nulty.
